Great. Now I have his attention.
“What do you mean not well?” he asks, but quickly shakes his head. “Nevermind, out of my way.”
I barely have time to move before he barrels off the bus and rushes past me. I hurry after him, too confused and caught off guard to question his sudden change in demeanor as I try to keep up. As annoyed as I am at his presence, at least I have help now.
Even if the help is a giant pain in my ass.
Tobias rips open the door to Niki’s tour bus, and I clamor up the steps behind him. He’s across the space in a few quick steps, kneeling next to the recliner. I hover close by, watching, waiting to rip his head off if he hurts her.
What the hell is he going to do to help her that I couldn’t? Fucking magic?
He carefully inspects her, gently squeezing her hand and checking her pulse, and I can’t help but watch in awe. I didn’t think he was capable of caring about anyone but himself, but the way he assesses her makes me think it’s possible.
“She’s very weak,” he says. As if I didn’t know that. “I can help her, but you have to promise you won’t run.”
“Run? What the hell are you?—?”
His barked response cuts me off. “Just stay right there!”
Despite the urge to bite his head off for raising his voice at me—again—I snap my mouth shut. We can argue later. Hell, I can punch him later.
Right now, he’s potentially Niki’s only hope. I don’t want the asshole anywhere near her, but something deep in my bones tells me he knows what he’s doing. That he can help.
At least, I sure fucking hope he can.
He reaches up with both hands, cradling Niki’s head between them, and my throat tightens. Then, still kneeling beside her, he bows his head slightly as though in prayer.
My face deadpans.
He can’t be serious.
Does he really think praying is going to help her right now?
So much for my intuition being right…
I open my mouth to ask him what the fuck he’s doing, but Niki’s eyes pop open before I can say anything. The color returns to her cheeks, and she gasps, like she was just saved from drowning. She blinks at me over the top of the drummer’s leather mask, fear flickering over her expression before she settles.
My heart slams into my throat.
Holy. Shit.
My thoughts move as slow as molasses while I struggle to understand what I just witnessed. MaybeTobias really is some kind of magician. Or a goddamned angel.
He snatches his hands away, like touching Niki physically pains him, and staggers to his feet. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looks a little unsteady, but he isn’t my concern right now.
“Niki!” The corners of my eyes begin to burn as I push past Tobias to get closer. Seeing her now is like night and day compared to the way she looked moments ago, and I’m too relieved and shocked to question it. “How are you feeling?”
She takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. “Much better now,” she answers before her eyes bounce to Tobias. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” he mutters, dipping his head slightly. “I’m going to find Sebastian. If anything happens, call Emrys.” Then, his yellow eyes whip in my direction and ice crawls up my spine. Something between hatred and annoyance burns in them. “Don’t leave her side again.”
I scowl, my face flaming.
As if I would have done anything else.
He turns and marches off the bus, the door clicking closed behind him, and I move to sit on the couch again. Now that Niki is awake and coherent, and doesn’t appear to be in any kind of danger, my adrenaline and anxiety have waned and I’m tired.
I sit there watching her, my thoughts beginning to wander slowly.
