Page 83 of The Watcher's Bride

A dark cloud crosses Leo’s features, and he looks physically pained, but he pretends not to understand me. “I love you, Nora, you’re going to be fine. Everything will be fine,” he insists. I try to speak again, but he stops me, “Shh, save your energy. Rest.”

I do as he says, my eyes not leaving his handsome face as I fight the urge to sleep. The fear that if I do, I might not wake up, is overwhelming, but I’m so exhausted I’m fighting a losing battle.

“Doctor, what’s taking so long? Is everything okay? Is my wife going to be okay?” Leo’s panicked voice wakes me. I have no concept of how long I’ve slept.

“My apologies, Mr. Belyh, I’m still not sure what drug was administered to your wife. It looks like it’s a neuromuscular blocking drug, similar to the ones used in anesthesia. The fact that Mrs. Belyh can breathe unaided and the symptoms are improving suggests whatever it is, it’s starting to wear off.”

“Will it cause lasting effects?” Leo asks.

“If it’s a drug of that type, then providing the patient survives—and I have every confidence that she’s going to survive—then she should make an uneventful recovery.”

I tentatively test my body, willing myself to wiggle just a pinky finger, a toe, anything. The barest flicker of movement makes my heart soar.

“Nora, did you hear that?” Leo says with pure joy, squeezing my hand.

“I can feel you,” I say, marveling that I can feel his touch again, and the words come out more clearly.

“What are you doing?” Leo asks sharply, turning his attention to the doctor.

“I’m administering a reversal agent that should help speed up the recovery process,” the doctor replies calmly.

“What if it isn’t the type of drug you think it is?” Leo asks.

“It’s safe.” The doctor looks at me and smiles gently. “You might experience some minor side effects, but compared to what you’ve already been through, it’s nothing.”

Leo relaxes and allows him to calmly work over me.

“I’ll be back in an hour to check on you,” the doctor says before leaving.

***

Slowly I realize that I’m starting to get sensations back, I can wiggle my fingers and my toes, I can turn my head slightly, and I can open my mouth enough to talk.

“I thought you were dead,” I say to Leo.

“So did I. Nora, the thought of losing you was more than I can bear. I’m so sorry I left you behind with her,” Leo says, his expression pained.

“Don’t blame yourself, none of us knew. There’s nothing to forgive. Is everyone okay? Nikolai? Nadya? Cillian? Josef?”

Leo nods. “Yes, they’re safe. There were some injuries and a couple of casualties, but we won. While you were asleep, I updated everyone on your condition and what happened at the beach. Nadya is here too, being treated. Quinn beat her up badly but she’ll survive. Cillian wanted to come but I told him to wait, he’s looking after Josef right now, so you don’t need to worry about him. Nikolai is being held for questioning since Tatiana was his wife.”

“He didn’t know,” I insist. “Tatiana told me everything. I can tell you—”

Leo shakes his head. “Not now, you need to rest and get your strength back. Later.”

I’m too weary to argue with him. I’m grateful that the people I care about are safe. For now, that’s enough. Everything else can come later.

Leo’s phone rings and he ignores it, but the person calls back, determined to get a hold of him.

“You’d better answer it,” I tell him.

Reluctantly, he moves away to take the call and I watch as he listens, offering monosyllabic responses as the person speaks.

“Find out what she knows, if anyone else was in on it. Make it last. I’ll be there when I can to finish the job,” he says before hanging up.

“They found Tatiana,” Leo says to me.

“Where?” I ask.

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