She managed to hold it together until she got to her car, and in the confines of her own bubble, she broke down. Most of her tears were of impotent frustration. No matter what she did, how much good she thought she was doing, it all came back to how she looked.
That was why she'd stopped dating. She had given up the dream of ever having a family of her own. Helping other people's children eased the pain in her heart. Sniffling, she wiped her eyes. It might take her longer to complete her project, especially doing it on her own, but she would continue her research.
She was about to start the car when her phone rang. Glancing down, she smiled and answered the phone. "Hey Kari. Why on earth are you calling me first thing in the morning?" she asked.
"Hey Ellie. I sort of have a job for you."
Ellie smiled at the use of the nickname, only her close friends and her gram called her Ellie. "I'm not a personal assistant, Kari."
"No, it is nothing like that. I do not know if you are aware, but I am now in Noctem Falls."
Ellie pulled the phone away from her ear and double-checked to make sure that she was talking to Kari. She put the phone next to her ear again. "This is Kari right? Kari Delaney, the one who swore that all the evils of the world crawled out from the depths of Noctem Falls? That Kari?"
Her friend laughed. "Yes, it is I. Avery and I came here, and we both found our mates. It looks like we are here to stay."
Ellie smiled wide. "That's wonderful news! Congratulations!" She was so happy for her friend. If there was one person that understood her lonely single life, it was Kari. "So if it's not being a personal assistant, how can I help you?"
"Noctem Falls recently took in a pack of refugee wolves. I am not sure how abreast you are on current events, but in some places it is not safe to be out on your own anymore. Since there were a high number of murders around the town where the wolves lived, they moved everyone to Noctem Falls for safety. It is the pack's children that are not feeling well."
Ellie frowned. "Kari, shifter children don't get sick, ever."
"I know. Trust me, we all know, but that does not change the fact that they are exhibiting symptoms."
"What are the symptoms?"
"We do not have much to go on. Dr. St. John says he cannot determine if they have a fever. He says shifter children run warm, but far as we can tell, they are having trouble sleeping. They are also complaining of being achy, have had weeping fits, and out-of-character aggressive tantrums."
Ellie shook her head. "That could be the terrible twos or teething."
"Dr. St. John said something along those lines, but two of the three children are over the age of five and are not prone to tantrums. Is there any way I could talk you into coming here to take a look?"
Ellie felt her throat constricting. "You want me to come to those itty-bitty tiny caves?" Ellie was already starting to feel sick.
Kari laughed. "It is not like that at all. In fact, everything is really open. They have huge ceilings that must be twenty to twenty-five feet high; there are no little cramped caves here, just big open rooms, I swear."
"I may have to bring some equipment." Ellie chewed on her lower lip.
"I could send warriors to help you pack."
"Warriors?"
"My mate, Declan, is a unit warrior here. I am pretty sure they will volunteer to help."
Ellie hesitated. "I have to bring my gram."
"Of course, she is also welcome."
She took a deep breath. "I'll do it," she confirmed before she could change her mind.
"Wonderful! Chicago is the closest portal, is it not?" Kari asked.
"Yes, I think there is a portal just outside the city. Could you meet with Dr. St. John and email me a list of the available equipment and symptoms? That way I can just bring whatever else is needed from my own lab."
"I will have him do that right away. We actually just recently started bringing in a lot of heavy equipment to set up an infirmary."
"Why do vampires need an infirmary?" Ellie asked.
"You know, it has been that type of week. Let us just say that after a few close calls and a lab fire, we suddenly found ourselves needing a lot of medical care."
Ellie was dying to hear about what happened. "You have to tell me everything when I get there."
"I promise, it is one hell of a story."
"I'll wait on the doctor's email and start packing some of the essentials. When do you need us?" Ellie asked.
Kari was quiet for a moment. "I really think you should get here as soon as you can."
Ellie caught the very thin thread of concern and urgency in her friend's voice. "We'll be at the portal tomorrow at eleven a.m."