Without warning, Miriam slammed her head back again, and black spots appeared in Aspen’s vision. Her legs wobbled as Miriam smashed her head back once more. This time, the mirror broke apart and small pieces pierced her scalp as she collapsed on the floor. No one entered the bathroom, and Aspen’s head throbbed so badly that she couldn’t think. She opened her mouth to call for help, but no sound came out of her throat. She was dazed and almost lost consciousness.
Just as Miriam pulled back her foot to kick her, Dylan shoved open the bathroom door. He grabbed Miriam’s arm and shocked her violently, and she jerked in his grip.
“What are you doing?” he shouted.
Miriam shrank back with wild eyes and flicked her fingers to rid herself of the pain. “I’m reporting you to the principal. Get out of here!” Then she dashed out of the room without a second glance at her stepsister.
Dylan knelt down next to Aspen and cradled her head carefully in his lap, dusting pieces of mirror from her face. Tears rimmed her eyes.
“Th-thank you,” she spluttered. Her body was weak, and she struggled to remain conscious.
“It’s okay, baby, I’ve got you. Shh.” Turning around, he pulled a paper towel from the dispenser on the wall and wiped blood from her forehead. It trickled down her face in a steady stream.
“Here, let me heal that for you.” It took a second for him to free the dream catcher from his T-shirt and to touch it while holding her hand. A yellow glow blanketed her, and Aspen felt the steady charge of his energy together with the healing properties of the necklace as it rushed through her body.
Although she was weak, she couldn’t feel any pain when she touched her head. The cuts were completely healed.
With a groan, Dylan let the dream catcher go and hugged her face against his chest. “Aspen, what did she do to you?”
Miss Thompson rushed into the bathroom, her eyes frantic as she took in the blood and glass that covered the floor. “What’s going on here?”
Dylan looked up. “Aspen’s stepsister did this. She’s got a restraining order against her stepfather, but they didn’t get one for his daughter, Miriam.”
Miss Thompson bent down and helped Dylan as he lifted Aspen. “You poor thing. We need to get you to the nurse right now.”
Aspen’s voice was shaky as she said, “No, I want to go home, please. My mom will help me. Just keep Miriam away from me.”
“Of course. Let me help you.” Miss Thompson held on to Aspen and dusted pieces of glass from her clothing. As soon as she was standing, Dylan wrapped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her back against his chest. Once she was nestled in his embrace, he dialed a number on his phone.
“Leeman, Aspen’s been hurt. Miriam attacked her and we need you to get over here as soon as possible . . . Yeah, we’ll wait for you in front.”
He ended the call and slipped his hands under Aspen’s knees. She gasped as he lifted her into his arms. Warm fingers grasped her thighs as he shifted her and tucked the material of her skirt under her legs.
“I’m all right, you can put me down.” Although he’d healed her, she couldn’t say that in front of Miss Thompson, and she wondered why he’d picked her up.
Dylan looked down at her and his face softened as he winked. “I’ll take care of you. You’ve lost blood and could faint again. I guess saving you in the bathroom is going to become a habit.”
Even though he smiled, nothing could hide the look of concern on his face, so she lifted her arms obediently around his neck and dropped her face against his chest. He smelled clean and earthy, and his aftershave mixed with the warmth of his body. Students watched as he carried her down the hallway, and she snuggled deeper into the fabric of his T-shirt to avoid their curious stares. The teacher had already run ahead to get help.
A steady current flowed from his body into hers and made her hum with pleasure. She felt herself growing stronger in his arms. Dylan rubbed his thumb against the bare skin of her thigh as he walked, and she wiggled in his arms.
“What happened?”
Aspen opened her eyes as Leeman spoke next to her.
“Miriam slammed her against the mirror in the bathroom.”
“What!” Leeman was so angry, his eyes flashed from blue to silver in a steady pulse.
“Your eyes, Uncle Leeman,” she chided him softly. “They’re silver. You need to calm down. I’m all right, Dylan healed me already.”
Leeman looked at her for a long moment and then glared at Dylan. “Then why are you carrying her?”
“She’s still in shock.” Without thinking, Dylan tightened his grip on her.
“It’s okay, you can put me down now.”
Dylan shook his head. “Uh-uh. Not until Miriam is in the principal’s office.”
A commotion up ahead made Aspen twist around to see Miriam being escorted into the principal’s office. She shrank back against Dylan’s broad chest as her stepsister glared at her, but he’d already turned her away from Miriam’s stare.
“Besides, you’re as light as a feather, and I kinda like this,” he whispered.
His words made her forget about Miriam. When she blushed and tucked her cheek against him again, she could hear his heart pounding in her ear.
Leeman stayed behind to talk to the principal as Dylan carried Aspen to their car. As soon as Norma saw her daughter, she ran to meet them.