Page 101 of The Devil's Torment

Small bleed? Transfusion? None of this was mentioned in any of the consultations as a possibility. “But she’s okay?”

“She’s perfectly well. A little groggy from the anesthetic, but that’s all.”

He retreats through the swing doors. I share a look with Phillip. He makes a move, almost as if he might hug me, then thinks better of it.

“She’s tough, our Vicky.”

“She shouldn’t have had to be,” I growl.

Phillip clears his throat. “I should…” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “I should let Laura know and check on Beth.”

“You do that.” I turn my back on him. When I’m sure he’s gone, I sit down and let the relief come.

It’s over.

* * *

Victoria’s complexion is ashen beneath the harsh, fluorescent lights, but the smile she gives me raises one of my own. I pull up a chair and take her hand, careful to avoid knocking the needle in her arm that’s attached to a bag of clear liquid hanging from a metal pole.

“Hey, Half-pint.” I lift her hand and kiss it. “Need anything?”

“Just you,” she murmurs, her eyes fluttering shut. “Tired.”

I shoot a questioning look at the nurse.

“It’s normal,” she says. “Mrs. De Vil still has anesthetic in her bloodstream.”

Nodding, I return my attention to Victoria. “Go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

She mumbles something, but it’s incoherent. I pinch the bridge of my nose, taking deep breaths. Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I type a message in our family group chat letting them know Victoria came through the operation, send another to Eloise and Briony, then immediately silence my phone to stop the buzz of the replies waking her up.

Sometime later, Laura and Phillip poke their head around the door. I’ve more than half a mind to tell them both to fuck off. Instead, I somehow hold my tongue as they inch inside.

“How is she?” Laura asks, pulling up a chair on the other side of the bed.

“Tired. Don’t wake her.”

“We won’t.” Phillip stands behind Laura, his hands pressing down on her shoulders. “Beth came through the surgery. She’s sleeping, too.”

“Right.” I don’t have it in me to offer anything more, and they don’t look for more, either.

The three of us sit in awkward silence. Awkward for them, that is, given the amount of shifting Laura’s doing in her chair. If she expects me to make polite conversation, she’s in for disappointment. My eyes don’t leave Victoria’s face, watching for the slightest sign she’s waking up.

An hour later, she does. Her lids flutter, and she makes this adorable keening sound like she’s having the best morning stretch. To avoid her having to move her head to see me, I stand and move into her sightline.

“Hey.” I caress her cheek with the back of my hand. “Feel better?”

“A bit. Sore.”

“You will be. Just take it easy.”

“Hello, darling.” Laura stands, too, tucking a lock of hair behind Victoria’s ear. “Do you need anything?”

“Drink.” She licks her lips. “Thirsty.”

“I’ll get it.” I pour a glass of water from a jug and stick a straw in it. “Here.” I hold the straw to her lips and support her head. She takes a few sips, then flops back onto the bed.

“I’m weak as a kitten.”

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