can’t leave him. He might wake up.”
Given that the guy hadn’t so much as twitched in three months, Blaise felt this was unlikely. It didn’t seem diplomatic to mention this, though.
She softened her tone. “Look, I’ll sit with him while you at least go home and take a shower. I promise I won’t leave him alone.”
Buck hesitated, gaze lingering on his nephew. Then he let out a heavy sigh.
“I guess I do have to sort out some crap, in order for the crew to go on the books for the start of fire season.” He rose, stiffly, as though all his joints had rusted solid. “You’ll call me if there’s any change?”
Small chance of that, Blaise thought, but she nodded. “Straight away. Now go chase Rory away from those government forms. Please. Before we find ourselves accidentally registered as the Thunder Mountain School of Mime.”
“All right, I’m going, I’m going.” Buck handed her the book he’d been reading to Zephyr. “Look, the doctor said he might still be able to hear what’s going on around him. You mind carrying on with this?”
“Just don’t expect me to do any voices.” Blaise checked the cover. “The Lord of the Rings, huh?”
“It was his favorite book, back when he was a kid.” Buck looked a little embarrassed. “Never actually read it myself before. Pretty good, actually.”
“I mainly thought that it needed more eagles.” Blaise shooed him out the door. “Go on. And I don’t want to see you back here for at least a day, you hear? Don’t worry about Zephyr. When I need a break, I’ll call one of the others. We’ve already agreed a rota.”
“I knew this was a set-up,” Buck grumbled as she pushed him out. “Motherloving shifters.”
She’d heard that well-worn phrase from Buck’s lips many times…but not quite like that. For once, there was a note of gratitude under the growl. He almost sounded affectionate.
Blaise hid her smile, closing the door behind the Superintendent. She took the seat that he’d vacated, propping her elbows on the edge of Zephyr’s bed.
“Uh. Well.” She cleared her throat, wondering why she suddenly felt awkward. “Hi. Guess I’ll be keeping you company for a bit.”
Zephyr, unsurprisingly, made no response.
She’d intended to pick up the book and resume reading, but instead she found herself studying that still, remote profile. He was definitely worth looking at.
She had to admit, Zephyr was a stunning man. He had the same prominent, hawkish nose as his uncle, but on him it looked noble rather than giving him the air of a disgruntled eagle. Thick black lashes lined his closed eyes.
The last time she’d seen him, his dark hair had been tangled and wild, but now it was neatly cut in a short crop that revealed the fine, strong lines of his face. Just the slightest hint of stubble dusted his jaw. She found herself wondering what it would feel like under her fingertips.
Great. Now I’m perving over a guy in a coma.
She shook herself, and picked up the book. “So you like fantasy, huh? Guess you deserve a bit of escapism, after what you’ve been through. Though I have to say, not sure I would have picked a story about a hero slowly losing his mind in a desperate fight against a shadowy evil.”
Zephyr continued to just lie there. She couldn’t even see him breathing.
Blaise cast a glance around, but he didn’t seem to be hooked up to any monitors. Suddenly worried, she put a hand over his heart. After a moment, she felt his chest rise, almost imperceptibly.
She let out her breath, her own heart still racing. “Damn. Don’t do that to me, Zeph. Do your friends call you Zeph? If you have friends, that is. For all we know, you’ve been a giant bird all these years. I wonder where you went when it wasn’t fire season? We only ever saw you in the summer.”
Zephyr’s heartbeat pulsed against her palm, strong and steady.
“Whatever happened, it doesn’t matter.” She knew she should pull her hand away, but somehow she found herself reluctant to break that small point of contact. “It’s all over. Your uncle misses you. You can come home now.”
Zephyr’s slow, even breathing didn’t change.
Sleeping Beauty. On impulse, she leaned forward, and kissed his forehead.
“I know what it’s like to be scared to wake up,” she whispered. “I know what it’s like to be tired of fighting. But you’re safe now. Your animal’s gone. It can’t hurt you anymore.”
She jumped in shock as a hand closed over hers. In sheer reflex, she tried to pull away, but Zephyr’s grip tightened, holding her palm against his chest.
His eyes opened.
Blaise will meet her destiny in WILDFIRE PHOENIX…coming soon!
Want to meet Wystan’s hellhound aunts, Betty and Hope? Pick up Tithed to the Fae on Amazon now - another hot, hilarious romance set in the same world as the Wildfire Crew!
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A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for reading Wildfire Hellhound! If you enjoyed it, would you leave a review on Amazon? It really helps me out!
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The cover of Wildfire Hellhound was designed by the ever-talented Augusta Scarlett (isn’t it pretty?)
Also by Zoe Chant
All these books are set in the same world, and feature cameos and cross-over characters! The list below gives the suggested reading order.
Fire & Rescue Shifters
Firefighter Dragon
Firefighter Pegasus
Firefighter Griffin
Firefighter Sea Dragon
The Master Shark’s Mate
Firefighter Unicorn
Firefighter Phoenix
Fae Mates
Tithed to the Fae
Bound to the Fae (coming soon!)
Fire & Rescue Shifters: Wildfire Crew
Wildfire Griffin
Wildfire Unicorn
Wildfire Sea Dragon
Wildfire Pegasus
Wildfire Hellhound
Wildfire Phoenix (coming soon!)
I also have many more series set in different worlds! See the complete list at www.zoechant.com