“Talking of older...” Ella said. “How’s Norma? Any news?” The old lady had helped Ella save Finn and he seemed to love her like a mother.
“She’s out of danger, according to the doctors.” Mike sobered. “We could go visit her, huh, Finn? Finn, hey.”
“Earth to Finn,” Scott said, waving.
Finn had been silent the whole time, Ella realized, which was unusual. He’d started to open up when it was just the four of them.
Now he sat staring into space, the food on his plate untouched.
“Hey.” Mike leaned forward. “You’re not eating, my man. The steak’s bloody, just the way you like it.”
Finn flinched.
“What’s wrong?” Ella muttered.
He rubbed his face. “Headache.”
Damn. There went the last of her anger, leaving her cold with worry.
“It’s the change in the weather,” Mike said. “I got one today, too, a sort of tinnitus. A buzzing in my ears that was driving me crazy. I had to take a ton of painkillers.” He rose. “I’ll bring you some.”
Finn nodded. “Thanks.”
“Must be why you limp like that,” Ella said, frowning. “We should go to a physiotherapist. Not a doctor,” she rushed to say. “Just for some massage. It can work wonders.”
“I know a great physiotherapist,” Mike said, returning. “You’ll love her.”
“I’m okay,” Finn said, his jaw clenching. He took the pills Mike offered and gulped them down.
Infernally stubborn. Ella wanted to punch him, only he looked miserable already.
Come to think of it, he’d been too silent for days now. Too closed off and distant. She thought of the Veil, of the golden lines, of Finn’s struggle to mend the Veil in Dave’s office.
“You get these headaches often?” Mike asked, taking his seat again.
Finn shrugged half-heartedly. “This past week.”
“Season change. Told you. It won’t last long, although you should really go and see my physiotherapist. Uh uh!” Mike lifted a hand when Finn opened his mouth. “No arguing. Now eat before the pills drill a hole in your stomach.”
***
Finn wore a black muscle shirt with the words ‘Don’t Fuck With Me’ scrawled in silver across the front. A gift from Mike, most likely. Not Finn’s style, which tended toward the sturdy, generic variety.
It had been three days since the dinner. Three days without a sighting of the dragon, making her wonder whether Finn hadn’t whispered in the creature’s ear a command to lie low and hide.
Could he do something like that? And why would he?
She hated not knowing what was going on.
Three days of wheedling to convince Finn to visit the physiotherapist. What had broken him in the end, Ella thought, was the promise that the pain in his leg, that old badly healed fracture, would get better.
Which meant the pain had to be near unbearable.
Ella’s heart constricted. She took a deep breath and let it out, took her time watching him as he turned from his vigilance of the open door to the machines at the head of the bed. He was so tense sitting on the physiotherapist’s bed that tendons stood out in his neck.
He reached up, tugged his black bandana lower over his ears, and leaned toward the machines, giving the flashing lights a suspicious look.
Maybe it was time for a vacation. A real one, not a forced time in barracks with soldiers waiting outside in case a Gate opened. The Gates were closed, and the house at the beach sounded better and better every time she took in Finn’s thin face and the dark circles under his eyes.
He wasn’t sleeping well, dammit.
Well, neither was she, torn between her own nightmares and snatches of Finn’s memories with no way of understanding what it was she was seeing. Not with Finn unwilling to explain.
Finn jerked around at the sound of a door opening, half-rising. So jumpy.
The physiotherapist, a small, pretty woman, smiled at them. “You must be Ella and Finn. I’m Darla.”
“Mike recommended you,” Ella said. “Said you were great with old injuries.”
“Oh yes, that’s my specialty.” Darla approached slowly, her sneakers squeaking on the floor. “Are you okay there? Sorry I left you waiting.” She pulled a stool close to the bed and perched on it. Her blouse was pink with little hearts and her dark hair fell in waves around her face. “Hi Finn, nice to meet you. Let’s see how to get rid of pain, okay?”
Finn sank back on the table, letting out a breath.
Yeah, she was the least threatening person Ella had ever met. Mike had been right as usual. She’d buy him chocolates. The good, expensive kind.
“I get people with all sorts of old injuries,” Darla said, her voice low and soothing. “Some broke their arms as children and never healed right. Others were in accidents and have spine problems. Nerves get affected in such cases, causing pain later on in life. There are ways to make it better.”
Finn sagged a bit more, his grip on the edge of the bed loosening.
“So, where’s the injury?” Darla made no move to touch Finn. Clever woman.
“My leg.”
“Okay. I just want to look at it, understand what happened. Then you’ll get an x-ray and we can get to work on it.”
Finn hesitated. He glanced at Ella, then at the door. He winced, then bent over and rolled up his pant leg. There it was, the dark, raised scar running from his knee to his ankle.
“Oh my,” Darla whispered, sounding mildly horrified. “Looks like the bone healed badly.”
Ella observed them — her elf, his eyes hopeful, the physiotherapist, gentle, careful — and hid her smile.
Because she was still angry at him. She couldn’t forget that.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and walked to the door. “Yeah?”
“Hey, this is Scott. Mike says I’m to remind you of dinner at seven. At Benedict’s.”
Ella stepped outside into the empty lobby. They were the last customers. “Haven’t forgotten. Your anniversary.”
“Six months. I deserve a Nobel of patience.”
“Funny. Mike said the same about himself this morning.”
Scott snorted. “Ridiculous. I’ve put up with — Mike? Mike!” A crash, a shout. “Hey!”
Cold crept up Ella’s spine. She gripped the phone tightly. “What’s going on?”
No answer.
Shit. “I’m coming over,” she said, in case Scott could still hear her.
A noise made her spin around.
“Miss Benson?” Darla stood at her office door, wringing her hands. “Please come inside. I don’t know what’s wrong...”
Ella was running before she realized what she was doing. She burst into the office.
It took her a moment to understand that the huddled form on the floor was Finn. Dropping to her knees, she tried to pry his hands from his ears. “Finn, goddammit, what’s going on?”
“Can’t...” Finn wheezed. Blood ran from one nostril, coating his lips and chin. “So loud.”
“It started like some sort of seizure,” Darla muttered from behind. “I’ve called the doctor I collaborate with to—”
“No,” Finn said, grabbing Ella’s arm and struggling to rise. “Let’s go.”
Shit shit shit. “Can you make it?” she asked.
They couldn’t let a doctor examine him, but her more immediate concern was whether Finn could stand.
In answer, he licked his bloody lips, threw an arm around her shoulders and put his feet under him.
“You can’t go like this,” Darla insisted. “You were convulsing, you fell to the floor...” She fluttered her hands and bit her red-stained lower lip. “Oh god, I’ve never had this happen with a patient.”
“I’m okay,” Finn muttered, gritting his teeth, hanging on to Ella. “It’s all right.”
“He’s fine, really,” Ella said, who never thought she’d say that, ever. “He gets these migraines. He forgot his medication.
It’ll pass. We’ll come back another day.”
Her phone was ringing, but she couldn’t let go of Finn who staggered as if he was drunk. The physiotherapist kept wringing her hands and getting in their way, trying to change their mind and make them stay until the doctor arrived. Ella wanted to swat her away but Finn stumbled and they knocked into a wall.
“Just grab his other side, will you?” Ella forced her legs to straighten. Finn was all compact muscle, heavy as hell. Darla’s help would be greatly appreciated, but Finn was trying now to push off and she hung on to him, making sure he didn’t crash into the plants lining the entrance as they made their way to the elevator.
“What’s going on?” she whispered, worry rekindling her anger — with the world for hurting Finn, with herself for not knowing what to do.
“A rip.” He panted the words, his face scrunched up in pain. “Magic.”
Yeah, that made perfect sense. “What are you talking about?”
“Magic leaking. Through the Veil.” Every word was bitten out as if it hurt. “Magic like fire.”
All right, now it made sense and Ella didn’t like it.
Oh god, she knew what had happened to Mike. After all, he was an oracle, ever listening to what went on behind the Veil.
***
Finn leaned heavily on her as they trudged to Mike’s apartment, his face ash-grey. Fresh blood trickled from his nose. He looked as if he’d been in a car accident or a fist fight — or both.
“It’s quiet now,” he whispered.
“So it’s over?”
“There’s damage.”
“And what does it mean?”
Finn shrugged.
Great. “Can you still keep the Gates closed?”
He pushed off her and staggered, fetching up against the wall. “Yeah.”
Ella wanted to shake him, beg him to let her help.
Probably wouldn’t do any good.
So instead she banged on Mike’s door, relishing the pain in her knuckles.
Scott opened, his blond hair stuck to his temples with sweat, his eyes wide. “Thanks for coming.” He walked back inside. “Come on in.”
“How’s Mike?” Ella glanced back at Finn who was still leaning against the wall in the hallway. He’d wiped the blood from his nose, leaving a dark streak on his cheek. He had one of his best glares on, one hundred per cent pissed Finn. And he wasn’t even looking at her. Seemed to be pissed at the world in general.
She could relate.
As she watched, he made his limping way to the door, keeping a hand on the wall, his mouth a thin line.
She let him enter and followed, making sure he didn’t fall over. Obstinate elf. She couldn’t believe he was back on his feet after the state she’d found him in on the floor.
Her attention was caught by Mike coming out of the bedroom, looking the worse for wear. He put a hand out, leaning against the wall — a mirror of Finn.
The two of them stopped, staring at each other.
“You heard it,” Mike whispered.
“I felt it,” Finn said, his voice raw.
“You can feel the Veil?”
“In here.” Finn tapped his head.
“What happened?”
Finn wiped at his nose and Ella realized it was still bleeding. “Not sure. Strong magic. Changed the Veil.”
“Can you fix it?” Mike asked.
Ella blinked. Could he?
Finn bowed his head. “I’ll keep the Veil closed.”
“Let Ella help you, man.” Mike shook a finger at him. “Let her in your dreams. She can help you. She’s done it before.”
Finn glanced sideways at Ella, and for a moment regret flashed in his eyes. “No.”
No, what? No, I won’t let her? No, she can’t help me?
It didn’t matter.
Whatever he meant, Ella thought, this had to be what being shot to the heart felt like.
Chapter Six
Sign
Ella tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Where the hell was Finn? Snow flakes twirled outside, landing on the windbreaker.
Her phone rang again. She snapped it on. “Yeah, Dave. What is it now?”
“Where are you?”
“I said we’re on our way.”
“Via Mexico or what?”
“We’ll be there soon.”
Putting the phone back into her back pocket, she scanned the building entrance for her elf. He’d grown even more distant over the past few days. In the mornings, his side of the bed was always cold. In the evenings, he just headed to said bed and fell instantly into deep sleep. Exhausted. Drained.
And yeah, there was apparently nothing she could do.
Dammit. She punched the wheel and knocked her elbow into the car door. She really wanted to hit someone, only she didn’t know who was to blame.
Why don’t you trust me anymore, Finn?
It rankled that he seemed so sure he could make it without her help, but she told herself not to be an idiot. She should be glad he’d grown so strong — although this recent change in the Veil didn’t sound good.
Could he repair the damage and keep the Veil closed? Could he keep the Gates shut without her stabilizing powers? He tended to overestimate his strength and endurance. What if he couldn’t cope? What if he failed and Dave shot him again?
Ella winced. Yeah, and what could she do? She couldn’t force entry into his dreams, now, could she? If she knew of another way... She was supposed to be a Stabilizer, so what sort of magic did she have?
Who might know?
Finn finally appeared. He paused at the glass door of the building and all the anger went out of her at the sight. His familiar narrow face, the long pale hair, the broad shoulders. The fierce concentration in his eyes and the set of his jaw, the strength in every movement. The stubborn lift of his chin.
Why were his years in the military a secret? Had he done something he regretted? How bad could it be?
He limped out of the building and crossed the street, a stray sunray from the setting sun turning his hair into gold. The light caught on his gun, half-hidden under his jacket. He tugged on his black bandana, making sure it covered his ears, as he slid into the car and shut the door. His spicy scent filled the car.
Ella tore her gaze from him. The silence between them stretched. It’d never felt so uncomfortable; so tense. Normally she’d have filled the quiet, teasing Finn, getting him to relax enough to get him to answer, even with his monosyllables. Getting him to open up.
With a slight shake of her head, her heart heavy, she started the car and pulled out into the street.
She focused on her hands, steady on the wheel, on the other cars and the pedestrians slipping through the traffic. She wasn’t asking Finn again what was going on and why he’d closed off. Enough. She was an open book; her love for him, her concern was plain to see.
His move now.
Unless his magic was changing him to the core, changing who he was. Turning him into someone as cold as the world he came from.
Fuck, please no. It scared her how much even the thought of such a possibility hurt. Focus, Ella.
Her phone rang. It was Dave’s number. “I told you, boss, we’re on our damn way—”
“Ella Benson? This is agent Thomas Niels. Boss says to tell you to head toward Jason Inc. in Aurora. Dragon seems to have stopped there.”
“Copy that, Agent Niels.” She’d met the man. Hadn’t remembered his voice was so deep. “We’re heading there.”
“Meet you at the location.”
As she drove out of the city, she caught a glimpse of Finn staring at her. Pursing her lips, she did her best to ignore him — sitting there, so close, she felt the warmth of his body. Bursts of brilliance from his hair and skin teased her eyes.
Damn pretty elf. Distracting, like always.
She took the bridge and raced toward Aurora, the new urbanization that had sprung up between the city and one of the fashionable sea resorts. Tall buildings, check.
Dragon possibility, check.
As she parked outside the Jason Inc. skyscraper, resigned to another evening of heights and vertigo, she wondered — would Finn kill the dragon this time, as he said he would?
***
The Jason Inc. building stood in a cluster of chrome and glass office towers, decorative shrubs lining the path that led to the entrance.
No police cars. A limo was parked around the corner. A man in a three-piece suit crossed the street, casting Ella and Finn curious looks.
Ella glanced down at her black cargo pants and combat boots, then at Finn’s outfit which wasn’t very different. She guessed they didn’t quite look like business people coming in for a late meeting.
She looked up at the building’s polished windows. A tower of glass and steel. And up there, the dreaded rooftop where she’d be in a moment.
Her nails bit into her palms.
A hand landed on her shoulder, startling a yelp out of her. “The hell?”
“Sorry.” Finn lifted his hand. “You’re shivering.”
She took a step back. “Yeah... Have I ever told you I’m scared of heights?”
Finn frowned. “You can stay here.”
Fuck that. He’d shut her out of his head and his magic. No way in hell was she going to wait in the lobby as he fought a dragon.
“I’m your only back up. Deal with it.” Without waiting for an answer, she headed to the sliding doors and flashed the guards her badge.
She stomped to the elevator and folded her arms over her chest, waiting for Finn to limp inside. He gave her a questioning look, one brow arching, his eyes a little wide.
Ignore him. You can do it. Where the hell was Dave, damn annoying as he was, when you needed back-up — and a distraction?
The elevator doors slid open. Finn stepped outside, unbolted the heavy door leading to the rooftop and opened it. A blast of icy air hit Ella’s face.
Heights and cold. What more could a girl ask for?
Oh yeah. A dragon.
She stepped out into the cold night, drawing her gun. Despite the lack of wind, the chill crept into her bones. Any moment now her nose would drop off and she wouldn’t even feel it. Damn, it wasn’t even officially winter yet.
Boreal and John Grey Season 2 Page 6
