Part 25 (1/2)

”Your jaw was dislocated. It might still be sore awhile.”

”Rowan Summerwaite!”

Rowan recognized that voice. ”Susan?”

”Who else?” Susan swam into view and gave her a gentle hug. ”I've been here three days, and thanks to the cook I've gained five pounds even with all the pacing. Did I not tell you not to get yourself killed? I distinctly remember telling you not to get yourself killed. And Rex didn't stop it! Celesse didn't stop it! I can't let you out of my sight, clearly. You're like a toddler near a stove when it comes to these old Vampires. You can't resist goading them into a killing rage? Just the once?”

Clive laughed. ”I had the same discussion with her. I think she has a DNA mandate to poke at ancient Vampires until they try to kill her.”

”I didn't get killed. This wasn't even my fault. And anyway, I told you, I didn't poke at her and she came after me. Casta, that faker, that f.u.c.ked-up pseudo-witch, she came after me. From behind. When I was not armed.”

An echo of Crazy Carl's warning about watching her back hit her. d.a.m.ned sage had been right. Again.

She tried to sit, to move more than an inch or two, and pain punched her in every part of her body.

”She's not sporting, that's clear.”

”Are you being flip?”

Clive gave her the brow. ”Me? I would never.”

She narrowed her gaze, but he didn't confess his sins.

”I have to get working.”

”You will do no such thing, Rowan!” Theo said this in his most intimidating, thunderous master Vampire voice, and her muscles froze. She hated that he had so much power over her-and everyone else as they'd responded to his tone, as well.

He was unmoved by her facial expression. ”You will remain here for another week. I will allow you to be moved to your bed in your rooms. You will eat everything Cook brings you. You will allow her, the doctor and Cataline to tend to your wounds, and you will most a.s.suredly not get working until you are recovered. I will not be argued with. Do you hear me, young lady?”

He narrowed his gaze at her, snagging her in his thrall, and she nodded. ”Yes, Vater. But she's getting away.”

”Rowan, have a heart. Do you have no fear in you at all? If not, your daily actions give me enough for the two of us. You are not ready to confront her, not in the shape you're in now. You had broken ribs. Your lungs were damaged, yet again. Your G.o.ddess healed that much, lucky for you. Your limbs are broken and still weak. You're no match for her. Not yet.

”She got away already. So you take the time to get better. And then, once you're ready, you will hunt her and kill her. Marcilius has...confessed to his part in the magical tampering by Enyo. I've relayed that information to the leaders.h.i.+p in the Nation. Recht has already volunteered to go with you when it's time. He can accompany us both. I will be along with you.”

”Oh well, I think I can handle it. I'll have my blade this time and everything. Plus Recht is plenty old and powerful...”

He just looked at her. ”Do you think you can sway me from this? She nearly stole you from me. While you were in my home. In your home. You are my protected. I warned her. She will pay for what she has done.”

”I poked her eye out.”

Everyone paused, but Clive grinned a moment, the worry chased from his features briefly.

”When we were fighting. I poked it out, and then I got her again with my thumb good and hard. I think I did permanent damage.”

Theo smiled at her, proud. ”I wondered about that. I saw she'd had some damage to her face. It probably won't grow back.”

”When you were on the ground when we found you, you told me you'd done it. You were so pleased with yourself.” Clive's smile was still not quite solid at the edges.

”Stop looking at me like that.” She blushed.

”You hush. I'll look at you however I like, and you'll d.a.m.n well be quiet about it and let me.”

Despite her better judgment, she let him see the tenderness she felt toward him. He nodded, kissing the fingertips of her less damaged hand.

”She's the one who used magic to mess with this meeting.”

Theo nodded.

”Can you prove it?” Susan, ever practical.

”I'm going to execute her, so I really don't have to. I know it was her. We all know it was her. But I don't have to take it to trial at this point.” She wanted to yawn but knew it would probably hurt her jaw to do so.

”We're working on an execution order now. You don't need it just yet, anyway. The First is correct. You will recover before you go rus.h.i.+ng out to take on ancient Vampires.”

Celesse came to stand next to Susan with Rex at her other side, backing Susan up. She sighed and then winced. Clive gave her the brow, and she redoubled her promise to get that tic going again.

”Your rooms are ready.” David appeared at the foot of her bed. ”When you're ready, we can move you up and get you settled, and then you need to eat and rest.”

”I was unconscious for three days. I've been resting.”

”You're moving your lips, Deesse, but I can't hear your words.”

”Everyone is talking back now? This is a thing?”

She'd been picked up and carried by Clive, who smelled quite good. ”I have seriously supercharged senses right now. It's pretty amazing,” she murmured against his neck.

”You've got the blood of your father, Paola, Takahiro and Tahar in your veins. I expect you'll feel quite good for a long time.”

A whole group of people came up with them. Heaven knew when she'd be alone with him.

”Why so many? I mean, Theo's blood should have been enough.”

”Rowan, it's a miracle you didn't die. The only reason you weren't airlifted out to a hospital in Switzerland is because you were so fragile they didn't know if you'd make it. And then, how to explain your injuries? When we got to you.” He licked his lips as he put her down on the bed in her room. ”You technically died twice as they worked on you back here.”

Nope, not something she wanted to think on just then, so she changed the subject. ”Can I bathe? I'm b.l.o.o.d.y and sticky.”

Cataline showed up with a tray of food. ”After you've eaten, the doctor said you could have a sponge bath. You can't get your cast wet. And the sutures on your arm will come out tomorrow if you continue to heal well. But you can't get any of it wet just now.”

Clive settled in next to the bed. Enzo brought the tea cart in and served them all as Cataline set out the tray and pulled the lid from the soup.

”Cook put some little dumplings in it. Go slow.”

She ate, realizing just how hungry she truly was. All around her, the conversation flowed. Vampire business, house business, Hunter business. All the while, Clive would reach out to touch her here and there, as if to remind himself she was alive.

She wanted to cry, and that made her angry. She wanted to sleep, and that made her angry too. She wanted a lot of things, and she couldn't have any of them just then.

”Everyone out. She needs to rest. You seem to tolerate morphine well so the doctor says for you to take some of these every four to six hours.” Cataline brought a bottle of pills into the room.