Page 116 of Sigils & Spells

An eternity later the spell fractured. I staggered back. Someone caught me. My nerves screamed at their touch.

“Open it,” I whispered hoarsely.

The closet door opened. I saw Jonah lying on the floor, his skin parchment-thin and gray. Then everything went black.

CHAPTER9

I wokeup to find myself lying on a narrow, cushiony cart with an IV in my arm. The half-empty bag hanging on a hook over my head had a murky green substance in it. A dull ache hummed through my bones. The room was cold—a welcome change from the volcanic heat I’d endured battling Leesa’s magic. I wanted to sit up. I tried to grip the railing and failed. Someone had swaddled my hands in enough gauze bandaging that they resembled puffy white footballs.

“Marin.” My dad jumped up, knocking the plastic chair he’d been sitting in over. “How do you feel?” He hovered over me, his eyes bright with a sheen of tears.

Exhausted. Cold. Hungry. “Okay. Where’s Jonah? Is he going to be all right?”

“Detective Kelley told me the doctors stabilized him and moved him to ICU.” Dad kissed my forehead. “The pack healer is working on him.” He reached for a cord looped around the lower railing and pressed a red button.

“I need to sit up.” He helped me, then adjusted something on the back of the cart so I could lean back against it.

“Mr. Budney came in to see you about an hour ago.” Dad pulled the thin blanket up and tucked it in around me. “He said he could never thank you enough, for all you did to help find and rescue Jonah. He also said if there is ever anything you need from the shifter community, come to him. I’m so proud of you.” He pressed a kiss against my cheek. “The detective should be back in a bit. He wants to talk to you.”

“Did Detective Kelley mention anything about arresting me?”

“No. But you are grounded until you’re eighty-five.”

I smiled. “Okay.”

“I’m not joking.” Dad leveled me with a disapproving paternal glare.

Chastened, I asked, “How long have you been here?”

He checked his watch. “Detective Harding called two hours ago and told me which hospital they’d taken you to.” He righted the plastic chair and sat down. “It’s a miracle I didn’t get stopped for speeding.”

A red-haired nurse wearing black scrubs stepped into the room. “You’re awake.”

“She’s ice cold,” Dad said. “Can you get a few warm blankets?”

“Absolutely.” He turned and left.

“The girls have been calling. I’ve answered as many of their questions as I can.”

Priya, Scarlett, Stella, and Abby. It wouldn’t surprise me if they knew practically everything that had happened. It did shock me that they weren’t here.

As if reading my thoughts, Dad continued, “I’ve asked them to wait and swarm you once you’re home.”

When the nurse returned he took my temperature and checked my blood pressure while Dad piled warm blankets on me. Then the nurse rattled off an extensive list of every possible symptom I might be experiencing. He recorded all my one-word responses on a laptop.

As he checked the now nearly empty bag of green fluid, I asked, “Do you think I’ll be able to go home soon?”

“I’ll update the doctor and he’ll make that call.”

Aidan came in as the nurse left. Seeing the grim look on his face, my guts tightened.

“Is It Jonah?”

“No. Jonah’s critical but stable according to his doctor. His parents and Alpha are with him.” He nodded to my father. “Mr. Girard.”

“Then what’s wrong?” I asked. “I can tell from your expression something happened.”

“Leesa is dead.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “She had seizures in the ambulance and arrived at the hospital unconscious. The doctor informed me she coded in CT and despite their best efforts she died. There will be an autopsy.”

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