She leaned back to see his eyes. There was still blood on his rugged face. “Another book?”
His jaw was hard and his expression fierce. “No. It’s Ulric’s tongue.”
Sam and Logan pivoted in their seats, looking back, surprise on their faces.
Garrett rolled his eyes. “Sometimes thinking through analytically helps things, brothers.” He glanced down at his red and bubbling hands. “Although his blood burns hotter than I expected.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Garrett sat in the waiting area of the medical wing after sending all of his family and numerous friends away. He appreciated their support but needed quiet. Dessie had been in with Emma, Janie, and Faith for several hours, and they’d banned him. For a moment, when she’d been in pain from an injection, he might’ve lost it.
Helplessness ate away at him until his insides burned. Maybe he should go after Ulric and get more blood. Good plan. He stood.
His mom walked through the outside door, her hair a mess atop her head. “Hi.” She moved in and hugged him tight.
He held on, careful not to bruise her, and dropped his chin to her head. “What are you doing here?”
“Your growl can’t get rid of me.” She leaned back and smiled. “You were brilliant to cut out Ulric’s tongue.”
Garrett’s hands still burned from cutting the thing off. It was too bad Ulric could regenerate himself. “It was the only way to acquire his blood. I hope there was enough of it to help Dessie.” If there wasn’t, he’d go back and find Ulric again, and pretty much rip the Cyst apart to gain more blood.
The door opened, and he lifted his head, expecting to see Emma.
Dessie walked out, her face pale but her eyes clear. No longer in a hospital gown, she’d donned a pink sweater and dark jeans that made her look healthy and whole.
He swallowed, waiting. His fingers curled into fists as he planned how to track Ulric for more blood.
Her smile brightened her entire face. “The last injection worked. The tumor is gone.”
His heart slammed like he’d taken a blow.
Cara patted his arm. “I’ll leave you two alone for the moment, but we’re having a family dinner later.” She smiled at Dessie and quickly made her exit.
Garrett moved for Dessie and cupped her face. “You’re sure.”
She nodded, happiness glowing in her sapphire eyes. “Yes. Emma was able to take the tongue and get enough blood for several attempts, and they hurt, but the mass is gone.” Reaching for the waist of her yoga pants, she tugged down the side. “Emma and Janie are shocked, but look what appeared, dark and beautiful.”
He leaned over to see his marking on her hip. Right where he’d placed it. His fingers traced it, and she shivered. “I don’t understand.”
She shrugged. “Neither does Emma. But her best guess is that we did mate, and the same cloaking aspect of the tumor that prevented the broadcasting of my enhancement also hid the fact that we’d mated.” She hopped. “And I looked at the page of the book that bothered me before, and nothing. So…”
As they’d suspected, the triggers were somehow tied to the tumor. “You sure?”
She nodded, her face pensive.
“All right.” He turned and tore his shirt up, letting her have a good look.
She was quiet for a moment and then traced his marking, going rib by rib. “It’s beautiful.”
“Are you feeling homicidal?” His heart hadn’t felt this light in decades.
She snorted. “Not at the moment, but you’d better behave yourself and hope for the best.”
He dropped his shirt and straightened, sure he didn’t deserve such good fortune. But she did. Without question. Even so, he was planting that marking on her again that night and probably every night for the ensuing century or so. And she was going to continue seeing Prophet Lily and working through her triggers, just in case. Plus, Lily was a hoot. Dessie could use some friends, and Lily would be a good one. That reminded him. “We’ve tracked down three of the women from your college who were treated as you were, and we’ll get them help.”
She nodded. “Emma said she can create a copy of the blood cure to use on others. I’m so hopeful, Garrett.”
He loved that about her. Her brightness affected everything around her, especially him.
