Demon's Vengeance The Complete - Jocelynn Drake Page 0,103
in purple polka dots. “Only a fool wouldn’t be scared. Even after all this time, I still wake up some nights, terrified that something has happened to him. I can’t count the number of times I’ve run to Bridgette’s room; sure that someone has stolen her from us. But then I reassure myself that we’re as safe as we can be in this world and we just trust that God is watching over us.”
“Do you feel guilty for risking Bridgette’s life by staying with Gideon?”
“Guilty? No, I’d feel guiltier for denying them the right to be together and know each other. Gideon loves his daughter and will give his life to protect her. What more can I ask for?”
“Safety? A long life.”
Ellen gave me a sad little smile. “I understand Trixie’s reservations. I really do. But I’ve worked as a nurse for a long time. I’ve seen countless people die. I’ve watched patients who lived nearly a century waste away in pain the last few years, their memories a blur. Was their life better for having lived those last years in pain? I’ve watched children die far too young, but happy for the joy they experienced in their short time. I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity. Bridgette’s life is better for knowing her father, even if it means that it could be shorter for it.”
I squeezed the hand I was still holding. “Thank you for your honesty.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have the answers you’re looking for. I do understand her point of view and can’t fault her for it, though I wouldn’t wish this pain on you.” Giving my hand a gentle squeeze, she released it and stepped away. “Get some rest tonight. I’ll go check on your discharge. They should have you out of here soon.”
“Thanks, Ellen.”
She reached for the door and paused before turning back to look at me. “All that being said, I do want my daughter to live a long life. If the quality Gideon provides stops outweighing the potential quantity, I would take her from him. Bridgette’s life and happiness are my first priority.”
I smiled at her, once again impressed by her quiet strength. Ellen was a fierce woman and Gideon was a damn lucky man. “I never doubted it.”
Serah peeked into my room after Ellen stepped out, her arms wrapped around my coat, which she was holding to her chest. She looked pale and worried when she had to no reason to be. Sadly, all I could think was that I had all these women looking after me and worrying about my health, and not one of them was the one I wanted most to see pass through the door. But I appreciated it nonetheless. A warlock could do worse.
“They’re discharging Bronx now. He just needed a few stitches,” Serah reported. I’d sent her to track down the troll as soon as the doctor arrived. I wanted to be sure he was getting the care he needed. Some people were anxious around trolls when they were injured—they weren’t the most tolerant patients. “I also just got a call from a friend on the force. He said all the missing women were discovered safe and unharmed at the inn, like the goblins said. After some questioning, they’ll be headed home.
“Glad to hear it.”
“How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I said, holding up my bandaged arm to her. “A few stitches and a prescription for some decent painkillers. Not the good stuff, but then you can’t hand out the good stuff for a minor goblin attack.”
A reluctant smile briefly tweaked the corners of her mouth as she stepped into the room. “I know. I just don’t handle hospitals too well. I’ve known too many people who went in, but never walked back out again.”
“Towers?” I asked, only to silently curse myself, wishing I had never spoken in the first place.
Her smile returned, and this time it looked as if she was trying to reassure me. “Not as often as you’d think. I knew a couple people on the police force who were killed by the Towers. One during the attack this past fall down by Diamond Dolls.”
I swallowed back the bile that rose in the back of my throat. I had been there and walked away because Gideon had convinced me to. Those witches and warlocks had been searching for me, hoping to draw me out by creating chaos. It had nearly worked. There were times I thought I had been wrong to listen to Gideon,