Page 43 of Born Wicked
She knows it all, and I trust her absolutely.
“Elena is going to have plenty of big emotions about her brother’s Resurrection,” Sigrid says in that serious tone of hers.
“Oh, I know she’s going to let me have it about not protecting him while she was out,” I say, and I swear, I can hear the exact conversation.
“It is not your job to save everyone, Juliet,” Sigrid says, her tone firm. “Even if you can bring others back from the dead.”
“I know,” I say as I sit on the edge of the bed beside Mason. It’s miraculous to witness this. He was so bruised, so broken. It’s hard to believe that this lifeless, still man is going to wake up from the dead in just a few hours. But the bruises on his body have slowly been disappearing, the cuts healing themselves. Mason looks stronger and healthier than ever.
But I know the burning, searing agony he’s going through.
The Resurrection is a bitch.
“Every now and then, the gods bless us with good timing,” Sigrid notes. “Just a few days ago, there would not have been safe blood for him to drink upon waking. What would have been done then?”
I shake my head. “I can’t believe how compounded all of this has gotten. The vampires of Chicago nearly starved to death. I just…”
I shake my head once more. It doesn’t do any good for all of this to continue burying me. I’m overwhelmed. I need to shove it all out and deal with one thing at a time.
“He is lucky to have you as his guide once he wakes,” she says, looking over at the mini fridge sitting on the floor, plugged into the wall. Inside, there are dozens of bags of donor blood.
“Just returning the favor,” I say with a smile, remembering his own guidance when I Resurrected as a vampire. He was still human. But he knew everything there was to know, considering his twin had already completed the process, and he was raised by a vampire father who was well over a hundred years old.
“I wanted to ask you,” I say, changing the subject, realizing I have a moment alone with another Council member. “What do you think about doing some renovations and turning the Nocturne more into a home? I don’t know who exactly would all want to live there right now, but it sitting empty feels like a waste. I was wondering about offering the project to Jon.”
She takes several moments to consider my proposal. It’s a complicated one, because it was given to the entire Council by Mason’s father. But honestly, what else is it being used for?
“I like the idea very much, actually,” she finally answers with a hesitant smile. “There will always be difficult circumstances for both vampire and gifted in this city. It sounds like a lovely idea.”
I nod with a smile. “I still need to talk to Mason and Elena, but Roman was good with the idea. Thank you.”
Sigrid squeezes my hand. “Well, I better depart. Best not to push our luck.” Sigrid stands from her chair and walks toward the door.
“Hey, question,” I say, my head suddenly perking up. “I heard this rumor about you…”
A knowing look crosses her face, shifting into a smirk. “Dear Juliet, I don’t think I have to tell you that rumors often grow as they go.”
I just smile and shake my head at her answer that isn’t an answer.
“Good luck,” she says as she steps outside. “Call if there is anything I can help you with.”
“I will.”
She walks down the hall, the sound of her heels clicking on the hardwood floor as she passes a pacing Patrick.
I pull out my laptop and get to work. My life is a hundred times easier since Holly came into it. She has everything moving like clockwork. And with Dr. Roshan and Lily? I feel like at least the hospital is back under control. If it weren’t for all of that, I might be in full panic, meltdown mode. Work is vitally important to me, but right here, with one of my best friends, is where I need to be.
An hour later, I hear footsteps walk up the outside steps before coming inside. Downstairs, I hear Patrick greet someone and know the voice just seconds later.
Just a few moments after, the face of Jay Casper appears in the open doorway. He looks like the world’s most deviously handsome ghost with that white hair and pale as snow skin.
“The little prince still sleeping?” he asks as he enters. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. It only enhances his eerie looks. Every time I’ve ever seen him, he’s wearing light-colored clothes. It’s as if he’stryingto look supernatural.
“For now,” I say, tearing my eyes away from my work.
Roman’s second in command looks down at Mason. It’s hard to tell what he thinks of him. Honestly, I don’t know that Jay and Mason even know each other. I’ve never seen their paths cross.
“I’m afraid I come bearing bad news,” he says, turning from Mason to face me. He really is unsettling to look at. His features are wildly sharp. His skin is the palest I’ve ever seen, and his pure white hair is supernatural. Those green eyes are piercing.