There are bruises everywhere.
Everywhere.
Some are old, yellowing and green. Some are fresh, deep purples and blacks blooming across her skin like spilled ink. Finger-shaped marks circle her arms and wrists. Her collarbone sticks out.
I recognize the remains of the black shirt that she was wearing five months ago, from the night she was taken. The thin shreds of fabric are hanging off of her. The shirt that was once skintight looks baggy on her frame.
She's so small.
Too small.
Her breathing is shallow and uneven. Every inhale lifts her chest only a fraction. Every exhale is a soft and shaky sound.
“Oh Iz…” I grab one of her hands to hold against me.
Her hands…Christ.
Her nails are broken and jagged, there's blood underneath them. She's trembling in my arms, even though she's unconscious. I hold her to me, willing some of my own body heat to enter her cold, frail body.
I expect her normal vanilla scent, but instead I'm hit with damp concrete, copper, sweat, and fear. Fire grows in my belly, and I scoop her up in my arms. The hall is clear, and I turn to meet Jace's eyes. He's standing there, almost dumbfounded, just staring at the girl in my arms. He steps closer, I take a step back, cradling her to my chest.
“Come on, Luca.” His shoulders drop.
“No, you failed her, Jace. I'm not letting you fail her again. I don't trust you.” I narrow my eyes at him. “She trusted you with her heart and look what you did with it.” I brush past him.
“I got her, we're coming out,” I say into my comms.
“Copy. Clean up and get out,” Lucian orders.
I make my way through the house, holding Isobel to me; she's so small I'm barely using any strength.
What lame-ass guards is Gideon hiring that two men couldn't move this small eighteen-year-old girl?
Pussies.
There are plenty of bodies being dragged out of Gideon's compound towards the trucks we have off in the trees. I jog over to the medical van where Lucian has professionals prepped and ready to go.
They meet me with a stretcher, and I lay Isobel down gently.
“Are you leaving now?” I ask one woman hooking her up to get her vitals.
“Yes, are you coming with her?”
“Definitely.” I nod, jogging along with her and follow them to the van.
“I'm going with Isobel,” I announce into my comms.
“We'll meet you there; monitor her.” Lucian's voice cracks.
At the Guild, they rush her into the medical wing. I’m told to wait as they check her over. I almost get into a fight with the nurses but I promise to stay out of their way and just stick to the wall.
I may or may not have lied and said Lucian's orders. I don't care.
Whatever gets me in the room and keeps her in my sights.
After the doctors take some X-rays and scans, they plaed an NG tube to give her body some energy. Even just after an hour of the IV fluids, she's looking better. I watched as a couple of nervous nurses set up to bathe Isobel.
One is nice enough to explain how since she's been held captive for so long, it’s usually nice to wake up and not feel like you're still there. I nod and agree. They set up warm water basins, different soaps prepared, towels, and a clean gown.
