I was finishing up a routine procedure in the hospital when I heard the sound of running. Someone new was being admitted.
I was in the hospital often due to my weak body, but my spiritual powers were great.
As the running boy passed me I sensed his fear, his guilt. And one more thing. I could sense his contact with vampires and Destiny.
I wrinkled my face up. I hate it when I sense that man. It always means trouble is headed my way.
I wasn't wrong.
As I headed to the room of the boy's friend—Steve Leonard, or so it said on his chart—I had fully planned to purify the poison in his body.
But then I felt it. A familiar pull—more like a yank!—so hard I collapsed to my knees.
It wasn't until the boy ran to me that I realized I'd been screaming.
Xxx
Darren clutched the fragile girl until she stopped crying.
"What are you doing here?" Darren asked. "It's dangerous."
She laughed through her tears. "It's a hospital, genius, what do you think I'm doing here?"
"Oh." Darren said sullenly, remembering why he was there. "My name's Darren Shan. That's my best friend Steve in there."
"Kuri Hikawa." The girl said. She'd stopped crying. "I'm a priestess. I volunteer here sometimes."
"This one of those times?" Darren noted that she was in a hospital gown.
"No." Kuri admitted. "I'm here a lot, actually."
Darren looked down. He didn't know what to say. "Sorry."
Kuri shrugged. "Your friend. He'll be fine. You know what to do."
Darren was struck. Did this girl know something?
Was she a part of the Cirque du Freak? An ally of Crepsley's perhaps?
Before he could ask, the priestess was gone.