Chapter 50

KATELYN.

Once again, I found myself inside my dream, enveloped in darkness with only a red light illuminating the entire room where I lay, seemingly consumed by fire.

I felt an intense heat, as if my throat was completely parched and I couldn't breathe. It was like being scorched while lying in bed, unable to move my body.

"Help..." I weakly cried for assistance, but it seemed like no one could hear me. I glanced in the direction where the man who frequently visited my dreams usually stood, and I saw him standing outside the open door, unable to enter the room.

Ah, yes, it was Eligor, the man, and he couldn't approach me because of the dream catcher I held. He no longer had control over my dreams because of it, and even though I couldn't see his eyes, his lips revealed his concern.

"Kate, wake up. You need to take your medicine. Your fever is high, you need to wake up!" I heard him speaking, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.

"Kate, your fever is extremely high!" Was he worried about me? Even in the depths of my dream, are you genuinely concerned about me, Eligor? Are you really an incubus? Why do you give me so much importance if I'm just a victim to you?

Why do I have to hear your words, words filled with concern for me, even in my dreams?

Unbeknownst to me, tears were already streaming down my face as I gazed in his direction, unable to move due to the severity of my physical condition. I wanted to wake up and follow his instructions, but I couldn't.

I couldn't control myself due to the pain I was feeling. I just wanted to be consumed by this dream and never wake up again.

"Kate!"

"Haah—" I gasped and quickly opened my eyes from slumber. I saw Eligor in front of me, visibly anxious and his eyes filled with worry.

"Kate, you have a high fever and it's causing you discomfort. Thankfully, Eligor and I woke up and saw that you were having difficulty breathing because of your high fever," I heard Aimee say, and I saw the three of them looking as if they had just woken up.

Did Eli come to my room to wake me up because he knew I was struggling in my dream? Didn't he consider that I might wonder how he knew my fever was high?

That I might discover he's the incubus in my dream? But from what I see now, it seems like he doesn't care about those things. I can't see anything else on his face except concern for me.

"Should we take her to the hospital? Is there a nearby hospital?" Eligor asked Aimee, who became flustered because she didn't know, and only Gadreel and I knew the places around Brentwood.

"Ask Gadreel, go inform the vice president and tell them that Kate needs to be taken to the hospital," Eligor instructed, and Aimee and Loraine quickly nodded in response.

Aimee and Loraine left the room, leaving only the two of us, Eligor and me. I saw him searching for our medicine and he only found water. He approached me and helped me sit up, about to give me water when I grabbed his hand.

"Kate?" I could clearly see the confusion on his face as to why I did that. I avoided his gaze and bowed my head, unable to find my voice to speak to him, nor the strength to stand up and distance myself from him.

I wanted to ask him so many things, to ask him why he was able to keep secrets and lie to me. All the thoughts running through my mind right now, I wanted to throw them at him to get answers and clarity on what's happening.

Because deep down in my heart, I still wanted to listen to him, but I'm afraid that all I would hear from him again are lies.

"You need to drink at least water," he calmly pleaded, but I remained silent. I gradually grew weaker and just wanted to lie down and close my eyes.

"Kate..."

"What's happening?" I turned to Sir Franz. He quickly examined Kate's condition, pressing his hand to her forehead.

"Is there a nearby hospital, Gadreel?" our vice president asked, and Gadreel shook his head.

"The hospital that's open at this hour is in the next town, and the clinic near here has been closed since earlier," Gadreel answered, and I made an effort to sit on the bed so they wouldn't be burdened with my condition, knowing that this day was meant for them to rest and relax.

We came to this place to have fun and unwind, so I didn't want to disturb them just because I was feeling unwell.

"I-I'll be fine, it's just a fever, it'll be gone by tomorrow," I replied to them, but they all seemed unconvinced by what I said.

"But Kate." I turned to Eli and lay back down, he supported me and I forced a smile in front of my companions.

"Maybe you could just buy me some medicine, I'll just sleep it off." They couldn't do anything in this situation, and the vice-president nodded and left to buy the medicine and other things I needed.

"You can go back to your room, Eli," I instructed him, but he didn't move from his spot and just sat beside me. He seemed annoyed and unsure of what to do.

"No, I'll stay here and watch over you." He looked at me seriously, and I couldn't understand why I felt a pang in my heart. I wanted to cry and push him away, I wanted him out of my sight, but I didn't want him to leave either.

I was frustrated with myself. I wanted to despise him, but whenever he showed concern, I couldn't help but fall for him again—a thing I wanted to avoid.

"Ahem, let Eli take care of you, Kate," Aimee interrupted, and I turned to her. She had a happy expression on her face, glad that Eli and I were talking and that he was concerned for me.

Perhaps she thought we just had a little argument earlier and assumed we would easily resolve it. If only you knew, Aimee, who or what we have in this room, you would be the one telling me to stay away from Eligor.

"I'll just watch over you," Eli responded, reaching out to hold my hand, but I immediately withdrew it from him and didn't look in his direction anymore.

I knew Eli was wondering why I was acting this way towards him now, but if I continued treating him like this, he would surely realize that I knew about their hidden secret with Loraine.

A few minutes later, Gadreel returned with the medicine. Aimee made me drink it and placed a cooling pad on my forehead to alleviate the heat in my body. They rested while Eli stayed seated next to my bed, keeping an eye on me.

I couldn't sleep because of the pain in my body, as well as my congested nose and difficulty breathing. I glanced at Eli, who was now bowing his head and seemed to have dozed off. As I watched him sleep, I couldn't help but think about all the moments we shared and everything I had learned about him.

Sometimes, the truth is more painful than lies.

I couldn't help but wish that I hadn't known those things, maybe then we would still be happy. Maybe now I would be happy just looking at Eli as he took care of me, unlike now, where every time I looked at him, I felt a pang in my heart.

Unable to hold back my tears, I turned away from him and covered myself with the blanket. I quietly held onto all the pain I was feeling.

***

Eligor I found myself drifting off to sleep again. This has been happening to me more frequently, and no matter how much I try to avoid it, my body involuntarily succumbs to dreams that are anything but normal for an incubus like me.

It's the early hours of the morning, and Kate has finally fallen asleep. I'm keeping an eye on her fever, but it hasn't subsided, and it's clear that she's not feeling any better despite taking medication.

When she wakes up, I'll immediately take her to the hospital. She needs to be examined by doctors before her condition worsens.

This is my fault. I allowed my desires to overpower me, forgetting that Kate is just a normal human. Their bodies are weak and susceptible to illness, something I failed to consider as I succumbed to my own desires.

"You're so foolish, Eligor," I whispered to myself, repeatedly punching my leg. I need to wake up and fight off the drowsiness. This is the first time in my entire life that I've felt like this—awake throughout the day and night, traveling in the dreams of the people I intend to victimize. But now, I feel weak and unable to stay awake like the others.

"Eli?" I turned to Loraine, who was clearly puzzled by my behavior.

"What?" I replied briefly, getting up from my seat to prepare because I need to take Kate to the hospital first thing in the morning.

"Are you serious? Are you feeling sleepy?" she asked, and I ignored her. Fortunately, Aimee woke up as well and helped me get ready.

We tried to feed Kate breakfast, but she had no appetite, and her condition worsened. "Are you both okay? Do you need someone to accompany you?" our vice president asked, and I nodded.

"I'll take care of Kate, sir. I'm sure if she had the strength right now, she would tell you to enjoy your vacation. We'll be fine," the vice president smiled, but it was evident that he was concerned about us.

"I can accompany you," Gadreel offered, and I shook my head, trying to force a smile in front of him.

"It's fine if you just give us the address of the clinic. I'll take care of Kate. We'll head there first," I said my goodbyes, and Aimee helped Kate into the van.

"Take care, alright? I don't think I'll be able to enjoy myself while worrying about Kate," Aimee said, and I simply smiled at her.

"Don't worry, we'll be back," we bid farewell, and before we could leave, I saw Loraine staring at me intently as she got in the car. It was obvious she didn't understand my current behavior, but even I didn't know why I was like this when it came to Kate.

I'm only like this with her.

"Just a little longer, Kate. They said it's nearby." She didn't respond, and I noticed she was leaning against the window, visibly struggling with her pain. As I touched her forehead, it burned with heat, her fever higher than last night.

I hurriedly drove, but suddenly the car stopped for no apparent reason. I furrowed my brow and checked every part of the car to find the issue. I flicked my fingers a few times, but nothing happened.

Is my power weakening? Is that why it's not working?

"Hmm... E-Eli." I turned to Katelyn, her breathing becoming labored, and she seemed delirious.

Fear gripped my chest as I quickly checked my phone and searched for the address Gadreel had given me. I swiftly carried Kate on my back and ran towards the clinic.

Every minute felt like torture. I was afraid of being caught and something terrible happening to Kate because of me.

For the first time, I felt utterly powerless, weak. My abilities weren't working, and I didn't know what to do to help Kate and get her out of this situation.

This is how weak a mortal is, how weak I am if I let go of my immortality.

But there's a part of me that feels like I can do anything as long as I know it's for Kate. Am I going crazy? Do I really love this woman?

Wait, is that even a question? The answer is right in front of me, and I know it's a resounding yes. I love this woman deeply, and I'll do anything to make her happy, even if it means risking my powers and immortality for her.

Even if it means becoming mortal, I'll do it for her. So, Kate, please, hold on. I promise I'll do everything I can to make you happy.

"We're almost there, Kate," I whispered to her as I sprinted towards the clinic, ignoring the stares of people we passed by.

All I knew was that I needed to save Kate.