Page 23 of Wicked Savior
At first, she doesn’t respond, but a second later, her hand grips mine and she takes a step backward. “Can she really save her?”
“Maybe, but Aurora doesn’t have much time,” I reply, slowly pulling her away from the side of the bed to the foot, where I’m standing. “Let’s give her some room.” I wrap an arm around her from behind and pull her against me.
She immediately grips my forearm with both hands. Her nails dig into me, but I move in closer to lend her my strength. The sweet scent of her body drifts up, and I automatically inhale, filling my senses.
I motion for Becca to move closer to Evren. She swallows her fear of me and does it, but her eyes remain fixed on Arden and her sister.
Arden takes a deep breath and places her hands over the little girl’s body. A golden glow appears, and she guides it over Aurora’s heart and lungs. Seconds turn into minutes before she finally takes a breath.
“She was on the verge of leaving us, but she’s stable for now,” Arden says softly, relief in her voice. Little beads of sweat dot her brow. “I’ll come back in a few hours to do another treatment.”
I look around for her escort but find no one. “Who came with you?”
Even at 5’11”, Arden has to stretch up to reach my cheek. She presses a kiss lightly on one side, then whispers in my ear, “Who’s the gorgeous redhead?” Her Elven green eyes are dancing with mischief, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“You’re avoiding the question,” I reply with a mock frown.
“So are you,” she retorts. “I’ll be back.”
“Do they know you’re gone?” I call out, although I already know the answer.
“They do now,” she says with a grin as she walks out the door.
A warrior and powerful witch, Arden can certainly take care of herself. Still, I wouldn’t want to face the five males who are undoubtedly standing by the portal, waiting for her return.
I look down to find Evren staring up at me with an analytical look on her face. Her deep green eyes are quickly noting all the details I usually try to keep hidden.
Leaning over, I whisper in her ear, “One day, I’d like to see you look at me without speculating on my motives or trying to analyze my every move.” I grin. “Do you realize you have the tiniest freckles scattered across your nose?”
Her eyes flick away, but seconds later, they’re locked with mine again. “And if I looked at you, what would I see?”
“Me,” my reply is simple but honest.
“Maybe one day.” She waves a hand at the door. “Who was the witch? You seemed close.”
Movement catches my eye. “I’ll explain later. Look at Aurora.”
Evren turns her head to watch Aurora’s eyes flutter open. Her breath catches, and her hand squeezes mine tightly. Seconds later, she’s rushing over to examine her patient.
ChapterThirteen
EVREN
When evening comes, two patients are left. The middle-aged woman had a sudden heart attack and died. The young man is holding steady and even seems to be improving. He’s the most promising patient I’ve had since I started this experiment. Leaning over, I draw some fresh blood.
Aurora is also holding steady, but I can’t count her as a success because the transfusion didn’t save her; Arden did.
The thought of the gorgeous blond witch makes me frown. I’m grateful she’s healing Aurora. I am. I’m also a tiny bit resentful that I can’t use my powers to save her, but it’s a childish thought I’m choosing to ignore.
What is she to him? She must mean something. Lucifer is extremely comfortable around her, and the emotion that shines out of his eyes… is love. I can feel it. He mentioned being married, but never said anything about whether he has someone now. Are they together?
It’s not like we know each other that well, really. My original analysis pegged him as a lone wolf, but maybe I missed a detail. I’m not usually wrong, well almost never. Am I wrong? Why is this bugging me so much? An analysis is subjective. Besides, I need to concentrate on finding answers for my patients not on figuring out Lucifer.
Cracking my neck, I slip in to check on Aurora and find Arden conducting another healing session on her. When I see Arden tense and reach a hand to the dagger at her side, I realize she’s more than a witch. Her reflexes are too quick and instinctive. She’s a warrior.
She glances at me, then returns to healing Aurora.
With her attention diverted, I take a second to study her. Somewhere around 5’10” or 5’11”, athletic build, with long blond hair and bright green eyes. Too bright. The color suggests Elven in her blood. A hybrid? Maybe. It would explain her immortal status since most witches are human.
