by Izzy Shows
“Oh.” Fred sobered, taking a breath and suddenly becoming serious. “Yes, he warned that this might happen. We are to assist you in your education in his absence.” His eyes, which had just a moment ago been alight with mischief, were solemn and full of an intelligence that almost scared me.
“Wait, hold on. So, you live here? With Aidan? And he gave you instructions to help me? Where the fuck were you when I was trapped in that basement?” I jerked my thumb back at the basement door.
It didn’t have eyebrows, but if it did, I think it would have crooked one up at me. “Who do you think opened the door for your Paladin?”
Well. Shit.
“Come. We have work to do.” Fred gestured for me to follow as he headed towards the basement.
All I had wanted was a moment to grieve.
I dragged myself off the couch and limped after him. “Ah!” I sucked in a breath as my back arched to avoid the pain, but it came from within and there was no escaping it. I fell forward, hands smacking the floor before my head did.
“Lady!” Fred shouted, rushing towards me.
“Help…” I mumbled as my vision dimmed.
45
I FELT GROGGY AND WEAK AS I came back to myself for the second time that day. I needed to not make a habit out of this.
“Is she going to be OK?” I could hear Finn’s voice, which let me relax a bit. If Finn was here than things were probably under control.
“Stop distracting me, and sure.” I didn’t know that agitated, cocky voice. I frowned.
“Y’going to bite m’head off if I ask?” I slurred, blinking a few times as my eyes adjusted to the light.
“Blair!” Finn came into view above me, along with his friend. Buzz cut, tan skin, serious lines in his face, determined set of the jaw. I took in the details as they came, not doing much to focus my mind.
“M’alive?” I said.
“Thank God,” he said, grabbing and squeezing my hand. “You scared the shit out of me, Blair. I came by and you didn’t answer the door, and then I came inside and you were just passed out on the ground. I thought you’d died.”
“C’mon. I can’t die.” I tried to shrug, then winced at the pain.
“Keep still.” The friend standing over me barked, his eyes focussed intently on my exposed torso.
I had the thought that I should be embarrassed, but I didn’t care. He was a doctor, and Finn was my best friend. It didn’t matter.
“Yeah, yeah. What’s the damage?” I asked, my words more stable that time.
“You’ve suffered extensive damage throughout your torso, including two broken ribs, and you have a torn ligament in your left leg.” He didn’t look up to deliver the report, and barely seemed aware that he was talking. He was so focussed, it was almost scary. “I’ve stopped the bleeding, I set your broken nose, your leg is stitched up, and now if you don’t move again, maybe I can finish here.”
I rolled my eyes and looked at Finn. “He’s a grumpy sod.”
“Someone’s feeling better.” Finn said, raising an eyebrow.
“That would be the pain medication I gave her.” The medic spoke up again.
“Many thanks.” I said, grinning.
I realised I was laying on the couch in Aidan’s living room, which made sense since the medic was about at eye level but Finn was looming over me. I glanced down at my hands, and saw that they looked a lot worse than they had earlier at Finn’s. They looked like they had in the basement.
Oh, right, Emily had said the help would only be temporary. All the damage she had taken away had come back, and that was what had knocked me out for the count. Good thing Finn had come by when he did, or else I might have really died.
I gritted my teeth at the feeling of a needle passing through the skin on my side—why did I have to wake up before this had finished?
“There,” the medic said, putting his tools down. “You’re going to need to rest for a long while, not that I think you’ll be able to do much running around if you wanted to. Now, it’s been eating at me, what the fuck did you do?”
I snorted. “Thought you said he wouldn’t ask questions.”
“I did say that.” Finn said, placing a hand on the medic’s shoulder.
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Whatever you did, you’re bloody lucky. I don’t know how the fuck you were walking around this morning, but whatever you did, don’t do it again. This one’s free, next one’s gonna cost you the story.” He started to pack up.
“Thought you just told me not to do it again.” I couldn’t help but tease him.
“Rule number one: patients are idiots.”
Finn and I burst out laughing, though that fucking hurt. I grasped the side with the broken ribs and squeezed my eyes for a moment to ride the wave of pain.
“Yeah. Exactly. Hopefully that pain will teach you something, it’s going to be around a while to hammer the lesson home.”
“So, do I even get to know my oh so talented doctor’s name?” I asked, looking from Finn to the medic. “I mean, in this hypothetical situation where I do the stupid thing again and have to fess up a story to get help, I should at least know who I’m asking for help.”
Both glared at me. It was honestly hilarious, having two grown men glaring down at you while you just lay helpless on the couch.
“Shawn.” The medic finally said. “The name’s Shawn. I guess I should be going then.”
“Hey, you just stitched me up free of charge. Why don’t you stick around and have a drink with me and Finn?” I asked. I don’t know why, maybe I didn’t want to be alone with Finn. I felt like he was going to keep asking questions like he had at his house, and I knew he wouldn’t just leave with Shawn.
Both regarded me for a moment, then looked at each other and simultaneously shrugged their shoulders. It was kind of creepy.
“Yeah, why not?” he said.
“Cool. The fridge is over there. Bring the poor bedridden girl some alcohol.” I grinned, looking around for my shirt. Finn picked it up off the ground nearby and helped me into it. “Thanks.” I said, meaning much more than just the shirt.
“Don’t sweat it.” He smiled at me. He took a seat in the chair that I always sat in. I tried not to think too much about that.
Shawn came back with two beer cans in one hand and a mixed drink in the other. “For the lady.” He said, placing the mixed drink on the table.
“What, because I’m a woman I can’t drink beer?” I snapped, screwing up my face as if I really were angry.
His eyes went wide and he darted a look at Finn.
“No, because he’s heard me complain that you won’t drink beer.” Finn said, rolling his eyes.
I chuckled. “He’s too easy.”
It felt good to relax.
Tomorrow I would mourn. Tonight, I would drink.
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About the Author
Izzy Shows writes urban fantasy novels for adults, and much more in her spare time. She’s also an avid LARPer and enjoys storytelling in all art forms. She can be a little cooky, and really enjoys talking about her works, writing in general, or all things fantasy. To learn more about her you can follow her on twitter or check out her website.
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