Chapter 91: Chapter 91

Back on the coast, cold and soaked to the skin, I took Eric to a hospital. They gave him first aid, while I grabbed a phone and called the castle. I happened on Estelle, explained to her the details of my escape and the urgency of getting us out of there. I was aware that, if I met a caste in the area, my feminine predispositions would condemn me to become a prisoner of the island again. When Estelle hung up, I joined Eric in his room. The phone rang immediately, it was Salomon.

“We’ll arrive in an hour. You’re returning by cargo plane.”

“Okay.”

I hung up. Eric was asleep and no longer seemed to be in pain. A blood transfusion replaced the litres he had lost. A large bandage wrapped around his abdomen, covering a gauze pad that was still soaking with blood. I sat down next to him and rested the back of my hand against his face. The phone rang again.

“We’re on our way,” said a voice that I recognized above all else.

“Sam!”

My adoptive father really knew how to be present in difficult times, which is now a proven fact.

“I had a plane sent. It will go where you want.”

“London, Sam. London.”

“Okay.”

An hour later, a man in a military uniform came running. He was the plane’s captain and made me understand that it was time to go. I levitated Eric off his hospital bed, nearly snapping the uniformed soldier’s lower jaw. We took the fire escape. The commander explained to me that the runway was located five hundred metres from the hospital. I then ignored his vehicle parked at the back of the building and asked the captain to show me the direction. We made our way by flying. A medical stretcher, surrounded by two doctors, was installed on the plane. I gently laid Eric there. The engines started with a screech, a deafening noise invaded the cabin. I strapped myself in a few steps away from Eric, and was only totally relieved when hundreds of kilometres finally separated us from Greece.

When we arrived in London, Sam greeted me. Seeing him again was a relief. I threw myself into his arms, and later regretted that our embrace was so brief. We both knew that time was running out.

“What happened to him?” Sam asked, his eyes startled at Eric’s lifeless body.

“They stabbed him.”

“Why?”

Embarrassed, I didn’t know what to say. Sam seemed to understand that his question made me uncomfortable and put his hands on my cheeks.

“Take good care of yourself, Eve. Promise me.”

“I promise you.”

I left him with a kiss, and boarded the small jet he had entrusted to take me home. I was finally returning to the castle. I knew Eric would be safer here in London in Brixton with Elvis.