Page 49 of If I Were Wind

For some reason, tears pricked my eyes when he stepped closer and put a large hand on my shoulder. “I’m fine, but the explosion was terrible.” I rested my head on his chest, inhaling the smell of flour and butter, a nice change from the smoke.

“I’ve never seen anything like that. Not even in the war. Those flames…” Ashcombe held me in a fatherly embrace. “The mill is the safest place in the bloody empire, and it burned to the ground.”

“We were going to the hospital wing to see if we can help,” I said, drying my eyes.

“Aye. They asked me to prepare extra food for the injured.” He hugged me one last time before heading towards the kitchen.

Sam and I were walking down the corridor to the hospital wing when quick footsteps approached, light and rhythmic.

“Kristin. Oh, my God, Kristin, finally.” Miss Hammond, blonde hair dishevelled, stockings ripped, and shirt crumpled, ran towards me, staggering on her high heels. “I’ve been looking for you for an hour. We need you. You must come.” She grabbed my upper arms with surprisingly strong fingers. The urgency in her voice caused a shiver to slide up my legs.

“What’s the matter?”

“You merged with Roy, didn’t you?” She dipped her head to stare at me, her glasses sliding over her petite nose.

A cold flush chilled my insides. Roy was injured and needed me. “Where is he?”

“Follow me.” Holding my arm, she dragged me away.

“Good luck,” Sam yelled from behind me as I sped up.

We took the hallway to the left, running along a blindingly white corridor. But the spots dancing in front of me weren’t due to the bright colour. A sour taste filled my mouth, and my beast writhed within me in agony.

As we entered the hospital wing, the smell of chemicals and blood assaulted my senses. Stretchers took up one side of the corridor, blood staining the blankets. Shredded clothing and random shoes littered the floor. Some people groaned and cried, others were so very quiet and still. Miss Hammond turned right, breathing hard. We made our way through a throng of nurses and paramedics rushing from one room to another. She waved them out of her way. “Out of my way. Move.” Her tone sounded commanding but hysterical at the same time. “Here.” She stopped at the end of the corridor where a door opened to a small blue room.

With my heart pounding in my throat, I stepped inside the room. All the blood drained from my head as I hoped I’d gotten to him in time.

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