Chapter 5
The man pushed me back with a wave of shadows and I slammed against the wall. Pain spurred in my ribs, but I forced myself to keep fighting. He reached out to grab me, and I let him. As soon as his fingers closed around my wrist, I twisted it to the inside, effectively dislocating his thumb. He howled in pain. I skipped back as he pulled his arm to his chest. I called what light there was in the dark room to me.
The energy gathered inside me, burning hot and fierce. I forced it out at him and the glowing ball hit him square in the chest. He stumbled back more and I uncoiled my whip. I sent it out before he could recover. It caught his left ankle and toppled him over. Skulduggery took me by surprise by coming from behind me and putting a pair of bound handcuffs on him. I stood panting, feeling a little light headed from the energy I'd let in and the sharp pain in my ribs. The necromancer growled at me. I glared right back. "You were asking for it, Rafael. Just be happy I didn't kill you," I said, turning my back, waiting for him to insult me. Instead I heard him grunt. Glancing back, I watched Rafael Black's eyes close after Skulduggery knocked him out.
"He was annoying me," the skeleton explained, making me smile. I tried not to laugh, though. I knew I had at least a couple cracked ribs. I moved away while Skulduggery dealt with the evil necromancer. I felt the group converging around me. I looked around.
"Seriously, guys? I'm gonna head to Shoney now so you don't worry about me," I grumbled. They followed. I sighed in exasperation. Shoney stood outside the doors, waiting. He saw my irritation and laughed.
"I figured when the lights went out I'd be seeing at least one of you," he said, his Australian accent calm, worried, and humorous at the same time.
"Let's just get this over with," I grumbled, striding past him into the stark white infirmary. Shoney followed and closed the door behind me.
"You gonna tell me what happened?" he asked. Shoney read me well. He could tell my irritation was just a cover for the deep fear I felt inside me. I swallowed as I plopped myself up on one of the cots, hissing as the move jolted my cracked ribs.
"Rafael Black showed up." The statement was blunt. I was surprised to hear my voice shake. It had been over fifty years since he'd killed my fiancée. Shoney nodded, lifting my top to spread something gooey over the tender ribs.
"He isn't dead?" Shoney actually sounded shocked. I shook my head.
"No, I've learned killing isn't always the best revenge, but that doesn't mean I wasn't tempted." He nodded, wrapping bandages so the goo wouldn't get on my clothes.
"Lay back, Sparrow. Get some rest. Don't think about anything for a while." I nodded and followed his orders. Sleep settled on me as I watched Shoney bustle around the white room. He was muscular for a doctor, with sandy blond hair and soft blue and green clothes; he looked far from his chosen profession. His analytic turquoise eyes gave me chills sometimes. It was like he saw stuff I couldn't. I felt his scrutinizing gaze on me as my eyes fluttered closed.
The sun was setting when a gentle hand brushing my forehead woke me. Erskine was looking down at me, dark eyes full of worry. "I'm fine," I said, reaching up to take his hand from my face and hold it. He shook his head.
"That's not what Shoney said," he whispered. "All that energy, Sparrow, you know what that does when it's inside you." I rolled my eyes. I was perfectly aware of what the light energy did to my insides if I let it stay there too long. It burned, caused bleeding.
"I know, I know, but it was the only way to defeat that damn necromancer," I said. He looked taken aback.
"You do know we could've helped," he said. I smiled.
"It's my job to protect you, love. I can't have you in danger." He grumbled something incoherent. "Erskine, stop it. It was bound to happen, it does all the time around me, and you know it. People don't like me." His mouth twisted into a frown.
"I like you and so does everyone outside those doors," he said. I rolled my eyes.
"I mean besides you and our friends." He nodded, still acting odd.
"I'm fine, and you know it," I said, he pulled my hand up to his face and kissed it.
"You're probably right, but I still worry."
"Far too much in my eyes." He laughed. "Go get some rest, Erskine. I'm sure Shoney wants me to rest more." He nodded, kissing my forehead before leaving. Shoney rounded the curtain.
"Sparrow, we need to talk," he said, his expression slightly distressed.