“Hey, you all right?” he asked, coming into the bathroom.
Her head gave a violent throb. “Urgh…ouch! Yeah, I just have a headache. Don’t suppose you’d help me up and find me some pain killers?”
“I can get Cage if you’d like?”
“No, no, just help me up. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, but I’m not sure, Kat, you look kinda ill.”
“Hey,” Cage said, his head appearing above Toby’s.
“Urgh, what is it with you Sinclair boys, lurking around doorways?”
“I wasn’t lurking. I was downstairs. Wolf hearing, remember? Every wolf in this house heard you calling Toby.”
“Well, not every wolf in this house needs to be in this bathroom with me, just one.”
Her head hurt so much; every sound of their movement rattled her brain. Urgh, God, I need my bed.
“Ooh, touchy!” Cage laughed. “Toby, help her up. I’ll find some painkillers.”
“Thanks.” Katalina smiled guiltily. Maybe I shouldn’t snap at every person I meet.
Toby held out his hand and pulled Katalina up. Walking her back to the room, he said, “I’m beginning to think you only like me for my amazing walking stick skills.”
She laughed at him only to trigger another throb to her head. “Urgh, stop making me laugh.” With a hand to her forehead, she climbed onto the bed, curling into a ball to try and settle the throbbing.
“Are you sure you’re all right. You feel really hot,” Toby said, touching her face.
“Probably just a fever from getting cold. I just need those pills and sleep.”
“Ask and you shall receive.” Cage smiled as he entered the room and held out a glass of water. Katalina reached for it but the glass slipped through her fingers as her arm trembled. “Steady,” Cage murmured, catching the glass seconds before it smashed.
Katalina looked at him wide-eyed. “Impressive reflexes.”
“All part of being a wolf. You’ll see.” He smiled. “Do you need a hand?” He gestured to the water and pills.
She nodded, returning his smile. She realized she’d been taking out her frustration and pain on Cage. It wasn’t fair of her to do that. He’d tried his best to help her so far, yet there was still the small part of her, which was weary of letting him close. Jackson wanted them together and Katalina didn’t have any desire to do as he wished.
Cage gave her the pills, and then held the glass to her lips, his hand behind her back to hold her up.
“Kat, I think we should get Karen to look at you,” he whispered, laying her back.
“No, please, I do not want to wake up the whole house.”
“I can assure you no one is asleep.”
“No, we’re not,” a woman said, walking in, Jackson behind her.
“Urgh, how can you ever have any privacy living with wolves?”
“You’ll get used to it. I’m Karen, the doctor.” She had a warm, motherly smile and a presence that soothed.
She held her hand to Katalina’s head and then listened to her heart rate. “Hmm, mild fever. Best to take some antibiotics in case you’ve got an infection. No need to panic, though I think it will be best if you’re not alone, just in case.”
“Ooh, ooh, I’ll stay!” Toby said, jumping up and down.
“Cage will. She needs rest, Toby. You’ll be up gossiping all night.”
“Urgh! Fine.” He crossed his arms with a huff.
Katalina took the antibiotics Karen gave her and rolled over, blocking the others out as they talked quietly near the door. She’d had enough of everyone crowding her. She wished her mom could have been the one sitting by her bedside.
“Cage, keep an eye on her breathing. Call me if it quickens,” Karen murmured before shutting the door.
After a while of silence, Katalina rolled over facing Cage. She pulled the covers up to her chin as she shivered.
Cage met her eyes. “Cold?”
“Freezing cold and boiling, all at the same time. I hate being ill.”
“The fever should break soon. You’ll be better in no time. Get some sleep.”
“Hmm.” Katalina closed her eyes, but every time she did, all she saw were red flames flicking over melting metal. “Cage?”
“Yeah?”
“Talk to me.”
“What about?”
“Anything, just distract me.”
“You should really try and sleep.”
“I can’t. I…”—she took a deep breath—“every time I close my eyes, I see them. I see them burning in the car.”
Cage didn’t comment but took her hand. She welcomed the warmth his hand offered, gripping tightly and finding comfort in his touch.