Page 53 of Found Objects

SIX

We were quiet for the rest of the trip to the hospital, and when we got there, Reggie and I were directed to a ward instead of the ICU. I thought since Evan had been moved, that he must have been better, but when we got to the small waiting area where Abel, Narah, Justin, and several other people were, their expressions clearly said that Evan was still in danger.

Justin was the first one to me, putting his hand on my shoulder, telling me how pleased he was that I was there, but I had no time for him. I waved to his mother, who immediately moved to my side.

“Oh, Merritt,” Narah began, taking my hand, “it’s so kind of you to come and⁠—”

“Could you tell me what happened to Evan?” I asked her.

“What do you mean?”

“I need to know what kind of contact he had with the bones.”

“None,” she assured me. “We all went out to watch the recovery team, or whatever they’re called, first dig up and examine the bones and then take them away. Evan wanted to get a closer look, but as soon as he stepped down onto the grass from the stairs, he threw up.”

This was when details were important. “Did he throw up blood, black bile, or something else?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. I wasn’t the first one to him. Cole was.”

Even though Narah was the pack healer, there was no doubt that Cole would have beaten her to his brother. “Okay. Can you tell me where they are?”

“I’ll take you to⁠—”

“Merritt,” Abel said, stepping up beside his wife. “Might I have a quick word with⁠—”

“Actually, no,” I replied, then turned back to Narah. “Just tell me what room.”

Abel took hold of my arm. “I will not allow you to⁠—”

“Mere?”

We all turned, and there was Cole, staring at me. I was his entire focus, no one else. “Did you come to see Evan?”

It was physically painful to see how broken he was. His eyes were red and puffy, mere slits at the moment, he looked like he hadn’t slept since I saw him last, and his normally golden coloring had become ashen. He appeared utterly wrung out, and it was easy to understand why. Evan was his whole life, and he was sick.

“I did, yes.” I pulled my arm from Abel’s grip before walking over to Cole. “Where is he?”

Cole took hold of my hand, gently, and gave a tug to get me moving. “I can’t believe you came, even after how we left things the other day.”

“Yeah, but that was me and you. This is your brother. It’s different.”

Evan’s room was dark. They’d pulled the shades, and the only light came from the one in the bathroom. He was in the bed, looking nothing like he had on Friday night. Normally, he had the same golden-tan coloring as Cole, but now he was pale, his face waxen, and he was shivering under a light blanket. His breathing sounded labored.

“Mr. Swann,” the nurse said to Cole as she walked in, “your brother just had another small seizure. I’m going to go get the doctor, because I think he should have lorazepam, as what we’ve been giving him doesn’t seem to be working.”

“Yes.” Cole’s voice cracked, and he tightened his grip on my hand. “Whatever you—please.”

She nodded and excused herself.

As soon as I was certain she was out of hearing distance, I turned to Cole. “Tell me what happened when he had the first seizure. Did he vomit up blood, or was it black bile?”

He shook his head. “It was like…I dunno, mud? I know that sounds insane, and the doctor told me I was wrong and it had to be bile, but I know what⁠—”

“I believe you.” I eased free and went to Evan’s side, taking his hand in mine, squeezing tight, then exhaling slowly.

Instantly, Evan’s hand became the clawed paw of his wolf.

“Keep the nurse out,” I ordered over my shoulder as Cole crowded close to me.