“No, you were very lucky. Let me get you more water.”
I take a few more sips and the liquid lubricates my throat. After taking the cup back she sits on the edge of my bed. I narrow my eyes, trying to see her face. What the hell is going on with her?
“I missed you, Gage.”
My given name on her lips stuns me.
I open my mouth to speak and she presses her lips to mine.
Sensing my hesitation, she pulls away. “What’s wrong?”
“You tell me, Nevy? The hell?”
She gasps. “You don’t remember?”
“What?”
“N-nothing. Let me go tell Stone you woke up.” She leaves.
My head is throbbing. I close my eyes and feel the darkness take me away.
I wake again, feeling more alert.
“Wizard?”
I turn and look beside me. In the darkened room, I can make out Nevada’s slender form. I vaguely remember her presence the last time I surfaced.
“Do you know why you’re here?” she asks. The legs of her chair scrape across the floor.
“A-accident,” I cough the words out.
“Yes.” She holds out a cup offering up a straw.
I blink, trying to bring the item into focus.
“Do you remember me from last time?”
“Kind of,” I admit, accepting the plastic offering. I take a small sip and sigh. The relief is instant.
“I’ll get the doctor. They expect you’ll be in and out—disoriented for a few days. Stone wanted me to keep him up to date on what’s happening. He’ll be up here soon.”
“How long?”
“Since the last time you woke? A few days.”
I grunt. It’s about all I have the energy to do.
“Your vitals look good and your leg is healing well.”
Her words bring my attention to the cast on my left leg. It’s hard to stay focused and I’m already starting to feel drained.
“Don’t push it, Gage. It’ll do more damage than harm. It’ll come back to you.” She moved the cup. “I’ll go let someone know you’re awake.”
There’s something in her voice I don’t like. Something pained. I wonder again why they have her on watch duty. Maybe because I’d bite anyone else’s heads off?
“Do you remember me, Mr. Carmody?”
Doctor Robertson. “Doc.”