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LEAVING ONE MAN BLEEDING in the room behind her, Rae went off to find another bleeding in a room down the hall. She didn’t know what, if anything, was on this mysterious note burning a hole in her pocket, but she did know one thing for sure. She couldn’t face it alone.
Devon was sitting up in a stiff upholstered chair, watching as a blood-filled tube coming out of his arm filled up a small plastic bag hanging over his head. Two more bags were already filled and lying on a counter beside him.
“Hey.” Rae tried to smile as she slipped inside and perched on the counter, careful not to disturb the bags. “How’s it going in here? How’re you feeling?”
Devon smiled faintly in return. “Oh, good; everything’s going good. How’s Luke?”
“They just wheeled him into surgery.” Rae frowned, examining Devon. His eyes were slightly unfocused and his head kept tilting sleepily to the left. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Devon blinked slowly and stared at her for a bit longer than what was normal before answering. “I’m fine. They just took quite a bit of blood is all.” He played absentmindedly with the edge of his shirt and swung his legs against the base of the chair like a small child.
Rae couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, boy.” She hopped off the counter and ran her fingers comfortingly through his dark hair. “Looks like you’re pretty out of it, huh?”
Devon closed his eyes and grinned as she continued stroking his forehead. “That feels nice.”
“You know, you probably saved Luke’s life by doing this.” Her eyes tightened. “I...I don’t really know how to thank you.”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing.” Devon had the same sleepy smile on his face. “But don’t talk so fast—it’s hard to keep up.”
Rae stifled a chuckle as the nurse came in.
“All right, Mr. Wardell,” she said all business-like. “Time to get you unhooked.” She gently extracted the needle and took down the bag above his head before suddenly noticing the two more sitting on the counter. “What’s this?” she demanded, gesturing to them. “Are those yours? Who on earth let you donate three whole pints?!”
Devon’s head lolled to the side and he regarded the nurse with mischievous triumph. “I conned the other two nurses who came in before you—told them I was still waiting to donate.”
Rae smacked his shoulder in disbelief. “Why the hell did you do that? That’s dangerous!”
“Ow.” He rubbed at the bruise pitifully. “They said Luke was in bad shape—that he needed a lot and they didn’t have it in the blood bank. I just wanted to help...”
His voice trailed off and Rae and the nurse shared an exasperated, mildly panicked look.
“I’ll just...go and get him a cookie and some juice,” the nurse volunteered quickly. She apparently wasn’t eager for the administration to discover her coworkers’ mistakes. “You just sit tight, honey.”
“Like I’m going anywhere,” Devon muttered as she vanished through the door.
Despite the dramatic loss of blood, he kept his eyes open and tried to sharpen up and look alive as he stared around the room. His fingers pulled distractedly at the gauze the nurse had placed in the crook of his elbow and Rae was quick to stop him. He didn’t even notice.
“That was a really dumb idea,” she said gently, squeezing his hand. “What am I supposed to do with a boyfriend who displays constant selfless disregard for his own well-being?”
Devon smiled again, peering up at her as he rested his head against the chair. “You called me your boyfriend.”
Rae’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t break eye contact. “Well, after what happened this afternoon, I certainly hope you are.”
“Is that right?” He squeezed her hand back and winked. “Well then, your boyfriend I will have to be.” They held each other for a moment before his face grew suddenly serious. “So when will you know anything about Luke? What did they say was wrong with him?”
Rae sighed. “It’s a brain bleed. They’re doing surgery to relieve the pressure. It’s supposed to take a couple of hours.”
Devon nodded calmly. “Okay well, we’ll be here. You can be right here when he wakes up.”
“You don’t have to be so nice about it,” Rae muttered, staring down at her hands. “I know you don’t like him. You don’t have to; I mean, you were draining yourself of blood just to—”
“Hey,” he cut her off. “Your friends are my friends. Your problems are my problems. Since Luke is one of your friends,” he put a slight emphasis on the last word, “I’ll always do whatever I can to help. For you, Rae.”
For you, Rae. That was exactly the problem.
A sudden wave of guilt crashed over her and she pulled away. “Please don’t be rushing off to get yourself hurt on my account. There’s been quite enough of that lately.”
Devon frowned. “Honey, this wasn’t your fault.”
“And how’s that?” Rae demanded. “I asked Luke to dig through the Xavier Knights’ files on my mom. I almost set fire to his apartment when I met up with him in London to get the box, and I asked him to check on the security feeds from the night she went missing.”
“How did you almost set fire to his apartment—”
“It’s not important, Devon. What’s important is that the one common denominator in all of these problems is me. I mean...Lanford, Kraigan. I’m the one repeatedly putting everyone around me in danger.”
Devon frowned. “You can’t think of it like that. Lanford and Kraigan put everyone in danger, not you. You didn’t ask for any of this. The whole time I’ve known you, you’ve only ever wanted to do the right thing. Find out who you are.”
“But at what cost?” Rae wiped a dot of blood off his smooth skin. “I never wanted anyone to get hurt.” She gave him an appraising stare for a second before reaching into her pocket and pulling out the folded piece of paper.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“It was crumpled up in Luke’s hand,” she explained. “I think he was trying to bring it to me when he was attacked. I think this is what they were after. Well, this and my mom’s files.”
Devon tried to pull himself up straighter. “What does it say?”
“I don’t know, I can’t bring myself to look.” Rae tucked her hair nervously behind her ears. “It doesn’t feel right somehow. With Luke still in surgery.”
“Rae, Luke’s lying there because he risked everything trying to give this to you. You have to open it. You owe it to him!”
Rae hadn’t thought of it that way. She’d just assumed that the search would continue once Luke was in the clear. But Devon was right. What was Luke’s sacrifice for, if not this?
With trembling fingers, she unfolded the paper and looked down at the rapid script below. It was an address, preceded by a few scribbled words in Luke’s hand:
There’s somebody here I think you should meet:
559 Rue Étoiles
Marquise, FR
It couldn’t be...could it?
Rae read the little note over and over, gripping the paper so tight the edge of it started to tear. After all this time, after all of the blood and tears it took to get to this point, had Luke just confirmed what her heart had been screaming at her for the last few days?
Was her mother really alive?
“Is that what I think it is?” Devon had been reading over her shoulder but fell back against the pillow in an exsanguinated haze. “Is your mom in France?”
Rae took a deep breath. Her tatù glowed warmly again and a slow smile crept up the side of her face. “There’s only one way to find out.”
* * *
“REALLY DEVON, OF ALL the days for you to go and drain all your blood.”
Rae was shuffling along, towing a clumsy and exhausted Devon along beside her. She had thrown his arm over her shoulder, but despite her strength tatù they were still struggling.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he slurred. “I’m sorry that this came at a bad time for you. Maybe the next time I decide to save your friend’s life, I’ll make sure it’s scheduled for your convenience.”
Scheduled for your convenience?
Rae shot him a tortured glance out of the corner of her eye, but said nothing. Typical luck, really. Now that she finally had a concrete address (hopefully her mother’s) in France, she was literally limping towards it at a crawl. Furthermore, she had no idea how they were supposed to get out of the city with the gridlocked traffic blocking every street. Not to mention, Devon—while trying to get out of the chair and failing four times—had told her that Carter had driven him and Jennifer to the hospital in his own car, so if they wanted to get to France they’d have to take a cab.
Could cabs legally use the Chunnel? How much would that even cost?
Devon took that moment to trip on his own shoe, and they both almost went down before Rae pulled them back up to standing.
Nope, right now their luck pretty much sucked all around.
“Karen?”
Rae and Devon kept shuffling down the hall.
“Karen!”
Oh shit, that’s me!
Rae whirled around to see the future Queen of England waving at her from a restricted room on the other side of the hall. Surrounding her on all sides were a dozen or so bodyguards, suited and unsmiling, little corkscrew cords coming out of radios stuck deep in their ears. Standing behind them all, like a watchful mountain, was the young lady’s personal bodyguard, Alfie.
“Sarah?”
Rae limped into the room, tugging Devon along behind her. If the image struck the bodyguards as strange, they certainly didn’t let on. In fact, they made no move as Rae and Devon approached Sarah’s examination chair—they must not have looked like much of a threat.
Rae’s eyes grew wide as she looked at the future queen. “Sarah, what are you doing here?”
Sarah turned to Alfie with what looked almost like muted triumph. “That’s a damn good question. What am I doing here, Alfie?”
Alfie turned beet red but kept his eyes forward. “We’re covering all our bases, mum.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Alfie decided that even though I’m just fine, I had to come in and be seen by a doctor for residual drug effects after the attack at the ball.”
That actually sounded quite logical to Rae, but she kept her mouth shut since Sarah was clearly not having it. Instead, she took a brief moment to draw a mental comparison between herself and this future queen. Physically, they were complete opposites. Both were slender and petite, but while Sarah was blond and blue-eyed, Rae’s dark hair cascaded around her shoulders in unruly curls. Both had important, exclusive jobs—the Privy Council and the Royal Family—but while Sarah’s duties would entail a lot of ribbon-cutting and policy discussion, Rae was constantly in the line of fire. Dodging psychotic teachers and family members—rescuing her boyfriend from the brink of death as she broke into a museum and tried to locate a missing brainwashing device.
Actually, she wondered if Sarah could officially pardon her for the whole museum thing...
But now was not the time.
“Well, I’m sure it will be over and done with before you know it,” Rae said quickly, while trying not to be rude. “I wish you the best of luck. And I believe we’re supposed to see each other to go over your new security measures on Monday, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct, but...” Sarah’s inquisitive eyes travelled briefly over the tired bruises under Rae’s eyes and came to rest on Devon, half-sleeping on top of her. “Is everything...all right?”
“This?” Rae stepped on Devon’s foot and his eyes snapped back open. “Oh yes, everything’s fine. Just a little training exercise gone awry. You know how these things go.”
She was rambling. She rambled when she was nervous.
She made a concerted effort to stop talking as Sarah briefly studied her face. Even in a hospital gown, Sarah still looked like royalty. She was sitting on the exam table with perfect posture, like it was already a throne. When she spoke her voice demanded nothing but strict, immediate compliance. “Gentlemen, leave us.”
As one the bodyguards filed out of the room, taking up position outside, no doubt. Only Alfie stayed behind. Staring calmly ahead as if the rules didn’t apply to him.
“Alfie...” Sarah coaxed. He looked at her, startled, and she gave him a sweet smile. “I need to speak to my friends for a moment.”
“Absolutely not,” he said without hesitation.
Sarah stifled a fond smile. “You know I outrank you, right?”
“No, miss. That was never explained to me.”
She chuckled and pointed to the door. “Out. I’ll be perfectly safe with these two. And we’ll only be a moment, you have my word.”
With a look of the utmost disapproval, Alfie slowly walked out the door—keeping his head held high. On the way out he glanced down at Rae and Devon, still struggling to stand.
“Not sure they’d be much help in terms of protecting...” he murmured, and shut the door.
Once the three of them were alone, Sarah smiled graciously and gestured for Rae and Devon to sit. “Please, get off your feet. It looks like he needs it,” she added quietly.
With a grateful nod, Rae lowered Devon into a chair before sinking into one herself. She hadn’t realized how exhausted she was until she got off her feet for a moment.
“Now tell me,” Sarah leaned forward with a look of genuine concern, “what’s going on?”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Rae quickly reassured her. “It’s...personal.” She was about to let it go with that, but the weight of the last two days suddenly caught up with her and felt the uncontrollable need to spill. “It’s about my mother.”
“Your mother?” Sarah repeated. “I thought...pardon me, Karen, but I thought your mother had passed away.”
“So did I. So did everybody. And...it’s Rae, actually.”
“Rae.” Sarah grinned. “Please continue.”
“Last night I got word that, while my father surely died in the fire, my mother might actually be alive and living in France. I got the address just now from a friend who almost died trying to pass me the information... Devon and I are on our way there right now. Well,” she glanced down at him dozing on the counter beside her, “we’re trying our best.”
Sarah followed her gaze. “What’s wrong with him?” she whispered.
Rae shook her head with a smile. “It’s a long story. But he’ll be right as rain once we get his blood sugar back up. And his blood level, for that matter.”
Sarah nodded, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. But she suddenly looked down at her hospital gown as if it was a cage, keeping her there.
“This is so frustrating,” she murmured. “I want to help you—the two of you have done so much for Philip and me. But with the press outside watching my every move, I don’t know how I can be of much use...”
Rae shook her head quickly. “Don’t worry about it—I would never ask that of you. You just focus on keeping yourself safe. We’ll see you on Monday.”
But Sarah was in her own world, lost in thought. “There’s nothing I can do...” she repeated, “but maybe there’s something I can give you to help.” Her face suddenly brightened as she called, “Alfie! Stop eavesdropping and get in here!”
The door burst open and Alfie rushed in on a wave of adrenaline, gun drawn and pointed. “What is it?! What’s the matter?!”
“I wish you’d stop doing that,” Sarah said seriously.
“Sorry, mum. Old habits.”
He headed over to her side and leaned down as she whispered something in his ear. He frowned disapprovingly, but she raised her eyebrows to insist, and without a word, he headed out a back entrance to the parking lot. Half a minute later, he returned and slipped something into Sarah’s hands, something Sarah immediately offered to Rae.
“Flags?” Rae held out the tiny patriotic flags and waved them doubtfully. “Look, I know that since you’re so close to a royal wedding and a coronation you’re probably a bit overwhelmed with nationalistic fervor, but I don’t see how this—”
“They’re diplomatic flags,” Sarah giggled as she explained. “From our town car. Wherever you’re going, they’ll let you get waved on through. Without them, I don’t see how you’d even make it out of the city tonight.”
Rae suddenly looked down at the flags as if they were a life raft, a precious token taking her to where she needed to be. She touched the fabric gently and then looked up at Sarah, grateful beyond words.
“Thank you, Sarah. Really. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Go,” Sarah said, her eyes twinkling with merriment. “On Monday, you’re going to have to tell me all about it.”
Rae nodded and heaved Devon to his feet before shuffling to the door.
They had just gotten out to the hall when Sarah suddenly called out to them. “Rae...” she paused, “somehow I think your life is going to be much more interesting than mine.”
“I highly doubt that.” Rae grinned. “But we’ll see.”
“Yes,” Sarah grinned back, “we certainly will.”
Armed with her diplomatic flags Rae took off at a quicker pace, calling on Jennifer’s tatù to help her shoulder Devon’s weight. They passed by countless doctors and nurses, but fortunately no one seemed to ask where these two teenagers, one with what looked like serious coordination problems, were going. They had almost made it to the back exit, when a flash of crimson hair caught Rae’s eye.
“Molly?” she called incredulously.
Molly whirled around and barreled towards them. “Rae! I came as soon as I heard! Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it! How’s Luke? Is he okay? Wait! What happened to Devon? Is he okay? I just saw Carter and Jennifer but I didn’t talk to them yet, I wanted to find you guys.” She suddenly stretched up on her tiptoes to examine Devon’s face. “Rae Kerrigan. That is your lip gloss he’s wearing. I’d know it anywhere. I bought you the shade. What happened last night? Looks like you two worked out your issues after all, huh? Wait!” Her eyes grew wide. “Just how well did you work them out...if you know what I mean?”
Rae had to literally grab her by the shoulders to get her to stop talking. “Molls, take a breath! Devon’s fine, Luke’s in surgery. Now back up for a minute. Did you say you just saw Carter and Jennifer?”
“Yeah, they were just up near the ICU, looking for you guys. Why? Rae, what’s going on?”
Rae grabbed Molly’s hands and pulled her close. “Luke got me an address. I think it’s for my mom. Molly, you have to help me.”
Molly’s eyes shone with excitement. “Of course I will! Tell me what you need me to do!”
Rae cast an anxious glance up and down the hall. Any minute, Carter and Jennifer could spot them. While Rae knew Carter had some lingering guilt over the way he’d acted that morning, she didn’t think either of them would allow her and Devon leave to go trotting off to France while they were on probation and the city was in virtual lockdown.
“I need you to cover for us with Carter. Tell him—I don’t know—tell him Devon donated too much blood to save Luke and I’m taking him back to Heath Hall because he’s ill.”
It was half true. Devon had clearly lost too much blood and they were going away.
“Sure, no problem,” Molly promised, rising to the challenge. “In the meantime, just be safe. Okay, Rae?” She suddenly jumped on her in an excited embrace. “And congratulations! I mean, by this time tomorrow, you could be talking to your mother!”
Rae shook her head in amazement, suddenly a bit dizzy herself. “I know! I can’t believe it!”
There was a sudden commotion down the hall and she and Molly looked up to see a rush of doctors pour inside as an incoming patient was transferred to the ICU.
“Okay, I gotta go!” Rae secured her grip on Devon’s arm and started pulling him towards the door. “Molly, there’s one more thing.” She bit her lip and tried to keep it together. “Will you keep an eye on Luke for me?”
Molly’s face softened and she nodded her head. “Of course I will. You can count on me.”
“Thanks!” Rae said gratefully as she tugged Devon through the double doors and out into the parking lot. Despite her unparalleled heap of bad luck, she had truly lucked out with a friend like Molly. It was always in times of stress when you realized how great it was to know that someone out there had your back. Unconditionally.
Devon was waking up, slowly but surely, and he helped Rae along as they weaved through parked cars, trying desperately to spot a taxi. Rae briefly considered how strange it was going to look, a city cab with diplomatic flags sticking off the sides, but she would worry about that later. All she was focused on now was getting herself and Devon off the street before anyone could stop them.
“Miss Skye?”
A booming voice stopped her dead in her tracks and she automatically switched to a different tatù, using her super-hearing to eavesdrop through the hospital wall.
It was Carter. He had apparently found Molly still hovering near the nurse’s station. Rae bit her lip anxiously as her eyes darted around for a cab. They had to get out of here—now!
“What are you doing at the hospital?” Carter asked curiously. “I thought you’d gone back to Guilder.”
“I was going to,” Molly stumbled, “I mean, I did. Then I heard about Luke and I wanted to make sure he’s okay.”
Devon pressed his ear against the wall as well, listening with his own tatù.
“Have you seen Mr. Wardell and Miss Kerrigan?” Carter asked impatiently. “I’ve been trolling the halls but I can’t find them.”
“Yeah I did.” Molly tried to sound convincing. “Actually, donating blood made Devon a little sick so the two of them just headed back to base so he could sleep it off.”
Rae could almost hear Carter frown.
“How are they getting back to Heath Hall? I drove here.”
It had to be said, for all her talents Molly truly sucked at improvising. Rae held her breath as Molly floundered. “Well, I think they were just going to grab a taxi out in front.”
There was a second’s pause and Rae smacked her forehead, recognizing Molly’s mistake at the same time that Carter did.
“Taxis come around the back...”
“Shit!” Rae silently cursed. “Come on, Devon! We’ve got to go!”
Together, they half-jogged, half-limped to the other side of the parking lot and crouched behind a parked SUV. A row of taxis was making its way slowly down the street in front of them and Rae tentatively stuck out her arm. If she could just catch one’s attention and get it to curve around, maybe she and Devon could slip inside without—
A tall shadow fell over them and Rae looked up in horror to see Carter standing there, his long arms crossed over his chest.
“Where on earth do you two think you’re going?”
