Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(12)

“Feeling better?”

Miranda opened her eyes. It was the nurse from earlier, the one who had a pinch of Wicca DNA in her.

“My sister still doing okay?”

The nurse nodded. “And your … friends are here, too.”

“Kylie?” Miranda tried to sit up.

The nurse gently rested her hand on Miranda’s shoulder. “Just relax.” She paused. “Is she the blonde?”

“Yes.” Knowing the cavalry had arrived made emotion hug her chest, and she fought the need for tears.

The nurse leaned in. “What is she?”

Miranda hadn’t known if the woman, with so little supernatural DNA, could read patterns or not. But obviously she could.

“A chameleon.”

The woman’s round eyes blinked in surprise. “I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never seen one. Can they really go invisible?”

Miranda nodded. “Has she visited with my sister?”

“Not yet. At least not that I’ve seen, but if she can…”

“She needs to,” Miranda said. “She’s a healer. You have to make sure—”

“Shh.” The woman nodded. “I’ll see to it. But your sister is doing much better now. She came out of the coma. She still has a little

swelling in the brain, but she’s conscious. And she’s just as worried about you as you are her.”

“Can I see her?” Miranda’s throat tightened.

“Not yet. When your arm is set.” She paused. “The others … the two vampires…” The nurse’s tone grew hushed. She glanced over her

shoulder as if she thought someone might sneak in. “They’re your friends, too?” Disbelief widened her eyes and fear dilated her pupils.

Miranda nodded. The fact that the world could be so prejudiced against certain supernatural species still shocked her. Of course, that was why

Shadow Falls existed. To help supernaturals realize that different didn’t mean deadly. Good and bad existed in each and every species.

“Burnett James works for the FRU? He’s the best—”

“Yes, I know, he showed me his badge. He’s still scary if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask.” A protective tone deepened Miranda’s voice.

“I didn’t mean … He told me about the camp. I’d heard there was one, but I’m new in Texas and didn’t know it was here in Fallen.”

“It’s okay.” Miranda closed her eyes and reminded herself that before she’d started going to Shadow Falls, she’d pretty much been afraid

of other supernaturals as well. Thank God her mom had enough insight to know change needed to happen and sent her to be educated at the camp.

God help her, but she couldn’t imagine her life without her friends at Shadow Falls. Kylie and Della, though they shared no blood, were as

close to her as Tabitha.

The thoughts of her mom had Miranda recalling her parents were in Colorado at one of her father’s boutique hotels. Had Burnett called her

parents? Had Tabitha’s mom been notified? Miranda’s heart squeezed at them learning of her sister’s condition.

“I really need to see my sister.” Miranda started to get up. The nurse put her hand on Miranda’s shoulder.

“You can’t just yet,” the nurse said. This time something in her voice made Miranda suspicious.

“You’re lying to me. She’s not okay!” She drew in a shuttered breath, her emotions becoming a lump of pain in her chest.

“No, I’m not lying. She’s in room six and she’s doing well.” She looked over her shoulder again.

“I don’t believe you!” Miranda held her pinky up. “I want to see Burnett James. Now!”

The nurse’s frown deepened. “They won’t let them come back just yet.”

“Who won’t let them?” Miranda asked.

“The police.”

The two words bounced around her sore head. “The police? Wh … why?”

She leaned closer. “They want to question you and your sister before they let anyone back to see you. And the doctor won’t let them question

you until your arm is set.”

“Why do they want to question us?”

She hesitated as if she’d been given orders to keep her mouth shut, then she finally spoke. “The drugs.”





Chapter Four

“What?” Miranda asked.

“In the house,” the nurse responded.

“What house?”

“The house that blew up was a … drug house. They think you and your sister are involved somehow.”

“Drug house? They think…” Miranda shook her head. “No. An old witch lived there. She read fortunes. She wasn’t … And I’m not…” Oh

hell!!!

“I’m not saying I believe them, I’m just saying … that’s what’s going on. Mr. James is super pissed. It’s chaos out there right now. It

’s probably just a big mistake.”

It had to be. Miranda closed her eyes. “This doesn’t make sense.”

“I’m sorry.” She sounded sincere. “Now, I need to clean your arm so we can give you some shots to numb you. Unfortunately, I’m assuming