Page 19 of Graveyards & Greed

“How bad is it?” I started running to Ezra’s office.

“She’s conscious and has non-life-threatening injuries. Other than that, I can't say much. They're treating her now and taking her to the University Medical Center.”

I made it to his office as the officer finished talking. “Okay, I understand. Let her know I’ll be waiting for her at the hospital.”

Ezra stood. “What happened?” He retained his lean, good looks and distinguished white hair and mannerisms, even though he was eighty. He also had the trademark Spade smile. He wasn’t smiling right then.

“That was the campus police. It’s not life-threatening, but Luna was attacked at the school, and they’re taking her to the hospital. We need to go.”

En route, I called Alexa. I knew she was in class, but I left a message. After hanging up, I thought about how much I loved these women. Both Alexa and Luna had terrible parents and difficult childhoods, yet they remained loyal and kind, and I considered them my sisters. The last time I remembered Luna being in the hospital, she was twelve years old, and her father had severely beaten her and left her for dead. I wondered who had attacked her today.

Hours later, I stood over her bed after Alexa took off to see if she could dig up some information on Luna’s attacker. She looked so fragile and pale lying there in that hospital bed. I wanted to kill someone.

“Get some rest,” I murmured, tucking the hospital blanket around her toes.

She squeezed my hand and gave me a weak nod. A few minutes later, the hospital door opened. Stiffening, my hand went to the gun at the small of my back, but I relaxed when I saw it was Roman Fowler, his face a hard mask as he surveyed Luna. I didn’t like the man, but he wasn’t the one who’d hurt her. I still didn’t trust him though.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered.

“Same thing you are—making sure she’s safe.” He folded his arms and studied me.

“You’ve done a bang-up job so far. Why are you really here?”

He ignored my question. “Give me a few minutes to talk with her alone.”

“No.”

He raised an eyebrow. “No?”

“Let me re-phrase that.Fuck, no. I don’t trust you.”

Shrugging, he started taking off his jacket. “Either way, I’m staying.”

I folded my arms as Luna stirred and opened her eyes. He leaned over her bed and traced her cheekbone, then glared at the IV and monitors attached to her body. His mouth clenched, and his eyes turned frigid.

They talked quietly for a minute, then Roman turned to me. “Will you get her a fresh ice pack and some water?”

I ignored him and turned to Luna. “Do you want some water?”

Luna nodded. “Ice chips sound divine. My tongue feels like it’s been freeze-dried.”

Roman stared at me. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe.”

My instincts pinged, but Luna wanted ice chips. I stepped out, intending to get back to her as soon as possible. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as I walked down the hallway, my shoes squeaking against the linoleum tiles in the unnerving quiet. A grip on my arm halted me mid-stride.

Whirling around, I lifted my fist to deliver a throat punch when I recognized Drakos. Despite the late hour, he looked fresh as a daisy and seemed perfectly at ease wearing a tie at two in the morning.

His blue eyes locked on mine, and his lips tipped up into a crooked smile. “Hello, Lollipop. We need to chat about Luna—and your latest gift.” Pulling me into an empty hospital room nearby, he closed the door behind us.

“What are you doing here, Lucifer? They haven’t quite mastered personality transplants yet. Or are you here looking for souls?” My flippant words didn't quite mask my agitation at having him so near.

He grinned. “I just wantyoursoul.” The dim light coming through the window didn’t dispel the intimate gloom.

“I need to get back. Luna is alone with Roman.”

His eyes narrowed. “I hate to break it to you, but they are frequently alone, and I’m not ready to let you go yet.”

“Are you going to unlawfully detain me then?”

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