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I don’t contradict him. I wouldn’t know where to start, and I can admit my weaknesses. Not sure he could, though.
“Do we need to worry about his magic?” I ask. I don’t know what he is, but we are all magical beings.
“No, they use a sedative on patients to prevent their magic. Too many healers have been injured when patients lose control,” Felix says.
The floor we end up on reeks of bleach and disinfectants. It makes my nose burn and my eyes water. It’s so strong. I sneak a peek at Felix to see he’s really struggling with the overwhelming scent.
“You would think they’d take it easy on the bleach when shifters could be here,” I say.
Felix only shrugs. I think he might be avoiding opening his mouth.
We quickly find room 404, knocking softly before going inside.
The old man, whose name is apparently Eugine, looks a lot better. His skin isn’t quite so pallor, and he isn’t completely skin and bones.
“Did a healer help him?” I ask. For a human, this would be a miraculous recovery.
“Yes, but sometimes there is only so much a healer can do. For long-term illness, it can take multiple sessions,” Felix says.
The guy is lying peacefully in his bed, but as soon as he turns and sees us, his eyes widen and he tries to hide away under the covers. This poor man is clearly traumatized.
“Mr. Garfield, hello. We were hoping to ask you some questions,” Aksel says. His voice is the most gentle I’ve ever heard.
Still, the man looks terrified. His heart rate monitor starts beeping like crazy.
He’s staring at the guys like they’ve come to murder him but he hasn’t even looked at me.
There’s a soft hissing sound, and his eyes go hazy. The heart rate monitor slows down. He’s calming down, but it’s not natural. Did they dispense a drug just now?
I try to step forward, but Felix shoots his arm out, keeping me back. That draws the man’s attention. His eyes narrow on the interaction. I have a feeling I know what might work here.
“Trust me,” I whisper, “You guys back up and let me handle this.”
Felix hesitates but takes a step back, pulling Griffyn with him.
I step forward, grabbing his attention.
“Hi, I’m Anna,” I press my hand against my chest, “I was hoping to ask you some questions. Would you be willing to talk to me?”
I keep my voice gentle and don’t move forward until he nods. His eyes keep glancing back at the guys. I step forward, regaining his attention.
“Do you know why you were kept down there?”
He stiffens. “It was my house, and thatvampirestole it from me.”
Note to self, do not reveal I am a vampire. He can’t sense it with his magic while we are in the hospital, but that doesn’t mean he won’t notice if I show my fangs.
“Why would he keep you there, though?” I ask.
Ryan could have killed him or set him loose. Why keep a prisoner?
“It was linked to my magic. He needed me alive and close for my protective wards.”
That makes sense. How else would a vampire have a warded home?
I’m not really sure where else to take this. That was the obvious question, but what’s next? I should have asked Aksel before we got here, but I don’t think any of us realized the man would be distrustful of other men. Or maybe it’s only large, intimidating men that he’s afraid of.
The pause keeps getting longer and more awkward while I think of what to ask.
