Dear lord, she was going to die, and it was Rory’s fault. This beautiful, spirited woman he loved.
Love?
Yes, he realized, love.
They hurried up the stairs to the first floor, and up again to the first bedroom they came to. He climbed onto the bed, still holding her. He heard people arrive, watched as they hurried to her side.
“Hold her to your chest, Rory,” Essie said, coming to the bed. Taking the knife Dev handed her she, removed the clothes in her way, and looked at the ugly wound. Blood poured from the jagged hole.
“We cannot stop the bleeding. The bullet has hit an artery, and she will be dead soon if we don’t heal her.”
“No!” Rory shook his head. “You have to save her…. You have to.”
“Get everyone, even Warwick, Dorrie, and Somer!” Cam roared. “Alice too.”
“Lilly, this will be hard on you,” Dev said. “But—”
“The bullet has gone through, so it will not be as hard as it was with you. Plus, she still breathes.”
How could they be so calm? Kate was dying in his arms, Essie had said as much. Why weren’t they doing something?
“Help her!”
“We will, brother. You must lay her on the bed and let go now. Let us help her,” Max said.
“I-I cannot.”
“You must trust them, Rory. Come now, let them heal her, I promise you they can.”
Wolf took his sister from Rory, and he climbed off the bed, his clothes stained with her blood.
“Stand back, brother.” Max took his arm and pulled him away. Then between him and James, they urged him to where Rose stood with Emily. “Hold him here.”
Rose wrapped an arm around his waist, as did Emily. James went to stand behind Eden, Max behind Essie.
Suddenly the room was full of Sinclairs, all of them circling the bed. Faces solemn, eyes focused on Kate.
“Kate!” Alice cried as she gripped her sister’s pale, lifeless hand.
“Be strong for her, love.” Nicholas stood at her back. “I am here with you.”
“Kate needs our strength now,” Dev said. “Everyone take a hand, and let us help Lilly heal her.”
Lilly had taken off her gloves and moved to stand over Kate, who was still lying silent and unmoving.
“We must move quickly, her breathing is growing weak,” Essie said.
“Her color is almost white,” Dev added.
“Dear Lord, Kate, my sweet little sister.” Wolf, his face clenched in fear, held her in his arms.
Rory didn’t understand what was happening. Where was a doctor? Why weren’t they putting pressure on the wound? Kate was so pale, her face the color of snow. Her lashes lay still on her cheeks as the life drained out of her.
“We need—”
“What you are about to see is a miracle, and we will explain, but for now you must watch and be silent,” Emily said. “Trust them to heal Kate now, Rory.”
Dev put his hand on the back of Lilly’s neck. Then each of them held the other. Skin to skin, Rory realized. All connected in some way while the three men, Nicholas, James, and Max, stood at their backs.
