Page 109 of Betrayed in Blood
Two chairs had been pulled next to the bed, and I took the one on the far side. As I had with my mother, I picked up Simone’s hand, surprised by its warmth.
“What’s the prognosis?” I asked, almost afraid of the answer.
The healer sat in the opposite chair and stared down at her patient. “It’s difficult to tell. From what the vampire who’d raced into the kitchen first told me, her legs seemed to go out as soon as she was shot. It might have been from hitting a cabinet wrong when she fell backward. That could mean a spinal problem easily remedied with fresh blood. Or it might be some damage to the brain that impacted her motor skills. However, it seemed to have only affected her lower extremities.
“The bullet pushed out on its own as her body rejected it, so I don’t know if further damage occurred. We were able to get more blood into her than what Ginger donated, so she’s well-hydrated. I’ve given her two different potions to help with the healing and one to make her sleep. It’s the best way to allow her brain to heal itself.”
I nodded, understanding but not liking it. This was the first mission I’d planned where team members had been injured. At least I’d seen Rachel enter the mansion on her own two legs, scowling at the attention she was getting.
“Is there anything we can do?”
“No, child. I’m mixing a couple more potions, and I’ll leave instructions with Mateo. I’ll return later this evening to check on her and your mother.” She turned her attention to me. “There’s nothing I can do for your sister at this time. She’s still excitable. I’ve given Rafael a potion to add to her food that should calm her anxiety. My only suggestion is to prepare for a long road.” Her gaze softened and her voice filled with compassion. “She might never believe you didn’t have something to do with her father’s death.”
I nodded. I’d expected that, hadn’t I? It sounded so wrong when someone else said it. I gave Simone a last glance, suddenly sorry I’d left my room.
My original planwas to search for Devon after my visit with Simone, but now, I wasn’t fit to be with anybody. Besides, he’d either be busy wrapping up the mission, planning the next one, or resting. Yep. Lame excuse, but it was what it was.
I’d reached the stairs to rush down to my room when Ginger blocked my path. She stood at the landing, her hands filled with a tray of silver-domed dishes.
Crap. I’d never get past her. I ran through various options to avoid being dragged into Lyra’s room. When she noticed me, her grin was wide, then it faltered. Shit.
“Don’t even try to get past me. Turn right around.”
I didn’t move.
“This tray is heavy, and I’d hate to drop it, ruin Cook’s food, and waste the effort he put in.”
“I have things to do.” Yeah, the lameness continued.
“The only thing you have to do is walk to Lyra’s room. Colantha’s been looking for you, and I’m not joking about how heavy this is.”
I sighed and, with my head down, trudged to Lyra’s room like some errant child. I knocked lightly, then opened the door to find Jamison blocking my entrance. He moved aside and immediately took the tray from Ginger. He probably heard our entire conversation with those vamp ears.
Once Ginger was tray-free, she pushed me into the room, and I was surprised to see Remus walking the room. He took his time viewing the multitude of Lyra’s paintings either hanging from or stacked against the walls.
“I have one over here you might like.” Lyra went to a corner and moved a painting aside to pull out one I’d never seen before. There were two wolves—a black one and a gray one. The setting was familiar, but that was as far as my memory went.
“Cressa told me the story of the two wolves that helped her at the paper mill when she went to save Devon from his beast. I wasn’t there, of course, so I never saw the wolves. I discovered later it was Elijah and Rachel who helped that day. When Cressa was being held at Shadow Island, Colantha came to assist with the rescue plan. Part of that activity included bringing Cressa to dream constructs to break Lorenzo’s mesmerizing. At one point, Cressa took us through several constructs from her returning memories, and that moment at the papermill was one of them. I instantly knew who these wolves were.”
Lyra turned around and smiled at me. “I got it right, no?”
I nodded, my tongue suddenly thick. “Yes.”
Remus gave me a quick assessment before turning back to Lyra. “Are these for sale?”
She smiled. “I once sold my art at a gallery a very long time ago. Perhaps someday, I’ll try again. For now, my paintings are only to be gifted. I would like you to have this one.”
Remus appeared truly touched as he ran a hand over the edges of the canvas. “It would be my honor if I could gift this to Elijah’s pack.”
Lyra nodded at Frederick, who picked up the painting. “It will be waiting for you in the foyer. Now, let’s see what Cook sent us.”
Colantha patted the couch. “Come, Cressa, sit by me.”
This was everything I knew it would be which was why I’d wanted to avoid it.
“Stop moping, it’s not a good look.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle and dropped onto the couch next to her. At some point, I’d stopped expecting her soft side since she rarely showed it. In an attempt to ignore her, I glanced at Remus.
