Page 203 of Fractured Fate

She not only had to watch her brother die, but now she had to watch her Korrena—the man she loved since before she even knew the meaning of the word—lay broken and battered, life hinging on how quickly his healing abilities could compete against the natural progression of death.

They stood there for so long the security teams had time to clear the field, leaving them standing around the medics working on Seth. Dominic went with them, likely to inform the headmistress and the Blackthorn Clan of what happened. Two additional medics joined them to help tend to Seth’s injuries.

With his shirt cut from his body, and the blood wiped away, they could see the bruises marring his skin. His ribs had to be broken; the entire area was black and purple. His abdomen sported mottled splotches of purple, blue, and yellow. Bite marks from where the rogues had tried to tear chunks out of him branded his arms and upper body. Two nasty gashes on his collarbone displayed how they tried to rip his throat out, but Seth must have moved too fast for them to make their mark.

Aiden’s eyes burned.

The locations and nature of the markings and wounds left no doubt in his mind that Seth had narrowly escaped death several times during the fight. He fought like hell, and he deserved to live for that alone.

He needed to live. Not only for himself, but because he couldn’t leave Riley. He’d never forgive himself if he died, leaving her behind. Whatever waited for them after death beyond that space of floating purgatory Aiden found himself in, Seth wouldn’t enjoy it. Not knowing he left Riley behind like this.

Noah joined them, and Aiden nodded at him.

The area brightened. Dew glittered under the rays of the morning sun as it rose in the east. Light blue and purple ivyleaf morning glories littered the field, their trumpet-shaped blooms opening wide, gracing the world with their beauty even as blood stained the ground around them.

As the first direct rays of the sun broke over the forest surrounding the clearing, Seth groaned.

“Two hours and fourteen minutes,” one medic said.

“What does that mean?” Charlotte asked Blaire.

The female medic closest to them turned. “We attempted to keep him stabilized without moving him until his body’s healing capabilities kicked in. It took him that long. We record things like this for future emergencies.”

Aiden hoped there wouldn’t be a need for that information, but if something this severe happened to Seth again, if more than the recorded time passed, it could mean he wouldn’t recover.

Riley broke from Aiden’s hold and tried to push through the medics, but they held her back.

“He’s still injured. His body has to recover or you risk opening his wounds and refracturing what we suspect are several broken ribs.”

“Firecracker,” Seth croaked.

Riley sobbed; her body slumped in the arms of the medic. “You asshole!”

Seth’s laughter turned into a cough as he clutched his side.

“You all need to get to the administration building now that he’s stable,” the woman said, passing Riley to Aiden when he stepped forward, meeting Seth’s eyes. “We will take him to the medical wing for a thorough examination now that he is no longer in danger if we move him.”

He nodded, still looking at the man he considered his brother.

Seth’s eyes were glistening, but he said nothing. He didn’t have to. Aiden knew enough about Seth to know he recognized he’d almost died. Seth swallowed and blinked, the tears gathered in his eyes spilling over his temples. “I love you, Firecracker,” he said, voice rough as Aiden led her away to join the others.

43

RED CARNATION

Breakfast was a somber affair. They avoided the cafeteria, taking their breakfast on the ground floor of the administration building after security set them up with egg, sausage, and cheese biscuits with mini bowls of fruit. They also brought coffee, tea, and bottles of orange juice and water. An open cooler containing blood packets occupied the middle of the circle they formed on the marble floor.

Charlotte’s head buzzed with questions about the events of the night, but the one that stood out the most made her speak up. “Why did it take Seth so long to start healing? Don’t you heal right away? I thought that’s what you said.”

She found it difficult to shake the image of blood pouring from the stab wound from her mind.

Aiden shook his head, swallowing the bite of biscuit in his mouth. “We do to an extent, but it takes a while for the healing to make a real difference depending on the severity of the injury. In his case,”—he looked at Riley—“the injuries were so severe and numerous, his body ran the risk of not being strong enough to heal in time.”

“It’s why they refused to move him to the medical department until he became stable,” Dominic said, taking a seat next to them.

Riley sniffed, drinking from her blood packet in silence. She’d remained silent the entire time security recorded their statements. Charlotte didn’t know if it was the shock of the fight or seeing Seth near death, but it had been eerie for her not to talk.

The heavy doors of the foyer of the administration building opened, letting sunlight in that blinded them. When the doors slammed closed, echoing in the cavernous space, Seth approached them in a clean outfit. His neck and face appeared bruised, but nothing as severe as earlier. The swelling had disappeared.