Empath (Book 1 of the Empath Trilogy) (44 page)

There was no stopping the scream that erupted from my mouth.  The pain in my side was incredible.  Seconds after I screamed, I saw James and my doctor.  That must have been who he was talking to outside.  My eyes remained on James’ face the entire time I listened to the doctor.  He said something about a nicked artery, transfusion, dislocated something and concussion.  He also mentioned some older cracked skull bones and jaw that were recent, but fully healed.  James said something about a hiking accident and I mumbled in agreement.  I just wanted the doctor to leave.

Finally he did and James reached to hold my hand.  Smiling weakly at him, I tried to match the gesture and failed.  He picked mine up.  “You came for me.”  It sounded thick coming from my dry throat.  Looking around, James found a glass of water with a straw and held it for me while I took a small sip.  I waited a moment while I decided if that one would stay down, when it appeared it would indeed, I took a longer one. 

“I was nearly too late.  I’ve failed in my oath again,” he whispered, his voice so hoarse that I could barely hear him. 

Blinking slowly, I gave a small headshake.  “Some things are beyond your control James.”  Then, for his benefit, I changed the subject.  “How did you find me?  Did it work?”  I knew he would understand what I meant.

He nodded, his face lighting, “It was much clearer this time.”

I was proud of myself.  “Did you hear both times?” 

He looked confused.  “Both?”

Crinkling my brow, I clarified, “Yes, the first time I told you you had to eat something.” 

His mouth formed a little “o.”  “That was you telling me to feed?  I was unable to think of anything but feeding; I was frustrated that I was thinking of my comfort while you were missing.”  His faced tightened.  “That was smart, the address. How did you get it?”

I told him about the letter from the desk.  “What happened?  I’m a little foggy but trying to put it all together.”  I watched his face as he told me.  He took a deep breath and his eyes turned inward as he remembered. 

“The Andrews, Henry and I left immediately when we got the address that you gave me.  While we were in transit, Henry received a call from Bradley asking us all to come discuss Court business that night.  In our society, we are compelled to hear all Court business on neutral ground.  It isn’t an option to decline.  It is their way of passing their messages along.”  His eyes clouded.  “While Henry was on the phone, I felt you with me and I heard you tell me we were going to die.”

He stopped when I gasped at that last.  “Are you in pain?”  He asked, looking around at my IV to see that it was still dripping its numbing agent into my vein.

Shaking my head, I spoke quietly.  “I thought I was dreaming of you driving on a country road.  I was imagining you one last time and I said good-bye.  I was mad I couldn’t warn you about his trap.  I thought I’d failed you.” 

Speaking was difficult for him, his emotions were threatening to get the better of him.  “When we got to the farm where they were holed up we found some new recruits.  I’m guessing they were the ones we were waiting for, providing our information about military training was true.  The two males we found there were very proficient fighters.  The cats took them out while Henry and I got past the guard and some others.”  I heard his growl at the memory.  “We had surprise on our side thanks to you and took care of them quickly.  Inside the barn was a bit more confusing.  Bradley had been there with a human; we could smell them but they had gone by the time we arrived.” 

I sucked air in quickly through my teeth at the mention of Bradley’s secret weapon, the one that was capable of turning Henry on James. 

He touched my face and whispered roughly.  “Did he do this to you?”

“No, it was Gina.”

“Then I am glad to tell you she won’t bother you again.”  James’ expression darkened in confusion as he continued, “I don’t understand why he had a human with him.  He hates humans.  Did you hear anything?”

“The boy is like us, he can do things others can’t.  He can manipulate your kind.”  I saw his shock.  “They used him to turn William’s coven against each other in Milwaukee and Bradley executed the last one standing.  They were going to do the same thing to you.  The boy’s talent doesn’t affect others with abilities, so it wouldn’t have worked on you but he was going to turn Henry against you and watch you kill each other.”  I was grateful for the mind numbing effects of the drugs, it made it easier to talk about James dying.

So much had happened; it was too much to absorb all at once.  I didn’t know I was crying until I felt him wipe my cheek with his thumb.  His touching me broke what little control I had of myself and my shoulders shook painfully as I let go of the pain and fear I’d been holding onto for the past twenty-four hours.  James slid his hands into my bed to pick me up and move me over so smoothly, I didn’t feel any discomfort with the shifting this time.  He lay next to me and I put my head against his chest.  We stayed like that for a long time until I was cried out.  At one point I heard someone approach, tell him visiting hours were over, and felt the rumble of his harsh response followed by a quick retreat of feet. 

It was a while before I thought of my parents.  “Do my parents know I’m here?”  I didn’t want them to worry, plus how would I explain what had happened?

“With you being an adult they don’t need to contact your parents.  I was able to convince your doctors to speak to me until you regained consciousness.” 

“Thanks for thinking of that, I don’t want them to know I’m in here.”  Pulling back to see his face, I added, “I like you telling people we’re together.  Did I ever tell you that when Beth stopped by the house and saw us I knew she was going to spread it at the office?  Secretly, I was glad because I wanted people to know.  About us.”

He was mockingly serious.  “You have created quite a stir at the office with your scantily clad appearance at my door.  I hear a few of the male interns have volunteered to deliver my packages next time I can’t make it in.”  He nuzzled my ear as he added, “I hope you’ll do it again soon.”

“I’d love to.”  I raised my head.  He knew what I wanted and kissed me gently.

Ch. 54

I was released from the hospital a few days later with James instructed to stay with me so that he could watch for any complications.  He swore not to let me out of his sight.  With a bubbling fullness in my chest, I knew that was true. 

My teachers allowed me through the end of the week to heal up since they were still under the impression I was recovering from my first abduction.  It would be pushing my luck to ask for more time than that.  Given my new capacity for rapid healing, I didn’t really need any more time anyway. 

Stephen was healing from his fight with Sasha.  He was apparently stronger than I had thought.  He’d taken down a vampire by himself, which was hard to do as he continually pointed out, and Troy and Tonya had taken the other female down.  No one had heard anything about the third and we were assuming she was on her own and no longer a threat. 

Since returning to school, Stephen and I had lunch every day on campus and often walked to class together whenever the opportunity presented itself.  Because no one knew where Bradley, Gaston and the boy had gone, I was still guarded about as well as any crowned princess.  As a result, when I wasn’t with James or Henry, I was visiting Stephen or Tara.  I liked visiting her now because the rest of the clan hung out there a lot and I was able to see them all quite frequently.  Tara and I were also continuing with our practice sessions.  James had told Henry what I had been able to do with the marks and projecting, and he was intrigued with my potential. 

Moving back into the dorm was not as hard as I had thought.  Probably because I wasn’t there much.  I felt slightly guilty for not getting my money’s worth out of the accommodations; however, James’ house felt more like home.  And, as he’d said, I was welcome for as long as I wanted to be there. 

Our relationship had grown slightly more complicated.  We were in love, but also were exploring the possibility that our need to be together might be more than a little tied to the psychic connection we shared.   Henry and James were using their contacts within the supernatural community to learn more about psychic marks and their effects without giving too much of the “why’s” away, it wasn’t in any of our best interests to have it be common knowledge that a human and a vampire were tied together.  In the meantime, I had to work to balance romance with academics.

Mom and Dad started coming for lunch once a week and James often joined us.  At first it had been a bit awkward, but my parents seemed to be genuinely fond of James.  And James was excited about my dad teaching him about woodworking. 
That
I couldn’t wait to see. 

It was still a very tempting idea to go abroad for a while, although for now I was busy playing catch up before finals.  I had lost a few weeks of studying with all of my near death experiences.  Also, James did confirm he would accompany me anywhere in the world I wanted to go.  For now I was living only for today, because who knew what the future would bring.

Acknowledgements

This is the third edition of this series and, even though I’m sure my editors are tired of it, I still love these characters and have to thank them most of all for coming to me and letting me tell their story.

I would like to thank, as always, my family and friends for acting as sounding boards and for giving me their honest opinions when I needed them most.  Leslie and Dawn for being more than patient test readers and keeping my ego intact while doing so.  Of course, my husband for being my biggest supporter and best friend, and my mom for encouraging me to keep trying.

Also, to my editors, Sean, Sarawho tirelessly read and re-read each book, challenging me to make sure they’re perfect.  And helping me laugh when they aren’t.  The wonderful cleanup artists, Katie and Brittany who make extra extra sure it all makes sense and help us all look good. 

And lastly, to Grace without whom I never would have taken the chance.