“What’s the prognosis?” Chris asked, nodding to the familiar Indian doctor in the corner but directing the question toward the hospital’s chief of staff and another doctor standing at the foot of the bed.
The chief of staff looked at her associate uncertainly, then glanced at Dr. Singh before answering. “He has two broken clavicles, serious punctures that resulted in a significant loss of blood, and just missed having several major blood vessels lacerated, in which case, I don’t know if he would still be with us. That said, he’s a bit of a puzzle. His vitals have all swung back to excellent and he’s resting comfortably, almost without pain, which is a bit odd. But then he’s part of your group so…” she wound down, brown eyebrows raised.
“The thing is,” the other doctor, a tall ginger male, interjected, “we’re wondering if he’s… infected?”
“I would say no, but you do realize you have one of the world’s greatest authorities on LV and V-squared standing behind you, don’t you?” Chris said.
Both doctors turned, mouths open, to gape at Dr. Singh, who just smiled and made a tiny bow in their directions.
“You didn’t even tell them you’re a doctor, did you?” Chris asked the vampire physician.
“You’re… a doctor? We thought you were just security,” the ginger said.
“Not my hospital. I don’t like to intrude unless I saw some danger to our young Declan. He’s under fine care and completely well guarded,” Dr. Singh said, nodding at the sleeping young man in the bed and the platinum blonde lying next to him, her eyes flicking up from her fashion magazine periodically. Two of the small silver orbs were floating motionless above the bed. Chris had seen the big one parked over top of the entire hospital, the object of numerous cameras and cell phone shots.
“Could we maybe ask you a few questions?” the chief asked Singh, who just smiled and motioned for them to show him the way out of the room. “Oh yes, of course we don’t want to disturb the patient,” she agreed, eagerly heading toward the door.
“Because that would be bad,” Stacia said without looking up from her magazine.
The doctors frowned but took the hint, leaving quietly. Chris was glad. Werewolves were notoriously bad tempered when their mates were wounded or ill. When the trio of physicians was truly gone, Stacia looked up at Chris.
“Senka stopped by last night. Just after they got him into the room.”
“Ah. We wondered where she vanished to. Knee-deep in great-grandbabies one moment then gone the next. Did she… behave?” Chris asked.
Stacia nodded. “Oddly enough, she did. Omega warned me and then she was suddenly there. None of the hospital staff noticed her, or if they did, they paid no attention. But she was very careful to not surprise me. Or maybe not surprise Omega, I’m not sure. But she just stood in the doorway and studied Declan. Then she offered to help him.”
“What? How?”
“Two things. He was in a lot of pain and couldn’t get comfortable. Then she told him the pain was leaving his body and that he would only be aware of it in an abstract kind of way, but that it would in no way bother him. Just like that, his breathing settled down and he stopped twitching,” Stacia said, brushing his hair lightly.
“He’s also awake and right here,” Declan said suddenly, eyes still closed.
“I think one of her powers is the power of suggestion—cubed,” Chris said.
“Yeah. I was perfectly aware, didn’t feel any magic or power of any type, but it just made sense. So I listened to her and the pain just faded till it was a sort of mild background kind of thing,” the witch said, finally opening his eyes.
“And the second part?” Chris asked, already having a pretty good idea what it was.
“She gave me exactly three drops of her blood. On my tongue. Said it would sort of reinforce the proteins from your blood.”
“And how do you feel?”
“Pretty good. I’ve been able to sleep, at least as much as anyone can in a hospital, although me maybe more because of my beautiful bodyguard,” Declan said.
“Thanks, smooth talker, but Omega’s been on watch too. I have to eat and go to the bathroom, and he’s been on watch whenever I had to step out,” Stacia said.
“Between the two of us, Father has received approximately forty-two percent more rest than other patients in this otherwise impressive institution.”
“Also I’ve been really hungry,” Declan said.
“Poor baby needs to be hand fed,” Stacia said with a smirk. Declan grinned and started to shrug but rethought that. Both arms were in slings and he looked pretty helpless.
“I pointed out that Father’s mastery of telekinesis is second to none and he is fully able to levitate food to his mouth without help. Yet she still fed him. I suspect a form of mate bonding.”
Declan looked a bit chagrined but Stacia was smiling, completely unrepentant.
“I suspect you might be right, Omega,” Chris said.
“Heads up. A contingent of officials including the mayor, chief of police, Vermont Senator Harold McCluskey, and Detective Sergeant Schulz have just left an official vehicle and entered the building.”
“Oh? See kid, timing is everything,” Chris said, pulling up a chair and leaning back, feet up on the edge of the bed in a kind of studied insouciance. The little group didn’t have to wait long before Schulz cautiously looked around the doorframe, grimacing a little when he saw Chris. He entered, followed by the others. Mayor Jordan was a middle-aged woman with dark hair, a quick smile, and serious eyes. The chief was dark-skinned, a big man, maybe ex-college athlete, now softening with age, and the famous, well-liked Vermont Senator was a younger guy, white, and deceptively friendly looking.
“Ah, the official thank you committee. Here to award him the key to the city?” Chris asked.
They didn’t respond but body language alone spoke loudly of their discomfort. It was the senator who spoke first.
“People are concerned,” he said, adopting a serious demeanor. “A demonic attack on a campus in a college town.”
Declan tensed up on the bed, but his dangerous, currently bad-tempered girlfriend simply stared at them, one hand idly stroking his brow. Chris shifted slightly in his chair. “Well, Senator, you can reassure your constituents that all of the demons have been sent back to Hell,” he said with a smile, completely casual.
“Yes, but for how long?” Mayor Jordan spoke up.
Chris shrugged. “How long for Burlington? Or how long until another Helbourne comes through? Who knows. Been happening all my life. All of everyone’s lives. Since humans first walked. At least that’s what my case angel tells me.”
They shifted about, uncomfortable with the reminder of his connections.
“The thing is, with… him here,” McCluskey said, nodding at Declan, “there is concern that the city is a major target. Admissions will drop off, people will move away, businesses will relocate elsewhere.”
“Omega?” Chris asked, turning to the nearest drone.
“There have been seven million, two hundred and eighty-eight thousand, six hundred and fourteen searches online for the topic Burlington demon attack or some variation of such. View of the area colleges’ websites has increased by thirty-two percent. Currently a known seventy-seven potential students for Champlain College, St. Michaels College, and the University of Vermont are reconsidering their applications. Twelve hundred and sixty-one new applications are in the process of being filled out. No local business leaders have initiated discussions concerning relocation, although sixteen are considering various ways of utilizing the sudden notoriety for purposes of increasing business traffic.”
“How can it know all that?” the police chief, Park, asked.
“People are using their computers, tablets, and phones, speaking to or within hearing of their Echo Dots and other computerized home assistants,” Declan said.
“And it knows everything everybody everywhere is doing?” Mayor Jordan asked, incredulous.
“You familiar with the NSA? National Security Agency?” Declan asked. At their nods, he continued, “Omega has some of their web monitoring algorithms in his DNA. Virtually any piece of internet, cellular, Bluetooth connected electronic hardware is easily made part of his environment. Particularly when he listens for keywords or topics. Kind of like how every human perks up when they hear someone mention their name.”
“The point is it seems like your fears aren’t really being borne out at this time,” Chris said.
From their expressions, it wasn’t going to fly. They’d already made up their minds.
“We feel his presence here is a clear and present danger to the community,” McCluskey said.
“I’m right here by the way,” Declan said. Then he turned to Stacia. “This is like the second time I’ve been asked to leave a city. One more and it’ll be a solid trend.”
“That’s what you want? Declan to leave Burlington? Or is it a wider geography we’re talking about?” Chris asked.
“I can only speak for the city,” Mayor Jordan said, glancing at the senator. “I mean, we understand that he was incredibly brave to face this thing and help get rid of it, but what if they send two, four, ten next time?”
“You want me to leave the whole state? I was born here!” Declan said. “How would I visit my aunts?”
Schulz looked down at the floor, the mayor kept looking at McCluskey, and the chief just looked uncomfortable.
“My aunts?” Declan said, shifting upright and wincing. The overhead lights on the whole floor began to flicker.
“Easy, D. Let’s keep the hospital up and running,” Stacia said, sounding reasonable but with eyes that had just gone yellow. The lights stopped flickering but Declan didn’t look any less tense.
“You want throw out his aunts?” Chris asked.
Mayor Jordan rushed in to the sudden void. “I don’t think that’s what we’re saying. Is it, Senator?”
“What?” McCluskey asked, frowning. “No, of course not. They are both gainful members of society, what with being a first responder and the owner of a vibrant small business.”
“Oh good. I thought for moment we were going to make this a national or even a global fight. Supreme Court, constitutional rights, public opinion, financial pressure, the whole nine yards. I can’t foresee any prayer of any of you retaining your jobs in that situation,” Chris said.
“You should be careful about that… Declan’s aunt is here in the US under cloudy circumstances,” McCluskey said.
“Omega?” Declan asked, voice tight with fury.
“Ashling O’Carroll is a full citizen of the United States with full documentation. Additionally, banishment is specifically prohibited under the Vermont State Constitution.”
“Oh, heavens no. That’s not what we’re talking about. We just think it’s very dangerous for this city to have such an important member of your team here. So visible and all that,” Jordan said in a placating tone, playing the peacemaker.
“There have been five other instances involving this young man,” Chief Park said. “With multiple lives lost.”
“Five?” Stacia asked.
Declan was looking up at the ceiling, concentrating. “Yeah, that’s actually right.”
Just then, the nurse on duty, a rather no-nonsense black woman named Gwen, stepped into the room with a tray of food.
“There’s a whole lot of visiting going on in here,” she commented, eyeing the politicians with a narrowed gaze. “We aren’t tiring out my patient, now are we? This young man needs his rest and nutrition. Declan, why is your blood pressure wigging out?” she asked, looking at his bedside monitor. She tsk-tsk-tsked, glancing at the local power squad and then shared a knowing glance with Stacia. Chris got the impression that the blonde werewolf had made an ally or two during the last twenty-four hours.
Stacia hopped athletically off the bed and swung the roller table over with practiced grace. Gwen set the tray in place then picked the covers off the plates, revealing ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, low-fat milk, sliced pears, and a little plastic container of vanilla ice cream.
Covers in hand, Gwen turned toward the door. “Now then, general visiting hours are over in fifteen minutes. Only family allowed after that. I expect to just see this young lady here when I come back,” she admonished and walked out.
The politicians exchanged bemused glances.
“I don’t really want anyone messing with my aunt,” Declan said, bringing the topic back to point.
“Is that a threat, young man?” McCluskey interrupted.
One of the slices of pear rose off the plate by itself and zipped through the air to arrive in Declan’s waiting mouth. He chomped down, chewing as he looked the senator in the eye.
“No. I’ve never really seen Declan make threats. He just acts. Oh, it always comes after he’s exhausted all other means of resolution because his aunt raised him to support his community, not hurt it,” Chris said. “I don’t like threats either, making them or especially receiving them. Your tone, Senator, has been, in my estimation, threatening.”
While Chris was talking, Stacia hopped lightly onto the side of the bed and began to cut up the ham, making a little pile of bite-sized pieces, which almost immediately began to float toward the hungry witch.
McCluskey opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, repeating this several times as he watched the telekinetic display.
“Maybe it’s time I was done with school anyway,” Declan said after swallowing his latest mouthful, looking at Chris and Stacia. “They also kind of have a point. With last night, that’s six times I’ve been involved in violent attacks here.”
Chris didn’t move for a moment, obviously thinking things through. Then finally he nodded.
“I’ll talk to Tanya. Maybe we’re all done with school.”
“What’s that mean?” Mayor Jordan asked, frowning.
“I mean that perhaps it’s time College Arcane moved locations,” Chris said.
The mayor took a breath and stared at him. “What? That’s not what we’re asking for. Not closing the school. Just, you know, making the city less of a target.”
“We put the school here mostly just for Declan. It’s worked out really well for all the young people involved. But if he’s not here, I don’t think we’re going to want to keep it going, at least not in its current form. We only set it up here because this was close to his home and checked off all the other requirements.”
“What about the monetary obligations to the colleges?” she asked.
“Obligations is a pretty strong word. We gave assurances, which in turn were based on our attendees’ experiences,” Chris said, then waved a hand at the four delegates. “You gotta admit, the current experience is not all that great. It’s been hard enough keeping him here as it is. Now that you’ve decided he’s not welcome, I can’t see why we would ask him to stay—or why we would stay at all.”
“So this seems a lot like you making a threat,” McCluskey said.
“Listen, the four of you, an official delegation, including law enforcement for emphasis, come in here and demand that the young man who you admit helped save your city, leave. He’s not the only potential target at Arcane, not by a long shot. My goddaughter lives there. We have students with incredible talents, any of who would be attractive to this world’s enemies. Why would you stop at just one young student?” Chris asked.
“Oh, I didn’t want this at all. No, not at all,” Mayor Jordan said, turning a glance at McCluskey. “In the short time you’ve been here, your organization has been a boost to our economy and your gifts and grants have benefited the city and colleges greatly. We should rethink this, Senator.”
The look he gave her was that of incredulous betrayal followed by a flash of rage that was quickly hidden behind his professional mask.
“Well, regardless of what you decide, I think I’m done,” Declan said. “I have too much to do now for school anyway. But I’ll come visit my aunt and Darci whenever the hell I want and if anyone bothers them in any way, I’ll straighten it out. That, by the way, is a warning, not a threat.”
McCluskey bristled at his words but Chris noted that Schulz and Chief Park went a little tense.
“No, young man, that sounds like a full-on threat, doesn’t it, Chief?” McCluskey asked.
“Correction, Senator. If Father were making a threat, he would be specific about what he might do to anyone who harmed his family. His options are vast. He might choose to direct lightning from the sky or burn things to the ground. Now, I, on the other hand, would probably talk about releasing the contents of personal hard drives, email accounts, internet surfing histories, or even the existence of a Dark Web account or two. To start.”
Now it was McCluskey who had gone tense, but he kept his mouth shut, even if his lips flattened out into a thin line.
“Ah, Declan, you said you’d been asked to leave another city? Which one?” Mayor Jordan asked, clearly desperate to change topics.
“Idiria. It’s on Fairie,” the young witch said like it was no big deal.
“Fairie? Didn’t this demon escape to there?” Jordan asked, clearly alarmed.
“Yes, she came here from Fairie. The Summer Court sent her and that’s where she went back to. Idiria is further north, in the Middle Realm.”
“And they exiled you?” she asked, clearly uncertain of where to go with the conversation.
“Heavens no,” Stacia snorted. “He owns it. They can’t throw him out. They were just scared like you all are.”
“Owns it?” McCluskey asked. “The whole city?”
“No. The whole Middle Realm. That’s why the Summer Queen wants him. That, plus he kicked her ass last time they got into it,” Stacia said, scooping up mashed potatoes with a spoon.
“We. We kicked her ass. It was a team effort,” Declan said, then got a mouthful of potatoes from his girlfriend, which shut him up.
“Father, I’ve been meaning to ask—when you feel up to it, could you open a portal for me? I want to send a few things to the Summer Court,” Omega asked.
“Oh, he’s got more healing to do, Omega. But I bet we can convince him when he’s better,” Stacia said, shoving another spoonful in as soon as Declan opened his mouth to speak. He glared at her but manfully chewed and swallowed the spuds.
“See, technically, Declan is the head of an entire geopolitical region on Fairie. But he’s not much for tyranny, so he lets them continue to govern themselves while he’s here, studying as many topics as possible that might aid him in his responsibilities,” Chris said.
“You’re telling us that this boy is the head of a country?” McCluskey asked. “An extraterrestrial country?”
“Technically. He doesn’t do any governing, but the land itself has chosen him to protect it,” Chris said. “So congratulations on seeking to exile a foreign power all on your own, Senator. The president will not be pleased.”
“The president is aware of this?” the senator asked. “You do know that I can call him and verify this incredible claim?”
“I can open a line for you now, if you like, Senator. I can bypass all of the switchboards and cutouts and get right to his personal cell phone.”
“Good idea. We’ll get his take on your request,” Chris said.
“No!” Jordan said, almost shouting. “I mean, that’s not something to bother him with, and we need to rethink all of this anyway.”
“Well, I don’t. I’m done with school,” Declan said. “Although that doesn’t mean Arcane has to shut down.”
“Oh, we wouldn’t shut it down, just move it,” Chris said.
“Oh. Well, listen, you’re getting what you wanted. I’m leaving this city. But like I said, if anyone puts any pressure on Aunt Ashling or Darci, Omega will let me know and we’ll take care of it.”
“Ashling O’Carroll is, by extension, my great-aunt and my only other direct family member. No one will get near her,” Omega said.
“Well, there ya go. I’m leaving, but hands off my aunts. Clear? Good. Now, I’m kind of tired, what with getting my collarbones shattered fending off the demon that was going to pull a Washington on Burlington and all.”
“Yes, yes, of course. You need your rest. Thank you again for your service. We were just trying to fulfill our responsibilities to our city and state. I think we might have been too hasty,” Jordan said, turning a look at the chief and senator.
Both nodded, with the senator saying, “That’s why we came to talk—to get the whole picture straight,” he said, smiling professionally but clearly still a bit shaken. “And let’s not make any hasty decisions on the fate of the school yet, shall we?”
“I’ll have to talk it over with Tanya, Director Stewart, and Gina. We’ll see,” Chris said.
“Well, again, please keep in mind we’re thinking of what’s best for the city and we didn’t necessarily have all the facts,” Mayor Jordan said. The others nodded, except Schulz, who just looked a little miserable. Then they all left.
Both Chris and Stacia tilted their heads, listening to the politicians exit. They nodded at the sound of the elevator doors closing.
“I’m beginning to feel like a pariah,” Declan said, opening his mouth to eat the flight of green beans he mentally lifted.
“See, that right there is proof that school has been good for you,” Stacia said. “You didn’t even know the word pariah when I first met you.”
“I did—” he started to respond, but broke off as a thoughtful look came over him. “No, you’re right. It was in a class reading assignment and I had to look it up. Damn.”
“You really want to call it quits?” Chris asked.
“It’s hard to be here when so much else is going on everywhere. I’ll admit that education is more important than I would have thought, but I feel like I can still keep learning from anywhere. I pretty much have the best online instructor possible.”
“Very true, Father.”
The werewolf and the demon hunter turned to the door at the same time. Dr. Singh stood there, giving them all a smile. “Not to interrupt, but your other physicians agreed that you can likely go home this afternoon. You are healing very quickly due to the vampire virus in your system and there’s no point to staying here,” he said.
“That’s great, Doc,” Stacia said, “How long till he’s fully healed, do you think?”
“Broken clavicles generally take four to six weeks. But with the extra assistance you’ve been given, I’d say a week to two. Hard to tell. But not more than that. Maybe much faster.”
“Great!” Chris said. “I’m going to head back to Arcane, but I’ll have Deckert orchestrate your pickup.”
“I can’t wa—” Declan started to say, but the spoon full of food that Stacia popped in his mouth shut him up.
“We’ll see you there,” she said with a smile, ignoring Declan’s glare.