Page 97 of Ramshackle
“Gabriel?!”
“I’ve got him,” Zedd states stoically, turning Gabriel to his side until he settles and then lifting him in his arms.
“I can heal him after Raegan,” Cassandra offers distractedly, her glowing eyes still pinned on my knee.
Zedd strides from the bed toward the door. “There’s nothing physical to heal. I’m taking him to our room to rest.”
Cibrina steps forward. “I’ll walk you there and get whatever you need for him.”
He nods, leaving the room with Cibrina close behind.
I hope he’s okay. I know he said he felt the pain, but was that a seizure? He didn’t say there would be more to it for him.
A sharp pinch stings my knee, and I clench my teeth and squeeze my hands to get through it.
And then the pain is gone, replaced by a dull ache. Weariness sweeps through me. My eyelids grow heavy, but I force them to stay open.
“There. Your knee is good as new again.” Cassandra smiles at me and stands. “After some rest, I expect you’ll be fully recovered tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” I say with a smile in return.
She looks apprehensively at the line of men at my bedside, like she’s considering saying more but thinks better of it. “Let me know if you need anything else,” she offers instead, waving and exiting my room.
Leaving me with them.
Aiden. Kellan. Jackson. Dane.
How much of my memory did they witness?
I tug on my hands, and this time, Jackson releases them. I push myself upright to lean on the headboard. Jack helps me up and shifts my pillow at my back.
I’m too scared to look at them. Too scared to see their faces. Would it be disappointment? Anger? Fear?
I killed three people at Gordon’s command in that memory.
Aiden speaks up first. I expect this. He would be the one to flay me for giving in. For proving that no matter what I say or what I intend, I’m a villain when I’m with them.
“How does your knee feel?” he asks instead. There’s nothing angry or accusatory in his tone.
“It’s fine. I mean, it aches, but I can already tell the difference.” He nods like he’s satisfied with that answer, but I’m still confused as heck. “Did you…see?”
His dark brown eyes bore into mine. “Did I see what Gordon made you do before he shot you? Yes. We all did.”
Uneasiness swirls in my gut. I feel lightheaded and woozy now. From the healing? Or knowing that they saw all of that? My face falls into my hand, hiding half of my expression from view. I close my eyes.Don’t freak out. Don’t lose it right here when they’re all watching.
Aiden stands. “Get some rest. There’s nothing else you need to do right now aside from that.”
Kell stands abruptly. “I need to go train,” he mutters roughly.
“I’ll go with you,” Dane says, getting up to follow him.
All three of them leave without further comment.
I’m not sure how to take it. Are they upset with me? Did that just screw up everything I’ve worked for?
“Don’t misunderstand,” Jackson says, shifting to stand where I can see him. His hood is down, revealing his haphazardly sexy black hair and bringing more light to his deeper blue eyes. He smiles knowingly. “It’s not you. They need to let some anger out, and your room isn’t the place.”
If it were anyone else telling meit’s not you, I wouldn’t believe them.
