Great. Another one of Michael’s creations. If he had to guess, those were the offspring who hadn’t been worthy of the fight. So rather than be relegated to thefiestreigh, Michael had raised them to support the cause in other ways.
Seemed no matter how much he wanted to put his faith in Michael, the male always had an agenda that had Obsidian wavering in his viewpoint.
“He wouldn’t elaborate,” Kaj continued, “but he said if I do not follow through with this, the vampires would be eliminated. As would the Fae.”
“Then it seems rather simple to me,” Obsidian said as he tossed that information around.
“Does it?” Kaj sighed, poured another drink. “Because I’m confused as fuck.”
Obsidian set his glass on the desk, then moved over to Kaj. He placed a firm hand on the male’s shoulder.
“Together, we’ve got this, Kaj. Just know that I’m behind you. You risked your life for me and mine. I owe you. So whatever you decide, just know I’ve got your back.”
“Even if it changes everything?”
Obsidian grinned. “Ever think maybe it’s time for a change, Kaj?”
Based on the vampire’s expression, it was a question he’d been pondering as well.
Chapter Fourteen
“Ah, good, you’re awake.”
She turned her head toward the voice, forcing her groggy eyes to remain open as the older nurse moved toward her.
“I just came to check on you before I leave for the evening,” Trudy noted, gently closing the door behind her. “Are you feeling any better, Jane?”
That was what they’d taken to calling her. Jane. She wasn’t sure where it came from or why, and she’d been too out of it to really care. Maybe her name really was Jane.
“Jane?”
A shrug was all she could muster. It had been a painful few days with one setback after another, the last of which was credited to her body’s ill response to the pain medication they’d administered. After spending nearly twenty-four hours retching, Jane was too weak to do much of anything.
The older nurse smiled down at her. “It’ll get better, Jane. I promise.”
It was then Jane realized tears were trickling down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure what caused them though it could’ve been just about anything. After all, she was in a hospital, all alone, no family, no friends, no real name. She still had no idea who she was or where she came from, not even where she was going. When she really started thinking about it, her mind filled with dread at the thought of leaving this hospital and going out into the world.
“Shh.” Trudy’s gentle hand landed on her forearm. “You’re safe here, Jane.”
Safe? She wasn’t sure she knew the meaning of that word. Had she been in danger before? Despite all the efforts to find a relative, no one seemed to be looking for her. Which begged the question, how had she been injured?
Trudy turned toward the rolling table at the head of the bed, grabbed a small white pad of paper and a pen. She jotted something down, then set it on the table that extended over the bed in front of Jane.
“That’s my phone number. If you find you need someone to talk to, feel free to call me.” The older female smiled. “It’s just me and my cat, Gertrude, at the house, so you won’t be disturbing anyone if you call.”
Jane peered down at the neat handwriting, the numbers, and the dashes. She knew how to read, so at least she hadn’t lost all her memory functions. Every time she opened her eyes and came aware of her new surroundings, she held out hope that her memories would return, that she would come to learn some things about herself. Perhaps she had a family, a mate, children. Maybe even a cat like Trudy had.
And every time she opened her eyes, she continued to be disappointed.
“All right, I’ll leave you be. Remember, if you need anything…”
“Thank you,” Jane managed, her voice but a rough whisper.
Another pat on her arm and then the kind female was leaving the room, closing the door behind her once more.
Jane didn’t bother turning on the television. She had no interest in watching the fake families on television laugh, or hearing about the gruesome things that humans were doing to one another. Seemed every time she caught a glimpse of the news, didn’t matter if it was day or night, there was always something horrible taking place. Not necessarily where she was, but across this vast world. Jane couldn’t help but wonder if she’d succumbed to violence as well. Was that how she’d ended up here? Someone had purposely harmed her? Based on the wounds she’d endured, the hospital staff seemed to believe that was the case. Evidently, so many broken bones and contusions weren’t normal unless brought on by violence.
Of course, Jane couldn’t answer any of the questions she’d been asked. Nurses, doctors, police officers. They’d all interrogated her numerous times, as though they were desperate to unearth her memories. And every time, Jane came up empty. Her head seemed to be a big, black void of nothingness. As though she hadn’t existed before she was brought here.
