The Shadow Guide (Challenging the Fates) by Victoria Smith

Author:Victoria Smith [Smith, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing, LLC
Published: 2021-05-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The nurses at the station shook their heads when he asked about additional paperwork and told him there was no way he would have been asked to fill out anything since he was just a friend and Alaina hadn’t signed a release form. Patrick searched for the nurse who’d given him the summons, but he didn’t see her. Dread crept up his neck as he hurried back to Alaina’s room. The sense of something wrong grew with every step. She screamed as he pushed against the door handle. The door wouldn’t open no matter how hard he pushed. Kicking the door, he ignored the shock on the nurses’ faces and rushed inside.

What hovered over the bed took him by surprise, though he wasn’t entirely sure what he thought he’d find. Alaina’s face was red, her eyes bulging as she clawed at her throat with bandaged hands. Patrick skidded to a stop beside her bed, splashing holy water on the creepy faux doctor.

As soon as he broke its hold on Alaina, it dissipated, swirling into dark mist and evaporating into the air high above the bed. Alaina gasped, her bandaged hands going to her throat.

“Let me see.” He gently pushed her hands away, angry red marks surrounding her neck.

“I’ve never felt so much hate before. Why would he hate me so much?” She trembled, fat tears trailing down her cheeks. At this rate she’d break soon.

He wiped the tears away with his thumb, turning her face. “It’s not you, it’s what you represent. We have to finish this.”

“I’m glad you’re not leaving.” Her voice was quiet.

“You can’t get rid of me.” Guilt nearly crushed him. Again he’d proven he was a failure at keeping her safe. He also realized, without the protection he offered, Alaina was an open target. No wonder he’d been lured away. It didn’t matter that he didn’t want the connection with Alaina. There was one. Same as she had no choice about taking over for Alona, whether she wanted to or not.

She touched his face, spreading her fingers over his cheek. “You have to forgive yourself, Patrick.” She pushed the covers back and swung her legs out of bed. “I’m out of here. We have work to do.”

He tossed her the bag of clothes he’d sent Mick to retrieve, not thrilled Mick had gone through her underwear drawer. After he’d gotten to Alaina’s, Mick called to make sure she was still alive because of the amount of blood she’d lost. At least the blood would be cleaned up by the time they returned. He hoped. That would be if Mick hadn’t spent all his time in the underwear drawer.

“Fine, but the doctor has to release you.” He pressed the call button and relayed Alaina’s request to be discharged.

He waited on the other side of the curtain while the doctor checked Alaina over and a nurse helped her dress. Tonight Patrick’s entire crew planned to be at Alaina’s to help and offer support. Patrick wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

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