Page 4 of Declan's Dove

To us—he’s the devil incarnate.

“I hear you took a nasty spill down the stairs, Mrs. Swanson. Let’s have a look.” He places his bag on the nightstand and pulls out a vial with clear liquid and a syringe.

“W-what’s that? I don’t want any drugs. Please. I need to be awake to take care of my son.”

The doctor eyes me suspiciously. Just then, Carter strolls into the room with a glass of water in his hand. He’s put a long sleeve shirt on, hiding his wrist from sight.

Smart boy.

“I brought you some water, Mama. And an ice pack.” He pulls the hard square ice pack he uses for his lunches out of his back pocket. “For your eye.” He motions, handing me the block.

I take it out of his hands and hold it to my face.

“Thank you, sweetie. You should go back to your bed since your tummy is hurting. I’ll be okay. Dr. Woodrow is going to fix me right up.” I try to put some cheeriness into my voice. Carter nods and leaves for his room.

Dr. Woodrow examines my face and neck. When he gets to my shoulder, he clicks his tongue. “I don’t think it’s dislocated. Looks to have been hyper-extended, but you’re going to want pain meds …”

“No.” I snap. “Just give me something to take later after my husband is home. I can take ibuprofen for now. I’ll be fine.”

“Very well. But you still need to get some ice on it and put it in a sling. Keep it elevated. I’ll help you up.” Dr. Woodrow stands, but as he places his arm around me and begins to lift, a sharp, searing pain shoots through my entire body and a scream rips from my throat as darkness takes me under.

I awake to the smell of ammonia, shaking my head to get away from it. My throat burns, my eyes are tearing, and all I want to do is close my eyes and ignore it all. Let the darkness have me for a while. But I can’t. I need to do something. Someone needs me.

Carter.

My eyes jolt open, and I find I’ve been moved to the bed, my bottoms fully pulled into place, and my arm is now in a sling.

“You passed out. I was able to get you situated. Your son is still in his room. If he’s not feeling well, I can have a look at him before I leave as well.”

“No. No. Thank you. He just has a tummy ache. I think he had a test today and worried himself over it. You know how kids can get themselves worked up over the smallest things.” I smile, giving him my best mama knows look. At least I hope I am. My face is swollen, so it’s highly possibly I look more like a toasted marshmallow. I have no idea.

“Very well.” Dr. Woodrow places a bottle of pills on the nightstand. “Pain meds. Take two every four to six hours as needed. Tell James to bring you by the office tomorrow for proper x-rays and care. I can only do so much from here.”

“Thank you, Doctor, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

It’s another thirty minutes before he leaves the house. I watch out the window as he pulls out of the driveway and drives away.

Jesus.

I take a deep breath, centering myself.

I’m doing this. We’re going to get out of here and we’re going to be okay. I’m doing it for Carter.

I repeat the words over and over again as I walk through the eerily quiet house, gathering my things.

Reaching under the bed, I grab the phone and dial.

“This is the Guardian. Angel, are you safe?” A masculine voice asks.

“I will be. Angel and Cherub need transport immediately.”

“Guardian transport is in motion.”

I sit on the edge of the bed and breathe the first, real deep breath of relief that someone is finally going to help us escape this hell and set us free.

CHAPTER ONE

Violet

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