Tangled Bliss by Rebecca Airies Page B

medical attention while they were in town.
    “Do you feel alright?” The officer asked. He put a hand on
Alex’s shoulder.
    “It’s not spelled or tainted as far as I can tell. I’ve had
both occur before and it doesn’t take this long to take effect.” Alex took a
deep breath.
    With spelled or tainted wounds, healing magic blocked and
removed the spell. After that was done, the healers treated the injury as a
human doctor would. Healing took energy. Tainted wounds took a lot of energy.
Even with multiple healers on staff, the hospital had to be careful of how they
used them.
    “That’s a good thing. The healers will check it to make
sure, but you should be almost healed by the time you leave the hospital.” The
officer nodded. “The chief will meet you at the hospital to ask you a few
questions.”
    “I thought he would.” Alex nodded. “She has to go with me.
The person who did this has tried to separate us.”
    “She’ll ride with you in the ambulance.” The officer assured
him.
    Alex relaxed. His shoulders slumped a little and he leaned
against the car. The officers secured the scene and were certain the attacker
had fled. The ambulance arrived with lights flashing. The EMT’s rushed forward
as soon as the officer’s waved them through. They put Alex on a gurney.
    He reached out and grabbed her hand. His firm grip kept her
right by his side. She had to stay with him when they walked to the ambulance
or chance being dragged. He released her when they lifted him into the back.
The EMT told her where to sit. With a sigh of relief, she climbed up to take
that seat. Alex smiled at her.
    She sent a quick text to Joy about what had happened. Joy
texted back. She’d tell Mom and Caleb and come to the hospital. Chelsea smiled.
Exactly what she expected. When trouble happened to one of them, her family
came together.
    “Did you tell Joy or your mother that we wouldn’t be there?”
Alex asked.
    “I told her what happened. Joy said they’ll meet us at the
hospital. They want to make sure you’re alright.” Chelsea glanced from Alex to
the EMT. The EMT monitored Alex’s vitals.
    “They could wait for a call.” Alex lifted his head and
frowned at her.
    “Alex, they like you. My mom became a definite fan the
moment she met you. It’s what they do. They come to check on someone who has
been hurt.” Chelsea shrugged. She wouldn’t want them to change that. “This is
part of being in a serious relationship with me.”
    “I don’t want them putting themselves at risk.” Alex relaxed
back onto the gurney.
    “None of us know what the stalker will do.” Chelsea sighed.
“Would he try again so soon after escalating to this?”
    “Probably not. He’ll regroup. I don’t think this is
something he’s accustomed to.” Alex’s fist clenched. “I want you to stay with
me though, because I don’t want to give him an opportunity at you.”
    “I’ll stay with you.” She didn’t want to cause him any worry
while they treated him.
    They arrived at the hospital. Chelsea followed, but kept out
of the way. She glanced around the cheerful blue and white entrance. Two
healers waited near the emergency entrance.
    One was a nurse, the other the doctor. They took charge,
guiding the gurney back to a room. Chelsea kept pace and found a seat off to
the side. In moments, they had Alex where they wanted him and started their
assessment. The healers began to work.
    Their hands moved on his arm. She knew they probed the flesh
with their abilities. Chelsea did something similar with an injured plant, to
check the extent of the damage. The healers talked to each in a soft tone
Chelsea could barely hear.
    They brought in a portable scanner to check what the arrow
might have hit and if any bone was involved. She grimaced when they removed the
arrow. Alex groaned. Chelsea was sure she’d be cussing and screaming if they’d
done that to her.
    “It’s not tainted and there’s no spell. You’re a lucky man.
No stitches