Chapter Seventeen
Echo
Asher and I left the church in silence.
Once we were in the car and heading toward the hospital, I asked him what all he got out of that whole scene.
“Same chaotic energy as Amanda’s place. Something’s going on between the pastor and his wife. Can’t tell if it’s related to Amanda or not. Otherwise Amanda seemed like she was a nice girl.” Asher sounded pensive, like he was trying to figure out how the puzzle pieces fit, but he was new at this. There were more pieces that needed to be found to see the bigger picture.
On to the hospital we went.
We chatted about little thoughts we had about the whole case as he drove his sexy, red Camaro. Ironic that we had the same car, but a nice surprise.
The hospital wasn’t too far away from the church. You could travel around Seahill in fifteen minutes on a good day. With traffic, it could turn into an hour. Luck was on our side today.
Asher parked the car in the lot, and we got out in unison, heading toward the hospital, when I spotted two familiar faces.
“Everything okay?” I asked Rose, the small blonde with the birthmark. She smiled at me and rubbed her hands together for heat.
“Yep. Phillip sent us. Thought we’d be helpful with your case. He didn’t tell us what the case was, but said we’d be useful. Plus—” She leaned in closer to me.
“Draco’s been curious about Asher ever since we mentioned that we met him,” she whispered, but not too quietly, so Draco and Asher could obviously hear.
Draco was standing there, stoic as ever. He was watching Asher with a curious look on his face.
“Asher, this is Draco. Rose you already met.” I introduced them, and Asher smiled at them.
“Howdy.”
That was his hello.
“Another wild one,” Draco huffed and then turned to walk toward the hospital doors.
“He’s a sweet guy. Just not great with people sometimes.” Rose watched Draco walk away. I knew how he felt. I was okay with people, but I was usually best on my own. I looked over Rose and took into account what her power was: emotions. Maybe she could get a read on people while I asked questions.
“Okay. The more the merrier,” I agreed, but knew I wouldn’t tell the chief about Rose and Draco being there. There was something bigger in the works than maybe I knew. Phillip wouldn’t have sent them if it wasn’t important. He told me about the bigger picture he was working toward before I left—a future where people like us could make a difference. A future that was worth fighting for. A place where we were all the dream catchers of the world, keeping harm away from the innocents. And succeeding. A better life for people with powers than what we have now. I had to believe in a future like that.
Asher placed his hand on my lower back to guide me toward the doors. I didn’t shrug off his touch, which would be my typical reaction.
“You’re purring again, kitten. Might want to save it for later,” Asher leaned in and whispered against my ear. Rose seemed oblivious to our encounter—and my purring—which I was thankful for.
Until she glanced back at me with blushed cheeks.
Right. Guess she knew that Asher and I had something going on.
Great.
Draco was waiting inside, and Asher stood next to him.
“Let’s head to the psych ward. Split up. Asher can play nice with Draco, and, Rose, you’ll come with me,” I delegated, and got a subtle nod from Draco. Asher grinned, and I knew he was going to probably piss Draco off. Rose looked excited.
We walked together, probably looking like a mob squad on our way to a hit.
As soon as we walked in the door, we divided and conquered.
A Dr. Nathan Bellmont was the man in charge in this ward, the head psychiatrist.
“I went to school for psychology,” Rose muttered just before we made it to the nurses’ desk.
