by Mills, Julia
His eyes widened. She knew he had been told not to let her pass but could see that he wouldn’t fight with her either. She was about to muscle her way through when the door opened, and a pair of very tired violet eyes looked down at her. His attempt at a smile was weak at best. She couldn’t blame him; it had to be hard to see one of his own hurt. He placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “It’s fine, Jace, let Dr. Malone pass. Hopefully, she’ll be able to help.”
Without another word, he turned and headed back down the stairs. Jace moved and she took that as her cue to follow. The stairs turned at a right angle and as she rounded the corner, a blindingly bright light caused her to stumble. When the spots cleared from her eyes, she saw antiseptically white walls and a painted gray floor, not unlike the operating rooms at the hospital.
She quickly scanned the area as her feet took her down the last few steps. The state-of-the-art triage and surgical area was amazing. It had to have cost a fortune, but she guessed when you lived hundreds of years, you had time to save some serious coin. What she was not thrilled to see was a tiny little woman with platinum blonde hair praying or chanting or whatever the hell she was doing over Lance. Rationally, she knew she had no claim to him even though Grace and Kyndel had said they were mates, but just the thought of the curvy little woman touching him made her see red. She made her way over to where they had Lance. Her first instinct was to throw herself over him and cry, but she was a doctor and doctors didn’t act that way, no matter who was on their table. She took her millionth deep breath, and put her professional persona firmly in place. She was going to save his life, and then she was gonna kick his ass.
CHAPTER TEN
The one big difference between this setup and the hospital was no heart monitors or IV’s, none of the usual equipment doctors used to track the patient’s vitals. Maybe it had something to do with the whole ‘being a dragon’ thing. The sound of the same smooth, calm, feminine voice she’d heard earlier sounded beside her. She turned to find a very tall, stately woman with striking gray hair smiling at her. “You must be Dr. Malone. I’m Siobhan, the clan’s Elder Healer. It’s a pleasure to meet the one the Universe has made for our Lance.”
The older woman held out her hand and as Sam shook it, she tucked away the words clan and Elder Healer for another time, figuring that was going to be happening a lot while she was with Lance’s family.
“Just call me Sam,” she answered, trying to smile but really eager to get to look more closely at Lance’s injuries.
“Sam it is then. I am sure you want to look at our patient,” she motioned towards Lance, and Sam could see that they had the blade protruding from his chest covered with a sheet. Did dragons have to worry about infection? She thought to herself. A real quick glance around the room showed her that no one was wearing masks or gloves. Infection must not be a worry.
Making her way to his bedside, she looked at the little blonde that was propped on a stool, and chanting something that sounded like Latin. Siobhan spoke quickly, pointing to the other woman that was so enthralled in her verse she had yet to look up. “That is Kyra. She’s a white witch. We’re hoping her magic can keep the silver from spreading.”
Sam felt her eyebrows rise for the tenth time in the last hour, and wondered if they might just get stuck up there. A witch? Really? Dragons weren’t enough, there had to be witches too? What the hell else were these people going to tell her was real? Next, they were going to say people could turn into cats or dogs…what the hell? Slowly shaking her head to clear the craziness. Reminded that there were all kinds of beliefs out there, and if they wanted to believe in a witch they could. It was their right. For her, she was going to believe in her education and training, and find a way to save the man before her. Mate or not, she would save him. She had to.
It was worse than she imagined. He was pale and lifeless. Still the most handsome man she had ever seen, but everything that made him Lance was sleeping right along with the man. She longed to see the twinkle in his crystal blue eyes, and his shit-eating grin that made her smile even when she wanted to kick his ass, but most of all she wanted to feel the low rumble of his voice tumble through her as he said her name. Pushing all thoughts of anything but saving him aside, she removed the sheet and barely held back a gasp. They had not been kidding when they said there was a blade sticking out of his chest, and from the way he was propped up on a bunch of pillows, it went all the way through.
Taking a deep breath, she began examining the area around the wound, and wondered how they knew it had pierced his heart without an x-ray. She was almost afraid to ask, but had to know before she decided on her next step. “How do you know that the blade has touched his heart without an x-ray or an ultrasound?” She looked around again, and saw none of the huge equipment she relied on at the hospital.
The Healer spoke, “As a Healer I am able to feel what the injured are feeling, and I can see what is going on inside their wounds.”
Sam worked hard to school her features. She really didn’t want to alienate the very people that were trying to save Lance’s life and oh yeah…they were his family, too. No pressure there at all, she imagined rolling her eyes. The closer she looked at his wounds, the more she was sure they could get the blade out and keep him from bleeding to death if they all worked together, however, she was going to need at least an ultrasound picture to be sure they were working in the right place.
Siobhan, at least she thought that was her name, may be able to see what was going on in there, but she couldn’t, and there was no way she was letting anyone, even herself perform any kind of surgery until she saw exactly where that blade was inside his body. Being completely professional, she calmly asked, “Can someone run up, and get my cell phone, please? I think I left it in the family room by the couch,” she heard someone run up the stairs before she even had the whole question out of her mouth. “And do we have rubber gloves. I know you guys probably don’t get infections, but I would feel better if we used them.”
A box of gloves appeared at her side. She met the Healer’s eyes as she grabbed a pair from the box. Maybe the woman really could ‘see’ inside people because it damn sure felt like she was looking inside of her. “Thank you. I want to call the hospital and see if we can borrow an ultrasound machine. I appreciate that you’ve been taking care of your people with your special abilities, but for me to cut into his chest,” she motioned towards the man that was quickly becoming a habit she didn’t know how to quit, “I have to be able to actually see what is going on in there.”
“I understand, dear, and I want you to know that I will work with you, not take over or impose our way of thinking on you. I am going to ask one thing though, and I hope that you can help me with it,” Siobhan spoke in her smooth, calm way and when she touched Sam’s arm, the doctor swore she felt warmth spread throughout her body. She instantly felt more in control of her emotions. Maybe there was something to the whole ‘dragon magic’ thing.
She nodded for the Healer to continue. “I want you to open your mind to all that you have been told, and anything else that may seem unusual to you as we try to bring your mate back to us.” She stood listening, unsure what to expect. Siobhan simply smiled, giving her a look she remembered from her childhood. It was a motherly look that said, you might be able to fool yourself, but I can see right through you. The Healer continued, “Whatever you think you know…I can see how much you care for Lance. I know he cares for you and that will be the key to his survival. Because he is dragon, and the Universe has made you just for him, you two share a special bond. I can feel that he is resisting the pull. Trying to protect you from his pain and suffering. But he is going to need your strength.” She listened to every word Siobhan was saying, waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then it did. “You are going to need to make him open up to you. It will be difficult because you are not officially mated and do not wear his mark, but I know that you can do this, Samantha. I know that you can save his life.”
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�Wow! No pressure there, Lady,” she thought to herself. Unable to speak, she turned back to Lance, watching the incredibly slow rise and fall of his chest. The sword had pierced the wing of the majestic dragon that adorned his chest. She touched the magnificent beast that appeared to be racing into battle and felt the shot of the electricity that always accompanied touching Lance, much weaker, but still present. As she skimmed over his special marking, it rippled and writhed under her touch. The colors became slightly more vivid, and she could feel the ridges pushing against her fingertips. The tattoo was responding to her touch. Looking into the vivid blue orb that held barely a shadow of the twinkle she remembered from her dream, it all became clear. No matter what she believed about men that could shift into dragons, and healers that could look inside the human body, or even witches that chanted to keep people alive, one fact remained; she was falling in love with the blue-eyed smart ass that could set her body on fire with a wink and a smile.
Continuing to touch the dragon on his chest, she noted his breathing had slowed. Taking his pulse, hers began to race. His was slow and thready. Out of habit, she reached for the stethoscope that usually hung around her neck. Frustrated, she lashed out before she could stop herself, “I NEED MY PHONE!”
Everyone around her stood still, and the room was engulfed in silence except for the damn chanting. Immediately embarrassed for her outburst, she hung her head, “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
A large, warm hand touched her shoulder, and she looked up to find the biggest guy, wait, dragon she’d ever met. “Don’t worry about it, Samantha, we’re all freaking out. I keep thinking any minute he is going to jump off that table and call me grandpa,” Royce looked at his brethren lying lifelessly on the table and smiled a sad smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Here’s your phone. Let me know where to go and I will get everything you need.”
She nodded, took the phone, and moved towards the corner of the room. By the time Charlie answered her call, she was somewhat under control and able to ask for the supplies and equipment that she needed. The fact that her long-time friend didn’t ask any questions, other than if she was okay, spoke to the depth of their friendship. Returning to Lance’s bedside, she spoke to the gentle giant that stood watch over his brother, “Charlie will be waiting for you outside the hospital by the fire exit nearest the Emergency Room.”
She met his eyes, “Thank you,” was all she could get out before he just disappeared. “Dragon men can really move,” she thought to herself.
Doing everything possible to think of the man before her as just another patient, she remembered what Siobhan had said about opening herself up to everything she had learned, and to Lance. Deciding to try a mental exercise the psychiatrist had taught her after her kidnapping, she closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and thought about the amazing man that had invaded her very soul from the first moment he looked down at her soot covered face. His shit-eating grin and dimple winked at her. His eyes twinkled with the mischief of at least five teenage boys. She remembered what it felt like to have his arms wrapped around her, and the feel of his skin against hers. The longer she thought of him, the quicker the images came, ranging from the gentle way he dealt with Sydney to the passionate way he played her body like it had been designed for his hands alone. He was like no other man she’d ever known, a force unto himself that wreaked havoc and made her look forward to the craziness. Opening her eyes, she stared at his handsome face that even the blood loss and silver blade sticking out of his chest couldn’t diminish, and felt the spark deep in her heart reach out to him.
Totally out of her element, and not sure what to make of what she was feeling, she took a leap of faith, and followed her heart. Sam focused all her thoughts on that spark, feeding all her affection, and new feelings of love for a man that was so much more than she ever could have imagined, into it. The more the spark grew, the more she could actually feel Lance. He was around her, and within her, giving her his strength and making her feel like there was nothing she couldn’t do. He was also pissing her off, because as she tried to lend her strength to him, she could feel he was trying to block her somehow.
Not truly understanding what was happening, totally out of her element, she followed her instincts. She grabbed his face and leaned forward. When their noses almost touched she spoke to him in her best ‘I am the doctor, you are the patient voice’, “Listen here dragon man, you are going to let me help you any way I can. You are going to stop trying to keep me out. You are going to stop protecting me. You are going to get better because then I am going to kick your ass for keeping secrets from me.” She heard some snickering from behind her, and was positive she felt more than that coming from the man lying on the table. “Now that we have that all worked out just lay there, and behave.” She truly had no idea if he really heard her, or if it was her wishful thinking that made her believe she felt him react to her words. But as she and Siobhan went to work making sure they were ready when Royce returned, she felt the light within her grow brighter, and was sure that some of her energy was flowing to him.
First order of business, she moved the chanting witch (Kyra, or whatever her name was) across the room, far away from Lance, and far away from her. The Healer had assured her the tiny woman could do whatever it was she was doing from across the room. Buying into the fact that men could change into dragons was as far as she was willing to stretch for the day, but Lance’s family believed ‘the witch’ was doing something to help their cause, so Sam wouldn’t completely banish her but remove her from her sight.
Royce returned in record time, and once the equipment was all set up, she and Siobhan worked tirelessly for hours. It was a true collaboration. As the Healer worked to remove the sword, Sam followed its path, stitched his heart muscle, and ensured the blade did not pass through anything that would cause more damage. She was amazed that he only bled a small amount and remembered that Siobhan had told her Lance would be able to regulate most of his body’s functions as long as they worked quickly and she continued to keep the bond between them open.
As they worked, more people from what they called their clan entered the room, forming groups in the four corners of the room. So engrossed in saving Lance, it wasn’t until she turned to grab more sutures that she realized they were actually chanting. It was nothing like the sounds of the tiny witch. Theirs had more of a sacred feel. It was the Latin she had learned in medical school, and the longer she tuned in, the more she understood that they were actually praying not only for Lance but that she and Siobhan would be given all that they needed and all would be better for the experience.
She was completely humbled at the solidarity and commitment to one another that these people shared. It was something she’d never known even when her mother and sister were alive. They’d had no extended family; it had always been just them. To see and feel the bond that ran between them energized her and made her believe that there might actually be a chance for her and the man they all swore was her mate.
When the blade was removed and she had tied off the last stitch, the Healer slathered the wound with a thick layer of ointment that smelled of herbs and flowers. Any other time she would have had a fit, but after all she had witnessed in the last ten or so hours, she had to believe Siobhan knew what she was doing. The people that had been chanting were now placing candles on every available surface and in groups of four, they were surrounding Lance’s bed and offering what she could only imagine were more prayers of healing and support.
Unable to stand any longer, she dropped in the chair that someone had placed at the foot of his bed and leaned forward. Her head fell onto her folded arms. Trying to get comfortable, she bumped his bare foot. Just the touch sent a familiar electric current streaking through her body, more intense than anything she had ever experienced. She was sure it was a good sign. Completely exhausted, both physically and mentally, her body still reacted to his touch, and it was so much stronger than when she had been touching the dragon on his chest prior
to the surgery. Never a religious person, she took a minute and offered a really quick prayer to whatever Higher power was listening. Then she drifted, not quite sleeping, but not quite awake.
Days passed, and she was beginning to think he might never wake up. The only time she left was to shower and change clothes afraid that, if she stayed away too long, the bond she could feel that tied them together would somehow cease to exist. She hated to admit that she was coming to depend on the feelings of warmth and acceptance that she knew came from him. They had to be coming from him. She’d never felt them before the day she had completely opened herself to him, and she never wanted it to end. When the thought of returning to work invaded the routine she had set up while caring for Lance, she pushed it away not wanting to think what would happen if they spent long hours and miles apart.
Somehow Siobhan knew what she was feeling, and without preamble, explained that once the bond between mates was formed, not even their ‘forever death’ could sever what they had together. The older woman then told her the story of how her own mate had gone to the Heavens many years ago and of their connection, just as strong as the day it had formed. Sam saw the momentary flash of pain in the other woman’s eyes, which was immediately replaced with a smile so sweet it brought a tear to her eyes. “My Gareth was a Dragon Guardsman, just like your Lance. I lost him during an especially brutal battle with the wizards and hunters many years ago. I carry him here,” she placed her hand over her heart. “And here,” she said as she lifted the locket that Sam had admired often over the last few days. Siobhan opened the beautifully engraved piece of jewelry, and Sam saw a spectacular opal dragon scale with what looked like a red tear drop in the center.