“My friend was stabbed,” was all I said, yanking the passenger door open. Naomi hopped out and moved aside, so I could reach in for Valerie. I didn’t hesitate; I scooped her up so the hilt of the blade faced the hospital. My heart dropped when she didn’t react with even a grunt from the change in position. I marched past the cop without another look. Each step brought back a random memory of Valerie. Years of memories, of watching her grow, flooded my senses and I carried her right past the desk and into one of the exam rooms. I didn’t have to speak, the blade and blood dripping a path from the car was all the hospital needed.
The emergency room staff descended like a pack of wild eagles, pushing us aside while they assessed the damage. Naomi pulled me back against the wall as they barked commands that didn’t register. The sound of a heartbeat pulled me out of my stress-filled trance, yanking a breath of relief from my chest. The nursing staff herded us from the room, despite my protests.
“They are bringing her to surgery,” someone said and I glanced down at the owner of the voice. A petite nurse stood with her hand on my chest. The name tattooed on her shirt read Sara H, - RN.
“Is she going to make it?” I asked, my voice weak and unsteady and I cleared my throat, glancing at Naomi, who stood next to me with the same shell-shocked stare I imagined I wore.
“Are you family?”
“She’s my cousin,” Naomi said, gaining Nurse Harding’s attention. “Is she going to be okay?”
“We have the best doctors working on her right now,” she answered and I closed my eyes, finding the wall with my hand. “The waiting room is that way. I will come find you when I get word as to her condition. Okay?”
I nodded and threw my arm around Naomi, turning in the direction the nurse had pointed.
The officer waited by the door, swinging a set of keys from his finger. When I approached, the keys stilled and he crossed to me.
“What happened, son?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Valerie came into Dr. Wolk’s office with us and she was in the waiting room last I knew. The fire alarm was pulled and we went out to the truck and found her like that.” I pointed a shaking finger toward the exam rooms.
“The police are processing your vehicle.”
I glanced around him at the cop cars and crime scene tape and nodded. “I hope they find the son of a bitch...” I muttered and glanced back at the cop.
“Did you touch the knife?”
“No. I don’t think either of us did.” I glanced at Naomi.
“I didn’t touch it. The only thing I did was feel for a pulse when you asked me to.”
The cop seemed satisfied for the time being and pointed us to the waiting room. Another staff member approached and handed us a clipboard to fill out with Valerie’s information. I stared at the blanks and then at Naomi. I had the name, address and date of birth down, but not much else and I sighed, dropping my head into my hands.
“Michael,” I whispered, calling on the power of heaven to perform yet another miracle.
Chapter 4 - Damian
The one good thing about adrenaline is while it’s running through your blood stream; you’re pretty much numb to emotions beyond the need to take action. When the battle ends and the adrenaline dries up, the wave crashes, and right now I was drowning in the thought of losing Valerie.
Naomi was doing her best to hold it together, but she barely contained her tears and the lack of response from our angelic relative was starting to bite at my already raw nerves. I reached out, lacing my fingers through Naomi’s, gave her my best reassuring smile, and brought the back of her hand to my lips.
Strength in the face of tragedy was not my most reliable trait, but I needed to put on the brave face for her. She sniffled and buried her face in my chest. I wrapped my arm around her and gave a squeeze, knowing damn well it wasn’t enough to erase the soul-consuming fear.
I had no idea who the other demon was, but I’d bet my fortune that they knew the outcome of Naomi’s tests, which meant Lucifer would soon know we had a trinity on the way.
Movement in the entry to the waiting room caught my eye and I moved my gaze from Naomi to the man standing in the doorway. I lowered Naomi’s hand and straightened. Her gasp followed as her eyes landed on the same view.
“Michael?” I asked. I wasn’t sure, not with the haggard being leaning on the doorframe. His slight nod kicked me into action and I dropped Naomi’s grip, crossing the room and offering him a hand. He glanced at the offer and irritation raked over his face but he took a hold of my arm and allowed me to lead him to the empty seat next to mine.
The young vibrant angel I had known for all my days had finally aged... a lot. His once ebony hair was almost pure white and lines carved deep shadows in his face. Even his hands were wrinkled and gnarled. It took me a few minutes to find my voice.
“Can you... help?” I asked.
He gave my leg a pat. “I’m sorry,” he whispered and his chin dropped. “As you can see, I haven’t had the chance to rejuvenate yet.”
“What happened?” I couldn’t help it, even though on some level I already knew.