Free One Kiss: An Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy (Transmissions from The International Council for the Exploration of the Universe., #1) by Emily Kimelman, E.J Kimelman Page A

sleep was over; there was no making up for the restlessness of my night.
    I went out to my balcony and stood looking down at the street. Two musicians played on the corner. The notes from their string instruments blended with their voices. People walked in pairs and small groups. Laughter and bright conversation interplayed with the song. 
    Over the course of Megan's illness I'd become hyper aware of my cellphone, knowing that a call could come from the hospital at any moment. So when I heard the phone vibrating where I'd left it with my keys, I hurried inside to answer it.
    "Darling Price?"
    "Yes."
    "This is Dr. Issa Tor."
    "Hi, Doctor," I said, my mind racing back to the last moment I'd seen him, when I was half-naked on the floor. "How are you?"
    "I'm fine," he said. "I was calling to check on you."
    "I'm good," I said, brightening my voice so that he would believe me.
    "That's good. No swelling, flu-like symptoms? You're sleeping okay? Eating?"
    "I'm fine," I said. "How is the patient?"
    "She's doing great," he said, his voice soft. "I think you saved her life."
    I felt tears well in my eyes and a lump form in my throat. "No, Doctor, you saved her, I just provided the raw materials."
    "Without 'raw materials' like yours I'd be lost." I couldn't help but laugh, a small hiccup. "Do you have anyone looking after you?"
    I looked around my empty living room. "Yes," I lied.
    "The guy who dropped you off?" he asked.
    "What?" I asked, feeling suspicious.
    "I saw you get dropped off," Issa said, "by your... boyfriend?"
    "No, he is my bandmate." I said it for myself as much as for Issa, so I'd remember that the next time I thought about Emmanuel's heartbeat vibrating through my entire body.
    "Oh." Issa sounded disappointed. "So who is looking after you?"
    "Someone else," I said.
    "Okay," he said, his tone unsure. "How did you sleep?"
    "I'm fine," I said again.
    "Please, Darling."
    The word please surprised me. All the doctors we'd dealt with, and I couldn't remember any of them saying please. Especially not like that. "Please what?" I asked.
    I could hear him breathing. "I'd like to come check on you. Would that be okay?"
    "You want to come to my house?"
    "I don't think you slept well last night. I think your body is hurting. I think that you're in need of..." His voice faded for a moment but then he continued. "I want to come to your house. There is something that can help. Please."
    It was the "please" that got me. "Okay," I said, and gave him the address.
    He arrived thirty minutes later. His knock was quiet but firm. I'd gradually felt weaker and weaker since getting off the phone with him. When I checked the peephole and saw him standing there holding a brown paper bag, I was worried I might collapse. The smell of Chinese food wafted in when I opened the door. Issa held up the bag. "Wonton soup," he said.
    I felt lightheaded. The door was the only thing holding me up. "Come in," I said, my voice sounding weak and soft.
    Issa stepped into the hall and passed me. I went to close the door and fell with it, stumbling forward. Issa's hand shot out and held my elbow, keeping me from falling down. "Thank you,." I tried to get my feet under me. "I'm fine," I said even as the edges of my vision darkened. I began to slide down the closed door. I heard the paper bag thunk onto the floor. Issa's hands pulled me up, wrapping me in an embrace. His face was right above mine. His eyes were piercing and sharp, looking at me hard. I felt so hungry I could die.
    He picked me up, slipping one of his arms under my knees and cradling my shoulders with the other. I didn't have the strength to hold on. My head lolled back, bouncing with his movements. When he lowered me onto the couch I blinked, my lids too heavy to hold open.
    "Darling, can you hear me?" he asked. My eyes slid shut. I felt his palm cradle my cheek, his long fingers dip into the hair at the nape of my neck.
    I blacked out.
    Energy rushed in with one long breath and radiated in my