Chapter 6 #3
“I have an idea.” Ayo lightly rests his hand on my ankle, over the sheet.
“Raj, use the manor this week while you recover. Dante’s crew have taken the week off from my project to carry out repairs on several pack houses—last week’s snow caused some damage, apparently—so there’s no risk to your cover.
That way some of us can stay with you while you heal, and you’ll be completely safe behind the ward. ”
“What about Bryn?” I ask immediately. “I owe him my life. I’m not comfortable being so far away when he could be in danger, or could experience complications or PTSD. He deserves our protection and support.”
My tiger chuffs his agreement, desperate to lay eyes on Bryn and take care of him.
“Invite him to recover there as well.” Ayo says. “He’ll have space to shift as often as he needs to.”
Ayo’s generous offer eases some of my worry about the dragon.
I’d feel a lot better having Bryn with me in a safe location, and I’d be able to look after him if he has any ongoing issues from today.
I’m sure it would help him to be able to freely shift as well, since shifting accelerates healing in all species who have the ability.
Ethan immediately holds up a hand. “Not so fast. That’s going to raise a billion questions in Bryn’s mind. Kit, where are we with the deep dive on him?”
Kit presses their fingertips together, their purple glittery nail polish glinting dully in the artificial light.
“Our official request for the full court transcript of his trial was declined this morning, so while I can tell you all about his Deaf friends from high school, which supes he hung out with at uni, and how his boyfriend of several years dumped him the minute he was arrested, I can’t give you the deets on his assault conviction without hacking the system. ”
Ethan gives them a dry look. “No hacking the BSG. He’s not a suspect, and this isn’t life or death.”
They roll their eyes. “You know I wouldn’t get caught.”
“Not the point.” Ethan turns to me, his brow furrowed. “I suppose we did already discuss whether to bring Bryn on board to assist with this case.”
I’m aware that because none of the rest of my pack have met Bryn, Ethan’s relying solely on my judgement.
The last thing I want is to compromise my undercover work, but I’m more convinced than ever that Bryn could potentially help.
Even if all he does is describe whatever magic is active in the warehouse, that’s more information than I have at the moment.
“I know we still have unanswered questions, but I think his actions today have proven he’s worth trusting,” I say.
Ethan gives a sharp nod. “Fine. Get that NDA and contract signed, then the rest is up to you.”
“In that case, I’m done waiting. It’s been hours.
” I throw off the sheet and swing my bare legs out of bed, relieved that I’ve already healed enough that Doc P was able to remove the bandages an hour ago.
“You lot can either stay here or find Doc P and get him to kick Harley and Milo out. I’m going to see Bryn. ”
“Might want to do something about your hair first,” Jet says casually.
Kit backhands him in the stomach. “Shh!”
I hesitate, looking from face to face, wondering why everyone is now staring at the side of my head that was most painful earlier. “What about my hair? Skye?”
Skye’s eyes widen. “Umm… it’s not… that bad?”
Jet grins. “Not that bad? He looks like a hedgehog that got half run over.”
I shoot to my feet ready to rush to the bathroom, but I immediately get dizzy and sway. Cal grabs me before I can pass out, supporting me until the dizziness passes, before helping me to the bathroom mirror.
My eyes widen in horror at my reflection.
The hair on the right-hand side of my head is completely gone.
There’s new skin that will hopefully be able to grow hair again, but on the left?
All the hair on that side is absolutely fine, except that it’s sticking up like some sort of cartoon of someone who’s been electrocuted.
“My hair,” I whisper, reaching up but not touching the injured side of my head.
Cal’s lips twitch, the absolute traitor. “It’ll grow back.”
“That’ll take months!” I love my hair. It’s one of my best features.
Jet appears in the bathroom doorway. “Want me to go get some clippers?”
I turn and stalk unsteadily after him. “This is your fault.”
He backs up, hands raised. “Why? I’m the kind person who told you!”
“I’d have been happily ignorant if it weren’t for you!” I’m aware I’m being irrational. I blame the head injury.
“Isn’t it better to know?” He steps behind Ayo and uses him as a shield. Except Ayo’s significantly shorter than Jet, so I can still see my target.
I narrow my eyes, but before I can come up with a response that doesn’t make me sound crazy, Doc P knocks and enters.
“Raj? If you wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate your help calming Bryn down. Milo and Harley aren’t having much luck.”
I rush for the door as fast as my wobbly legs can carry me. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”
“He’s not in any danger, but the foreign magic in his system has caused a soul disconnect,” Doc P says.
“What does that mean?” I ask. The team gather round as well.
Doc P sighs. “It means the dragon side of his personality is in charge and instincts are ruling his every action. Right now, there’s a real danger he’ll destroy the entire pocket realm.”
That’s not a problem; I can handle a confused dragon. Except… “Wait, what pocket realm?”