22
Purity’s hospital waswell-equipped, but it was alsotiny. Iris had spent a lot of time here after the accident, and it had felt too small and claustrophobic even when she’d been the only full-time patient. Itreallywasn’t made to house three poisoned, exhausted, and smoke-damaged shifters and a whole pack of overprotective U.S. Marshals.
Since Blake had kept them locked out of the village right when they would have been the most help, they were all determined to make up for it now by waiting on Iris, Keith, and Seraphina hand and foot. It was sweet and helpful and massively annoying.
But mostly sweet.
She was especially thankful for Vin, the last-minute arrival who had swept in cavalry-style to carry Seraphina to safety. He was quiet and so stone-faced that she was never completely sure what he was thinking, but he was also kind. And like Keith and Seraphina, he could read her facial expressions.
Maybe that was because he had scars too. His mouth was more mobile than hers, but the overall damage was worse—and more horrific. Bite-marks had left twisted scar tissue on his face and throat ... and Iris suspected it was almost everywhere else, too, since Vin stayed completely covered up despite the warm weather.
Given all those scars, though, Vin must have already spent more than his fair share of time in a hospital. He was the only member of the team who made himself scarce while Iris and Keith were healing up.
She had time to make friends with the rest of them, though.
Seraphina, on the other hand ... Seraphina made herself almost as scarce as Vin. Then one morning, Simon dropped by to tell Iris that her sister had checked herself out that morning.
She didn’t even stop by to say goodbye,Iris’s unicorn said mournfully, swishing its tail.
Of course she didn’t,Iris said. She was trying to be brisk and matter-of-fact about it.We killed her husband. She probably doesn’t want to see us right now.
She understood why Seraphina would want to avoid her, but it still hurt. Blake had tried to kill her first! Twice! And he’d tried to kill KeithandSeraphina herself!
She just hated the idea that she might have to leave Purity before she’d made things right with her sister.
Iris swallowed, fighting back tears. “Do you know where she was going? It’s not like she has a house left.”
Seraphina could come stay with her, but she probably didn’t want that right now.
“The Council House, I think.”
“Right.” The lump in her throat was already back. “That makes sense.”
As warm and easygoing as Simon was, he was still one of those guys who got awkward when women cried. He nervously looked away from the tears welling up in Iris’s eyes and addressed the next bit to the fern in the corner of the room.
“I have other news for you too—I probably should have led with this part. Keith’s awake.”
Iris bolted up in bed and promptly broke into another coughing fit. Damn smoke. The doctors said that all three of them would heal up just fine in time, but too much movement still made her start hacking all over again.
“He’s up? Really?”
Of all of them, Keith had taken by far the worst damage. In getting them out of the burning house, he’d earned himself a concussion, broken bones, heavy bruising, and a brutally scratched-up horn. His shifter healing was supposed to eventually be able to take care of everything except the horn, which would, like Iris’s face, always carry some scars.
Just because the damage was fixable didn’t mean it was comfortable, though, so the doctors had been keeping Keith in a kind of magical trance to give his body time to heal.
“He’s awake,” Simon confirmed, with his usual humor creeping back into his voice. “He wanted to come charging in here, but the doctor said it wouldn’t be good for him.”
“And he actually listened?” Iris said, impressed. “Good for him. He’s too self-sacrificing. I can’tbelievehe backed into a burning house just to let me go out first.”
“Yeah, he’s like that. He hasn’t actually changed, though. I just handcuffed him to the bed and told him I’d come get you.”
Iris snorted, which made her cough again. “Well, come with me and unlock him, andI’llmake him stay put.”
“Just let me know if you need the handcuffs,” Simon said. “I’m a big fan of them. Usefulandfun.”
Simon had to help her hobble down the hall—her legs were technically fine, but they felt a lot like tingly jelly since she’d been spending so much time in bed. She’d never been more excited to go anywhere in her life, and she willed her feet to move faster.
