Page 68

I look around and point at the soldier who came to the door.

“You.” I run towards Cain, the soldier running up beside me. “How long ago did this happen?” I ask as I grab a knife from the tray and start cutting away at Cain’s pants.

“Seven hours.” My heart thunders, pounding and jumping against my chest as I fight my own pain.

“How long has the tourniquet been on?”

“We applied it immediately, My Lady.”

Riah comes to my side with a bowl of warm, soapy water and a cloth. I roll up my sleeves, grab a cloth, and start cleaning the area.

“How many syrettes has he had?”

“None.”

“Oh, dear God…” I look over Cain’s injuries, at his pale face. His eyes flit to mine… He’s weak.

This must happen now.

“Sir, go and sit in the waiting room,” I instruct. Then I grab a face mask and put on a pair of gloves. Looking over my shoulder, I see Dean, his eyes glued to his friend. He needs a job, and I need help. “Dean, go and grab Pru. Cain needs blood; we need her to come down for a donation.”

“I can give him blood.” Dean steps forward, but I put up my hand and shake my head.

“You’re not a match. Pru is. We need her.” Dean sucks in through his nose, then pulls himself away and runs off. I finish cleaning the area, then dab with a dry cloth. “Fiona, get me the ether mask and the field amputation box from the supply closet. Riah, secure Cain to the bed and prepare his IV’s.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for Dr. Frolov for proper anesthesia?” He pulls at the back of his neck again. He’s still new, he hasn’t had field training yet, and we don’t see injuries like this at the clinic.

“If you need to take a quick breath, take it. But then dial it back and get ready. I need you here, now. Cain can’t wait for Dr. Frolov, and I don’t know how to do this any other way. So, this is happening right now.” He bites his lower lip, then nods and presses onward with the task at hand.

“Violet? Is-is he?” I spin around and run to Pru. Her voice cracks, and tears flow down her cheeks at the sight of him.

“He’s going to be alright.” I nod for Cal, who's standing behind Pru, to guide her to a chair ten feet from Cain. Once she’s sat down, I kneel to meet her eyes. “You and Cain have the same blood type, and he needs blood. Right now.” Pru sputters out a cry. “I promise you that I will not let him die.” I stand and walk past Cal, stopping by his ear. “You need to keep her calm. If she starts to panic, you hold her down for us to take care of her.”

“What’s the situation, boss?!” Melanie calls out as she bursts through the door, her coat flying behind her as she slips it over her arm.

“Prepare Pru for a blood donation to Lord Powers.”

One final thing.

Stepping to his bedside, I lean over Cain and gently brush my fingers along his forehead.

“Hey, look at me, Cain.” He takes a shallow breath, his eyes focusing on my face. “I need you to stick with me. I promise, everything will be okay.” Reaching to my left, I grab the ether mask. But before I can put it over his mouth, he grabs the back of my neck and pulls me down, my lips crashing into his.

I don’t like this. His cares are out the window. He doesn’t think he’ll make it.

His hand falls back to his side, and I pull away, making him look at me again.

“Stay with me, I will take care of you.” I place the ether mask over Cain’s mouth and nose and watch his eyes close. “Fiona, take over the ether. Melanie, you’re scrub. Riah, you’re circulator.” Stepping to the side, I take a deep breath, then look out at my team. “Thirty minutes, everyone. Are you ready?” They nod, and we take our places.

I square up, looking down at Cain’s leg. Checking the tourniquet, I twist it a hair tighter.

Cain’s leg…

This is happening now.

Dear God, please help me save him.

My faith was shaken when I first saw Richard hit my mom. It only continued to fall from there. If Cain makes it through this, the flame for God inside me may not be completely snuffed out.