Chapter 54: The Brotherhood

I lunge without thinking, across the end of the bed, both hands outstretched toward Rupe. He's not expecting a physical attack, clearly, because he flinches, raising both arms up to protect his face, letting go of Sage.

I hit him hard in the chest, knocking him back, but it's Sage who finishes the job. He turns sideways in bed, both feet lashing out, propelling Rupe off his feet and into the center of the black tunnel of power.

Rupe's shocked face vanishes as the way snaps shut behind him.

"Damn it." I turn to Sage who is now out of bed, shaking a little, but with a determined look on his face. "I should never have left you alone."

"Who was that?" He comes toward me, the gown he wears gaping in the back.

"The Brotherhood." I shiver. "They are involved." Syd needs to know. Rupe was one of Liander Belaisle's right hands, present at the last battle at the stronghold. He escaped with his master. Seeing him here confirms my fears.

"I have no idea who they are," Sage says, "but I take it this is bad."

I nod. "We have to go now."

I hate to leave him again, but I have no choice. A quick duck into a storage room turns up some scrubs I hope will fit and a hurried walk back to deliver them to Sage raises no eyebrows. I could use magic to make us less noticeable, but that will only encourage Enforcer interest. Why does everything have to be so hard?

Sage is much more stable when I hand over the scrubs, IV already pulled out, dressing quickly. I keep a careful eye out through the slit in the curtain while he does and almost jump when he touches my hand.

"Ready," he says.

Is he? I look into his eyes, touch his cheek. He feels all right, back in control. But how long will that last? The bandage over his shoulder isn't seeping anymore, so I'm going to have to trust we'll be okay.

We can't just walk out the front door. I wait until a nurse has passed and turn left, toward the vending machine. Sage follows me, head down. I'm tense, waiting for a shout to stop, security to come rushing at us. But no one seems to notice. We reach the end of the hall and the exit sign over a big, gray door.

The air outside is humid, but clear, and I can't help but draw a deep and cleansing breath. It's dark, but there are enough streetlights to make me nervous. A large parking lot lies across a flowerbed median and I head for it, planning to steal yet another car. This time, Sage doesn't look unhappy about it, glancing back over his shoulder as though Rupe could be there, ready to pounce.

We're barely across the first lane when the door slams behind us. I spin, primed to fight, Sage tense beside me, only to find Dr. Mitchell running toward us, fury on her face.

"What did I tell you?" She comes to a halt, vibrating with anger. She looks back and forth between Sage and I, suddenly startled, temper gone cold as she gapes at him. "That's impossible." She looks him over, reaches out and touches his arm, registers he's no longer boiling up. "How can you be standing, let alone healthy? You should still be out cold." She takes a half step back, though she's not afraid. Just lost, stunned, the medical world she knows shaken to its foundation. "Sage, you were dead. And now you're..." she shakes her head, looks at me with troubled eyes. "He was dead." She stresses the word. "I didn't tell you because he came back. I thought he was a goner. End of the line." She's babbling, one hand running over her damp forehead as her hands shake. "And here you are." Dr. Mitchell's laugh is sharp, bordering hysterical. "Either you're a miracle, or there's a hell of a lot more going on here than you're telling me."

Instead of adding to her stress by trying to answer, Sage leans forward and shakes her trembling hand with one of his winning smiles lighting his eyes. "Thank you for taking such good care of me."

She nods, almost smiles, then seems to snap out of it. "Don't you wave those pearly whites at me." Her temper is back, she's in control again. I almost grin. She reminds me of me, needing to hold herself together in the face of the unknown. "What are you?"

Neither of us answer. We can't. Besides, she'd never believe us, or understand.

"Your blood tests came back." She's trembling all over again, but only for a moment. Her own adrenaline push is obviously wearing thin enough she'll suffer for it later.

More silence from us, while I wonder what they found in his blood.

Dr. Mitchell's face returns to anger, though she seems less enraged and more stern. "Never mind," she says. "It doesn't matter. I can't hold you here. Though I guess I could call security for stealing scrubs." I open my mouth to protest, hand reaching for what's left of the cash when she snorts, waves me off. Looks away, like she's making a decision she might regret later. Finally, she turns back to us, lips tight with disapproval. "I knew you'd pull something like this." She jerks a plastic bag from the pocket of her jacket and presses it into Sage's hand, dark eyes locked on his. "Every twelve hours, Sage. Do not miss a dose. And drink as much water as you can. You hear me?"

He steps forward and hugs her, surprising the doctor and me. "I promise."

She hugs him back, breathless when he releases her, touching her cheek where his lips brushed her skin. "Boy," she says, "I have no idea who or what you are, but for some reason, I have a feeling you'll be okay." Her dark gaze meets mine. "You take care of him," she says. "You take care of each other." Dr. Mitchell looks like she wants to say something else, thinks better of it. Before I can thank her, too, she turns and dashes for the door and doesn't look back.

Sage bounces the bag of medicine in his hand. He looks better than he has since he was bitten, and I feel relief things turned out the way they did.

"She's awesome." He grins at me, like this is some grand adventure and we just upped a level. I grin back, his good humor infectious, no pun intended.

I hook my arm through his and turn to the parking lot. "Time to find a new ride."

Sage bows to me. "Your highness," he says, gesturing with one hand, eyes twinkling. "Your chariot awaits."

We practically saunter across the second lane, spirits high. What has gotten into him? Into me? Whatever it is, I welcome it for as long as it lasts.



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