Kindling Flames: Smoke Rising (The Ancient Fire Series Book 3) by Julie Wetzel Page B

had hit them.
    “We were heading home after dropping some stuff off at the Lock-N-Store,” the man that had helped Darien out of the car answered. “We were stopped at the light over there,” he said, pointing to the cross street, “when this black SUV ran the light and slammed into him.” The man pointed at Darien. “He must have seen the thing coming, because he hit his brakes before making it out into the intersection completely. I have no idea how, because the asshole didn’t have any lights on at all. Hell, I didn’t see him until after they hit. Then the jerk didn’t even slow down! Just barreled right past, like nothing had happened.” More police cars and an ambulance pulled up as the man talked.
    “If you could come with me,” the policeman said, “I would like to get your statement.”
    “Gladly.” The man and his wife followed the police officer, leaving Darien and Vicky to the care of the EMTs.
    An EMT came over to check on the injured pair on the sidewalk. “She’ll be all right,” he said reassuringly.
    “I know.” Darien spoke softly as he let the man look at Vicky. He had healed the internal bleeding and the concussion, but it was taking a lot longer than he was used to. There hadn’t been time to start on the busted ribs yet. In fact, his ribs were still complaining. Usually, his body healed more rapidly than this.
    The medic looked over Vicky with his little light before fitting her with a medical collar and letting two more EMTs slide a backboard under her.
    Darien had to move out from under her so they could get Vicky strapped in properly. His femur screamed in pain, and he clutched at it, surprised. It should have knitted during the time he sat there.
    “Let me help you,” the medic offered, when he saw Darien was hurt, too.
    Darien pressed on the injured leg. “Please, give me a moment.” Turning his mind to the wound, he pushed his power into the damaged bone and felt it knit together. It was the first time he had ever had to use that ability on himself.
    “Are you ready now?” the medic asked.
    Darien took the man’s hand. “Yes.”
    The medic was shocked when Darien only used him for a little balance.
    Darien picked the woman’s jacket up and gave it to a police officer. “This belongs to the young lady.”
    The officer took it.
    “Thank her again for her help,” Darien said as the medic waited for him to come. He picked up Vicky’s bag and went over to the car. Sticking his head in, he fished around until he found the cell phone and the battery that had popped out of it. He put the thing back together as the medic took him to the ambulance into which the EMTs had loaded Vicky. Darien had just gotten the battery in and phone back on when it rang.
    “Darien!” Elliot’s frantic voice sounded down the line.
    Darien smiled as he climbed into the ambulance. “Cutting it a little close there,” he said weakly. His head hurt badly.
    Elliot let out a sigh of relief. “I let you know as soon as I knew. Are you okay?”
    “Car’s totaled.” Darien looked back at the little, black sports car, smashed into pieces. “They are taking us to…” Darien turned to look at the EMT. “Where are we going?”
    “Bethesda,” the medic answered as she ran an IV into Vicky’s arm.
    “Did you get that?” Darien asked Elliot.
    “Yes,” Elliot said. “We are already on our way.”
    “Good.” Darien looked down at the blood on his dress shirt. He hadn’t realized he was bleeding. “I think I need something to eat.” Pressing his hand over the rib poking out of the skin, he pushed it back into place. The hiss that came from him drew the attention of the medic.
    “Let me see.” The medic pulled Darien’s hand away to find the rib healed.
    “It must have come from her head wound,” Darien mused as the medic searched his side for the source of the blood. He’d made short work of that broken rib, but he had at least three more that were not healing properly.
    “How is