“Baron?” He looked from Kate to Alice who stood before him.
“He is upstairs with Essie and Lilly. Come, Lilly cannot heal him without us.” Alice led the way.
Ash followed with Dorrie’s hand in his. They climbed the stairs at a run and entered a bedroom. Baron lay on the bed, eyes closed, body still.
“Baron,” the name was torn from Ash as he reached his side.
“Lilly could not heal him until you returned as it would take all her strength,” Essie said. “We could not risk it for fear one of you needed her this night too. “We must move quickly as he is suffering, and I do not know how much longer he can hold on.”
“I owe him so much,” Ash whispered.
“We will heal him.” He felt Dorrie’s arms circle him from behind.
They all came then. Sinclairs and Ravens filed into the room solemn faced. Those of Sinclair blood circled the bed. Those of Raven stood behind them.
“Trust us, Ash,” Dorrie said easing him back and stepping in front of him.
He watched Lilly move to Baron’s side.
“Dev check for internal injuries. Eden, listen to his chest,” Essie ordered.
Ash stood at Dorrie’s back, with Gus to his right and watched. The tension in the room was so thick it nearly choked him. Looking at the man broken and bloodied on the bed he felt fear. Would he be taken from Ash today? He had never told his friend what he meant to him.
“He is bleeding, Essie. We must move quickly,” Dev said.
“He is struggling to breathe,” Eden said.
“Lilly, my love, I fear this will be taxing on you,” Dev said.
“I have your strength, and there will be cake in my future,” she smiled before pulling off her gloves. “He will be all right, Ash. Trust us.”
He managed to nod but had no words.
They connected then. Hands held. Dev moved in behind Lilly and braced her with his body. Cam rolled up his brother’s sleeve and gripped his arm. Kate, took his hand, and Harry hers. Ash felt the power rise as the circle was complete. Before him Wolf placed his hand on Dorrie’s neck.
“We are stronger,” Dev whispered, his eyes vivid green. They locked on Ash. “You have brought us this.”
Ash would think about that later, but not now. Now he needed Baron to live.
Lilly placed her hands on Baron’s head. Dev covered them, and Dorrie his. The power swirled around the room.
He felt Rose reach out a hand and take his, squeezing it hard. Ash held onto his cousin and watched the miracle that he was now part of.
“His color?” Essie asked.
“Stronger,” Harry said.
Their eyes were unnaturally bright now.
“Move to his chest now, love,” Dev said.
“Can I touch her?” Ash whispered to Rose as he nodded to Dorrie.
“Yes.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder and felt her tension. It was as if Dorrie’s body was trembling. All the Sinclairs had their eyes locked on Baron.
“His color is strong, enough now love.”
