“Who is this kid that you need security?”
“Call this number,” Ripper said, fishing a card out of his wallet. “They’ll explain everything. No Olympus Security personnel are to be anywhere near him. In fact, have Olympus leave the building.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Dr. Parker returned, racing to catch up with the stretcher. “In the meantime, there’s a waiting room down the stairs.”
“Is he going to be okay?” I blurted out, tears streaming down my face as Aidan disappeared from view.
“I don’t know,” Dr. Parker said, stopping. He walked over to me and looked me in the eye. “What’s your name?”
“Kacey.”
“Okay, Kacey,” he said as he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I’ve known the surgeon who’s going to be helping out your friend for a long time. He is the best doctor I’ve ever met. We are going to do everything we can to help him out, I promise. He is in excellent hands. All you can do is wait. So go down, and get a cup of coffee and a sandwich from the cafeteria. I promise we will get you the instant we know anything. Okay?” He walked into the elevator the other doctors disappeared behind. We walked down the stairs into a white, sterile waiting room.
Everything felt numb. The sounds of the hospital seemed like they were a thousand miles away. Dad muttered something about coffee before giving Kat a peck on the cheek and disappearing. Minutes stretched into hours, and the food set in front of me lay forgotten and unused. I ignored the constant pleas for me to eat and relax.
I glanced down the hall and imagined every doctor that passed was the one with news about Aidan. Disappointment bore down on me each time one of them strolled over to talk to a nurse or walked toward some other waiting family. As the hours dragged on and on, worry began to accumulate. What could they be doing that their surgery could take five hours? I imagined dozens of nightmares that could explain what we were waiting on, and each one caused my heart to pound like a drum.
“Does he have any family we could call?” Kat asked, a half dozen Styrofoam cups set in front of her as she sipped from a seventh.
“I’m sorry?” I said, shaking my head to try and banish the cobwebs stuck in my brain.
“Does Aidan have any family members we should call? Mother, father, siblings?”
“Uh, no. He lives with his uncle I think.”
“He’s a good kid,” Kat said, setting down the cup of coffee. “He loves the hell out of you. The entire time you were out training, he was talking you up to anyone who’d listen. He’d tell us all kind of stories about you. I couldn’t get him to shut up sometimes,” she said, chuckling as she set the empty cup down.
“I thought you hated him. You tried to send him away when he first showed up,” I said, my voice flat and monotone as I glanced at the floor.
“He surprised me. I’d never heard of a Dark Fae spending time around a mage. Most of the time if they do, it’s to either kill or recruit them.”
“What was that thing you did? Making him promise three times to be good or something?”
“The number three is powerful in Fey culture. A promise given three times is a promise they have to keep. They have to offer a gift three times before someone can accept it, and saying a Fey’s name three times summons them.” She leaned back in the chair, rubbing her eyes. “He’s going to be okay, Kacey. I promise.”
“He has to be,” I muttered. “I can’t lose him.”
I saw a man walk up to us in green scrubs, and I burst out of my seat. My heart beat a mile a minute as he called my name.
“Yes? How is he?”
“I’m not allowed to reveal any information except to a family member…” the doctor muttered.
“We’re the closest he has. Please,” Kat pleaded.
“Well, it was nothing short of a miracle that he survived the trip. He’s lost a few pints of blood, and there were some serious internal injuries. We did the best we can, but I’m afraid he’s in a coma. We’ll do everything we can to bring him out of it, but I’m not confident that he’ll ever recover.”
The words hit me like a hammer to the gut. I sobbed as Kat wrapped her arms around me as if protecting me from the news.
“Can we see him?” she asked. The doctor pointed at Aidan’s room, and we all walked over. Tears flowed down my face as I gazed at him. Aidan, so strong, so proud, lay on the bed, motionless. Wires ran from him to a dozen machines, each one letting out a rhythmic beep as they displayed incomprehensible numbers. I sat down in the chair next to him as I squeezed his hand. His skin was cold, with none of the gentle warmth I’d always felt from him.
“I need to let everyone know what’s going on. Are you going to be okay?” Kat asked. I nodded without looking at her; all my attention focused on Aidan. She walked away, leaving me alone with his still, unmoving body. I wiped the tears from my eyes as I shifted in my seat.
“You know, after Mom died, I was…lost,” I said, staring at him and hoping his eyes would pop open. “I wouldn’t leave my room, I wouldn’t sleep, I didn’t eat or drink. Dad tried, dozens of times, to get me to leave. I wouldn’t do it. I couldn’t face the world without her in it. One day you hopped in my window and told me we were going to the movies. I said no, I screamed at you; I insulted you and the entire time you stood there and took it. You let me scream myself out. You wrapped me in your arms and told me everything was going to be okay. That my mom wouldn’t want me to spend my life staring at my bedroom wall. You told me I wasn’t alone.” I sniffed. “You told me no matter what I’d always have you to lean on.”
I noticed a gold band suspended from a golden chain that sat with the rest of Aidan’s belongings. Delicate calligraphy decorated the inside of the ring. The words read From Mab, to her knight. The name rolled around in my brain, and my fist closed on the ring as mad hope burned through me.
“So you want me to, what, learn to live without you?” I said, bending over his bed as I set the ring in my pocket. “I won’t do it. Do you hear me? I am not going to live in a world without you in it. I refuse. I don’t care what it takes, I don’t care how pissed you'll be at me, I am going to make sure you get out of that bed. I will walk barefoot down the road to hell if that’s what it takes. I love you, and I can’t go on without you by my side.”
I raced through the door, barreling my way past a confused Kat as she walked down the hall with my dad.
“Where are you going?” she asked, concern ringing in her voice.
“I need some air,” I returned, walking through the halls of the hospital. I didn’t stop until I walked out the front entrance. A massive fountain was in the center of the emerald grass that surrounded the hospital. I held the ring in my hand, trying to stop the rapid pounding in my heart as I contemplated my next action. I didn’t have a choice. I walked out to the parking lot of the hospital where two roads joined in the shape of an X. I took a deep breath and screamed to the heavens.
“Mab!” I bellowed, causing the sky to burst with thunder at the name. “Mab, Queen of Midnight, I call for you! Mab, Dealmaker and Lady of Storms, I command you arrive. Mab, Slayer of Men, I summon you!”
The cars navigating the parking lot stopped in an instant, suspended there by some unknown force. People stopped in midstride, frozen like marionettes in mid-performance. The churning of the fountain slowed and stopped, with drops of water hanging in midair as if gravity had lost all meaning. I heard a chuckling behind me as cold and cruel as the harshest winter. The simple gesture sent chills running down the back of my neck, and I froze in place, hesitant to move.
“Of course, my dear,” the voice said, amusement ringing with every word. “You don’t have to shout.”
Chapter 27
I gulped as I turn
ed around in a slow circle. A woman stood in front of me with skin as pale and white as the driven snow. Ebon hair flowed down to the small of her back, wrapped around her like a cape. Her gleaming gold dress hugged her body as she sauntered toward me. Lips the color of blood twisted into a cruel smirk, revealing ivory-white teeth. The ground froze beneath her, a sheet of ice stretching out like a red carpet in front of her. She cocked her head as she inspected me, sizing up every inch until she stopped inches from me. She spread her arms wide as she approached as if inviting me to hug her.
“Kacey Alexander,” she exclaimed like a fan waiting to see a favorite celebrity. “It’s good to meet you.”
“You too, um, ma’am?” I stuttered. Everything about her intimidated me. She motioned to the ground, and a white, steel table and chairs appeared out of mid-air. She gestured, and I sat down across from her. A sled slid down toward us pulled by four massive stags. A small man walked over, setting down rich, warm crumpets and cakes. He poured two cups of tea before bowing and returning to the cart.
“Did you forget the Turkish delight,” I muttered to myself. Mab grinned wider as she sipped the steaming liquid.
“I enjoy those books,” she said, holding the cup to the side as her servant plopped two cubes of sugar in her tea. “It’s charming to see what you mortals think of us.”
“My mom used to read them to me when I was a kid.”
“I know. She talked about you all the time.”
“You knew my mother?”
“Of course. We had the occasional dealing, although she never cared for me. I wasn’t her kind of villain.”
I tried to steel myself as I took a sip of the steaming liquid. “Um, Miss…Mab…lady…Your majesty,” I stumbled, remembering Aidan’s warning about being polite.
“Mab will suffice.”
“Alright. Is what they say about you true?”
“Every word, the good and the bad. No one would dare to spread lies about me. So, my dear, what can I do for you?”
“Aidan, your knight…”
“I know who he is,” she interrupted, taking a long sip.
“Right, of course, you do. That was silly of me,” I said, an awkward laugh erupting from me as I squirmed in my seat. “He’s in a coma, and I was hoping you could heal him.”
“Of course.”
“You’re serious?” I asked, my eyes going wide at the simplicity of that statement.
“Of course. It’s not a problem. I shall require some degree of payment, but we can discuss that later.”
“Fine, whatever you want,” I said without hesitation. Mab grinned wide and clapped her hands together, the sound echoing through the still air like a gunshot.
“It’s done,” she said. I stood up as she shook her head. “I’m disappointed in you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, freezing in my tracks. Mab pointed at the seat, and I sat back down, giving her a wary glance.
“I can give you everything you want: money, power, fame. Whatever strikes your fancy.”
“I’m not a big on the whole rich and famous vibe.”
“No, of course, you’re not. But come, think, isn’t there anything else you want?”
“Drake’s head on a platter,” I returned, fierce anger gleaming in my eyes. Mab boomed with laughter, her voice ringing out again and again at the request. She lowered to a gentle chuckle as she leaned back, tapping her fingertips together.
“Drake’s head on a platter,” she repeated, her voice lit up with glee. “I like that. It has a certain poetry to it. A certain…panache. I knew I’d like you. You have a style and ferocity that’s rare in your kind. I approve.”
“Fine, that’s what I want.”
“Sorry,” Mab said, waving for her servant to refill her cup. “I can’t do it. Drake and I have an arrangement that’s playing out as we speak. Until that deal has concluded, I can’t move against him. If you’re willing to wait, though, I will be glad to rip out his still beating heart and give it to you.”
“Time is a factor,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her. Violence seemed to excite her, and the ease that she talked about killing someone made me uneasy.
“Of course. How about something else? I can tell you what he’s planning, where he’s moving his new ‘troops’ and how to stop them.”
“What would you want in return?” I asked, suspicious.
“Again with the payment,” she said, waving her hand. “Your credit’s good. Of course, if you’re not interested…” she said, standing up.
“No, I’m interested.”
“Good,” Mab hissed. “So we have a deal?”
“Yes.”
“Good!” She grinned as she clapped her hands together. The same booming noise echoed through the night like thunder, and her eyes gleamed with delight. “It’s all about the blood drive. Drake has modified those vans to hold his army. He plans on releasing them in The Shade two nights from today. His forces will slaughter everyone in the town. With each kill, they’ll grow stronger, and Drake’s power will rise with theirs. You have to ambush them as they arrive in town.”
“Yeah, but how do we stop those monsters? They took a blast from Kat like it was nothing.”
“Their mother can stop them. Your friend figured out the ritual and science to create them, and she holds the key to their destruction.” Mab stood up from the chair, bowing as she walked to the sled. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Be well, Kacey. You have everything you need to defeat Drake. Be well, and don’t disappoint me.”
She stopped in mid-stride and grinned. “Oh, before I forget, I want the bloodstone. Consider it partial payment for my services. The rest we shall discuss at a later date.”
A chill ran down my spine as I watched her race away. In an instant, the world returned to normal. The sound of vehicles filled the air, the chatter of people and the flowing of the fountain. Something deep inside me screamed at the foolishness of the deal, but I didn’t care. I raced through the doors and down the halls of the hospital. I ignored the questioning glances of the nurses and doctors as I ran past them. I ran to Aidan’s room, and my heart leaped for joy as he let out a low groan. The nurse jumped in surprise at the sound, cocking her head as she stared at him. Aidan rose to lean back on the bed, and Kat’s eyes snapped open as if she could sense Aidan waking up.
“Damn I’m hungry,” he groaned as I threw my arms around him. I reveled in the warmth of his skin and the slow, steady beating of his heart as he wrapped his arms around me. He ran his fingers through my raven black hair, smiling as he pressed his lips against mine. I pressed against him, mad with relief at seeing him well. He pulled away, running a single finger down my cheek.
“What happened? Did we win? Is Drake…” he asked, glancing between Kat and I.
“Don’t worry about him,” I assured, running my finger over his lips.
“Why am I in a hospital?”
“You were…hurt, but the doctor’s patched you up. You’re going to be fine,” I promised.
“Let’s not jump the gun,” Doctor Parker said as he walked into the room. The startled nurse walked behind him and gave constant wide-eyed glances at Aidan. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m great. I could use a sandwich, though,” Aidan returned, prompting the doctor to chuckle.
“We’ll get you one in one second. I need to check you out.” He glanced at the instruments as the toothpick in his mouth tumbled to the ground. “Pulse, blood pressure, all your stats are fine,” he announced, his voice trailing away as he cocked his head. He walked over, his jaw dropping as he inspected the bronzed skin of Aidan’s back, unmarred by any w
ound.
“This is…it’s impossible,” Doctor Parker said, stroking his beard as he tried to figure out what happened.
“I’d like to keep you overnight for observation if that’s possible.”
“Sorry, Doc, but we have work to do,” Aidan said, standing up. “Could I get my clothes?”
“Mister Aidan, you went through a traumatic experience. No way I can let you walk out!”
“Yeah, but you said I was alright.”
“Yes, but…” The doctor set his clipboard down in frustration as he shook his head. “Son, I have no idea how you’re fine. You were on death’s door a half hour ago. It’s…It’s impossible.”
“It’s a miracle,” I said, as Kat’s eyes snapped toward me, her eyes narrowing as she inspected me. “Isn’t that the weird thing they always say when recoveries happen?”
“They don’t happen like this!” Doctor Parker protested. “Given your recovery, I can’t stop you from leaving, but…”
“I’ll call if anything happens,” Aidan assured him.
“Great, yes, do that,” the doctor muttered to himself while he stared at Aidan as if he was an alien. “I have to …the nurse…papers for you to…yeah,” he muttered to himself. He stumbled away, lost in thought as he continued to give Aidan puzzled glances.
“Kacey and I will get you some clothes,” Kat said, motioning me out of the room. We had walked out of sight of Aidan’s room before she spun me around.
“What the hell did you do?” Kat asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I can count on one hand the number of ways Aidan could get better like that. All of them involve dealing with some horrible people. So I’ll ask you again. What did you do?”
“That doesn't matter.”
“The hell it doesn't!” Kat shouted, causing people to crane their heads at us. She held up a mollifying hand before scowling at me. “You can’t get something for nothing, Kacey. If something did this for you, they’re going to take payment sooner or later.”
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