Page 66 of Knight of the Sword

“Yes. And I’m fine,” she said as he continued to hold onto her. “I’ve got to get my car to go to the hospital.”

“You don’t look fine. You’re pale and you’re sweating. Signs of shock. You shouldn’t be driving.”

“You look a little young to be a doctor,” Sophie said wishing she really didn’t feel so shaky.

He smiled, which made him look even younger. “Maybe I will be one day. But hey, my car’s right here.” He pointed to the drive where a valet stood beside a vintage Mustang. “The hospital is just a few blocks away. If you trust me, I’ll give you a ride.”

She knew she shouldn’t trust a stranger, but this was a friendly college kid—and there were plenty of people around. Someone who had ill intentions wouldn’t want to have a lot of witnesses. She did feel a little dizzy and she certainly knew the signs of shock. The kid was right. She shouldn’t be driving.

“Well, okay. Thanks.”

“Great,” he said as they walked to his car and the valet helped her in. “I’ll have you there in no time.” He buckled up, then shifted the car into drive.

“I’m really glad to meet you, Sophie,” he said as they pulled out of the hotel driveway. “My name is Lucien.”

Chapter Nineteen

“Hi, Lucien,” Sophie said as they swung into traffic and then stopped, a cold chill running down her spine. “How did you know my name?”

He smiled. “Relax. Your boyfriend called your name before he passed out. When you showed up, I assumed you were Sophie.”

“Oh.” That made sense. The Mustang made a right turn and Sophie glanced at the street sign. Tulane Avenue. Well, they were on the right road. This was just a nice college kid, helping her out. She was only worried and jittery because Michael was hurt.

A short distance later, the assorted buildings of the university hospital and the clinics came into view. She breathed a sigh of relief as Lucien slowed the car and turned into an adjacent lot to park the car.

“Thanks so much,” she said, reaching for the door handle. “I really appreciate your help.”

“No problem,” Lucien said and leaned over to pull the door closed. “There’s just one more thing, though.”

“What?” Sophie asked uneasily, aware that although he wasn’t touching her, she was trapped between the seat and his body.

“Just this,” he said.

Sophie felt the sharp sting of a hypodermic needle in her arm. Her vision began to blur and she struggled to open the door, but her arms were sluggish, as though weighed down with bricks. She started to scream, but her throat closed and her tongue felt thick.

Lucien put the car back into gear. “The effects will wear off in about an hour,” he said, “but you may wish they didn’t.”

Then he laughed.

****

Dimly, Michael was aware of voices around him. He tried to remember what happened. He’d been standing on the sidewalk, waiting for Sophie— The car! His warlock adroitness had discerned the danger seconds too late, which meant the car had been warded. Balor’s work, no doubt, but Michael hadn’t sensed the heavy, black power that hung in Balor’s aura. The driver had been human, which was good or he’d probably have more than broken ribs.

He squinted, slowly opening his eyes to a glaring white light overhead. Colors swirled around him as he tried to focus. He was attached to some kind of machine.

“He’s wakening,” a female voice said briskly.

A man in a white coat bent over him, shining an obnoxious flashlight into his eyes. “No dilation,” the doctor said, “but I still think we should do an MRI.”

He was in the hospital. Now he remembered the ambulance and the sound of Sophie’s voice drifting toward him. An MRI was out of the question; they’d find out he wasn’t totally human. His ribs were almost totally mended too. There wasn’t a logical answer he could give to that.

“No MRI,” he said distinctly as he began to sit up.

“Lie still. You’ve had a concussion,” the doctor said with a firm hold on his shoulder.

Michael’s head was totally clear, but he did as the doctor asked. “I really feel fine,” he said. “No MRI. I—I’m claustrophobic.”

“We can give you a Valium,” the doctor replied.