Page 89 of Wicked Fate

Fae magic swirled through me, making me feel as if I were on fire. The wound in my chest throbbed where the heat settled.

The heat intensified, scorching through my veins like wildfire. Why had I awakened to re-experience death? My back arched, and I moaned.

“Is the damn wolf shifter here yet? I can’t lose her,” Ryker growled as he jumped on the bed of the truck, lifting me. “She needs helpnow."

He hadn’t even noticed I was awake, but with how little I could see, I’d bet my eyes still appeared closed.

“Ryker, none of us want her to die,” Sun spat out and appeared between him and Briar. “But you’re making way too much noise. We’re supposed to head to the back entrance of the hospital and remain undetected.”

Hospital? No. Supernaturals weren’t supposed to get help from humans.

"Everyone be quiet." Reid's face strained. His dark eyes locked on Ryker, unwavering. "I understand your mate is dying, but if you want her to live, control yourself. Let’s take her in before someone comes over or calls the police."

Ryker's arms tightened around me, his heartbeat thundering against my ear. The panic radiating from him washed over me in suffocating waves. His breath came in short, ragged bursts that matched the erratic pulse of the fae magic burning through my veins.

I tried to link with Ryker to reassure him that I was awake, but the connection that had always come so naturally was now beyond my grasp. My lips moved, trying to form words, but my body refused to obey, as if I were paralyzed.

The world tilted as Ryker rushed forward, carrying me across the hospital parking lot. My head lolled against his chest, each movement sending fresh waves of agony through my body.

We reached a nondescript metal door at the rear of the brick building. Before Ryker could kick it open, it swung inward, revealing a man with gray hair and tired eyes.

"This way." He ushered us through the door and down a dimly lit corridor that smelled of antiseptic.

We entered a cramped room dominated by a narrow hospital bed surrounded by blinking monitors and IV stands. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everything in a sickly pale glow.

"On the bed," the man ordered, pulling on latex gloves. "Everyone else out. Now."

"I'm staying." Ryker still cradled me as if I might shatter.

"This isn't a democracy." The man gestured toward the door where the others lingered.

"I'm not leaving her." Ryker's voice dropped to a dangerous growl, the sound vibrating through his chest against my ear. "She's my fated mate. I can't—" His voice cracked as he carefully laid me on the bed, his hands lingering protectively. "I won't let her face this alone."

Something shifted in the doctor's expression. Recognition, or perhaps understanding. The hard lines around his eyes softened slightly.

"Fine." The man exhaled sharply. "But stay out of my way." He turned to the others crowded in the doorway. "The rest of you need to leave. I'll call when there's news. Head back to your vehicles and stay out of sight."

Reid nodded, his jaw tight. "Come on," he muttered to the others. "Let's go."

Briar hesitated, her eyes wide with worry. "I'm her sister—"

"No more exceptions." Reid's firm hand on her shoulder pulled her back. "He knows what he's doing."

With a final worried glance at me, Briar allowed herself to be led away. She linked,I know you can’t hear me, but I’m here, Ember. I love you.

I wanted to say it back, but the fire seemed to block out anything but the agony that pulsed through my body.

The others followed reluctantly, their footsteps fading down the corridor.

The man shut and locked the door. He turned to me with clinical efficiency and ripped my shirt open along the seam. He slowly pulled it away from my injury, and then his expression became unreadable.

"What's wrong?" Ryker stepped closer, panic edging his voice. "Why are you looking at her like that?"

The doctor didn't answer immediately. His gloved fingers hovered over the wound, lightly touching my chest. "Whatisthis?"

"What?" Ryker leaned forward as his forehead lined in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"There's no wound here." The doctor stepped back, eyes narrowing. "Just a burn mark shaped like a blade entry, but no actual penetration. The skin is intact."

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