We split up, Orion and Henri taking Silas to the hospital in Starsfalls. Zane rides with them, and their friends resume the hike down the mountain. We offered to drive them down, but they declined.
The rest of our team stays to deal with The Hole.
Charm calls the local rangers who deal with land management. In the meantime, we mark it with orange flagging tape until there’s a more permanent solution.
We wait for them to arrive, unwilling to leave the hole unattended in case someone else happens by.
I can’t help rethinking the decisions I made while we pack up our equipment.
Orion didn’t say anything about how I ignored his orders, but he probably didn’t want to yell at me in front of our patient. I’m sure I’ll hear about it when we’re back at the station.
I know I shouldn’t have ignored my team leader, but he wasn’t there, he didn’t have all the information.
Charm leans against the truck next to me. “Are you okay? Any injuries of your own that need attention?”
“I’m fine. It was an easy climb,” I say.
“Magnus said you had some trouble after Silas woke up. That he was combative,” he says casually.
“Silas was confused,” I say.
A gust of wind makes the snow swirl around us, tickling my exposed skin. I tug my hat further down.
I’m so tired suddenly. It didn’t take long to rescue Silas, it’s just after noon, but it feels like I went through a full day of classes and training.
The adrenaline must be wearing off.
I don’t want to admit that though. I should be able to deal with one little rescue without collapsing.
“I was able to calm him down though,” I say.
Charm smiles, but his eyes are searching. “Well. Great first day then, and a successful rescue. I was worried with how deep that hole was.”
I nod mutely.
When the park rangers arrive, we tell them about what I found. They’ll deal with sealing it off and looking into why it’s there in the first place.
Like Charm said, it was a successful first day, with a happy ending for my first call.
Chapter 9
Hestia
Iyank the pot off the flame before the water boils over and lower the heat.
I keep my head down, eyes on the food.
I insisted on helping with dinner, but maybe I shouldn’t have until I get used to cooking at high altitude. Everything heats up faster than I’m expecting, and I feel like a clumsy hindrance.
I hope no one noticed this latest mishap.
I’ve been bumping into my teammates and dropping ingredients too, so I can’t put all the blame on the elevation.
I don’t know why I’m still so out of sorts.
When they got back from the hospital, Orion told us Silas doesn’t have any major injuries. He’ll be healed up in no time since he’s an alpha, I have no cause to worry about him.
Yet that unsettled feeling hasn’t gone away.
