“I came down to get Mom a coffee,” Riley says.
“How is she?”
“She’s awake, and the pain meds are helping. The specialist is coming at seven. She’s mad at Dad for calling and worrying us. Typical. But underneath she’s scared. I can smell it on her. Which is why she didn’t want us to come.”
Vera nods. “She hates that.”
We follow Riley to the cafeteria and wait while he orders a strong black coffee. My belly is balled up in a tight knot, so I turn down Riley’s offer to get one for me. So does Vera.
Tilly has been transferred out of emergency, so we head up in the elevator in silence, each thinking our own thoughts. Riley stands in front of Vera and me, holding the coffee, and I reach forward to brush her hand behind his back, giving her fingers a little squeeze to remind her I’m here for her. Her scent is a bitter mix of fear and anguish, and I’m longing to hold her close and stroke her hair and tell her Tilly’s going to be alright.
When we get to the room, I fall behind the others, waiting in the doorway. Jamie looks up. “Hi, kids.” I’m not sure if this is just a family moment, but when Jamie sees me there his face breaks into a smile. “Bastien! What are you hiding out there for? Come on. Tilly, Bastien made it too.”
Tilly’s bright green eyes find mine over Vera’s shoulder as my mate leans in to hug her, and I catch a slight flare of her nostrils and a little hint of a knowing smile. Vera’s hair is loose around her ears and covers my mark, but we’re all shifters in a tiny room, and neither Vera nor I have showered since I was inside her.
I don’t dare respond; I just hope the smile is a good sign.
Vera straightens. “How are you, Mom?”
Tilly’s attention is drawn back to Vera, and I try to find a spot where I’ll be unobtrusive. That’s more difficult than it sounds because while the room is tiny, I am not. I fold my arms awkwardly in front of me and hunch my shoulders in, trying not to take up too much space.
“I’m fine. Seriously. Imagine all of you rushing up here to see me just for a broken arm.” Tilly scoffs and winces as she adjusts in the bed, betraying that her injuries are worse than she’s making out. Generally we shifters heal quickly, but even though I don’t know all the ins and outs of her disease, I know it messes with her immune system and means that the magic often ends up contributing to her symptoms somehow.
“Let’s just see what the specialist says, Mom.” Riley gives her a skeptical look.
“Well, now that you’re here you can entertain me. Who has something interesting to tell me?” She looks between us expectantly.
I’m sweating, but luckily Riley seems oblivious to the knowing look Tilly is casting Vera and me.
“Not me. Interesting comes with too much drama.” Riley smirks. “And Ver’s been at college. I can’t think of anything less interesting.”
“Yep. Nothing interesting happening to me,” Vera says too quickly.
I wish we could tell everyone, but I understand why she wants to wait. I hope that’s the plan, rather than keeping it secret forever. We haven’t talked any more about the mate claim since last night, but I don’t plan on letting her reject me a second time. Not now that I know she’s not just my claimed mate, she’s my fated one.
Just then there’s a knock at the door, and a young doctor with pale blue scrubs and a large clipboard smiles at us all. “Matilda Ballard? I’m Dr. Rao. I’m a neurologist, and I’ll be doing some tests today just to check on things before we send you home.” He smells human and I have to admit I’m skeptical about how well he’ll be able to treat Tilly.
Tilly frowns, apparently thinking the same thing. “They couldn’t get my regular specialist?”
Dr. Rao shakes his head. “I’m sorry. Dr. Torres is away until the end of the month. I think it’s important that we check things out before then.”
“So how much longer will I have to stay here?”
He shrugs. “I’m afraid I can’t say yet. I’d suggest we look at a course of intravenous methylprednisolone for at least three days. Given how far you have to travel to get to the hospital, it’s going to be best for you if we keep you in at least that long. That should help with the dizziness and muscle weakness provided this is just a relapse.”
Vera’s back straightens, and I spot her shoulders lift as her muscles tense. I barely resist reaching for her.
Tilly growls. “Of course this is just a relapse. Like every other goddam time with this disease. That’s just how it goes.”
“I think it’s best if we go over all the relevant information and do some tests before I make that assessment.” says Dr. Rao. I’m impressed. Tilly isn’t an easy person to say no to! Kind of like her daughter.
Vera sucks in a tiny breath. The others don’t notice, but her raw emotion tugs on me through the bond, pulling me closer. I step nearer, hoping the small space excuses my movement.
She looks around and gives me a weak smile.
“OK, well why don’t you kids go now? I’ve kept you here long enough. No need to worry, I’m sure.”
“It’s fine for your family to stay if everyone is comfortable with that.” Dr. Rao looks between us.
