For the Good of All (Law of the Lycans Book 7) (28 page)

“She needs me,” he explained.

Adisa arched a brow. “Does she need you or do you need her?”

He shook his head. This wasn’t the time for word games. Christina was calling to him, her voice filled with fear. He looked beyond Adisa. A soldier had Christina pinned to the ground...

“No!” He jerked upright and stared wide-eyed about the room, for a moment unsure where he was. Reality slowly returned.

White walls.

The hospital.

His heart rate began to slow as did his breathing. He was still shaking, drenched in sweat, the covers twisted around his body so that he could barely move. His hands responded sluggishly to his command to free himself and once the sheets were out of the way, he swung his legs out of bed.

The tile floor was cold against his bare feet yet it was reassuringly solid and real, the chill chasing away the ghosts that plagued his dreams.

He made his way to the window and parted the curtains. It was light out, maybe mid-morning. After Reno had left yesterday, he’d stared dry-eyed at the ceiling for hours before resorting to taking the sleeping pill that had been left for him. He’d thought sleep would give him some peace, help block the scene that kept replaying in his head, muffle the sound of Christina’s voice.

Yet, every time he closed his eyes, he saw her looking up at him with her trusting eyes. ‘I’ll come back for you,’ he had said and she’d replied, ‘I know you will.’

It had been a lie. He hadn’t gone back. He’d left her behind, either to the mercy of Mendoza’s men or to die alone in the jungle from a deadly infection. Pressing his forehead against the glass, he tried not to think of the fate she’d suffered, but it was impossible to hold back the images that raced through his mind.

Suddenly, he couldn’t bear to be alone in the room. He needed to go somewhere, see something, talk to somebody, anything that would occupy his mind for a few minutes. Looking around, he found the standard hospital-issue robe on a hook by the door and pulled it on, then walked out into the hallway. There was no guard posted to keep him inside. Why he’d thought there’d be one, he didn’t know, but he’d take advantage of the situation.

Left or right? It didn’t really matter; he just had to get away. He chose to go left.

Walking down the hallway, other patients and staff barely glanced his way. His was just another anonymous face in the busy medical facility. Another hallway, right this time, then a left. Stone kept walking with no destination, just the need to keep moving.

Unexpectedly, he found himself outside a door labelled Pediatrics. Reno had said the pups were there. He hesitated, his hand hovering over the door handle before pushing the heavy door open.

This time as he walked, he took note of his surroundings. Doors in bright primary colours, the walls decorated with cartoon figures, even the staff wore uniforms made of cheerful printed fabrics.

As he moved down the corridor, he noted children in robes sitting with their parents. Some were reading books, others were playing games. A few were just being rocked while words of comfort were whispered in their ears.

Near the end of the hallway was an open area, perhaps a playroom? Stone wasn’t familiar with how the children’s wing of a hospital was set up, but it seemed a logical conclusion. The area was quiet and empty except for two children who were sitting silently, staring down at the carpet. A TV was playing in the background and several toys were around them, but they didn’t seem to notice.

Stone paused just outside the door. It was the pups, looking considerably cleaner than last time he had seen them. He swallowed hard. At least they were okay. Christina hadn’t given her life for nothing.

“Come to check on your little friends?” Reno’s voice sounded by Stone’s ear, startling him.

“Oh, yeah, I guess.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his robe. “I was just getting some exercise and ended up in Pediatrics so I thought I’d see how they’re doing.”

“I’ve just been talking to the nurses. Arrangements have been made for them to fly back to the States tomorrow. They’ve been given a medical clean bill of health. Psychologically, the picture isn’t as clear. Once they’re back in a pack, hopefully they’ll start to communicate again.”

“Reno, they might have seen their parents murdered. They’ve been handed off from stranger to stranger, a new face every day. What the hell do you expect?” He paused and took a deep breath. There was no point in getting angry at Reno. This debacle wasn’t his fault. “Sorry.”

“No problem. I know they’ve had a rough go of it and...” Reno didn’t finish his statement.

Stone followed the direction of his gaze. The children were standing beside him, the youngest, the girl, Lily, leaning against his leg.

Startled, Stone froze momentarily before hesitantly reaching out and gently rubbing his hand over their heads. “Hey. It’s good to see you guys again.”

When they didn’t leave, he squatted so that he was at eye-level and spoke softly to them. “Wow, you’re all cleaned up now and...” He searched desperately for something else to say. Looking around the room, he noticed the toys. “You’ve got some great-looking stuff to play with here.”

They didn’t respond, just staring at him with solemn eyes. Damn, he was no good with kids.

“Umm… I hear that you’ll get to take a plane ride tomorrow and go see your grandma and grandpa. It will be good to go back home and visit them, won’t it?”

Paul Jr. had silently stood through Stone’s monologue, a thumb tucked in his mouth. Lily had watched his face intently, the rag doll Christina had purchased clutched to her chest. The sight of the doll made his throat tighten. He was about to stand when Lily leaned closer and whispered one word to him.

“Tina?”

For a minute he was sure he was hearing things, but a soft sound from Reno let him know he wasn’t.

“I…I’m sorry.” Stone struggled to know what to say. “She…er…isn’t here, but she loves you and I know she’s glad you’re okay. That was really important to her.”

“Excuse me, sir. I don’t believe you’re authorized to be here.” A nurse appeared and Stone rose to his feet, grateful for the interruption.

“It’s all right.” Reno pulled a badge from his pocket and flashed it at the nurse.

She nodded but still took the children by the hand. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for their lunch.”

“No problem. I’ll see you kids later.” Stone stepped back and watched as they were led away. Once they were out of earshot he turned to Reno. “They must have heard my voice and it struck a chord in them. Poor kids.”

Reno nodded. “I’ll report this to the doctor in charge of their case. Her talking to you is a real breakthrough.”

“It’s Christina’s doing. She was great with them.” He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Do you think this hospital has a gift shop? Maybe I’ll buy them a teddy bear or something to take with them when they leave tomorrow. Being handed off to another set of strangers could be pretty scary.”

“We need to report to Diagnostic Imaging first. Lycan Link insurance requires you have an MRI due to that concussion you sustained.”

He snorted. “Concussions don’t show up on an MRI.”

“Tell that to the guys in the insurance office.”

“What if I refuse?”

“They’re paying your hospital bill which is amazing given that you’re not really a Lycan Link employee. You’d better play along and keep them happy.”

Stone grumbled but agreed.

Chapter 12

Reno stared out of the window of Stone’s room. The hospital consisted of two buildings. The main one in which he stood and a private building for the rich and infamous on the far side of the property. The view beyond that was spectacular, even if it was being seen from a hospital. A bright blue sky, palm trees swaying in the breeze and tropical flowers blooming abundantly in the gardens that surrounded the building. In the distance the white sands of the beach were kissed by the ocean tide and colourful sailboats drifted by. If he’d been here for another reason, he might have actually enjoyed the scenery in front of him.

Instead, he was waiting to tell Stone about the conversation with Gwyneth. That the older witch had been pissed off had been an understatement. While he didn’t know the exact extent of the woman’s powers, he knew better than to scoff at any threat she made.

After their phone conversation, he’d researched her background. It was incredibly scant. All he really knew was that she had owned the club for the past ten years. Sure the ‘human’ government records had her date of birth, educational background and even her social security number but those facts were easily manipulated. Just look at how Lycans and other shifters managed to stay under the radar. The advent of computers had made adjusting government records easier than ever thanks to a few good hackers.

There was something ‘off’ about Gwyneth O’Donohue but it would be Stone’s decision whether to call her or not. The man certainly didn’t need to be dumped on by the witch; he felt guilty enough as it was about Tina. Anyone who saw the dark circles under his eyes and the strained look about his mouth would realize Stone was blaming himself. Reno understood how the man felt. He’d had a similar experience years ago. Only time would help him heal.

The door opened and Stone appeared being pushed in a wheelchair by an orderly.

Reno raised a brow. “Something wrong?”

“Hospital protocol.” The orderly explained as he set the brakes.

Stone stood up, a scowl on his face. “Satisfied?”

The orderly nodded and quickly left, no doubt pleased to be rid of the surly patient.

Stone stalked to his bed. “Reno, get me out of here before I lose complete control.”

“I’m working on it, believe me.”

“Work faster.”

“I’ll do my best. In the meantime…” He hesitated, loath to mention a sensitive topic but knowing it couldn’t be avoided.

“What’s up?”

“I was talking to Gwyneth. I told her about Tina.”

“And?” His whole body tensed as if preparing for a physical blow.

“She’d like you to contact her.”

Stone gave a stiff nod. “Fine. Leave her number on the table.”

“You don’t have to talk to her. She was rambling on about hexes if you didn’t phone her but I can contact Lycan Link. A call will be sent through to the Universal Coven telling her to back off.”

“No need.”

“I know a lot of the witches are blowing hot air when they talk hexes but there’s something about her…”

“She can hex me if she wants. It’s not like I don’t deserve it.” He stood up and moved to the window. “Looks like a good day for a run, don’t you think?”

“Stone, you have a concussion.”

“We’re Lycans. We heal quickly, remember?”

Stone let the water pound down onto his neck and shoulders hoping it would relieve some of the tension that had gathered there. He hadn’t really slept since waking up in the hospital. As soon as he closed his eyes, all he could see was Christina, all he could hear was her voice calling his name. The run he’d attempted had been a fiasco, his wolf suddenly becoming recalcitrant and refusing to shift. Ever since returning from Cantala, the animal had been in mourning, moping and uncommunicative. It blamed him for leaving her behind.

Blame. That’s likely why Gwyneth wanted to talk to him. Actually, there’d probably be no talking. The acerbic witch would likely shout and curse. It was what he deserved. No matter how many times he went over what happened, he still felt there should have been another solution, a way of saving both the pups and Christina.

“I’m sorry.” He hoped, wherever she was, she could hear him. “I shouldn’t have let you go with me. I should have anticipated the men on the path, somehow taken the bullet for you. I should have found a way to get all of you on that chopper or I should have found a way to stay behind with you.”

Should have, should have, fucking should have.

The words echoed within the confines of the shower stall. He turned off the water and towelled dry. He’d better call Gwyneth and let her rip him a new one. At least it might make her feel better.

“You impertinent, swill-guzzling scut, what did you do to my witchling?”

“Christina?” Stone forced himself to answer Gwyneth, even though saying her name tore at his gut, stirring the fires of pain and guilt. “I left her behind to die.”

“Did you now?” Acid dripped from the woman’s voice. “She was injured, so I’ve learned. Unable to fend for herself.”

“That’s correct.” He held himself ramrod straight even though they were speaking over the phone.

“You know, the minute I saw you at the club, I knew you were trouble. I should have kicked your ass to the curb before she ever set eyes on you.”

“I wish you had. She might still be alive if we’d never met.”

“Hmph.”

Gwyneth was silent for a moment and Stone wondered what she was thinking. Perhaps she was casting a spell on him. Was a bolt of lightning about to strike him? She finally spoke again.

“I had a vision just before Tina left. It was about a witch and wolf.”