Page 18 of The High Priestess

The nurse shakes her head as she accompanies me back to the room. “She’s probably starting to come to. She’ll be in and out of it for a while.”

“How long is a while?” I ask, my tone too harsh.

“It can be anything from a few hours to a couple of days. It’s different for every person.”

The nurse checks the machines before she leans over Cassia and taps her cheek. “Miss Dimitrou? Can you hear me?”

Cassia suddenly makes a gagging sound, and it has me darting forward while snapping, “Remove the fucking tube. She’s choking.”

“Sir, you have to calm down,” the nurse orders with a stern voice. “Wait outside while I see to the patient.”

I tilt my head, a tremor shuddering through my body as I level the woman with a look of warning. “I’m staying right here.”

Fear creeps into her eyes, but then Cassia groans again, and the sound draws our attention to her.

“Cassia?” Jasmine murmurs. “Can you open your eyes?”

My hands fist at my sides, but then I cross my arms over my chest, my body tense because the nurse isn’t working quickly enough for my liking.

Cassia’s lashes start to flutter, and when she gags again, I rub a frustrated hand over my face.

Thankfully, Jasmine starts to remove the breathing tube, but the sounds coming from Cassia have me clenching my teeth.

The sight of Ronnie foaming around the mouth hits me hard, and when the gruesome image passes, I find myself right next to Cassia’s bed, her hand gripped tightly in mine while ragged breaths rush from me.

The nurse checks Cassia’s vitals again, then she smiles at her patient. “Your breathing is normal, and your vitals look good. I’m just going to go call the doctor so he can come check on you.”

I’m given a cautious look as she leaves the room, and through a window that looks out into the hallway, I see her quickly hurry away. When I turn my eyes back to Cassia, it’s to see her drowsily looking at me.

“E-Eleni?” The word is hoarse and weak.

I gesture with a nod toward the window, and my tone is too harsh as I mutter, “She’s in another room.”

When Cassia’s fingers stir in my hold, I realize I’m still holding her hand and quickly let go. I start to take a step backward, but something keeps me from moving away from the bed.

I glance around the room and suck in a deep breath before my eyes settle on Cassia’s drowsy ones.

Her forehead furrows, and her tongue darts out to wet her lips. “Eleni,” she whispers, her eyelids growing heavier.

I clear my throat, and my voice is rough as I say, “I’ll watch over both of you. Sleep.”

She pries her eyes open again, and they move over my face before she loses the battle and drifts off to sleep.

I might have been too late to keep the sisters from getting hurt, but as long as they’re breathing, I’ll guard them.

I’ll do for them what no one did for Ronnie.

I turn my head and stare at Eleni’s window, but the blinds are drawn in her room.

Leaving Cassia’s side for a minute, I walk to the other room and open the blinds. When I’m back at Cassia’s bedside, I position the armchair so I can see both women while sitting in it.

For the past two years, all I’ve done is kill, but I now have the chance to save lives.

Maybe I’ll be able to do penance for failing Ronnie.

Chapter 7

CASSIA

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