Chapter 458
“I’ll see if I can remedy that and get you a better Healer,” Cadence offered. When the elevator door opened, it was evident we were not all going to fit inside. I looked around for a stairwell but didn’t see one. “For now, why don’t Cass, Amanda, Tara, and I go up, and the rest of you can head that way in a few minutes?”
That made the most sense to me. I followed Cadence into the elevator. It was still a tight squeeze with all of us in there, and Lex. He smelled so good, I wanted to ask him what kind of cologne he was wearing so that I could get some for Brandon, but that seemed really weird. I’d just check his mind later.
Lex pressed the button for the fifth floor. I wondered why these elevators hadn’t been modified to work with IACs, but then this building was so old, it was a wonder it even had elevators.
“Brandon is doing well. Maybe he could have healed himself without it, perhaps. But I thought it best to go ahead and call in a specialist,” Lex explained.
“No, I agree, that was a good idea.” Cadence smiled her approval. It was true Brandon should’ve been able to eventually heal since it wasn’t a Hunter who had inflicted the injuries. Gravity—and a giant Vampire--had done that. But that could’ve taken ages. This way was much better.
“The other two have been in his room since the surgeon finished, maybe two hours ago? They do not seem to want to leave each other. It’s been a tough time for them, I think.”
I realized that I was about to meet Heather. The idea hadn’t occurred to me, I’d been so focused on Brandon. It would be so weird to come face to face with another Hybrid.
The doors opened, and we all spilled out into a hallway. This one was busy with Guardians and Hunters going about their day. I recognized a few of them from the IAC but didn’t know any of them, so I just nodded and tried to look friendly despite my nervous disposition.
“I’m sorry for your losses,” Cadence said as we walked along. “I know you lost two good Hunters this morning.”
I had only been aware of the one. How tragic....
“Yes, it is regrettable. We haven’t had much experience with these... super Vampires, the ones that will not die so easily. We will know better next time. If there is a next time.”
“Hopefully, there won’t be,” Cadence said.
The thought that this could all be over soon, that Holland could be destroyed, and I’d have no more reason to throw shields or spend countless hours searching for the queen, was appealing. I would’ve gone deeper down that rabbit hole if Lex hadn’t announced, “Ah, here we are.”
Lex pushed the door open to a small recovery room, and Dax and I almost collided—him running out to Tara while I was desperate to get to Brandon. Amanda was right behind me, which may have tampered my enthusiasm a little bit, but as soon as I saw him, I lost it.
I flung myself into his open arms. He was in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown, and I thought he was trying to get up to run to me, too, but I made sure he stayed put. I kissed him and hugged him again and then studied his face to make sure he was okay but then moved aside so his mother could give him a hug as well.
Amanda was taking too long, and I wanted to shove her aside, but Brandon reached around her and took my hand, and Amanda moved to the other side of the bed. Behind me, I heard Cadence introducing herself to Heather and thought maybe I should be polite and say hi, but not right now.
“How are you?” I asked Brandon, not letting go of his hand. “Does it hurt?”
“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt now. Man, you’re so beautiful. I didn’t forget or anything. But seeing your face again, it’s like a reminderer. You’re the most beautiful girl in the whole world. In the whole universe.”
“I see your medicine hasn’t completely worn off.” I glanced over at Amanda, and she was giggling.
“Yeah, they gave me some great medicine. I’m fine. I’m wonderful.”
I leaned down and kissed him again. “I missed you so much. I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Me, too. I’m never going into another portal again for the rest of my life.”
“Good.” I couldn’t help but smile at him. It was sort of hard to believe he was there, that I was actually holding his hand, but at the same time, it felt like he’d never been gone. We just fit back together the way we always had.
Cadence was welcoming Heather to the team and thanking her for throwing the shield which was cool. Brandon must have noticed my sister for the first time. “Hey, Cadence!” he shouted in the overjoyed tone he’d been using. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she said, even though we all knew that wasn’t exactly true. “How are you?”
“I’m great! Never better! So happy to be out of that stupid portal, that’s for sure.”
“Uh huh. And did the doctors give you a little happy medicine for your surgery?”
“They sure did. Fixed me up good as new. I’m gonna get up soon, too. Get dressed. Take a shower. Well, take a shower then get dressed. And then we’re going to England to see my dad!”
Everyone did their best not to giggle because he sounded so ridiculous, but it was nice to know he was enthusiastic about going to get Elliott. Cadence said, “It’s nice to see you, Brandon,” and then turned away, and Amanda started asking Brandon questions, mostly about how he was feeling and not about the portal.
Cadence came over next to me and said, “Cass, I’m going to leave you guys here and head back to meet with Lex and Gia. I’d like to get as much info from them about the attack as possible. I need to check in with Lucy, too, and see if we’ve had any Holland sightings. When Brandon is... himself again... I’d like to talk to him. We need to get in the air in the next couple of hours to make sure we’re in position in plenty of time for the portal to open.”
All I could say was, “Okay.” I thought I could probably help her with that information gathering since I could see their memories, after all, so even if they didn’t want to talk about it or didn’t know what to tell my sister, I could see inside the portal through Brandon’s head. But if she wanted a firsthand account, she could get it from him once he came back to his usual disposition.
