Finally, after being released from his examination and contacting Natti’s father, Seth was able to slip into Natti’s hospital room. The faded curtains were pushed back since the second bed was unoccupied, giving Natti a private room. She slept peacefully with a baby blue blanket covering her up to the waist. Intravenous fluids dripped into a tube and down to a catheter that was taped to her hand. The monitor’s metallic chirp echoed in the quiet while it kept track of her heart rate and blood pressure.
Seth stroked the fiery red skin of her cheek, causing the monitor to give a sharp chirp. Natti groaned softly and turned her head a bit before falling back into her slumber. Seth sat in the chair next to her bed and slipped his hand into hers. His exhaustion overwhelmed his mind, and his stomach growled. He glanced at a clock overhead to find it was past seven in the evening.
Her father should be here any minute, he thought after giving a quick glance toward the door. But no one appeared. Unable to fight his exhaustion any longer, he let his eyes drift and leaned his head next to Natti’s hip. He cradled her hand, refusing to let go while he dozed off.
“O’Keefe?”
Seth jumped on hearing his last name. Spinning around, his eyes fell on Natti’s father, and he quickly stood up, moving away from the chair. “Sir?”
The middle-aged man ran his fingers through his wavy hair. “I’m surprised they let you stay in here.” He claimed the chair Seth had just evacuated. “I’m also grateful. She shouldn’t be left alone at a time like this.” Natti’s father glanced at the clock. “You probably should get home. I’m sure your folks are worried by now.”
Seth gulped, shifting uncomfortably as he glanced over his shoulder at Natti. “I don’t want to leave her side.”
“And I can see why.” Seth turned to face Sean, who had just walked through the door. His eyes were locked on Natti. Seth’s heart suddenly stopped. He recognized the hunger, the beast snarling behind his enchanted grin. “She is even more beautiful than I remembered.”
Seth’s eyes met his father’s for a moment before Sean turned to address Natti’s father. “Sean O’Keefe, Seth’s father.”
He extended a hand, and Natti’s father took it. “Alexander Stone.”
Seth slid closer to Natti’s side while the two fathers made their introductions. How did Sean find them? Who told him where they were? Pulling his eyes way from his father, Seth glanced at the door to see Q and Ky waiting in the hall. Seth’s rage burgeoned; his hands balling into fists at his side. He would make them pay for their betrayal.
A moan caught Seth’s attention. He turned to see Natti stir and raise herself up in the hospital bed. Her hand went for her throat, probably looking for the necklace she had been wearing at school, before she cradled her forehead. She glanced up at him, and her eyes instantly filled with fear. A part of her looked ready to bolt, but he knelt onto the bed and stroked his thumb over her lips, just letting a little of his magic flow into her system to calm her down.
“Shh . . .” Seth gave her a stern look. “Don’t speak—”
Natti flinched slightly under his touch. “Where am I?”
He sighed. She never had been one for listening, but fortunately, her voice was low enough it didn’t attract any attention. “You’re at the hospital.” Seth ran his fingers through her hair. “You were in a fire. Don’t you remember?”
She scanned her surroundings. “Yes. Pieces of it.” She gave him a wary expression. Every muscle in her body tensed. “I don’t know what you—”
He held his finger against her mouth, cutting her off. He lowered his voice. “Natti, I need you to keep your attention only on my eyes. Don’t lose their focus, okay?” She eyed him nervously. He didn’t blame her after all he put her through, but he needed her cooperation, just for the time being. “Natti, I’m sorry about earlier. I swear, I didn’t want to harm you in anyway. Ky . . .” He stumbled, searching for the right words. “Look, you’re just going to have to trust me.”
Her gaze flickered with rage. “Trust you? How can I—?”
“Hello, my dear.” Sean’s charm caused Natti to yelp and press her palms to her temples. “Good to see you awake.”
Her eyes drifted from Seth to his father. She gasped in fright, retreating back until her spine pressed into the raised mattress. “S-S-Seth!”
“Natti?” Alexander’s voice carried over them. “Natti, what’s wrong?”
Seth sensed Natti’s father stepping up behind him, but refused to relinquish his spot. He stayed focused on Natti, resting a hand on her hot cheek, trying to draw her into his gaze. Natti clung to his wrist, her monitor pinging as her heart rate increased.