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Of course, Michael had noticed the new piece of jewelry. But rather than pick another fight with her, he’d shaken his head and had wandered off. It seemed avoidance was the best way to keep their friendship intact.
She worked her shift with one eye on the window, hoping for Morgan or a castle messenger to bring word of the patrol. Or for Davian to ride by. Neither happened, though Toran came through the door just before eleven o’clock.
“Jade,” he called out unceremoniously. “I need to speak with you.”
This created a buzz of curiosity in the tavern, so she smiled nonchalantly to put everyone’s mind at ease. “Probably just needs to rearrange my ride home.”
She grabbed her jacket, since Toran headed back out the door without even waiting for her. Hurrying to catch up, she followed him down the walkway. As they approached the medical clinic, she noticed Walker’s horse next to Toran’s, as well as the one designated for the physician. Beside the animals sat the long, narrow cart used to transport injured patients to the clinic.
Unfortunately, Toran stopped in front of Dr. Schaeffer’s building.
“What happened?” she demanded before they entered.
“Walker was ambushed on his watch. Shifters. An entire pack. He couldn’t fight them all off.” Toran pushed open the door and she walked briskly behind him.
“Jade,” the physician said. “I’m glad to see you’re well.”
She’d visited him once she was fully healed to thank him for his assistance with her recuperation, but the uncertainty she’d seen in his eyes had told her he was wary of her—or for her. No doubt because he’d learned of her relationship with the Demon King. And her self-healing abilities.
“Thank you,” she said. Though she was in perfect health, this new incident rattled her. “How’s Walker?”
The doctor was equally agitated. “Not so good, I’m afraid. We just brought him in. I need to stitch him up.”
She heard the slayer’s grunts from behind the white curtain drawn to separate the examination stations.
“I’ve sedated him, but he’s in a lot of pain,” Schaeffer explained. “When I’m done, I’ll need to medically induce a coma so he can recover.” The severe expression on the older man’s face, however, indicated he wasn’t convinced Walker would survive.
“My God,” she murmured at the prognosis. She pulled back the drape and gasped.
Vicious claw marks across the slayer’s face and chest instantly brought back images Jade had buried long ago. The bile rose in her throat.
Her eyes widened and she clamped a hand over her mouth. Schaeffer directed her toward another exam area and held a bucket out for her. She vomited into it as her stomach roiled.
She grabbed the container from him. “Do what you have to do for Walker.”
Leaving the clinic, she set the pail on the ground in the event she needed it again. She sank to her haunches, because her legs nearly gave out on her, and sucked in some much-needed oxygen. Toran joined her and handed over a wet towel. She pressed the material against her mouth for a minute or so, finding it—and the frosty air—refreshing.
Finally, she said, “That is horrific.”
“Yes. You didn’t have to look.”
“Actually, I did.” A peculiar sensation seeped through her veins. “I needed the reminder. As much as I’d like to think I’m under protection from you and the king, that’s not totally true. For any of us. Random assaults still occur. I can’t give into a false sense of security. I’ve known this all along.”
A rude and jarring awakening, yes. But a necessary one, she realized.
Immediately, the remainder of what had been brewing inside her the past few months fell into place. She’d skirted her true destiny for far too long. It was time for her to take action, especially now that the village was minus a slayer—and at a crucial point in time when murderous demons were attacking.
She stood and her gaze locked with Toran’s. “Swear me in.”
His eyes bulged. “What?”
“Do it,” she insisted. “Swear me in as a slayer. I’ll take the oath.”
“No,” he said as he shook his head vehemently. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Jade.”
“Toran.” Irritation—and anxiety over the danger that lingered too close to them all—tinged her voice. “I know exactly what I’m talking about. No, my father was not a demon slayer, but he was leader of this village. You’re not interested in the daily politics, but I’m basically a liaison to the castle. And you can’t patrol alone. Ryleigh has always had two slayers, even before you became one.”
“Jade, it takes years of training. I practically started when I could walk, since my uncle knew I would someday replace him. You’ve only recently been at it.”
