Page 88 of Misted

Eloise fills him in on Hawk’s medical situation.

I leave them and trudge to the room. A small hand clutches my arm as Eloise’s scowl falls on my arm. “You need stitches.”

“I’ll do them later.”

“No. Now.”

Crow rolls his eyes. “You better listen to her or she won’t let you be, redhead.”

“I just need to see him.” I plead with Eloise. “Just a moment would do.”

Her features soften as if she can relate and she lets me go.

I walk into the room like a wounded, scared animal. My heartbeat throbs in my ears so hard, I can barely hear my footsteps.

The smell of antiseptic and the metallic stench of blood fills the air as I stop near the bed.

A bandage is wrapped around the upper side of his back, covering the feathers of his tattoos. I reach out a trembling hand towards his pasty white skin, all devoid of his usually magnificent tan. Before I touch him, I remove my hand.

What right do I have to touch him after I caused this?

“I’m sorry, Hawk. I’m so sorry.”

Tears blur my vision as I take him all in. His closed eyes, his frighteningly colourless skin. I press my lips to his forehead and that’s when I get a closer look at the small tattoo at his nape.

I thought it was an extension of the Hawk tattoo feathers, but it’s a name weaved in an intricate font.

Hellion.

He had me on him all this time.

I fall to my knees on the side of the bed and let my head drop in my hands as I break down in sobs.

If only that day never happened.