Page 54 of His Eternal Temptation

He disappeared behind the screen, talking rapidly with the doctor.

The shorter man approached. “I don’t know how much I can do. My healing ability is limited⁠—”

“Anything,” Rowan said, his voice breaking.

The man’s eyes widened, his gaze flicking briefly to Rowan and Lane’s clasped hands. He turned away, revealing tattooed, folded wings spanning his entire back.

Lane assessed him with magic before he disappeared behind the screen. How odd. He detected no power at all, as if the blue-haired guy were human. How could he have healing ability?

A blue glow illuminated behind the screen, and everyone went quiet.

“Damnation,” came the man’s voice. “I can’t heal all this, not even if my brothers were here to help. Let me see… Yes. There’s extensive damage, but his heart is intact, brain too. He’s temporarily dead. I can feel his immortal magic working.”

The room itself seemed to release a breath of air.

“You’re sure?” Hunter asked, a hint of awe in his tone.

“Positive. I’ve given his heart a boost of what healing magic I have, but it’s going to be a while before he’s up again.”

“As long as he gets up,” Hunter said. “Nico, explain these potions to me. We need to give Emile’s magic all the help it can get.”

The short man returned to view. “Rowan, why don’t you keep me company while the clever men work?”

Rowan didn’t respond for a long moment. Then, like he was coming out of a trance, he said, “Yes, of course. We should give Hunter and Nico space.”

Everyone dutifully filed out, Rowan and Lane bringing up the rear, and Lane shut the clinic door.

The blue-haired man clapped his hands together. “How about a drink?”

FOURTEEN

ROWAN

“I’m not in the mood,” Rowan told Onyx, sparing no energy on politeness. He didn’t want to sit around drinking while Emile was in such a vulnerable state, even if there was nothing more he could do.

Cecile caught his arm. “We might as well get settled somewhere while I fill you in. And honestly, I could use a shot of something strong.”

“Of course. Whatever you need,” Rowan said. “I meant…”

“I know what you meant.” Onyx managed not to sound annoyed, for once. “I can be my own company. Didn’t mean to intrude.”

“Wait.” Rowan should be more gracious after the good news he’d given them. “You’re not intruding. You might as well come with us.”

Onyx grinned as if Rowan had been sweet, not grudging. “Casino?”

Rowan led the way, Kai and Evangeline breaking off to return to their usual posts and update the rest of the coven.

Lane leaned close. “Who’s the mystery man?”

“Onyx.” Rowan made basic introductions, neither explaining who Lane was to Onyx nor the fact that Onyx was a demon to Lane. The imp could choose to give himself away or not. Rowan wasn’t sure if he was still bound to secrecy around Onyx’s identity, and found it hard to care at the moment.

The sight of Emile’s charred body was burned into his mind’s eye. Fire was a cruel way to go, and Rowan fought not to remember Cris meeting that end.

At least Emile would survive. His heart was safe, and the coven would protect his body while he was vulnerable.

The casino was busy. Rowan might have insisted they go to his office, but he wasn’t sure he could handle reminders of earlier, of Lane taking him apart so carefully. Being what he needed. Changing Rowan’s life with alarming ease. No. He needed to hold it together until Onyx left and, more importantly, be a leader Cecile could count on after the day she’d had.

Rowan brought everyone to a private poker room. One with a window looking onto the casino floor rather than a completely secluded one. He didn’t want to feel closed in.