Page 144 of The Satyr's Guilt
That was bad, but what came next wasun-fucking-believable.
“I have to spread his ribs.” The doctorsought Dante’s approval. He got it.
Ram heard a metal tool clink on thecart.
“A retractor.” The butcher showed theimplement to the observers.
Ram squeezed his eyes closed, howling insideas the doctor snapped bones. Nausea punched his gut, like a feralcat caught in a bag.
Hold back the upchuck.
He imagined Jonquil, skipping rope in theyard, winning a card game they were playing, reading a favoritestory. What was it? Yeah.The Lion, the Witch, and theWardrobe.
When pain crashed through his mentalbarriers again, he slipped Denim’s sundress over her head,unclasped her bra to reveal those luscious breasts, and slid herpanties down long legs.
“There it is.” Dr. Prat-hat held up historture tool. “The same organ.”
“We see,” said Dante. “Close him up. Watchhow he heals.”
Stars flecked the black sky behind Ram’slids. Followed by a blissful nothing.
Having passed out for a few minutes orhellan hour, he awoke to a rush of noise. Ram twisted hisneck to see the cause of the ruckus.
The vampire Varik snapped his silver chains.With one hand, he struggled to keep his intestines from spillingout his gut along with multiple organs. Grabbing a scalpel from thetray with the other, he faced Norah, his lids hooding remorsefuleyes. “I’m so sorry. I can’t handle this.” He plunged the bladedeep into his heart, enough to bury his fist, the tip of theinstrument, and the handle. The damage was enough to take him tothe Evermore.
As the female screamed, frantically shakingher bindings, her hips jack-knifing off the steel slab, Dr.Messenger and his assistant rushed to the side of the male vamp tosave him. Too late.
“What a waste, assholes. He was no danger toyou. He was a kid who came to New Orleans to have fun.” Ram liftedhis head to check out the wound on his chest. It wasn’t healing andwouldn’t until he fed his satyr.
Damn. It hurts like a mutherfucker.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Three days after Ram’scapture, Denim leaned against the bathroom doorjamb with her armscrossed over her chest while she monitored Jonquil, who brushed herteeth. “Good job, kid. Did you sleep okay?”
“I did after you came in.” The girl spittoothpaste into the sink. “Daddy says I have to brush until thehandle turns off. It’s a long time, but it’s good for myteeth.”
“Your daddy’s a wise man.”
“He is smart. He’s handsome, too. I think hewould make a terrific mate. Don’t you?”
Denim laughed. “You are quite thematchmaker.”
She lightly pinched Jonquil’s waist, causingthe girl to giggle and jump out of reach. A brief but sweet thoughtwandered into Denim’s brain. She imagined her own child might havebeen as bright and wonderful as this one. If only she hadlived.
“I know my daddy has a dangerous job.” Asthe kid stuck her toothbrush into a glass, she drew Denim’sthoughts away from the past.
“You do?”
“Yes. He’s a Firebrand. He keeps everybodysafe, but who keeps him safe?” A tear trickled down her cheek.
Denim caught it with a gentle finger. “Wedo, Jonquil. You and me. And a bunch of really scary toughwarriors.”
The doorbell interrupted them.
“I’ll be right back.” When Denim opened thedoor, the tall, sleek, black-haired shifter stood in the hall.“Hey, Jezzi.”
“I’m here for sitter detail. Like I toldyou, I’m off rotation today.” She pointed to her calf. “Pulledmuscle. I tripped over a curb. Dumb move. But there ya go. After Ishift a few times, I’ll be as good as new.”
