Free Violet (The Silver Series Book 4) by Cheree Alsop Page B

to work beside Charles. Roger gathered
the equipment they needed while Taye escorted us from the room.
    “ Less chance of infection,
and they need the space,” she explained, her expression
apologetic.
    “ I need to be in there,” I
protested. “He needs me if he wakes up.”
    “ They're administering a
heavy sedative now. It would be detrimental if he moved during the
surgery. He'll be under at least until they're done,” Taye
explained gently. She led me to a couch in the living room. Kaynan
followed close behind, his hands out like he wanted to help, but
didn't know what to do.
    I felt so helpless. “He should have healed
by now; how is surgery going to help?”
    “ They’ve got to clean the
wounds and close them to give his body the chance to heal,” Taye
explained gently. Her blue-gray eyes were soft with understanding.
“He might need a transfusion, so Roger or Meg will be out to see if
anyone is a match. If his condition changes, I’ll let you know
right away.” I thanked her and she disappeared back down the hall
to help with the surgery.
    I sank onto the couch and buried my face in
my hands. Soft fingers touched my shoulder and I looked up to see
Grace run her hand along the cushion next to me to make sure it was
empty before she sat down. Her sightless blue eyes stared vaguely
in my direction as she gave a reassuring smile. “He’s got the best
team in the country working on him,” she said. Kaynan stood behind
her and set a hand on her shoulder in a familiar gesture. She
smiled and tipped her head toward him. “Kaynan’s told me so much
about you. I’m sorry we have to meet under such horrible
circumstances.”
    I nodded, realized she couldn’t see me, and
set a hand on hers. “Me, too,” I said as warmly as I could under
the circumstances. “It’s all my fault.”
    Her smile deepened and a strand of her dark
brown hair brushed across her face. She pushed it back and squeezed
my hand reassuringly. “Kaynan said you would take everything on
yourself. He says you’re the selfless sibling.”
    I glanced at my brother and couldn’t help
the small, teasing smile that came to my lips. “And what does that
make him?”
    Grace laughed, a light sound that reminded
me of Dad’s wind chimes on the porch. “The selfish one, I
guess.”
    “ Hey!” Kaynan replied, but
there was no offense on his face. Instead, he watched Grace with
the careful attention of one who has found a good thing and fears
losing it. I had never seen him so taken by anyone.
    Roger came into the room and surveyed us all
with a quick glance. “We need a transfusion and the only matches
are Jaze or Mouse,” he said without beating around the bush.
    My heart tightened. “He’s still losing
blood?”
    Roger shook his head. “We’ve stopped it for
the most part, but we fear that he’s lost too much for the healing
process to be effective. A transfusion is his best chance at this
point.” He smiled to soften his words, but they still fell like
blows on my aching heart.
    “ Can I donate blood?” I
asked.
    Roger shook his head. “Sorry, but no. We
don’t know what changes have occurred to yours and Kaynan’s blood,
and we don’t have time to check it. We tested everyone else a while
back for Jet’s transfusion, and only Mouse and Jaze are
matches.”
    Jaze stood up. “I’m ready.”
    Mouse moved to protest, but Jaze shook his
head. “I’d rather it be me.”
    The scrawny werewolf didn't argue and Jaze
patted his shoulder in passing. I wanted to follow him so badly,
but knew I would only be in the way in the small operating
room.
    The others sat around me in silence for a
minute until Jet stood up from leaning against the hallway door
jamb and watched the front door expectantly. The door opened to
reveal an older woman with long dark blond hair and a hint of gray
at the temples. She smiled at us all warmly and gestured to the
crock pot she held in mittened hands. “Stew, anyone?”
    The others rushed to help her