See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(62)

“I just need to give you a basic exam to look for injuries. We can do the mental tests later on. Also, you should know that they might ask you to meet with someone to discuss what happened to you. You can refuse, obviously, but I would like it if you talked to someone at least once. Sometimes it can be good to clear the air," she said as she looked me over.

“I don’t think talking it out will really help," I said and wondered when I had gotten so jaded.

About ten minutes later she announced my exam was complete.

“You are all done, Izzy. Physically, you just have a few bruises where it looks like you struggled. Mentally, I am concerned, but it can wait. I will take you to where they have Kennan. He is in the surgical unit down the hall," she said, putting away all of her instruments.

I nodded and got up from the table. We headed down the hall toward the aforementioned surgical unit. A great sense of foreboding filled my being. I had not truly allowed myself to think of him dying since I found out he was still alive. Now, it hit me like a train. I stopped and braced myself against the wall suddenly short of breath. The doctor rushed over to me.

“Someone find Ian," she shouted as she tried to look me over.

Quicker than I thought possible, Ian was there and Molly was close behind.

“What happened?" Ian asked with an air of accusation.

“I’m not sure. We were just walking down the hall and she almost collapsed," she said confused.

“Izzy, what is it?” Molly asked softly.

“What if he dies?" I said as tears filled my eyes. “What will I do?”

“He is already out of surgery, Izzy. He is stable and they expect a full recovery. He is going to be fine. The bullet in his neck missed his artery. The one in his chest missed his heart by an inch. He was lucky. They went in and patched everything up. They started on the ride over here. He will have some wicked scars and will take a while to heal, but he is going to be fine," Ian promised as he wrapped his arms around me in an embrace.

I hit him on his chest as hard as I could. “Why didn’t you come find me to tell me, moron?”

“Sorry, I was a bit distracted," Ian said sheepishly.

“Ugh, can we just take the girl to see her man already? I think she has been through enough lately without the added drama," Molly said, rolling her eyes and pulling me down the hall in her wake. For someone so small, she could sure be pushy.

Moments later we arrived at a door labeled "Surgical Recovery." I braced myself for what I was about to see. I steeled my nerves and swallowed down my uneasiness. I could be strong for Kennan. He had been for me. It was time I was there for him.

We walked in to find Kennan lying on a bed slightly inclined. I walked over to his still body. I lowered myself into the chair next to his bed and sighed as I watched his chest rise and fall evenly. I looked back at Ian and the tears that I had held back earlier fell down my cheeks.

“He really is okay," I whispered, part question and part affirmation.

“Yes, he really is okay, Pip Squeak. They said he might wake up soon if you want to stick around," Ian said smoothly. Like I would go anywhere else, honestly, did he even know me?

“I think we should leave Izzy alone for a bit," Molly said as she pulled on Ian and the doctor trying to get them out of the room.

I felt sorry for Ian suddenly. I suspected he had finally found his Seer in Molly. I was not sure, but if it was true, he was going to have his hands full. I did not think she had realized what had happened yet. I was pretty sure she had not bargained on her Guardian being an oversized fashion victim. I looked back at the bed and took comfort in Kennan’s presence.

I had not realized how much I needed him until he was almost gone. I scooted my chair closer to his bed and grabbed his hand. I sat there for a long while watching his chest rise and fall. I paid no heed to the passage of time and I was startled when a doctor came in.

I looked at him skeptically. I did not trust this man. I did not know who he was. He was no Guardian, that was for sure. He was a normal height of about five foot ten with sandy brown hair and kind brown eyes. I looked him over, trying to decide whether he was a threat or not. I started to assess the room for any viable weapons. He approached the bed slowly.

“I’m Doctor Thomas, you must be Izzy?" he said, sticking out his hand to shake my own. I eyed his hand but refused to relinquish my hold on Kennan. He dropped his hand back down to his side and trudged on as though nothing had transpired.

“How do you know who I am and what is it you are about to do to him?" I asked accusingly. Seriously, would I never trust anyone again?

“I know your name, because he kept trying to say it in recovery. I also know because you and your friends have been all of the talk since you arrived. As to what I am doing to him, I am just coming in to check his vitals. I won’t even touch him if you don’t want me to," Doctor Thomas said calmly.

The man had impeccable bedside manner. In the span of a few seconds, he had calmed my nerves. We both knew if he tried anything I wouldn’t hesitate to hurt him. So, I relinquished control as much as I could.

“No, do your job. I won’t interfere. If you do anything to hurt him..." I trailed off looking back down at Kennan’s still form.

“No worries, I just want to make sure the sedation is wearing off and he is not in too much pain. I am also going to check his heart. The bullet came too close. We want to make sure we didn’t miss anything in surgery." He continued in that way of telling me everything he was about to do before doing it. I appreciated the gesture and I could see in his eyes that he felt sorry for me.