CHAPTER TWENTY
Cradling Nate in her arms, Ella kissed his head and breathed in his clean, sweet scent, holding him tighter to ward off the hurt and shock coursing through her after listening to Marcus. In his calm and cool voice, he admitted to having sex with the Morrigan. Sex. It didn’t matter that he had been tricked. All she could see was the woman who had taken Isabella’s human life as well as Steel’s and the doctor—not to mention, screwing with hers—fucking her soulmate.
The pit of her stomach dropped. Nothing would right this. She sniffed, not wanting to let the sense of betrayal swamp her. Glancing around the empty hallway, she didn’t know what to do or where to go. A need to be active pushed her toward the medical center. Since returning to Steel’s mansion, she had not ventured to see her so-called brother. The memory of having a brother was nonexistent until the removal of the parasitus. From that moment on, the desire to meet Issac was like background noise that wouldn’t disappear. It took no more than five minutes to reach the facility and she strolled in, observing the new doctor in his long white coat. The old man was a stark contrast to Elizabeth, and an instant dislike for him rose inside.
The doctor stood at the foot of the clinical bed, scribbling on a clipboard, intent on his task. When he realized she had entered the room, he swung around and stopped what he was doing to step toward her.
“Oh hello, I’ve been expecting you.” He offered her his hand. Frozen by his friendly manner, she stared at him, reluctant to get any closer. Shaking his head, he let it drop and carried on. “I’m sorry, I should start with introducing myself. I’m Walter Stevenson, the temporary replacement doctor.” He scratched his silvery, shoulder-length hair and pushed his thick glasses back up his Roman nose with its prominent bridge to study her.
“There’s not much change, I’m afraid, Mrs. Drayton. His vitals are steady, and there’s little sign of awareness apart from the odd flutter of his eyelids.”
Nate tugged her hair and she studied the doctor, wondering how he knew who she was. But she shifted her attention to the sleeping patient, who breathed with the help of a machine. A need to step closer compelled her toward the bed.
“Would you like me to look after the young man for a bit? I’m a grandfather of five, and for some peculiar reason, the young ones rather like me. I can’t say the same for their parents,” he said, studying her hard.
She held Nate, fearful to let go, not knowing Dr. Stevenson, but when Nate stroked her cheek, a sense of calm took root.
“I know the shoes I’m filling, Mrs. Drayton, and I’m sorry that someone whose job it was to ensure your safety let you down in such a horrible way. I may be rather old school in certain ways, but I take my job seriously. First, do no harm. In my forty years’ experience, I have lost many patients, but not out of a desire to hurt them. You can trust me.”
Something about the clear, strong voice made her want to believe him. She gave a tentative smile before she let Nate down; he wobbled but walked over to the man. Ella watched in amazement, smiling.
“I will be right in here. I believe there are a few toys in one of the drawers that will keep him occupied,” he said.
Ella touched the sleeve of his long white coat. “Thank you. I would do anything to protect Nate, and I believe Elizabeth kept him safe,” she said, not wanting him to believe her friend was evil. The woman she had known had taken her own life rather than face the consequences of her actions. She should hate her, but instead all that remained was a sadness that she had not confided in her. Surely, she could have helped her in some way. Now the doctor was gone and the Morrigan was still out there.
Doctor Stevenson caught Nate’s small hand and placed his red stethoscope around his neck, which he played with. “You don’t need to explain. When your husband contacted me, I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve worked with a few of the men from the base. But I’m a temporary solution, until he finds someone who’ll take on the position permanently.”
Ella felt more confident of the doctor’s ability, knowing that he knew Marcus and his team. She sighed. “Thank you…” Ella sauntered over to the bed and read the various monitors that recorded her brother’s vitals.
“Talk to him normally. Any stimulation may help him to wake up, and hearing your voice at the very least will be reassuring.”
Tilting her head to the side, she pondered his words. It was obvious Marcus had not fully explained the story behind Issac. Looking away, she stepped to the bedside. The iced-blond man lying there with his eyes closed was not familiar to her at all. In some way, she had thought that as soon as she saw him there would be a spark, a connection, and she would know right away they were blood.
When she touched his hand, an electrical current zapped her and she snatched her hand back, wincing in pain. What the heck?
“Ooh, sorry. I should have added not to touch him. The nurse has to wear military-grade gloves as any contact with his flesh is painful. I was hoping you would have an explanation for that?”
Ella shook her head in silence. She knew nothing of the man lying before her. Running her eyes over Issac, from his neat, manicured nails to the bruises on his exposed ribs, there were no visible scars or tattoos. Who was Issac Blackshaw?
“Take a seat.
