Page 82 of Divine Oaths

“I kind of need those for an assignment,” the design student said, eyeing the gloves we’d taken from her.

Kasem reached into his pocket and pulled out two hundred dollars.

Her eyes brightened. “That works.”

Whispers filled the crowd, but Kasem’s attention was solely on me.

“How are you doing?”

“Fine. I can stand by myself.”

“I know,” he said. “I’m just trying to help. Let me help you, okay? Just for now.”

I hesitated. Tentatively, I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him lift me. His pulse steadied my own racing heart.

He swept me off my feet, and I gasped as he held me in his arms.

“Where are you taking me?” I whispered, my voice hoarse from screaming.

“Angelica. She can help us.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Things without all remedy

“IT’S MY FAULT.”

“Explain?”

“I encouraged her to talk about the night of the stabbing. It triggered a panic attack. I didn’t realize how traumatizing it’d been for her.”

We were in the medical center. Or more accurately, I was in the medical center, hooked up to an IV, while Kasem and Angelica spoke about me behind the curtain. The dizziness I’d been feeling earlier had stopped, and I was finally getting back to myself except for the echoes of a headache cutting through my mind.

When I reached for my forehead, the lace gloves Kasem had given me acted as a barrier between my skin and my burnt palms.

This time, my forehead was plastered with Band-Aids where I’d scratched myself. Across from me, there was a mirror and a desk with medical supplies. The Sianna in the reflection looked tired and worn. Her curly black hair was all matted, her skin dull with a blue tint to her veins from screaming. Even my bottom lip was slightly pink from biting down so hard. I glanced at my hands, taking in the black lace gloves and the bracelet clinging to my wrist. Away from my fingertips, I wasn’t as at risk from touching it and could still be protected by its magic.

KSJ.

Kent Saint James. And now, Kasem Saint James.

“You haven’t even healed from the stabbing. And that poor girl. She’s broken, can barely keep herself together. Why look for trouble, Kasem? Why test fate like this?” Angelica said.

Kasem didn’t answer her, and for the faintest of moments, it was as if he’d noticed me watching him through the curtain.

My mind raced remembering my hands wrapped around his neck, and his body against mine: his musky scent, the traces of salt and sweat, our body heat.

Someone drew back the curtain, and suddenly Kasem and Angelica were staring at me.

“You’re awake,” Kasem said.

I sat up, fluffing my hair and trying to cross my arms, only to tangle myself in the IV line connected to me.

“Slow down,” he said, quickly shifting me so that the cord wouldn’t rip out of my arm. “You just woke up.”

“What time is it?”

“Classes are over for the evening,” Angelica said. “And I’d like to keep you in the center for a few days, just to make sure your vitals are okay. Your professors won’t dock you points for the absences. I’ve already cleared the days in your student profile.”