Eternal Flame (Night Watch 3)

Not that Jana had ever forgotten her. You didn’t forget the woman who changed your life. Payback.

“So how do we get from point A to point f**king Perseus?” Zane demanded.

She grabbed his hand. Now or never. “Leave that to me.” If he wanted to walk into hell, she’d take him and maybe, just maybe they could bring down the devil together.

Then I’ll be free.

If only.

Running hadn’t worked-they’d just come after her. They’d keep coming, until the Perseus group was stopped. Zane was strong; she knew he was high on the demon scale. Would he be strong enough to stop the bastards? I hope so.

She and Zane hurried forward, and as soon as Jana caught sight of two EMTs returning to their ambulance, she let out a high, desperate scream. “Help me!” She shoved against Zane, sending him stumbling. “My brother-he’s—” She whispered to him, “Hit the ground.”

Zane collapsed.

“He’s having a seizure again! Oh, God, he’s been having them almost constantly, and I don’t have his meds, I don’t—”

The EMTs-a man and a woman-rushed over to them. Jana held onto Zane’s hand, clinging tightly and, because she was one fine actress, she let the tears track down her cheeks as the EMTs loaded Zane onto a stretcher and rushed him inside the hospital.

“What kind of medication is your brother taking?” one of the EMTs demanded.

“Uh … uh … rufinaide.”

The EMT blinked and squinted at her.

What? That was a seizure medication, wasn’t it? Just then, Zane moaned and his head sagged against the stretcher.

“It’s over,” she whispered, letting her own head drop forward. From the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar figure bustling over to them. Nurse Nancy always liked to take a look at every new arrival. After all, that was her job.

Jana had been back a few times over the years, back to take a look at the nurse. You screwed me over, Nancy.

When paranormals were sick or injured, usually it was harder for them to mask exactly who-what-they were. Nancy counted on that. She preyed on their weakness. Everyone at Perseus did.

The EMT said, “We need to get him stable and—”

“What’s going on here?” the nurse asked.

Jana squeezed Zane’s hand. Hard.

His eyes fluttered open, and in that instant, she caught his demon-black stare.

Nurse Nancy sucked in a sharp breath.

A blink from Zane and his eyes were back to green. “Wh-what happened?” His head turned slowly, and he focused on Jana. “Did I … Shit, the hospital.”

He shoved up, but the EMTs grabbed his arms and tried to hold him down.

“Easy, sir, you’ve had a seizure. You need—”

“Fuck what I need.” He broke their hold in an instant and surged to his feet. He wavered for a moment, and his body shuddered.

Okay, so the guy was a pretty good actor, too. She’d need to remember that.

He caught her arm and hauled her close. “You know better than to bring me here,” he muttered. “You know …”

Nurse Nancy stepped in front of them. “I’d like to talk with you a moment, sir.”

He shook his head and, keeping his hold on Jana, skirted around the nurse.

“We can’t let him leave!” the male EMT called out. “He might have another—”

“I know why your medicine isn’t working,” Nurse Nancy said calmly.

Of course, she knew. Meds never worked the way they were supposed to work on demons.

Zane froze. Then he tossed a hard glare back over his shoulder. “Oh, you do?”

“Umm …” The nurse didn’t wear one of those annoying white uniforms. She wore dark blue scrubs, and a stethoscope dangled around her scrawny neck. “Come with me into the back. Let me check you out thoroughly, and I can explain everything.”

Right. Step into my web. Nancy was a pretty woman, with gray-streaked black hair and the faintest of lines around her eyes. She didn’t look like the devil. Really, she didn’t.

Zane glanced back at Jana. “What should I do?” he asked softly.

She stared into his eyes. “We need help. Let’s see what she has to say.”

He gave a curt nod. Together, they turned to follow Nancy. But the nurse held up one hand, stopping her. “I’d like to speak to him privately.”

Not going to happen. “I’m his sister. I go where he goes.”

Nancy’s lips tightened.

“She goes,” Zane snapped.

“Fine. Follow me.”

And they marched right past the EMTs. Poor EMTS, they were still blinking and trying to figure out what was going on.

“In here.” Nancy pointed to a small examining room. “Just sit down. I’ll be … right back.”

They went inside. Nancy closed the door behind them and sealed them inside.

Zane frowned.

“She’s gone to make the call.” Ah, but she’d watched this routine a few times. Not that Nancy knew that. “She’s letting her contact know that she has a potential in the area.”

“A potential? Is that what I am?” He yanked his phone out of his front pocket and tapped fast on the screen. He put the phone to his ear and a few seconds later said, “Pak. Yeah, I’m in New Orleans.” A brief hesitation, then he said, “I need you to run a check on a nurse Nancy Gilbert at Our Sisters of Mercy Hospital. She’s about five-foot-four, forty-five to fifty years old and—”

His gaze flew toward the door. He shoved the phone back into his pocket.

Nancy opened the door about three seconds later. She had a bright, friendly smile on her face. “Sorry, I just needed to assure the EMTs that you were in capable hands.” She laughed, a light tinkle of sound. “You’d think I’d never treated a patient before!”

Jana inched closer to Zane’s side. “Why aren’t the meds working?” She really didn’t want to bullshit through the chitchat. Might as well get to the main show.

The door clicked closed. Nancy’s smile dimmed. “First… I’m going to need some background information on my patient.”

Zane narrowed his eyes.

“Your parents … what are their names?”

“Why does that matter?”

“Because I need to see if you have a family history of—” “Fuck, she doesn’t know.” Zane charged forward. “Let’s get out of here.”

Nancy put a hand on his chest. “You’re a demon.” Zane stiffened.