Disclaimer: I don't own Blood Ties or any of its characters. They are all Tanya Huff's creations.
Characters thoughts are in italics
incantation- spell
cerulean- sky blue
Chapter 1
Vicki flew against the wall and crumpled to the floor.
"Vicki," Henry screamed.
Before Henry could rush to her side, he was pinned against the wall. Eventually he fell to the floor. The vampire regained his footing, retrieved the grimoire and finished the incantation. The portal closed sending the demon back to its realm.
Henry could smell Vicki's blood before he knelt down beside her. A small pool of blood had formed underneath her head. He ripped his shirt, gently lifted her head and applied pressure to the wound. Her heart was beating rapidly as the vampire gathered the private investigator into his arms and sped away to the hospital.
Vicki had been in surgery for hours. Henry paced the waiting room with his hands clasped behind his back. The elevator doors opened. The vampire heard a heart murmur and smelled a familiar scent.
"Henry, how's Vicki?" The Goth inquired as she walked into the waiting area.
"She's still in surgery."
Coreen was about to ask another question when Detective Celluci stormed in.
"Why didn't you back her up?" He spat out angrily.
Henry's blue eyes glared at him. "I did. Things just got out of hand. It couldn't be helped."
"That's easy for you to say. You're not the one in surgery."
Coreen intervened. "Come on, Mike. That's not fair to blame Henry. I know you're worried about Vicki but playing the blame game isn't helping."
Celluci sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry, Fitzroy."
"Apology accepted, detective."
Mike shot him a dirty look.
They all settled into the soft blue chairs of the waiting room.
Mike rubbed his clean shaven face and looked at Henry. "How did she look before they took her into surgery?"
Henry looked grave. "Not good."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
A half hour passed before Henry heard the swish of scrubs approaching them. As soon as the surgeon came into view, everyone rose anxiously awaiting news on Vicki's condition.
"I'm Doctor Lockhart." Her green eyes panned from Mike to Henry to Coreen. "She sustained a compound skull fracture. I was able to stop the bleeding. She's in recovery right now. A nurse will let you know when you can see her."
"Thanks, doctor." They said in unison.
As the doctor walked away, no one spoke. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts. After several minutes, Coreen broke the silence.
"At least she made it through surgery. That's a good sign."
Henry and Mike nodded not really believing her words.
Mike raked his fingers through his brown highlighted hair. "I need some air. I'll be back."
He sauntered to the elevator and punched the down button. The elevator dinged as it opened. Mike stepped inside.
What could I have done differently?
The image of Vicki falling to the floor replayed in Henry's mind.
Coreen's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"How are you doing?"
He flashed a sad smile. "As well as can be expected considering the circumstances."
A red haired nurse with floral scrubs approached them. "You can see her now."
Henry rose. "If you don't mind, Coreen, I would like to see her first."
"Sure, Henry. I'll be here."
The nurse led him to Vicki's room.
Henry paused at the doorway before entering Vicki's hospital room. The graphic novelist dragged a chair to her bedside and sat down. He grasped her right hand and stroked it. She looked so helpless lying in the hospital bed. An IV was inserted into her left arm. A tube ran underneath her nose. He could hear her heartbeat. Slow but steady. A bandage covered most of her long blond hair.
"You have to come back to me. My life has not been the same since I met you. Before I was just going through the motions, something was missing in my life. I finally realized that something was you. I have to leave but I will return tomorrow night."
Henry rose, leaned over her and kissed her cheek. He said goodbye to Coreen before heading to the elevator. As the elevator opened, Celluci and Henry glanced at each other as they walked in opposite directions. The vampire made his way to his condo. Soon after reaching his apartment, the day claimed him.
Author's note: I hope I did okay on the hospital scene. I always have trouble with those. A compound skull fracture involves a break in or loss of skin and splintering of the bone.