Page 19 of Midnight Rules
Cass scanned the room. When his gaze landed on Iven, his eyes narrowed.
“What about me? Don’t I get a kiss on the head too? How rude.” Griffin grinned. He thought it was his job to lighten the mood.
Maggie kissed him before kissing Riley. “There. Now shut up and let me see the patient.”
Maggie walked right over to him and put a hand to Marric’s forehead. “When did the fever start?”
“I don’t know. I think he might get them off and on and he doesn’t know why.” Iven met Cass’s gaze. “It explains the break-ins and the stolen book on healing spells.”
Cass sighed. “He was at the crime scene. And you covered for him.”
It sounded like an accusation. And Iven took offense. “I wouldn’t have if the evidence would have pointed to him. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“This could fucking ruin you, man.” Cass was right. Iven could lose his career if he didn’t play his cards right. But Marric felt right in Iven’s arms. He also needed help. Mate or not, he couldn’t just leave him to suffer without at least trying to help.
Iven held up his hand, showing Cass the glowing spiral on his palm. “The same way mating with Riley could have ruined you.”
Cass cursed and left the room.
Maggie met Iven’s gaze. “He’s not just a wolf.”
Iven shook his head. “It’s a suspicion, but I think he has witch magic, too.”
Cass came back into the room and met Iven’s gaze. He must have been standing right outside. “What did he tell you about Hattie’s murder?”
Iven shrugged. “Not much. He went into the house through a basement window and saw her. He called me right away. I didn’t get to talk to him for very long. I wanted him away from the crime scene, so I told him to wait in my car. I didn’t expect him to comply, but he was curled up on the seat, feverish and shivering, when I finished at the crime scene.”
Maggie tsked. “He’s probably cursed. It’s important to know which curse though.”
“Cursed?” Iven scowled. He’d never encountered someone with a curse before. At least, not that he was aware of.
“It happens. Dark magic users curse the most, but all magic users can create a curse.” Maggie pushed the hair off Marric’s forehead. “There’s no other reason for him to be sick. Not with a fever. Not a wolf shifter. But with him having magic too, I can’t be sure.”
Zinnie came into the room carrying a bag. No doubt she brought a bag full of remedies. She didn’t ask questions the same way everyone else did. She got right down to business. “Lay him on the bed.”
Iven sighed in relief. With Zinnie there, Marric had a chance of getting better.
Iven did as she directed. As soon as he laid Marric down, he started shivering again.
“Everyone out but Iven and Maggie.” Zinnie waved them away.
Zinnie sat on the bed next to Marric. When she uncovered him, Iven swore, but he didn’t stop her.
Marric’s shivering became violent.
Iven couldn’t watch Marric in so much discomfort and pain. He pulled his shirt off before climbing onto the bed. He sat, leaning against the headboard with Marric’s back to his front. “Does this leave you room to see to him?”
Zinnie smiled. “It’s fine.”
Maggie stood behind Zinnie, peering over her shoulder. “He’s flush with fever.”
“Witches can get some illnesses. Wolves can’t. And I smell both on him.” Zinnie said the same thing Maggie had.
“That’s rare,” Maggie said.
“It’s not usual.” Zinnie had a small flashlight that seemed to be one of those blue lights. She shined it on every part of Marric that was exposed. She frowned. “Can I see his back?”
Marric groaned when Zinnie moved him.
