Page 23 of Dead

Or those he cared about.

Snapping his fingers, he found himself on the beach.

Alone.

“Damn it,” he whispered, snapping his fingers again. He’d forgotten for a second that his magic didn’t work on Eilam. Apparently it didn’t work on Noah, either. He reappeared in the hospital room, a glaring Noah walking closer.

“Where did you go?”

“Somewhere safe,” Adriel said. “Somewhere I’m taking you and Eilam. I’m going to open a portal. You’ll have to carry Eilam inside.”

“He’s attached to the machines,” Noah said.

“Unplug him. We need to get him to safety so he can heal,” Adriel said. “Before another attack injures him further.”

“He needs a hospital,” Noah lamented. “They aren’t sure how he’ll be when he awakens.”

“He’s not safe here!” Adriel cried. “Another assassin might be on their way!”

Noah eyed him a moment before heading to the bed and taking off some of the leads. The machines began to ring out alerts. Adriel ignored the sounds and began to open a portal. A wind formed as he allowed the power to run through his hands.

“Where are you going, Your Majesty?” Theis asked.

“It’s better no one knows,” Adriel said, moving his hands around in a circle.

“We can’t have you simply disappear,” Valen said.

“Find my uncle, Ralnur,” Adriel said to Theis instead of answering.

“I’ll be back to check in once you have Ralnur inside the castle. Inside my study.” He began to chant an incantation… and the air shimmered before opening up. He turned to see Noah lifting Eilam into his arms. “Come… hurry.”

Noah paused at the edges of the portal. “Where are you taking us?”

“Somewhere no assassin can get close,” Adriel said.

Noah met his stare. After a few seconds, he nodded and moved through the opening. Adriel followed them and closed the portal once on the other side.

He turned to see Noah staring out over the sea. Noah turned, looking up at the mansion filled with windows. “Where are we?”

“A realm of magic.”

Noah frowned.

“Similar to the magic that made the city of Midnight. But this is my own, private refuge. No one gets in that I don’t invite.” He looked down at Eilam in Noah’s arms. “Come. I have a bed for him to rest in.”

Adriel led the way inside the house and up the stairs. At the top, Noah paused and leaned against the railing. “Are you okay?” Adriel asked.

“That transfusion really took it out of me.”

Between the transfusion and then shifting, the fight, and now carrying a huge shifter, Noah was apparently close to his limit. Without being able to use his magic, Adriel wasn’t much help. “It’s not too much farther.”

After a moment, Noah rose to his full height and soldiered on. Adriel pulled back the bedding and watched as Noah placed Eilam into the huge bed.

“What if he doesn’t improve? He might need the doctors,” Noah said as he rested on the side of the bed.

“We can take him back if he begins to decline,” Adriel said. “But you saw him open his eyes. He’s getting better.” I can sense it. He waved a hand and a heart monitor appeared, hooked to Eilam’s arm. It began to beat regularly, a slow, even tempo. The sound brought hope to Adriel.

As long as it beats steadily, there is hope.

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