Immortal War

time I came to Sanctuary was with Lorcan, when he had stayed out too long in the light and had gone temporarily blind. His face was covered with similar burn marks to these. Mosh Zu allowed me to change his bandages and prepare the salve for his wounds.”

“You’ve come such a long way since then,” Evrim said softly, feeling very proud that she was Grace’s colleague. Her eyes returned to the patient. “I don’t understand, though,” she admitted. “If they converted him, why was he found caged up like an animal? And why is he so weak now?”

Grace had already thought that through. “I think our Jacoby has been a most uncooperative Vampirate,” she said. “They may have converted him, but I strongly suspect they were unable to persuade him to take blood.”

“He’s going to have to change his stance on that,” Evrim said. “For a Nocturnal, it simply isn’t a viable option to refuse blood. For a short time, perhaps, but not in the long term.”

Grace nodded. “When he wakes, we’ll need to talk to him about his need for blood, as a matter of urgency.” She frowned. This was not a conversation she relished having. And, even before she came to that, she had another pressing conversation to navigate through first. “What on earth do I tell Jasmine?” she found herself wondering aloud.

At that moment, the muslin curtain that separated the two sides of the healing chamber was brushed aside and Noijon stepped through. Seeing Grace’s worried look, he was quick to reassure her. “He’s doing well, Grace. He’s sleeping deeply now.”

Grace nodded, suitably reassured, though her head was buzzing with fresh anxieties. She looked over, fondly, at her two dedicated nurses. “You’ve both been absolutely brilliant today,” she said. “Together, we have saved both of these men. And please be in no doubt, I could not have done this without you.”

Evrim had a sudden thought. “Do you have any idea who the Nocturnal—I mean—who the other Nocturnal is?”

Grace lifted her hand to cut off this line of inquiry. “We don’t have time to discuss this now. I need to ask you a further favor. I can’t explain to you why I’m asking, but I just need you to trust that it’s the right thing, okay?”

Noijon and Evrim both nodded. Grace felt enormously grateful that she had established a complete circle of trust with them both. She was going to have to push that trust to its limits now.

“I need to have a potentially difficult conversation with Deputy Peacock,” Grace said. “While I do that, I want you to remove the other patient from here.”

Evrim looked confused but Noijon was more practical. “Where would you like us to remove him to?”

“He needs to be off the main ward in a private recovery room.”

Noijon nodded in understanding as Grace continued. “His trauma was very intense. I want him completely isolated for the time being. No one but us three should know where he is. Not Dani, or even Mosh Zu.”

“I know the perfect place,” said Noijon.

“It would be best,” Grace said, “if no one saw you taking him there. Is that possible?”

Noijon nodded again. “I’m on it, boss. Don’t worry! You go and talk to Deputy Peacock. Evvie and I will take care of this… situation.”

“We will?” Evrim still looked confused.

“Yes, we will,” Noijon said with complete confidence.

Grace smiled, breathing a sigh of relief. Then she took a moment to gather herself before stepping outside for her encounter with Jasmine.

“What do you mean, I can’t see him?” Jasmine’s intense dark eyes were wide with concern. She gazed up at Grace from the other end of the wooden bench in the anteroom adjacent to the healing chamber.

“I didn’t say you can’t,” Grace corrected her. “I just think the best thing for him now is to rest, undisturbed, until we have him on a steadier footing.”

“But you said he was already in a steady condition,” Jasmine said, her eyes narrowing. “Why do I feel like you’re lying to me, Grace?”

Grace smiled sympathetically. “Because you’re tired and worried and angry and there’s no one but me to lash out at?”

Jasmine nodded, her face softening. “You’re right,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

Grace put her hand over Jasmine’s. “I’ve made him as comfortable as I can. There’s a long journey ahead of him, but I’m confident he’s going to make it.” She chose her words carefully. “You know you’re welcome to stay here at Sanctuary tonight, Jasmine. I can find you a room. You can stay as long as you want, but you might prefer to go back to The Tiger and be among your friends. I will see to it myself that you are kept regularly informed of Jacoby’s progress.”

Jasmine nodded. “I really should go back,” she said. “It’s not a matter of choice. I have duties on The Tiger. The war has reached a turning point and I can’t let Connor shoulder my work and responsibilities on top of his own.”

Grace smiled. “I’m sure Connor will want to support you at a time like this. He’s your boyfriend, but he knows how much you cared for Jacoby. How much you still care.”

“Thanks, Grace,” Jasmine said. “You’re good people—you and Connor.” She smiled. “I knew that from the first.”

Grace glanced at the ticking clock. “I wish I had more time to spend with you,” she said, “but there never seems to be time for anything anymore. I have another patient to check up on now.” She stood up but, seeing Jasmine’s deflated expression, she added, “There’s a garden just outside the complex. Turn right at the main exit and you’ll soon come across it. You might want to go and sit there for a while. It’s a peaceful place.”

“Thanks, Grace,” Jasmine said, already sounding more composed. “But my ordeal is nothing compared to Jacoby’s.” She rose to her feet.

Grace felt a sense of sisterhood and the desire to protect her brother’s girlfriend. “We’re all casualties of this war,” she said. “It wounds each of us in different ways. But often the invisible wounds are the ones that hurt the most.”

As she stopped speaking, Jasmine put a hand on her arm. Grace realized that Jasmine was crying, albeit very quietly.

“Thank you,” Jasmine said, once again. “Thank you for helping Jacoby and me. Thank you for everything you’re doing for the pirates.”

Grace nodded. She felt a wave of guilt run through her. Jacoby Blunt’s time as a pirate had been brought to a sudden end, and, while Grace might not have lied to Jasmine—not in so many words—nor had she told her the whole truth. She realized that Jasmine might not be quite so thankful toward her if she knew who else Grace was treating.

Glancing left and right to check that no one had seen her, Grace inserted the key in the lock and twisted it. It made her think back to her first days aboard The Nocturne, when Lorcan had kept her locked up inside her cabin. He had told her it was for her own safety. She had been dubious about that but now she completely understood as, key in hand, she darted inside the room and closed the door swiftly behind her, then locked it again.

In front of her was—how had Olivier described it?—a cocoon of gauze. Grace approached the bed and drew back the curtain to enter the cocoon. As she did so, Johnny opened his eyes in wonder.

“Hello,” he said, his voice cracked and low.

“Hello,” she echoed, reaching for his hand. She only cupped it gently but still thought to ask, “Sorry, does that hurt?”

He shook his head, but only slightly. She could tell that it still wasn’t entirely comfortable for him to move. “No,” he said. “Doesn’t hurt. Feels nice.”

Grace smiled, gazing down at him. “Do you know where you are?” she asked. “And why?”