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Michael?
The harsh whisper ran through his mind. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the armchair. He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, particularly Seline. Yet she was the one person who might understand. He sighed and silently acknowledged her probe.
Michael, what have you done?
He smiled grimly. What had he done? Even now, he wasn't entirely sure. He'd risked his life and cheated death, but until Nikki regained consciousness, he wouldn't know if it were all worth it. There could be aftereffects, either from her drowning or his own intervention. There was a very real possibility he might have destroyed the fire he was trying to save.
He raised the beer, taking a long drink. It didn't ease the burning in his throat. Michael?
Worry shot through Seline's mental tones. He sighed again. She'd be out to Lyndhurst in a flash if he didn't start answering. The last thing he needed was a face-to-face confrontation with the old witch. Here.
Michael, what on earth have you done? Half the circle has had visions of you in trouble. And it was unusual enough for Seline to worry. No doubt his ice cool reputation had been shot all to hell, as well.
I think I've fallen in love, Seline.
Heavens, boy, I knew that ages ago. Just answer the question, or I'll come over in person and box your ears.
The threat made him smile, as she no doubt intended. Seline barely reached his shoulders, and was a thin, frail-looking woman. But she didn't look the one hundred and eighty years Michael knew her to be, and she certainly didn't act it.
We've known each other a long time, Michael. I thought trust was part of what we shared. Trust wasn't his problem. Would she understand the sheer desperation that had made him act as he had?
Would she accept his need to break a vow? Understand that he might lose Nikki anyway, because of his actions?
She was dying, Seline. I shared my psyche with her.
Made her live, against her will. He closed his eyes and took another long gulp of beer. The sudden tension down the mental lines told him Seline understood the risk he'd taken. Dear heavens, Michael, are you all right?
Exhausted. Weak. But alive. Obviously.
Can you cope with Jasper? Will you have the strength?
I'll cope. And Jasper would pay for every ounce of pain he'd put Nikki through. Is she ... all right?
Michael opened his eyes and studied Nikki's still features. She lay unmoving on the bed, her skin almost translucent, as if still held by the specter of death. He couldn't reach her mind, couldn't open the link between them, and it worried him.
I don't know.
How did all this happen?
Jasper set a trap, using Nikki's boss as bait.
That Jake still lived was a miracle. With the injuries he'd sustained, he'd have to be surviving on sheer force of will alone. But such courage deserved respect. Michael hoped the hospital could work a miracle. Not just for Nikki's sake, but his own. Jake was a rare find in this day and age—someone who looked beyond fear, beyond humanity, to see the person that lay beneath. Do you need a hand? Gail's available.
I'll handle it.
But—
I said I'll handle it.
Concern ran down the link. Are you sure? Gail's ready to go. The bastard's mine!
Her thoughts recoiled from the force of his anger, and he cursed. Lashing out at his friends would help no one, least of all Nikki.
Sorry.
I understand, Michael. Just be careful. You're no good to your Nikki if you make yourself so damn weak you can barely stand.
I know. He took another gulp of beer. What the hell am I going to do once all this is over?
