Page 90 of Wicked Fate

Ryker's jaw dropped. "That's impossible. I saw the knife. I saw theblood—"

As they argued above me, something changed inside my chest. The fire that had been consuming me began to recede, like waves pulling back from shore. The burning sensation that had paralyzed me started to cool, first at my fingertips, then gradually toward my core.

I gasped, drawing in a full breath for the first time since I'd awakened.

With the pain's retreat, I tried reaching for the links once again.Ryker. Briar. I’m here.

My thoughts pushed outward, and the familiar connections opened between us.

Relief flooded the connection from Briar's end.Oh, thank Fate!

Ryker froze mid-sentence. His shoulders stiffened, but his eyes didn’t meet mine. For several heartbeats, he avoided my gaze as if afraid that meeting my eyes would shatter whatever miracle had occurred.

Ryker, look at me. Please.I couldn’t take his agony anymore. I needed him to know I’d truly be okay.

Finally, he did. The gold flecks in his irises flared, and his jaw worked as his relief and joy expanded in my chest, helping make the fire dissipate faster.

Ryker tore his eyes from mine, turning to the doctor with newfound intensity. "She just linked with me," he said, voice rough with emotion. "She's conscious. Aware."

The man's eyebrows shot up. He studied my face with renewed interest, as if I were a medical anomaly he couldn't quite categorize.

I managed to lift my hand, reaching for Ryker's. My fingers trembled but found his, squeezing with what little strength I could muster.

"She should be dead," the man murmured, more to himself than to us. "A wound like that... all that blood..." He shook his head. "I don't understand." He pulled a stethoscope from around his neck and pressed it to my chest, brow furrowed. "No magic I know of is capable of healing like this. Now there's no scar tissue. No sign of rapid healing. It's as if the wound never existed, yet I can see the blood on your clothes and her shirt.”

Ryker's grip on my hand tightened. His eyes questioned me, searching for answers. But he said, “I don’t care what it was. She’s not dying.”

It's the fae magic in me.That’s the only explanation I had.It's healing me.

The fae magic's final pulse warmed me then settled into a gentle, steady hum beneath my skin. When I drew a deep breath, it no longer burned. I braced my palms against the thin mattress and pushed myself upright. The room tilted briefly but then steadied.

The man stumbled back a step, rubbing his eyes as if he couldn't trust what he was seeing. "This is..." His voice trailed off as he dropped his hands. "Your vitals are perfect. Heartbeat strong, breathing clear." He shook his head in disbelief. “I've treated supernaturals for twenty years, and I've never seen anything like this." His gaze darted to the door then back to us. "You need to leave. Now. If anyone discovers I've brought you in without documentation..."

Ryker nodded, already helping me swing my legs off the bed. "We're going. Thank you for your help."

"Wait." The man hurried to a cabinet and removed two clean scrub tops. "Both of you, put these on. You can't walk out covered in blood."

I took the smaller offered garment and turned my back to him to change out of my ripped shirt.

Ryker’s jealousy oozed through our bond with that sludgy feel. He stood between me and the doctor as he put on his own top, making sure the man couldn’t see me.

In a hurry to leave, I removed my shredded shirt and pulled the top over my head. The fabric was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the memory of fire that had consumed me just minutes before.

The doctor unlocked the door and peered into the hallway. "Coast is clear. Go now, and for everyone's sake, please be careful. I don’t want to have to volunteer for a night shift again and not be needed."

Sudden laughter escaped my lips at his exasperated tone; then I instinctively flinched as my body braced for the pain that should have followed. Nothing came. No stabbing sensation, no burning fire. Just...normal.

"Thank you," I said, meeting the doctor's tired eyes. "I know you risked a lot bringing us in."

"Just go," he muttered, checking his watch. "And try not to get stabbed again."

Ryker's arm wrapped around my waist as we slipped into the corridor. His touch was gentle but insistent, guiding me forward with quickened steps. The bond between us hummed with his residual fear and overwhelming relief.

When we made it back outside, he paused and linked,Can you walk on your own?

Actually, yeah.My legs were surprisingly steady beneath me.

The night air hit my face, cool and refreshing after the sterile hospital atmosphere. Ryker's hand remained firmly at the small of my back as we emerged into the parking lot where Reid, Sun, Briar, and Ashlyn stood outside the truck, waiting.

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