Charity Rising (Charity Series Book 2) (5 page)

He sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue. “Wel , Hector was watching over you. When he saw al the food on the picnic table his hunger

got the best of him, so he left briefly to get something to eat. He made it back to your cabin just as they were running off. He caught and kil ed them.

After your cal , I was frantic. I was about to shift and hope my wolf could find and fol ow your scent until Hector cal ed me. I made it to the hospital shortly after you arrived.”

Suddenly I remembered my mom. “Levi! What about Mom?! Is she al right?! And Frank?!”

His eyes lowered in pain as he careful y took my good hand in his. “Charity, look at me. Everything is going to be al right, do you hear me?”

I nodded slowly, feeling the panic seeping in.

“Your mom is in intensive care. She’s lost a lot of blood and her injuries are severe. They have her heavily sedated, and she hasn’t yet

woken.”

I began to cry. “And Frank?”

“I’m sorry, Charity, but he didn’t make it. He was kil ed instantly; a fatal blow to the neck.”

“My mother’s going to be heartbroken—again.” I began to cry uncontrol ably. In a flash Levi was in the bed with me, taking me careful y in his

arms and cradling me against him.

“I’m so sorry, baby. But you’re safe now.”

A thought came, and I jerked up and peered at him. “Levi, you can heal her! Oh, Levi! Please heal her! You have to heal her!”

He took my face in his hands and stared down into my eyes. “I need you to calm down, okay? I’ve already been thinking about that. And if we

can find a way to get to her without getting caught, I would be honored to heal her—but on one condition.”

“Levi—anything you want, just please do it!”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes, of course. Anything you want. I’l gladly give it to save my mother.”

“Okay then. I’l start making arrangements right away.”

“Thank you so much. I love you.” I put my good arm around his neck and squeezed.

“Baby, I love you too—so very much.”

“Do you think I can see her?”

“I’l make it happen, whenever you’re ready.”

“I’m ready right now.”

“Okay, but before we go there’s something I have to say. I need to beg your forgiveness for locking you away. I should’ve handled that

differently. I know that now. After what Raven did to us I guess I was afraid he’d take you again. I couldn’t take that chance. I’m so sorry. Please say you forgive me.”

“Of course I forgive you, but only if you’l forgive me too. I overreacted, as usual, and I took punishing you too far. I’m sorry, Levi. And if it

makes you feel any better, I was miserable without you.”

He smiled softly. “I forgive you—always. And—being without you was unbearable. Please don’t leave me again.”

“I don’t think I could ever do it again. But there’s one thing I don’t understand, why aren’t my mom and I healing? After al , we survived an

attack from werewolves, and their saliva is running through our veins. Shouldn’t we be healed by now?”

“Wel , Doc and I have come to a conclusion about that. Werewolves don’t just attack people. The only thing that could’ve caused those

werewolves to become crazed like that is an injection of silver nitrate. And if that’s the case then the silver nitrate temporarily damages the healing properties. Eventual y our bodies overpower it and the healing process takes over, but since neither of you have healed, it’s obvious the silver

nitrate is the only explanation. What we don’t know is who did it, and why. We have blood samples from the bodies. Doc wil run tests on it and then we’l know for sure. Now let’s go see your mom.”

I woke in the night, screaming and confused. Levi was instantly by my side, soothing me. I’d been there again, in the backyard of the cabin,

reliving every moment of the attack. I wondered then if I’d ever sleep peaceful y again. After a few minutes, Levi smiled down at me, but the worry was there, deep in his purple eyes, eyes so purple that in that moment they seemed to actual y glow in the dark. I’d never seen them do that before.

Was his worry for me causing it? He stroked my hair and whispered sweet words of prayer over me as I drifted back to sleep.

In the morning, my room was flooded with activity. Hector was there, along with Levi’s parents, Joseph and Irena, his sister, Tara, and of

course, Ashley.

Levi and Joseph were discussing ways to get into Mom’s room and heal her without being noticed, since she was being watched closely.

See—werewolves, when in their wolf forms, have healing properties in their saliva. If they bite into the injured person’s flesh, while they’re

werewolves, the person wil heal quickly. The only thing it doesn’t work on is broken bones. I, for one, had made Levi promise never to bite me in an attempt to heal me. He knew I was frightened of him in his wolf form. And seeing as how vicious werewolves had attacked me, I was even more

terrified.

The doctor entered my room, and everyone except Levi excused themselves.

“Charity, I’m Doctor Cramer. How are you feeling this morning?”

“I guess I’m okay. It hurts when I move too much. My whole left side hurts.”

“Yes, wel that’s to be expected. You’ve received pretty severe tissue and tendon damage to your arm and shoulder. The police are

interested in talking to you about the attack, but I’ve persuaded them to al ow you a little more time.”

“Thank you, Doctor. I don’t think I’m ready for that right now.”

“Wel , they’l want to talk to you soon in order to catch the animals responsible before they attack anyone else. But about your injuries, we

need to perform surgery to repair some of the damage done. It’s very likely that you may even regain ful use of your arm again.”

“You mean there’s a chance I might not?”

“Yes. As I explained earlier to your husband, there is a smal chance that you may have limited use of your arm. However, I’m confident that

we can repair it.”

I glanced up at Levi and he was frowning. He didn’t like this news at al .

The doctor took his precious time leaving but once he did, I leaned over and whispered, “Levi, why did you tel him you’re my husband? No

one’s supposed to know that.”

“Wel , we’re in Virginia. No one knows us here, and they wouldn’t let me stay with you any other way.”

I thought about that for a minute and then said, “What are your thoughts about this surgery? Can you be away from the pack long enough for

me to heal from something like that?”

“Josh is taking care of things, but because it’s a dangerous time for us right now, I shouldn’t be gone long. If we were to be attacked the pack

would need me. But I’ve found a way for you to avoid surgery and come home with me.”

“Real y, how?”

“I’m going to heal you.”

I sat up in alarm. “Oh no you’re not!”

“Yes I am. You promised. When you asked me to heal your mom. You said you’d do anything, so you’re going to let me heal you. Then we’l

be home with your mom within a day or two from now.”

“Levi, please no! That’s not what I meant at al ! You know how I feel about that! I’m terrified of you like that! Please, Levi!”

He sensed my alarm and stroked my face reassuringly. “Charity, calm down. It’l be okay, you’l see. It’s the only way. You heard the doctor.

There’s only a chance that you’l regain the ful use of your arm. Are you going to tel me that because of your fear you’re going to risk that?”

Tears wel ed in my eyes, but I couldn’t answer him, because I knew he had a valid point. It was the only way.
Why does he always have to be

right?

“Don’t be afraid, baby. I’l take care of you, I promise. I’l drug you if that’s the only way. And I’ve found a way to erase your memories of the

attack.”

“How?”

His jaw grew tight and his face hard. “Raven’s going to help me,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Raven, what’s he got to do with this?”

“Vampires can manipulate emotions and even memories. He’s going to make you forget about the details of the attack, and if you want, my

healing you as wel .”

“Oh,” was al I could say.

“Charity, don’t you have any faith in me? Don’t you trust me?”

I peered into his eyes and answered with sincerity, “With al my heart.”

Later, I woke to find Hector and Ashley sitting by my bed.

“Good, you’re awake,” she said. “I had an idea. I think you could use some pampering.”

“Pampering? What kind of pampering? And where’s Levi?”

“I was thinking that I could wash and rol your hair, and paint your finger and toenails? Levi left to go find Raven. I think they’re planning the

healings for tonight.”

“Tonight?!” I sat up straight on the bed and felt the onslaught of a panic attack.

“Charity, it’s okay. Levi’s got al the details worked out. Hector, help me.”

Hector came and knelt on the other side of my bed, taking hold of my free hand. “Now, Mrs. Charity, you know that Levi wil take good care of

you. He would never want to scare or hurt you. He loves you so much. I think he’s hooking up with Doc to get something to give you to keep you

calm. He can’t drug you completely because the nurses would be alerted to a problem. But, like Ashley said, he’s got it al handled. Just trust him.”

At that, I began to calm down some. I knew Levi would never hurt me, and he was probably as anxious as me knowing how scared I was

about it. He’d want to do everything in his power to lessen the ordeal.

“Are you ready for your pampering?”

“Ash, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m not real y in the mood for pampering.”

“Oh come on. Humor me. It would make me feel a lot better. And look at poor Hector.”

I peered up at him and he quickly made a sad puppy dog face, which looked more creepy than anything.

“See how pitiful he looks? He’s been punishing himself for letting you and your mom get hurt. It’l make him feel better too. Pleeease.”

I sighed. “Fine.”

“Goody.” She was beaming, and for that I guess it was worth it.

After she had my hair done, she pul ed out her nail polishes. “Okay, which one, Gloriously Grape, or Ridiculously Raspberry?”

“Let’s let Hector decide.”

She turned to him. “Okay, Hector, which one?”

Hector raised his hands in protest. “This is clearly out of my field of expertise.”

“Come on, Hector. It’s for Charity.”

“Um, okay, that one looks more like what she would like.”

“Great choice. Ridiculously Raspberry it is. He knows you so wel . Now, Charity, relax and prepare to be pampered, Ashley style.”

Later that afternoon the police visited, and I was both disappointed and concerned that Levi hadn’t made it back yet. I would’ve liked to have

him by my side during the questioning, but Hector and Ashley stayed with me. I told the officers I didn’t real y remember much, which would be true soon enough, just that some wolves attacked us. I was surprised when they said that there were no other reports of attacks. Why only us? They said they were searching the forests, but they wouldn’t find what they were looking for. Hector made sure of that. I suddenly found myself wondering what kind of awful men they must’ve been and cringed, remembering the wild look in the one’s eyes.

After the officers left, the nurse came in to change my bandage. It was a gruesome sight and I had to work hard at not crying, not to mention

vomiting. I tried to remember that soon Levi would heal me and my mom, and we’d go back home to the safety of our lives, if you could cal my life

safe anywhere. But then the thought of Levi healing me brought on a terror of its own. I real y wished I wasn’t so afraid of him in his werewolf form.

Why couldn’t he be furry and cute, like a real wolf, instead of hairy and scary? I’l never understand it. But I knew he would never hurt me, so I focused my thoughts on that fact.

It was dark when Levi final y arrived back. He brought Doc and Raven with him. I was shocked to see that Raven actual y came. It was odd

seeing the two of them occupying the same space, but I could feel the tension radiating from them both. I wondered what Levi had done to get him

to agree to such a thing.

“Charity, are you ready?” Levi asked me.

“No! Please heal my mom first.”

He laughed softly. “Okay. If that’s what you want. We’ve got it al planned out. Doc is going to pretend to be the doctor cal ed in by the family

to examine her condition, which is true. Once we’re alone, it’l only take a few minutes. Then I’l be in here for you. Doc’s going to give you

something. It won’t put you out, but it’l take the edge off. Okay?” He squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“Okay.” I smiled, but he didn’t buy it.

Once they were gone I began to panic, but within minutes the drug began to take effect and I felt my body total y relax.

Ashley was holding my hand, Raven was pacing around the room, and Hector was standing at the door listening. Even though Raven’s

presence was requested, I stil sensed everyone’s unease at having him involved, even Ashley, but it didn’t seem to bother him as much, that or he

masked it wel .

It felt like they were gone forever and when they final y entered Levi was smiling. I returned the smile instantly.

“Everything went according to plan,” said Doc. “She’l take a little longer to heal than you since her injuries are more extreme, but soon she’l

be fine. We’re having the two of you transferred to our local hospital, and I’l take care of the paperwork since you’l never actual y arrive there.”

“Thank you, Doc, for everything.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s get you healed so we can get you home. Okay?”

I took a deep breath and reached for the table and my lip balm that lay there. Once a generous coating was applied, I felt ready. “Okay, I

think I’m ready now.”

I noticed Ashley slipping out the door. Good for her.