What are ye doing? Connor asked. Ye should be closing the wounds, no opening them.
Roman drew in a sharp breath. Laszlo, look at this.
Laszlo nudged Connor aside so he could get closer. What is that? Some sort of bone or cartilage?
Yes, Roman whispered. And its been severed.
Laszlo straightened with a jerk and grabbed a button on his lab coat. Ive never seen anything like that on a human. He turned to Connor, his eyes wide. What have you brought here?
Connor swallowed hard. She wasnt human? He touched a lock of her hair. She felt so human.
Is there anything else you know about her? Roman asked. Did you hear anything
They were arguing. Connor closed his eyes briefly, struggling to remember everything that had happened before hed been blasted into a tree and had the sense knocked out of his head. The man, Zack, was yelling at her. She had disobeyed three times. She was being banished. He opened his eyes and gazed down on her beautiful face. He called her Marielle.
Romans eyes widened, then his gaze dropped to her wounds. Gods blood, he whispered. Surely it cant be.
What? Connor asked.
Roman stepped back, his face pale. Gabriel, Michael, Rafael.
Laszlo shook his head, nervously twirling the button on his lab coat. No. Just because her name happens to rhyme, that doesnt mean
The clinic doors swung open, and Shanna ran to the sink to wash her hands. Why didnt you call me? I just heard about the injured woman. Emma thought the Malcontents might have tortured her.
Connor shot a worried look at Roman. The medieval monk appeared awestruck. Laszlo was clutching a button so hard his knuckles were white. If they were thinking what Connor suspected they were thinking, they had to be wrong.
Shanna dried her hands and grabbed a pair of synthetic gloves.
Why so quiet? She gasped. She hasnt died, has she?
Nay, Connor said. Shes unconscious.
Shanna snapped on the gloves as she approached. She grimaced at the sight of the wounds. How terrible. Did you give her a local anesthetic?
Roman shook his head. No.
I think you should before you stitch up the wounds, Shanna said.
Im not sure what to do, Roman murmured. I think wed better call Father Andrew.
Why? Shannas eyes widened. You mean for Last Rites? Surely we can save her. She placed her hand on Marielles head in a protective gesture. Her eyes rolled up, and she crumpled.
Shanna! Roman grabbed her as she fell.
Oh my! Laszlo rushed toward them.
Shanna? Roman patted her face. Her limp body sagged in his arms, and he settled her on the floor. Shanna?
Connor watched, his innards growing cold with horror. He didnt want to believe his eyes. Or his ears, for no matter how hard he strained, he could barely hear a heartbeat. Laszlo had to be thinking the same thing, because he fell to his knees and grabbed Shannas wrist to feel for a pulse.
Shanna! Roman screamed and shook her.
Sir, Laszlo told him quietly. Shes fading fast.
No! Shes going to be fine. She Oh, God. He seized his wifes face. Shanna, wake up!
Roman! Laszlo shouted, his eyes glittering with emotion. Shes dying.