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 the peace between them.
The night progressed with her maintaining one eye on the window, hoping for Morgan or one of his messengers to bring word of the patrol. Or for Darien to ride by. Neither happened, though Tanner 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 set everyone’s mind at ease. “Probably just needs to rearrange my escort home.”
She grabbed her jacket, since Tanner 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 Tanner’s and the one designated for the physician. Beside the animals sat the long, narrow cart used to transport injured patients to the clinic.
Unfortunately, Tanner stopped in front of Dr. Schaeffer’s building.
“What happened?” she demanded before they entered.
“Walker was attacked on his watch. Shifter.” He 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 help, but the uncertainty she’d seen in his eyes had told her he was wary about her—or for her. No doubt because he’d learned of her association with the Demon King. And her self-healing abilities.
“Thank you,” she said. She might appear to be okay, but this new incident rattled her. “How’s Walker?”
The doctor seemed agitated. “Not so good, I’m afraid. We just brought him in. I need to stitch him up.”
She heard the slayer’s groans 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 grave 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 slashes across the slayer’s face and chest instantly brought back images and memories Jade had buried long ago. The bile rose in her throat as visions of her parents, mauled at first—as Walker had been—flashed in her mind. Later, they’d been dismembered and decapitated to ensure they were dead.
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. She sank to her haunches and sucked in some much-needed oxygen. Tanner joined her and handed over a wet towel. She pressed the material against her mouth for a minute or so, finding it—and the crisp 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 th
ink I’m under protection from you and the king, that’s not true. For any of us. Random attacks still occur. I can’t give in to false security.”
A rude awakening, yes. But a necessary one, she realized.
Immediately, the remainder of what had been brewing inside her the past few months clicked into place. She’d avoided 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 critical point in time when rogue demons were attacking.
She stood and her gaze locked with Tanner’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, almost violently. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Tanner.” 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.”