Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 45 - Thanatia

I woke up in a hospital. The bed was uncomfortable, the lights were too bright, and the place reeked of old and medicine. But I couldn't feel any of my injuries. I couldn't feel pain. I was so relieved, I opened my eyes.

And found myself gazing right into Ash' sleeping face.

My entire body softened at the sight of him - relaxed...vulnerable. Ash was usually so...vulgar, so all over the place. Now, he just looked like a young boy who had probably been looking all over for me...when I thought nobody had been looking for me at all.

Casimir hadn't been looking.

The simple truth was that it hurt. It hurt to know that Casimir didn't care. But here I had a guy that did care about me. I would be a fool to throw that away.

Suddenly, all my memories came crashing back.

Andrey Tarus.

'Ash!' I snapped, shaking his arm. 'Ash!'

Ash moaned and moved his head to the other side of his crossed arms.

'Ash - wake up!'

He groaned and finally lifted his head toward me, eyes groggy.

'Can't a man sleep a little?'

I gave him a look. 'Why are you sleeping on my belly?'

He returned the look, but then he winked. 'I saved your life. You owe me, ghost woman.'

I rolled my eyes. My thoughts were all jumbled. I didn't have time for joking around with Ash! What about Casimir and Vasilisa?

I grabbed Ash's forearm. 'Did you call Rose? Did you warn her?'

Ash sobered into seriousness. 'Yes. I did. They're all safe. For now.'

I breathed a massive sigh of relief, shutting my eyes to Ash's scrutiny. I wanted to relax now, but I knew my job was far from over.

'You have to get me back to Court. You shouldn't have brought me here in the first place.' I looked around me in disgust.

'That old woman found you half dead, Natia,' Ash said, completely serious. 'Court was too far away. And anyway, she'd already called an ambulance.'

'I can't feel my body,' I mumbled, trying to move my legs. 'How are my injuries?'

'Bad,' Ash said, brushing a hand through his hair. 'You shouldn't even be awake. They knocked you out cold with morphine. They're gonna wonder why you're healing so fast.'

'Then you need to get me out of here. Cas will heal me.'

Ash gave me a resigned smile. 'Guess I'll have to carry you then.'

I snorted. 'Like hell you are. You have to cause a distraction while I slip out.'

Ash beamed. 'Not needed! Roger and Trey will take care of it. I'll carry you out of here, and then off into the sunset.'

I frowned. 'Trey and Roger?'

'They came with me to find you. Talk about an awesome rescue party.'

Ash's cocky grin was really getting to me. I smiled. Then I frowned.

'You brought Trey with you on a possibly suicidal rescue mission? Sixteen year old Trey?'

Ash raised his brows at me. 'Are you his mother?'

I narrowed my eyes at his mocking expression. 'I care about him.'

Ash's features softened. 'You've changed.'