Page 48 of Seized By Magic

“Why do you know that?” Kaden asked, eyeing him.

“Because I can read.” Niall’s voice was bored. “And I’ve had time on my hands for the past two years. I enjoy learning things most people don’t take the time to even think about.”

That was true.

“Well, it wasn’t me.” Theo stared each of us down.

“It wasn’t any of us,” I wanted to shake my friend. “We’re mates, bonded. We couldn’t hurt each other if we wanted.”

“Not unless we like experiencing the pain for ourselves,” Kaden added.

“Well, none of us are in comas, so I think that means we all pass,” I retorted.

“Mr. Saleem?”

I jumped when the intern called my name. “You can come with me to see Ms. Jefferies.”

I turned to follow her when she glanced behind me. Of course, the other three were coming.

“I’m sorry, but only immediate family and mates are allowed in the patient rooms.” She held up her hand.

“We’re her mates,” Theo stated a bit too aggressively.

She didn’t look convinced.

“Look, you’re under oath not to divulge personal information about patients, right?” I asked.

She nodded, pulling her eyes back to me.

“The five of us are a bonded group. If you need confirmation, you can contact Mrs. Hedgings or Ms. Chronis.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t argue, just waved us forward and to the elevator. Saige was at the end of the hall on the second floor, the only patient using a long-term room. She was still unconscious but was now wearing a soft cotton shirt and wrapped in blankets with several wires poking out over the top.

“Shit, Saige.” Theo rushed over to her. He tugged the blanket down enough to take her hand. “I can’t hear her thoughts. Why can’t I hear anything?”

Niall moved to his side and shook his head. “I can’t either.”

Kaden went to the far side of her bed and pointed to a monitor. “She has brain activity. Maybe the curse includes a mental shield so you can’t hear her.”

“I’ve never heard of anything like that.” I moved to the foot of the bed and reached out to touch her. I rubbed the balls of her feet like I had just two nights before on the couch. She didn’t react. Not even a slight twitch.

“Can you reach her in her dreams?” Niall asked.

We all stared at Kaden, waiting. Hoping.

“I can try.” He glanced at the door. “But not in this form.”

I went over and shut the door, locking it. “Hurry.”

Kaden nodded once and shed his clothes before shifting into his hawk. He landed next to Saige on her pillow and rested his golden head on hers. His eyes closed, and I held my breath, waiting for a sign.

He made a short call and flapped his wings before jumping up and shifting back. He tugged on his clothes and fumed. “No, she’s not actually asleep, so she’s not dreaming. I can’t reach her.”

“Fuck!” Niall roared.

“We need to figure out what curse she’s under so they can reverse it. The healer said they’ll monitor her, but it’s possible she could fade until there’s nothing left.”

“She could die?” Theo asked, barely whispering, as he wrapped his other hand around hers.

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