Chapter 58

“Let’s get him inside.”

A hand reached down in front of her face. She looked up to see Bethany giving her an understanding look. Taking her hand, she pulled her to her feet.

“We’re on our way,” Crissy said through the earpiece.

“I want a watch at the tunnel they were waiting in,” Troy barked through the call.

“I got it.” Leone ran out the old door when it fully opened.

“I’ll go with him.” Emil turned and darted after him.

Bethany helped Nova into the library.

“Tor.” Bastian sounded so weak as Troy carried him in. “The wand.” He coughed. “She ripped his soul out.”

Tor turned a shocked expression on his face and looked at her. “It worked for you?”

She didn’t know what to say, then remembered the other man. “Bastian knocked the other one out.”

“Don’t worry about him.” Daxx went by her. “He’s unconscious in the cells now.”

A boy walked in, his dark blond hair was wet, and it took her a moment before she realized it was Sedric. She hardly recognized him. She could see the fear and shock on his face. Paisley brushed by her and went over to him.

Nova didn’t know what she was saying to him, she just followed Troy out of the library to the sitting room where he put Bastian on the couch. Daxx helped get his leather jacket off of him.

Raegan and Crissy appeared. Raegan rushed over to the couch and dropped down. Shoving his shirt up, she hissed out a breath. “It’s pretty deep.” She turned around and looked at Quinton. “I’m going to try to close it up to slow the bleeding.”

“Will your...” Daxx waved her hand at Bastian. “Will it work on him?”

“I have no idea.” Raegan knelt and blew out a breath.

Tor came back into the room. “I’m going to get him some elixir, it should help the healing.” He didn’t wait for anyone’s input, just touched his link bracelet and was gone.

“We can’t get the door to close.” Rafael’s voice came over the call that Nova hadn’t realized was still in progress.

“Guard it,” Troy said and then stood at the end of the couch with his arms crossed over his chest, watching Raegan.

“Victor is here with us now,” Chase reported.

“Good. Anyone trying to come down that entrance.” He glanced at Sedric. “That isn’t a homeless person, you dispatch immediately.”

“It will be done,” Victor stated.

Nova sat in the chair closest to the couch, not wanting to be in the way, but her legs weren’t going to hold her much longer.

Raegan’s hair was lightening right before her eyes.

“Dammit.” Quinton dropped down and pulled her hands away from Bastian.

Raegan gasped, “It’s bad, or because of his age, I’m not sure, but I can’t heal him completely.”

Daxx bent over beside Raegan and looked at Bastian’s wound. “The bleeding has slowed.”

Bastian opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Nova. He held out his blood-soaked hand to her.

Dropping from the chair, Nova moved closer and rested her head on his shoulder. The tingle was still there but it wasn’t as strong as it felt earlier. She lifted her head and looked down at him. His eyes were closed. He looked pale. “Is there something I can do?” she whispered next to his ear. She didn’t know what she was asking. If there was a way she could help because their souls were meant to be together?

“Stay close.” His voice was barely more than a whisper.

Trendan came running into the room and stopped abruptly when he saw his brother. He held up his hand. “I brought the elixir.” He went over and looked down at him. “How bad?” He held out the elixir to Nova.

She took the small bottle and looked at it.

“I can’t heal it completely. His age, I think is a factor,” Raegan said softly.

“It’s serious.” Trendan frowned and pulled his phone out and answered it. “What?” He closed his eyes and exhaled. “Fine.” He hung up, then reached and took the bottle right out of Nova’s hand again. Leaning over the couch, he put his hand under Bastian’s head. “Bas, drink.”

Bastian opened his eyes and looked at him. “What’s wrong?” He swallowed the contents of the bottle down.

“Mother and father are on the way here with Tor and Ulric.”

Bastian coughed. “What?” He squeezed Nova’s hand, which she hadn’t even realized he was still holding. “The baby?” His breathing sounded worse.

Trendan put the vial in his pocket. “She wouldn’t come over if it wasn’t safe.”

“Your mother is expecting?” Troy asked.

Trendan nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s wonderful news.” Troy nodded his head once then touched his ear. “We have King Osbert and Queen Amadine paying a visit, everyone not necessary please disperse and keep watch.” He touched his ear again.

Daxx nodded and turned to leave the room.

“Not you.” Troy gave her an amused look. “As one of our queens, you stay.”

Daxx moaned. “I was afraid of that.”

Nova watched a few of them leave. Bethany and Paisley stayed.

Sedric came out of the kitchen and came over to Nova. He held out a glass of water.

“Thank you.” She took it.

He nodded his head, stood there looking awkward for a second and then went back into the kitchen.

“Bastian, would you like a drink?” She leaned closer.

He moved his head, telling her no, and then looked at her. “Someone please wipe my blood off Nova’s face.” He said the words no louder than a whisper.

Paisley came over. “The doctor says blood may help him, but he can’t be sure.”

“I’ll go get a cloth.” Bethany went down the hall.

“I can try to heal it more in a few minutes,” Raegan said.

Nova looked over to see her still sitting on the floor, her hair was grey, and she looked tired.

“Save your strength,” Bastian told her.

“That is the first time I’ve used a ladder.”

Nova turned to see a lovely woman with raven hair standing at the hall entrance. She went to move out of the way, but Bastian refused to release her hand.

A tall man with golden hair stood behind her.

“King Osbert, Queen Amadine, welcome.” Troy inclined his head.

The king stared at Troy for a moment. “King Troy.”

His mother didn’t bother with any pleasantries, just came over to the couch and sat on the edge of it. “Oh, Bas, why are you always getting stabbed?”

Nova went to move out of the way when she put her hand on his shoulder. “Stay right where you are, dear. I suspect he needs you more than his old mum.”

Nova smiled, even though she still felt dazed by everything happening.

“She’s in shock,” Bastian said.

“You are absolutely lovely, no wonder my son is completely taken with you.”

“Mom.” Bastian looked up at her. “I’m right here. Stop talking about me like I’m not.”

His mother held her hand out for the cloth when Bethany came back. Leaning over, she wiped Nova’s cheek gently. “There.” She smiled and then turned to her son and shifted so she could see his side.

Crissy darted through the room. “I’ll get help.”

No one said anything, just watched her leave.

“Are your surgeons able to come here, Troy?” Bastian’s father looked around. “If we bring ours, there will be questions.”

“Could you bring me some water, dear?” Bastian’s mother looked at Bethany. “I want to clean this up and take a look.”

Bethany nodded and went to the kitchen.

“Does anyone know if our blood will help Bastian?” Troy’s voice came through the earpiece, and she watched him ask it at the same time.

“I have no idea,” Michael answered.

“It does not.” There was no mistaking Victor’s voice.

Nova glanced at Raegan. She didn’t look good at all.

“We’ll be back.” Quinton stood up, with Raegan in his arms, and turned and walked down the hall toward her bedroom.