The Scroll of Knowledge

Chapter 13

A doctor came to look at me. He said I had mild hypothermia, not that I was surprised. I had already diagnosed myself, courtesy of the key. I was thankful when I was put in an almost bare guest room. Being around so many people and equipment in the infirmary gave me a headache with all the information I saw.

They removed my wet clothes, dressed me in warm pajamas and wrapped me in blankets. I was given a warm, spiced tea to drink. The room even had a TV. It felt nice to be taken care of for once. Mom had been sick for a whole year before she died so I'd had to take care of her and myself. I couldn't remember the last time someone had taken care me. I would have preferred different circumstances though, like a spa. That would be nice.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said.

Brennan walked in. His arm was in a sling. The tip of a cast peeked out from beneath his sweater. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," I said, smiling. "How are you? Was your arm broken?"

"I'm fine," he said. He didn't say anything for a bit.

"Do I get to say thank you now?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood. It didn't help.

"I'm sorry. Those men shouldn't have been able to take you in the first place. That was my fault," he said.

"But you kept your promise. You found me."

"I didn't keep it," he said. He clenched his fist. "I didn't keep you safe like I promised Shay and I didn't go for you like I promised you."

"It's okay, Brennan," I said.

He stood up straight. "Once the doctors give the go ahead, we're moving you and Shay to a safe house."

"How is she?" I asked.

For a moment his face fell, then he put on a serious look. "She will be fine. Junaid is with her at the moment."

"Why did that man even want us in the first place?" I asked. "I tried to think about it. It couldn't just be that he wants power. He can't use more than one key at a time. What key does he have? And why was Shay the only one of us that was hurt? What did they want from her? What happened to Derek? Is he okay?"

Brennan rested his hand on my shoulder. "Amber, you're panicking. There's no need for that. I'm taking care of things, and being far more thorough this time."

"But, what about Derek?" I asked.

There was a flash of something on Brennan's face before it went back to normal. His eyes still had a bit of sadness in them. "He... had some injuries and they're being taken care of. You may not be able to see him for another day or two though."

My eyes widened. "Was he hurt that badly?" I asked. Is that why he didn't come back for me like he said he would?

Brennan chuckled. "Not him, silly. You. Your hands are still shaking." He held my hand that was holding the cup with the tea. "Just relax... and try not to spill the tea, okay? This one is special and very expensive. I don't let just anyone drink it and we wouldn't want you getting burns to compliment your hypothermia now would we?"

I coughed into my hand in an effort to hide the stupid grin on my face. This was ridiculous. He had to be at least two years younger than me. He was a teenager and I was dating someone else, sort of. Why did I grin like an idiot every time we talked?

"I suppose not," I managed to say.

"I need to go back and take care of some stuff," Brennan said. He had bags under his eyes.