Page 45 of Mortal Magic (Shadow Shifter)

Riley put her hand over her mouth, to stay the gag reflex, but recovered quickly when the nurse opened the door to her father’s room.

Sarah paused when she saw the men. Her heart beat raced, as sweat beaded on her brow. She looked like a rabbit about to bolt or waiting to see if it would be pursued.

Riley stepped up to her. “If you have the release papers ready. We will take my father and go.”

Sarah nodded and gave the paperwork to Riley. “I checked Daniel’s records. The church has been waiting for you to take over his care. Sign these and drop them off on your way out.” She rushed from the room, almost bumping into Steele as he approached.

Steele stopped the door from closing with his hand. “I have the SUV downstairs. We are ready for Daniel’s transport.”

“Thank you for helping,” Riley said.

“Riley, you have to understand. We are only making this exception for your father because of his condition. He will never leave our property, and if he were to come in contact with a human, raving about people who travel the shadows, his diagnosis would ensure no one believes him,” Steele said.

“I understand, but I’m still thankful for the care he will receive.” Riley turned back to her father’s bed. “Dad, I need you to wake up. It’s time to go.”

Daniel’s eyes snapped open. “Am I late? Is it time for the next sermon?”

Riley helped her father sit up in bed. “Were not going to the church, dad. We are going to your new home. Our new home.”

Daniels’ eyebrows creased as he slipped his legs to the side of the bed. “Is there something wrong with our house?”

“The church needs the little house back. We talked about this before remember?” she said.

Daniel scratched his forehead as Riley helped him stand. She took the jacket Colton had removed from his closet and helped him get into it. “I guess so. Where is our new house? Is it close to the church?”

Riley helped her father put on some slip-on shoes. “It’s in the country. Something we always dreamed of having, but could never afford. You always told me that the forest made you feel closer to God.”

Daniel took Riley’s hand. “I just want you to be happy, sweetie.”

“I will be if you’re with me. It’s beautiful, you’ll see.”

Colton took Daniel’s other arm as they guided him through the hallways and into the elevator. He looked around as if his surroundings were new, although he’d been in that elevator hundreds of times when they would walk the grounds. Those outings had become fewer and fewer as his condition deteriorated. Riley was thankful he had gotten some rest, but it wouldn’t be long before his mind had enough.

They exited the elevator in the parking garage, where Darwin sat behind the wheel of a black SUV. He exited the vehicle and made his way around to open the passenger’s door. Daniel stopped before Riley could get him seated.

“Riley where are we going. I want to go back to the church.”

“We can’t, dad. We don’t have a place there anymore. I’m taking you to our new one.”

“No. I want to go back to my room.”

Riley knew what was coming. This was the hard part about loving somebody with dementia. Confusion could cause emotional and physical outbursts. The last time had resulted in her putting her father in the care facility. Things had been good ever since. She understood when he was at his limits and let him rest as soon is she saw the signs. Now she had to face that again.

“We can’t dad. You no longer have the bed here.”

Daniel’s face reddened. “Riley Simon. You take me home right now.”

His tone took her back to when she was a young girl acting out. His voice held a military firmness, but she knew he loved her. Despite her background this was a happy time in her life. Before her father got sick, and her mother died. “Dad, please.”

Daniel’s body began to shake. His hands balled into fists. When she thought that an outburst was evident, Ferguson appeared behind him. He touched Daniel’s temple before, the elder man’s eyes rolled in the back of his head. Ferguson caught him as he fell.

“What did you do?” Riley gasped.

“He is simply unconscious. His mind cannot process what is happening. He will wake in a few minutes, but I will continue the process until he remains calm.”

Colton helped Ferguson get Daniel into the SUV. “How long have you had this ability? I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Ferguson snapped Daniel’s seatbelt in place, before exiting the SUV. “I’ve always had it. I will monitor your progress from the pathway.” He dissolved in less than a second.

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