Page 63 of The Outcast
Kya was incoherent with her crying, so Christina took over. “Where did you find her?”
“Where you told us to look,” Indiana said. “Mom, listen, we need to focus on Sparrow, but we’ll keep you updated, all right?”
“Yes, yes of course. I wish there was something we could do.”
“You can call Athena and Linea and tell them that they might have saved Sparrow’s life. I’m sorry Dad didn’t listen to you when you told him. If we’d arrived ten minutes earlier things would be different.”
I groaned not wanting to think about what would have happened if we’d arrived ten minutes later.
Sparrow still hadn’t opened her eyes when we arrived at the hospital. It wasn’t a large facility, but the staff was experienced and took charge right away.
Aubri stayed with Sparrow while she was examined by the doctor. A nurse showed Indiana and me to a waiting room and offered us dry clothes and warm coffee. Before he left us, he inquired several times to make sure that we didn’t have any injuries.
Over the next hour, the waiting room filled with people from the search party: Archer, Ryder, Aspen, Solo, Mason, Thor, Khan, Magni, Laura, and Indiana’s father and brother as well. Everyone wanted to hear every detail from Indiana and me directly. None of them were surprised or bothered that Aubri had executed Keith. A few expressed the opinion that she had let him off too easy, but when Indiana described in detail how she had shot him in his crotch, they agreed that was justice well served.
The part that had the search party talking the most was how it was a tip from Athena and Linea that had led us to Sparrow.
“Now I feel bad about the time I made fun of Linea when she and Athena were at the summit to demonstrate their energy work,” Thor said and pushed his hands through his hair. “How is it even possible for them to know where she was?”
“I should have listened.” Alexander Boulder gave Archer an apologetic look. “Christina tried to tell me, but I’m having a hard time believing in that sort of thing.”
“You and me both. Who knows, it might still be a coincidence,” Archer said. “All that matters is that Sparrow survives.”
When Aubri and the doctor eventually came into the waiting room, complete silence fell upon our large group.
Aubri looked tired but happy as she went straight into Indiana’s arms for a hug. She too was wearing dry clothes.
The doctor smiled. “I’m happy to tell you that your friend has regained consciousness and is in stable condition. She was able to identify herself and remembered what happened to her, which is a good sign.
A roar of happiness filled the waiting room and we spontaneously hugged each other.
“Can I see my daughter?” Archer asked eagerly.
“I’m afraid that she asked to see Banni first.”
The doctor’s words made everyone turn their heads to stare at me, but I didn’t care about their confusion. I was fucking proud that Sparrow had asked for me.
“Banni pulled her from the bottom of the lake,” Aubri reminded them to offer an explanation as to why Sparrow would ask to see me first.
“Ahh… right.” Thor patted my shoulder. “Go get your thanks and hurry so Archer can see his girl.”
My hands were shaking when the doctor took me back to Sparrow’s room. He didn’t go in with me but pointed to the door.
Walking into the small room, I saw Sparrow in a bed with her hair covered by a red cloth making her look like the African queens I’d read about in history books. Her eyes were closed but the moment I cleared my throat she opened them and met my gaze.
For a few seconds, we didn’t say anything. Tears filled my eyes and the soft expression on her face made me want to pour my heart out. “I’m so sorry, Sparrow.” Hurrying to her side, I sat down on the edge of a chair and took her hand.
“It’s not your fault.”
“I should have insisted that you not stay in that room by yourself.”
“You offered to swap with me. I should have taken you up on your offer.”
“You would have if I hadn’t acted so stupid.” I kissed her hand. “I’m not used to admitting or expressing my emotions. Telling someone I’m in love with them would get me in serious trouble at home.” I spoke fast, fearing I had mere seconds alone with her before someone else would enter and disturb us. This was an opportunity that I couldn’t waste. “When you told me that you had feelings for me, I reacted according to my training. But the truth is that I’m in love with you too.”
Sparrow reached out and touched the side of my neck and ear while the corners of her lip creased in a faint smile. “I knew that.”
“You knew?”
