Embracing Ember Read Online Free PDF Page B

She almost didn’t survive this time. As hard as it would be to leave him, not because she loved him anymore. She knew he wouldn’t let her go so easily. She had been in this position before, without the near death experience.
     
    Ember screamed when a hand fell on her shoulder. She turned her breathing erratic to find Ceylon holding his hands out in surrender with a shirt in one hand. She calmed her panic and reminded herself that Landon wasn’t here. She smiled shyly at Ceylon and grasped the shirt from his hold. “Thank you.” She stated. He looked at her for a few seconds as if struggling to decide what to say before giving up and looking over at Maria. “I will contact Dr. Langston and have the arrangements made for you to return in two days’ time.” Ceylon stated.
     
    “Two days? Why? Ember is well now.” Maria stated panic creeping into her tone.
     
    “I believe you will find it necessary after what transpired this morning. We will arrange for clothing to be brought for each of you. Take a couple of hours to care for Ember and if she requires any other type of care do not hesitate to ask. I am confident your people will willingly send someone to aid what you cannot do.” Ceylon said giving Maria a meaningful look. Maria chewed on her bottom lip and nodded. Ceylon turned and left Ember with Maria. Ember looked at Maria who looked even more troubled than when she first walked in.
     
    “Is there something wrong?” Ember asked. Maria shook her head and looked up at Ember and smiled. Ember got the feeling that Maria would be evasive about what was really going on, and while that made her nervous a part of her she hated trusted Ceylon. She didn’t know why she trusted him and she had every reason to never trust a male again. She had spent the last five years under the abuse of a man she had once trusted. When Maria finally spoke Ember knew she wouldn’t get the entire truth from her at this point, if ever.
     
    “I just was under the impression that we would be going home today. You recovery was excellent. I will show you to the quarters that they have allowed me and you can bathe. While you are healed you still have the bloody evidence all over you. I think you will feel better after a shower.” Maria.
     
    Ember sighed resigned to the knowledge that she would probably have to be sneaky in finding out about what was going on. She followed Maria from the small room that was considered a medical bay to the hallway. The hallway was long and had panels that seemed to open into rooms. The hallway ended on both ends with a doorway. Maria took her two doors and to the right into a small utilitarian room. The bed was twin size with white sheets and blankets. It was bracketed to the wall. Only a small walkway into another room was allotted. The wall seemed to have drawers that pulled out. Upon closer inspection she realized they were actually the room’s version of a dresser. Maria took her into an even smaller room with a small shower stall and toilet. Ember was relieved that everything seemed to work in the same way as it did on Earth. Then again if the stories in the newspapers and magazines could be believed, the aliens from the planet they called Salin, were human in every genetic way. The aliens had told Earth that the only difference was their coloring which they attributed to the plant life on their planet. Ember guessed that if too many carrots could tint someone’s skin orange then maybe the red tinted skin due to their diet wasn’t too far-fetched. She couldn’t deny her own curiosity of them, even so much as they had become the subject of many of her sketches. Unfortunately, they were secretive about their planet in most other ways, though. Ember could understand the need to maintain some secrecy, but what was so bad about their planet they couldn’t let Earth know?
     
    Ember assured Maria that she felt well enough to take a shower by herself, though Maria was reluctant to leave for whatever