Her Guardians Lost(7)

“Simon.” I breathed out a heavy, contented sigh. “So nice to see you.”

“I just saw Stephen as I was walking in. He looked a little different, but I suppose it’s been a shock for everyone.”

I smiled inside, thinking how perceptive Simon really was.

“It’s good to see you awake.” He placed the flowers down on the bedside table and leaned over to give me a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you for the flowers, Simon. They’re beautiful.”

“No problem at all. How are you feeling?”

“A bit sore.” In fact, I was really sore, but not in the physical sense.

“I can’t believe Kali did this. She hid it so well, but I guess the psychopaths do, don’t they?” He gave a sarcastic chuckle. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. She was a psychopath.” Remembering what she did and the fact she was responsible for my parents’ death proved that. I was still angry—still full of pain.

“Well, if there’s anything I can do…” He went to reach for my hand, but my gasp halted him. Instead, he laid his hand on my arm, immediately relaxing me. I really didn’t want to see inside another person’s head right now. I just couldn’t cope with that at the moment.

“I appreciate that. I really do.”

“Do you mind telling me what happened?”

I looked at Michael, then back at Simon. I assumed he already knew the story.

“I came home from a brief visit to my uncle’s house and she was in my flat.”

Just as I said this, Michael rose out of his seat. “Shit. I promised to call your uncle. He was here earlier, but went back home to wash up and rest. He’s coming back, but asked me to call if you woke up.” He offered an apologetic smile.

“Tell him I can’t wait to see him.”

“I will.” Michael walked off, leaving Simon and I together.

“So, you were saying?” Simon prompted.

“Oh, yes. I came home to find my friend lying on the floor, Kali standing over her with a gun.” The memory of it still coursed through my veins.

“My goodness. That must have been a shock. I’m sorry you went through all of that.”

I could see how much he cared for me and it made my heart swell. “Thank you. I just didn’t see it coming.”

“How could you have seen it coming?” He looked away, frowning. “Hold on a minute. How did you not see it coming?”

“It’s been a very long time since I touched her hand. She knew about me and knew I didn’t like touching hands too much. In fact, she used to avoid it. Now I know why.”

Thinking about it reminded me of the vision I saw just before we got our jobs at the station. I guess Kali gave that to me, considering angels had a natural gift of giving visions. She must have known we were going to work there. The thought of it made me shudder.

“This is hurting you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I guess I’m still in shock. None of it has really sunk in yet.”

“So she was obsessed with Stephen?”

“Yes, although she never gave me any indication.” I paused and took a deep breath. “Actually, now that I think about it, she did like Stephen from the beginning. She was a little pissed off with me when it seemed he liked me instead, but she seemed to get over it. Then she started seeing Hamish.” As soon as I mentioned him, I began to wonder. He must be upset about the whole ordeal.

“Yes, he’s quite cut up about it all. In a sense, he blames himself. He said he should have known.”

“How could any of us have known?” I sighed a little just as a doctor appeared at my bed.

“Cassie, so nice to see you awake. How are you feeling?”

“I feel a little tired, and my shoulder is throbbing a bit.”

“It will take some time. You got shot and, to tell you the truth, we don’t get many of those around here.” He paused to smile. “It took a little while to find and retrieve the bullet. Plus, there was some tissue and bone damage, which added to the time. You should be fine, but we will need to keep you in for a few more days just to make sure it’s healing and no infection develops. I’ll go get the nurse to give you some pain medication.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“No problem at all, Cassie. I shall see you when I make my rounds tomorrow morning.”

The doctor swiftly turned and made his way over to a nurse, who promptly walked over and gave me something for the pain. It was an instant relief.

“I’m sorry to leave you in the lurch like this, Simon. It would seem I’ll be here for a few more days.”

He grabbed my arm and squeezed. “I still have Ruth with me for a couple more weeks. Just enough time to help you heal a bit more.”