Ellie laughed, and Marjoram chuckled. "You know what I mean. It's been a century since a child was born there. I think all of their reproductive organs have shriveled up."
"Gram, your prejudice is showing." Ellie wagged a finger at her grandmother. Marjoram just shrugged. She continued. "Prince Magnus has taken in a wolf pack. Evidently they lived close to where some of the murders took place, so he opened the city to the wolves."
Marjoram blinked. "The prince of the vampires allowed a wolf pack to take refuge in the city of the night? I never thought I'd see that happen."
"The wolf pack is the one with the children. From the symptoms Kari described, they sound sick, but it's probably something they ate."
Ellie sipped her coffee to hide her grin. Before staying home to take care of her, her grandmother had been a top-rated nurse. Marjoram frowned. "What symptoms?"
"Low-grade fever, achiness, and temper tantrums. They are fussy and can't seem to get to sleep."
"That sounds like what happens when a human child gets ill, but shifters don't get sick."
Ellie nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right; shifter children never get sick, ever."
"What are you going to do?" Marjoram asked.
"If the children need me, I'll go. With any luck, I'll get there just to identify that they are all going through growth spurts. It's not like I have a job go back to anymore."
"It would be a nice break for you," Marjoram paused. "What about the caves?"
"Kari said there are no caves, that they have large open caverns sometimes twenty to twenty-five feet high. She assured me there were no small spaces."
"Well, that's comforting. When do we leave?"
Ellie felt a wave of relief wash through her. Marjoram chuckled. "You honestly didn't think I was going to let you traipse across the country, to a city of vampires all by yourself, did you? That meeting with your director must've upset you more than you're letting on."
"Thanks Gram. I didn't want to assume you'd go, but I am very glad you are. I told them we would be ready by tomorrow. Their doctor is supposed to be emailing me a list of equipment they have on hand. I'll try to bring whatever else I can to supplement, including medicines, although, I have no idea what to bring to treat shifter children." Ellie chewed on her bottom lip.
"I suggest you stop thinking of them as shifter children Ellie, and start thinking of them as sick children. Treat the symptoms."
Ellie smiled at her grandmother. "When did you get so smart?" she teased.
Marjoram winked. "Someday I'll tell you."
CHAPTER TWO
The next morning, Ellie and her grandmother stood in an open field outside Chicago. It was one of the few portals in the country and could only be opened by the fae. Beside her on the frost covered ground were cases and cases of medicine and equipment. She'd only brought a small suitcase of clothing for herself, as had her grandmother. Just as she checked her phone for the time, the air shimmered in front of them, and the portal appeared. A moment later, two tall blond men stepped through.
"Hello ladies, I hope you haven't been waiting long. My name is Etain, and this is Sulis. We've come to escort you to Noctem Falls." He looked down. "Is this all the equipment you brought?" he asked, pointing to the stack. Ellie nodded somewhat tongue-tied. The two golden men were absolutely stunning. Marjoram placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Yes, this is it," Marjoram confirmed.
Sulis began carrying boxes through the portal as Etain stood off to one side maintaining the portal connection. He smiled at her. "Just a few more moments while we get the boxes through to the other side. Once there, other unit warriors will lower your equipment and boxes down to the ledge to be carried into the city and to Level Six. The wolves have an open courtyard that's being used for the sick children."
Ellie shook her head. "I'm confused. From the phone conversation I had with Kari yesterday, I assumed it was just one or two children; you make it sound as if there are more."
Etain frowned, his eyes filling with concern. "Last night, three more children started exhibiting the same symptoms. Dr. St. John is doing the best he can, but he's being stretched a bit thin. Your presence will be most welcome," he assured her.
Ellie looked up at her grandmother; they both shared the same worried expression. The sooner they could get to the city the better. They needed to take a look at these children. When the second fae warrior carried the last box through and disappeared, Etain stepped into the middle of the portal and held out his hand. "Ladies." Smiling, Ellie and her grandmother placed their hands on his and walked through the portal.