"Why do they attack us?" one mother asked brokenly.
Ellie thought about it a moment. "I truly believe that it's not them, that it's their animals reacting. Dr. St. John"--she nodded in his direction--"may have been on to something when he used the analogy of a wounded animal. Animals in the wild tend to lash out at anything and anyone that gets near them when they are hurt and confused. They don't understand that someone may be trying to help them. All they know is that they are in pain and are scared."
"Human children don't react like this," one of the fathers protested.
"True," Ellie agreed. "Then again, these children aren't human. Humans are raised from infancy getting and being sick. They have runny noses and low fevers, strep throat, ear infections, even cancer. Almost from the time they are born, the world attacks them. They are simply used to that type of pain and stress on their bodies. Your shifter children have never been sick, so of course they're confused."
The parents began to nod as if beginning to understand what the children were going through. Ellie continued. "Now, Dr. St. John and my grandmother will be with me at midnight, and we'll get everybody dosed again, but until then, we will be relying on you a great deal. I'll be heading down to Level One to attend a dinner meeting with Prince Magnus. I'll be apprising him of the situation here. He has assured me he is willing to do anything and everything it takes to make sure the children receive the best care possible."
"Of course he has. He loves the children," Susan said, leaning into her mate.
"Yes, he does," Eleanor agreed. "From what I understand, I can be reached with a walkie-talkie."
Tobias held one up. "Micah left us an extra."
"Perfect." She turned to her mate, knowing without having to look where he'd be. He met her eyes and nodded. She continued. "If you need us, call Grant and we will come as soon as we can get a level escort. We're just moments away," she assured them.
"Thank you for coming, Doctor," Susan said, wiping her eyes.
Grant stepped forward and once again placed a hand on her back. This time he walked in measured steps as they made their way toward the transport tunnel. Ellie watched him covertly. He was trying so very hard to walk with her. She felt a small glimmer of hope spring to life in her heart.
When they reached the tunnel's edge, she looked around; there was no escort to be found. She frowned. "I see what you mean."
Grant looked down at her. "What?"
"Waiting for an escort sucks."
He grinned at her, and her heart jumped up into her throat. He was simply gorgeous. His square jaw had a dark stubble that gave him this roguish look, and when he grinned, a little dimple appeared in his cheek. His eyes twinkled, and then she blinked and it was gone. His face was back to scowling.
"Too late."
"What?"
"I saw it."
"What?" He truly looked confused.
"Your sexy smile."
His eyes widened. "You think I'm sexy?"
She didn't answer him; she simply hummed beside him. When he wasn't looking, she continued to watch him. She tried not to laugh when she noticed that as they waited, his mouth twitched furiously as if he was trying to smile again on purpose.
After a few minutes of waiting, Grant growled and grabbed his walkie-talkie. "Casanova, come in."
"Casanova?" she whispered.
"Micah," he explained, and she laughed.
"Casanova here, what do you need Big Bad Wolf?"
Ellie covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
"A tunnel escort."
"There should be one up there."
"Yes, there should," Grant muttered sarcastically.
"Right dear, be there a minute. Casanova, Love God, out."
"Love God, my ass," Grant groused as he reattached his walkie-talkie at his waist.
It wasn't two minutes later when Micah appeared in the tunnel. He held out both hands. "Come, my lovelies, time to fly!"
Grant growled and placed his hand on Micah's arm. Ellie did the same. Micah floated them down to Level One. This time she kept her eyes open. It was fascinating to see the different levels go by.
Micah dropped them off and then waved. "Aren't you staying?" she asked. He shook his head. "Despite the abundance of beauty that is sure to be at the dinner table, it's really not my scene. Besides, I've got a game going with the twins. If I leave them alone too long, they cheat. Adieu!"
When they could no longer see the witch, Grant turned to her. "You seem comfortable around him."
"He's easy to talk to." Ellie saw his scowl and realized he was nervous. Feeling like she was about to risk everything, she reached out and took his hand in hers. He stared down at her in shock, his eyes riveted where their hands were joined together. It seemed like he had stopped breathing, so she started to pull away.