The Elders (Mind Dimensions #4)(88)

“It’s scary,” Mira says once I’ve finished my food. “If the Elders can make regular people believe such a load of bullshit, it makes you wonder what other world events they twisted.”

“You sound like Bert.” I push the tray away from my face. “Help me get this crap off me.”

“No.” Mira glares at me. “Let me get the nurse. Stop trying to be a f*cking hero.”

The nurse comes over so fast I’m convinced someone Guided the medical staff to be at our beck and call.

The nurse gives me more painkillers, changes the bandages on my head, takes out the IV, and assures Mira I’ll be fine without the oxygen. Both women help me get to my feet.

“Crap, my ankle really hurts,” I say to the nurse when my foot touches the ground.

“I’ll bring you a chair,” she says. “This way your girlfriend can—”

“No wheelchair,” I say, horrified by the idea. “I’ll just walk slowly.”

I take a couple of tentative steps. It hurts, but it’s bearable—barely. The nurse leaves, and I limp out into the hallway, refusing Mira’s assistance.

Kate is standing guard by the door outside. “You’re walking.” Her smile appears genuine. “That’s a very good sign.”

“How’s John?” I ask.

Her smile falters. “Not as good as you, but he’ll pull through. The surgery went without a hitch. Thanks.”

“Good.” I remember Caleb’s fingers digging into John’s throat and mentally shudder. Shaking off that image, I tell Kate, “We’re going to walk around. Do you know which room my grandfather, Paul, is in?”

Kate nods. “Walk down this hall until you see Eleanor.”

Mira and I slowly make our way to the room, and after saying hello to Eleanor, we enter. Turns out that Paul is sharing a room with Edward. Rose and Marsha are here as well. Mira looks at the setup curiously. I already warned her that my grandparents each have significant others, but it must still seem strange to her.

“Darren,” Rose says, smiling. “Glad to see you up and about.”

“Just wanted to check on Paul,” I say. “Rose, Marsha, Edward, Paul, have you met Mira?”

Paul looks me over, his typical ‘just ate a lemon’ expression warmer than usual.

“Rose told me what you did for me,” he says gruffly. “And I’ll never forget what that Pusher, Richard, said when he stopped beating me up. Thanks for that.”

I recall the little joke message I Guided Richard to deliver to Paul and chuckle. Clearly Paul didn’t take offense.

Turning my attention to Edward, I ask, “How are you?”

“I’m just here to keep Paul company,” my grandmother’s husband says. “I’m not hurt enough to need a hospital.”

“Thanks for saving my husband,” Marsha says.

“And mine,” Rose adds.

I incline my head in acknowledgement of their thanks, and say in a not-so-subtle-warning, “I hope this puts an end to any unfortunate visits from Caleb or the monks.”

Paul nods. “Let’s forget the past.” He sounds as if he’s talking about a manufacturing defect his company was responsible for.

“Sure. But first, do you ladies or gentlemen have anything to say to Mira?” I ask, unable to help myself.

Mira gives my arm a painful squeeze.

“We’re all sorry about what happened, Mira,” Rose says. “Truly, we are.” She gives Paul a look.

“You were asleep when we left you in the guestroom,” Marsha echoes. “For what it’s worth, we thought it was your friends who were shooting everyone, so we didn’t think we were leaving you in any danger.”

“This whole thing got out of control,” Edward adds. “Caleb shouldn’t have taken anyone. His orders were to grab Darren as he was leaving the funeral, that’s all. Still, even though we didn’t order your abduction, Mira, we shouldn’t have gone along with it. We should’ve ordered him to return you to Darren.”

Paul doesn’t say anything, so I sigh and say, “Okay, I’ll go now.”

“Darren, wait,” Paul says, and I stop. “Come visit us once we’ve rebuilt the Temple and settled down,” he says in a low voice. “Rose and I are your family, and I know she wants you to be part of her life and . . . so do I.”

I figure this is as close to an apology as I’m going to get from Paul, so I say, “Sure, Grandpa.”

“You too, Mira,” Paul adds. “Please come with him.”

Mira nods and pulls me out of the room, probably sensing that I’m on the verge of saying something snarky that might ruin the goodwill the Enlightened are trying to create.

We walk silently toward the elevator, with me trying to move without aggravating my ankle and Mira looking thoughtful.

“You are going to stay in touch with them, right?” Mira says as we stop in front of the elevator.

“Are you really asking me to be nice to them?” I press the elevator button and turn to look at her. “You, the person they kidnapped?”

“They’re your only connection to your dead father.” The elevator doors open, and she walks in. “I’m not suggesting you forgive them, or that what they did was right. My point is: what harm could it do to stay in touch with them? See where it leads?”