“The first step is to organize this little gathering. Nothing too large, mind you. A simple gathering. Damien and his friends would be invited to attend as long as you agree to clearly make an effort to expand your horizons.” Councilman Lacroix dangled this little line in front of me, clearly knowing I would be unable to resist. There was no way I’d go to a party full of potentially dangerous shifters without the guys, let alone the fact that I wouldn’t know anyone else there. I felt my body tensing even more as I thought about being surrounded by strangers. Dangerous strangers. My Phoenix cawed in my head, reassuring me she was strong. I wasn’t worried about her though; I was worried about myself. Shaking off the downward spiral, I tried to ease my mind, answering the men waiting patiently for my response. “Additionally, there is one other—request—we have for you. After everything you have been through, we believe it is important to have your health monitored. There is a shifter-run clinic on site. We would like you to undergo a simple check-up and a few non-invasive tests. It is standard for any of our people who are injured. Given your history, we would also like to check your overall health and development.”
I wanted to object—desperately—but I wasn’t sure how to. The request was invasive but wasn’t off-the-wall enough to account for my refusal. Objecting to them, and having to explain why I was not willing to undergo basic medical testing, would be even more embarrassing than undergoing the tests. “I am honored at your interest, Councilmen. I look forward to learning about my people.” I knew my smile had faltered in my disgust, and I did my best to will it back into position. With a nod of my head—I couldn’t bring myself to bow, and a curtsy felt ridiculous in my pants—I turned and strode from the room. My Phoenix hissed, already on edge and irritated from the session, not liking me turning my back on a room full of threats.
I let the thud of the doors closing echo behind me before letting my breath out in a rush. I needed my guys, and I needed them now.
Twenty-One
Nix
My footsteps echoed down the hallway as I followed one of the stoic guards back towards the front of the house. While I wasn’t looking forward to this medical appointment—more like fucking dreading it—I was more than ready to leave this scary house of horror behind. I flinched at my thought and re-checked my mental wall, making sure it was intact. The last thing I needed was Damien’s father hearing how I felt about the ruling body of shifters I’d just met—or how I felt about his son. I rubbed absently at my forearm, a nervous tick I’d developed in my past, and tried to control the shivering that wracked my body. Yeah, to say I wanted out of this place and away from the creepy shifters I’d just met with was an understatement.
The second I saw the front door, I almost tripped over my own feet in my hurry toward it. Seeing my pace increase, one of the guards quickly jogged to the door and opened it for me, as his job must dictate he do. Geez, did these dudes do nothing for themselves?
Nodding my thanks, I rushed out the doorway and started jogging down the steps.
The sight of my guys at the bottom of the stairs was like a breath of fresh air, and I felt my eyes getting watery as I fought back the tears. I knew it was a girly reaction, but all my strength had just been used up trying to keep myself together during that meeting.
“Nix!” My name was a relieved whoosh of air from Ryder’s lips more than it was a coherent word. It garnered all the guys’ attention, and everyone rushed toward me as I reached the bottom stair, pausing there and letting it elevate me so I was closer to their heights.
“How’d it go?” I felt Damien prodding gently at my mind, but I held my barriers in place with everything I had. I wasn’t about to let my guard down while I was still this close to the Council.
“They’re letting me stay with you for now. There are just some things they want me to do. Starting with this medical appointment.” I twisted my fingers, a little unsure. I knew having all of them with me for it was illogical, and would probably lead to someone getting punched in the face. Would it be crossing a line if I asked one or two of them to come with me though?
Strong, soft fingers gripped my chin, and I looked up into ebony eyes. “Of course one of us will go with you. We’d be more comfortable that way as well. You don’t need to keep worrying that you’re crossing a line or being a burden. You’re our friend. It’s what friends do.”
My smile was shaky, and I had to resist throwing myself into his arms for a hug. I hadn’t realized how much I would come to not only enjoy their hugs, but actively need them as part of my happiness, comfort, and sense of security. I was sure we were being monitored, however, and I wasn’t ready for the Council to know quite how close we were. “Okay then. Um, so, deciding who goes with me.” I glanced around the circle. “Hiro? Maybe you could come?” This was such a hard choice. Killian would probably punch the nurse when she drew blood, though, and I didn’t like the idea of Damien in my head if a test was invasive. He shot me a slightly weary smile and I winced. I hadn’t meant that in a negative way. Theo and Ryder would probably be extremely interested in what the doctors were doing, and I just wanted to move it along quickly. Hiro seemed the wisest choice, plus, he was good at keeping me calm.
“No problem, Nix. We’ll all wait for you.” Ryder wiggled his fingers at me in a silly wave, and I gave him a smile. Goofy boy.
“If it’s okay with you, Nix, I’ll walk with you.” Damien stretched his arms over his head as he joined me. “I’d like to try and see my father for a few minutes before we leave.”
“Medical wing is this way. Just follow me.” Hiro strode off down the hallway, twisting and turning down narrow side corridors. Damien’s going to try and keep the mental link open and shielded. He will turn it off during your exam, so if you’re uncomfortable, you’ll need to actually tell me.
“Do you know what kind of testing they’ll do?” I couldn’t keep the nerves from my voice, and my Phoenix cheeped in my head, trying to reassure me. I knew she would help to protect me, but it didn’t make the thought of needles or some stranger prodding at me easier to bear.
“My guess is they’re going to run a full diagnostic on you. They’ll draw blood, test your vitals, probably do an ultrasound, maybe even a CAT or an MRI.”
I gaped, nearly tripping over my own feet. “They’ve got all of that stuff here?”
I thought I saw a pained look cross Damien’s face for a moment, but it was gone as fast as it had come. “There is a shifter hospital not far from here, but the Council prefers to have their own medical facility on site. The island is rather large, so there are a few smaller clinics located around the commune.”
It seemed as though they just had money to burn here. I couldn’t begin to imagine the cost of all of this, especially when the hospital was nearby. I was grateful, however, that I wouldn’t need to worry about insurance payments for something like a CAT scan. Located a few yards behind the massive lodge was another wooden building. Hiro held the door for me as I entered, and I shivered at the sterile feel of the interior: white tiled floors with obscure artwork on stark white walls. I absolutely hated hospitals, and this definitely had a similar feel.
The lights brightened as we entered a small sitting area. Surprisingly, I saw Councilman Lacroix waiting for us. “Dad!” Damien called out, grinning as he rushed forward. I watched in surprise, both eyebrows raised, as the two enthusiastically hugged each other. Councilman Lacroix wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulder as he turned to look at me.
Councilman Lacroix smiled brightly at me. “Nix, I’m sorry for all of the stress of that meeting. Thank you for behaving so maturely. These tests shouldn’t take very long. Hiro, it’s good to see you again. You haven’t been up here much lately.” Hiro stepped forward to shake his hand.
“No, sir. We’ve been a bit busy with the start of classes, and meeting Nix, of course.”
“Well, Nix, if you’re ready, the nurse will take you back to begin the tests.”
I shifted on the balls of my feet, unsure of how to proceed. “Thank you, sir. I had planned on Hiro joining me if that’s alright.” I didn’t want to make it a request, but I also didn’t want to overstep my bounds. Even though he was Damien’s dad, I found that I was nervous around him.
“Of course, of course. We’ll try not to make things too rough on you here. There will be a few needles, I’m afraid, but we’ll try to make it as painless as we can.” He tugged on Damien’s shoulder and, after a quick knock on the door nearest him, he led Damien away.