Page 95 of The Ghost and the Graveyard (Knight Games 1)
I suddenly felt small and inconsequential in the face of the great and mysterious world around me. For the first time, the part of me that was the witch awakened, stretched her arms toward the sun, and beckoned me forward. Come. Accept my gifts. Know the unknown. Seize your power.
As I retreated from the room and the girl, I really wished the witch would shut the fuck up.
* * * * *
My two patients kept me more than busy. They were both sedated, hooked up to machines that helped them breathe. One was in a diabetic coma, the other recovering from a heart attack. Like any other day, I did my assessments and administered my medications. But unlike yesterday, I knew they wouldn't die. Crap. Whether it was because of Logan, Rick, or my past life, I could sense death like a cold room. Although my diabetic coma patient gave off a chilly breeze, she wasn't there yet. On one hand, this new spidey-sense came in handy as a nurse. On the other, it was creepier than a hillbilly with a chainsaw.
"Are you ready for lunch?" Michelle caught me outside the medication room, a lopsided grin on her face. "I thought we could go check on that neuro patient."
"What neuro patient?"
"You know, the transfer from St. Augustus. Maureen on Neuro wants our professional opinion."
"Can it wait for another day? I really need to talk to you about something."
"Sure." Her expression turned serious. "What's going on?"
"It's a long story. Let me tell Kathleen I'm leaving, and we can go to Valentine's."
She nodded. A few moments later, we headed across the street to our favorite restaurant. I slid into a secluded booth at the back, and Michelle got comfortable across from me. I dove right into the conversation. Hell, I'd burst if I didn't vent to someone.
"Michelle, I need your advice."
"Shoot."
"Let's say you knew two men."
"I like this scenario already." She smiled and opened her menu.
"The first man is sexy beyond belief. Every time you see him your body begs you to throw yourself at him," I said.
"Sounds good to me. What's the catch?"
"He's a monster."
Her eyes popped over the top of her menu, and she laughed like I was being ridiculous. "What do you mean, like a murderer?"
I rolled that around in my brain. Rick was not the equivalent of a murderer, but I wasn't sure what to compare him to. "Not a murderer. Someone who lives two lives, like a mob boss. By day, he's a normal businessman. Behind closed doors, he's unscrupulous."
Michelle raised an eyebrow and frowned. "But not like the Sopranos-no killing."
"Well, if there is killing it's only the bad guys. He's got a conscience, but he doesn't live a traditional life."
"Like a pimp, a good pimp. Like he takes really good care of his prostitutes but still he's into something horrible, like prostitution."
"No, that's not it either. It's not just what he does. It's who he is. Like, let's say he has herpes or leprosy." I cringed. The words were out. No getting them back.
"Oh my God. He's contagious?"
I rubbed my forehead. "Yes, let's pretend he's contagious with something that is disfiguring, not deadly."
"But that's not really it."
"No. Stop. You're missing the point. The guy is gorgeous, but he isn't your traditional take-home-to-mom husband material. His life is complicated and would complicate mine. Just leave it at that."
Michelle sighed. "Okay. What about the other guy?"
"The other guy treats you like a queen. He's someone you can talk to all night long and knows you better than almost anyone else. But your feelings are more...comfortable than intense."
