Even though Vane waves his hands around Theo’s body for several minutes, she tells him none of her symptoms have changed.
“Then all I can suggest is a sleep tincture and rest. I’ll give you one to take back to your room.”
—Alexis?—
—On it—
“Would you consider keeping her on the ward for a couple of hours, just to make sure there are no complications?” I let out a frustrated sigh. “If not I’ll have to perform hourly checks to her room—new regulations for my role of dorm supervisor. You’ll be doing me a great favor.”
Vane doesn’t look convinced.
“And I’ll have time to find that research paper on AUAs.”
He straightens up and arches his back. “Very well, I don't see why not. It’s not like our other patient will disturb her. I’ll let the night-nurse know.”
Walking across the room, he pulls a brown glass bottle from the cabinet then places it on the table next to Theo. “Drink the whole thing in one go.”
She rubs her eyes, then blearily smiles. “Yes, sir.”
Theo picks it up and unscrews the cap.
I step forward, hiding her from his view, then shake his hand. “I appreciate it, Vane. Working together is the best way to make these new regulations run smoothly.”
He presses a fist to his heart. “May the Conclave guide us.”
Huh, this must be new.
I repeat his gesture. “May the Conclave guide us.”
Then I pull up a chair. “Might as well stay here to do my report. Less foot traffic than my office.”
Vane chortles. “My lips are sealed. Goodnight, Feniks.”
After he exits, Theo sits up, a mischievous light in her eye. “May the Conclave guide us? What bollocks. Might as well say ‘Hail Satan’.”
“You’re telling me.” I take her hand. “You didn’t drink that did you?” I ask, nodding to the tincture.
“Of course not.” She shakes the bottle, showing it’s still full. “I’m no dummy.” Springing up, she pads over to Wes’s bed.
“Hey, babe, I’m back,” she says, snuggling up to him on the mattress. “Thanks for getting me in, Lex. Are you going to stay?”
I look at her cuddled up with her first love. “Do you want privacy?”
“No, Lex, I’m happy to have you here.”
“Then I’ll stay and take you back to your room in a couple of hours.”
Time passes, and my heart hurts as I watch Theo struggle to bring Wes back to the land of the living. Eventually she looks up. “I think that’s all I’ve got for tonight. It’s never enough, never.”
Pulling her into my arms, I feel her body shaking. “You’re exhausted, let’s get you to bed.”
“Can you stay with me?”
Tempted though I am, I know it’s a bad idea. “I wish. One day we’ll be able to sleep together every night.” Hopefully. “But for now, I think I’m going to go find a quiet place to shift. Maybe being shifted will enable me to find information on the void.”
She smiles wearily. “Wish I could watch, I love your gryphon.”
“He and I both love you, forever.”
