Hunter's Heart (Alpha Pack #4)(13)

Whatever the vision was, Nick shook it off. "Come to the compound when you're free. I'll explain as much as I can."

"What, you're actually going to let me enter the exalted inner sanctum? Tell me what the holy hell you guys do up there?" The sheriff shook his head. "Miracles never cease."

"I know I can trust you," Nick said simply. "And for the record, I was wrong-your body over there isn't just your problem, nor is it the last one. I have a feeling we're going to have to work together on this case. Just buzz the security box at the gate and someone will let you inside."

"Fine. I'll see you later." The sheriff stalked off, barking orders to anyone within earshot. Everyone jumped like rabbits to do his bidding.

Nick waved on his team. "Let's get her out of here."

As they walked to the Huey, Ryon mulled over Nick's intriguing statement to the sheriff. Something big and scary was in the shadows, waiting.

And he suddenly knew with absolute certainty that it wasn't just his and Daria's lives that were about to be changed forever.

. . .

For an endless stretch of time, there was nothing but blackness. Pain.

Then there were voices. Snarling. A dog? What was a dog doing here? Then hands, lifting her body. Agony.

More discussion. The snarling ceased, and there were soothing words. One of the voices sounded familiar. He was important, but she couldn't recall why.

Then, something incredibly sweet trickled into her mouth. The taste was amazing, but her throat refused to work and she feared choking. Gradually, that changed. Something began to happen. Synapses fired, creating tiny explosions in every cell, making them come alive. At last the muscles in her throat cooperated and she drank the essence, greedy for more and more. When the wonderful liquid was taken away, she felt the loss like a physical blow.

The letdown didn't last. Her arm was lifted and a warm pair of lips settled against her flesh. Lips? Before she could think on it further, sharp twin points pierced her skin, and a silent cry lodged in her chest. She couldn't scream, and even if she could make a sound, it wouldn't be from agony.

The greatest pleasure she'd ever known shot through her veins. Spread liquid heat to every part of her and detonated into a million shards of white-hot crystal, then solidified into a golden cord. She should've been frightened, but she wasn't. The cord bound her firmly to the stranger. Her stranger, and yet it seemed she knew him somehow. She struggled to capture the memory, but it escaped.

The sharp points withdrew and she felt bereft, but not as badly as before. She could handle it now because she sensed him hovering close. Watching over and protecting her. How could she know this? But she did. Secure in the knowledge that all would be well, she drifted. Fell into a deep abyss.

When she surfaced again, it was to the sensation of floating, and an occasional rocking motion. The movement made her nauseated, but she was too weak even to throw up. Just as bad was the deafening noise threatening to split her aching head in two. It dawned on her that she was being transported, and the rapid whump-whump sound told her she was in a helicopter.

Flying. Another reason to be sick, if she had the energy. She was an earth-loving girl. If she'd been meant to fly, she would have been born with feathers. Her distress must've been apparent somehow, because a man's gentle hand stroked her hair, caressed her face. She wondered whether he was speaking to her, too, though there was no way to tell over the racket from the aircraft.

Despite the noise, her sickness, and fear, darkness pulled her into the depths again. She surfaced once more, when the helicopter landed, and there was a flurry of activity as she was rushed into some sort of building. A hospital? Her brief glimpse of it gave the impression that it wasn't like any hospital she'd ever seen. The area outside seemed rural, lots of trees. No parking lot filled with cars, no activity.

Strange. But all of that was swept away when, inside, she was rolled into a small, sterile room and a pretty woman-doctor?-with long, curly brunette hair smiled down at her.

"Miss Bradford? Just relax. We're going to take care of you, and you'll feel better soon. I promise." She patted Daria's arm. "Do you understand?"

She nodded. Or thought she did. Then the good drugs must've kicked in, and she knew nothing else for a very long while.

. . .

The Huey landed and Ryon jumped out, watching helplessly as the medical team whisked Daria out of the transport. He jogged after them as they rushed the gurney through the double doors, down the hallway to the infirmary, and into one of the trauma rooms. There, however, he was blocked by Noah, who placed one palm on Ryon's chest.

"Sorry, man. You have to stay out here," he said firmly, not without sympathy. "Better yet, head back to the waiting area."

"But-"

"No buts. We'll let you know how she's doing soon."

The nurse wasn't going to be budged. Worse, Ryon was holding the man up from doing his job. With a sigh, he gave in. "All right. But let me know the second you can tell me how she's doing."

"You bet. Don't worry, okay?" With an encouraging smile, the nurse disappeared.

"Dammit!" Raking a hand through his hair, he made his way back to the waiting room. Frustrated, he paced like a caged animal for several minutes, until Aric showed up, Rowan with him.

"You've gotta settle down or you're gonna give yourself a stroke," the red wolf observed. "Sit."