Season of the Witch (Claws Clause 2)

“Yeah, that’ll happen.” His bed jostled as Wolfe tried to stifle his chuckle. “New Paras like you don’t know the

ir strength.”

Adam froze. “New Paras like who?”

“Oh, Colt,” sighed Shea. “Don’t do that... you promised you’d be more empathetic.”

“Yeah, and you promised you would give the healing a rest if I agreed to let you out of your room.”

“You’re not wrong. But—”

“I know. You can’t help it, just like I can’t help being a dick. Hey, we’re both working on it. Anyway, I’m sure this place has got to have a pair of shades lying around. It’s a Para hospital, right? Here, let me get rid of the broken ones. I can call down and see if they can send over a new pair.”

There was that word again. Para. When Wolfe tossed it out that second time, a chill coursed down Adam’s spine. What the hell was he doing in a hospital for paranormals?

He took a deep breath.

Adam took a deep breath—and suddenly understood that, as the sterile hospital air filled his nose, his lungs, this was the first real breath he’d taken since he woke up. Not just an inhale, sampling the scents around him, but the involuntary breaths that kept a man alive.

What was it Wolfe had said?

I was dead.

Still are, Wright.

His eyes jerked open again. The fluorescent lights hanging over his bed were as bright before. His retinas burned like they’d been seared. Throwing up a hand to shield his gaze, Adam let out an inhuman sound that was one part howl, one part hiss.

It didn’t help.

He closed his eyes, swearing to himself that he’d keep them that way until he could protect them with a pair of sunglasses that were a little bit sturdier than the other ones Wolfe gave him.

That he snapped easily without even meaning to.

Adam scooted back in the hospital bed, trying to outrun the suspicion that was building in the back of his hazy, hazy skull.

This wasn’t normal. What was going on with him?

His gums were tingling, too. In the grand scheme of things—his newfound sensitivity, inexplicable strength, and, oh yeah, being told that he was dead—a weird tingling sensation ranked pretty damn near the bottom. Then again, since it seemed the most harmless of them all, Adam slipped his finger inside his mouth and rubbed his upper gum.

“Colt?” Shea whispered. Adam got the feeling that she had lowered her voice so as not to disturb him. “We don’t have to bother the nurses’ station. I saw a gift shop downstairs before. Do you think you could go and see if you can pick up a pair of sunglasses for the officer? As a favor for me?”

“What?” To Adam’s surprise, Wolfe matched her tone. Not enough to aggravate his ringing ears, but still loud enough that Adam picked up on every word. “No fucking way. Look at him. He’s poking his teeth. You know what that’s gotta mean. I’m not leaving you alone with him.”

“I’ll be fine. You trust me, don’t you?”

“That’s another trap, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. Is it? You tell me.”

Wolfe exhaled roughly. “Two minutes, mate. I’ll let you talk to him for two minutes. After that, I’m coming back and we’re doing this my way.”

A soft smacking sound, like she’d given the shifter a quick kiss, followed by her gentle laugh. “As long as you come back with the sunglasses, that’s fine.”

With a grumble that seemed half-hearted, Wolfe left the room. Adam.... he wasn’t so sure how he knew that since he wasn’t stupid enough to try opening his eyes again, but he was damn sure of it. Like he could sense it as the shifter’s coiled fury drew further away.

She didn’t bother closing the door this time. Turning toward him, Shea said quietly, “He’ll be back in exactly two minutes. There’s not much time. He’ll be pissed if he knows I’m using my healing again so soon so, if you could keep this between us, that would be great.”

“Wait—” The word was a garble thanks to the finger still in his mouth. He slipped it out, muttering another curse when he felt a sharp, shooting pain like he’d sliced his gum open.