‘Let’s go!’ Griffin called out and we picked up the pace.
In the other building, Morgan and Max led us through a maze of halls, eventually coming to an area that was set up like dorms with several doorways close together, some open to show small and simple bedrooms.
They led us down another corridor, into a more updated area, stopping outside a door at the end. Max pulled out a set of keys, unlocked and held the door open for us.
Griffin carried Lincoln in, laying him on the bed.
His eyes were starting to flutter and I could tell the pain was registering as his body convulsed and he started to gurgle with sharp intakes of breath.
Griffin checked his vitals again then looked to Morgan and Max. ‘Thank you, but you need to leave now.’
Morgan looked offended. ‘But we can help.’
Griffin didn’t even consider it. ‘It’s best if you go. You’ll only be asked questions that are too difficult to answer if you stay.’
Max seemed to accept this first and nodded to us as he pulled Morgan towards the door. ‘Let us know if you need anything. We’ll be in the cafeteria in building A.’
How many buildings are there?
Griffin nodded.
I sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Lincoln. His eyes opened. Blood covered his face so I reached for some tissues and tried to blot some of it away so that he could see.
He winced, and swallowed heavily. ‘Griff, you … go, too,’ he mumbled.
Griffin shook his head. ‘No, Lincoln. I’m not going anywhere.’
I knew what Lincoln was doing. He was trying to protect Griffin – and all of us. The more Griffin knew, the more he would be expected to report. He was a truth detector and deliverer, so if he was asked to give details and then couldn’t deliver those details with absolute honesty, it would cause him big problems.
I ran into the small bathroom and wet a hand towel, bringing it back out, trying to wipe away more of the blood.
‘His heartbeat is strong, he’s going to be fine, Griff. Lincoln’s right, you should go. The less you see the better for all of us and you know it. Go with Max and Morgan. We’ll find you later.’ I saw the conflict in his eyes. It just wasn’t in him to walk away from one of his Grigori when they were hurt. Especially Lincoln. They were like brothers. But we both knew it was the right option.
‘Jesus,’ he said, admitting defeat. ‘Call me if you need me.’
‘I will.’
Lincoln moved in and out of consciousness. I spent a little time just sitting beside him, making sure I was fully in touch with my power. Apart from just after I first embraced I’d never had to heal Lincoln from injuries this severe – I really didn’t want to make a mess of it.
As if he could tell what I was thinking, he slipped his hand into mine before passing out again.
‘Oh, Linc,’ I ran a hand down the side of his face. ‘I’m so sorry they did this to you.’
It was my fault.
And he hadn’t even tried to resist.
There was a time when I could only access my healing abilities by kissing Lincoln. But I was stronger now.
I closed my eyes, put my hands on his chest, and drew up on the well of power that simmered within me. It came to me easily, like an old friend, eager to help. Lincoln was my partner and despite anything else we were made for healing each other. It was the one thing I could do that felt completely good and natural.
My amethyst mist flowed from me, frosting the room and settling on Lincoln, searching out the source of his pain and gradually healing him. I was thorough, taking my time and starting at the base of his body before working my way up. I left his shoulder till last, wanting him to be as strong as possible. Because before I healed the pain – I was going to have to put his shoulder back in place manually.
Lincoln’s eyes opened.
His nose was healed and the cuts on his face were now gone. I used the towel on his face again, wiping away the rest of the blood carefully. He tried to move a few times, an intensity that he rarely let out showing in his green eyes.
My breath caught but I kept going. He wasn’t healed yet.
Before I could say anything, he lifted his good arm, wincing at the pain from his dislocated shoulder, and put his hand on mine. The one Drenson had crushed.
Over my dead body.
I shook my head at him. ‘I need to fix your shoulder first.’
‘You’re going to need both your hands for that,’ he said, breathless.
It wasn’t exactly true. I was pretty sure I could do it with one hand. And I didn’t want to be fixing anything about me until I knew he was okay. As if he knew exactly what I was thinking, he didn’t wait. His power, the array of colours led by green, poured from him and into me.
‘Violet,’ he said, insistent. He could be irritatingly stubborn when he wanted to be.