Ordained by Devon Ashley Page A

on, leaving Lincoln quiet for once. When they turned the corner, they finally reached the outer hallways near the back door. To his surprise, Noel had insisted on cleaning up the bloody walls himself, stating it would be unfair to ask anyone to help. Though the physical blood was gone, red smears still stained the walls. He and Lincoln stood there silently for a few minutes, watching his staff paint new stripes of color over what was to be another bad memory for the Order.

 
    Chapter Fifteen

    There was a slow and groggy pull inside Abby’s body. Before she could feel anything, she could sense Noel through the haze. He was close. First was the flutter of her eyes, then sparks of movement in the muscles throughout her arms and legs. As her vision came into focus, she gazed upon Noel. As she sensed, he was laying beside her in bed, watching her every move, smiling as she woke.
    “Good morning,” he said warmly.
    Abby’s left dimple pinched as the corner of her mouth expanded upward in his direction. She slowly raised her arms and patted her neck to inspect the wounds – mostly healed. Despite her recent ordeal, she felt quite refreshed.
    “How long was I out?” she asked.
    “A few days.”
    Abby knew she should stay in bed and rest longer, but she was never one to be laid up. Determined, she rolled away from him, onto her side. She leaned on the night stand for support and forced her upper body to rise. Her hand knocked over the transfusion equipment left on the nightstand.
    “Emily?”
    “Universal donor. Got lucky there.” He wrapped his body around her from behind and she rolled back into his chest. Her legs swayed back and forth, kicking her heels against the bed, waiting for signs of life.
    “So how do you feel?” Noel asked, offering his hands.
    She took his into hers and began flexing her fingers, squeezing as hard as she could. “Like I had the crap beaten out of me.”
    “Oh, well honey, you did,” Noel said sarcastically.
    Abby huffed, but smiled too.
    “On the bright side, everything seems to be working again.”
    He pulled out from behind her and went into the bathroom. He returned with a glass of blue tonic water and tried to hand it to her. Her stomach growled and her face cringed. She didn’t need to smell the stuff to know she wouldn’t like it.
    “No way am I touching that nasty potion,” she said boldly.
    “I’ve changed the formula. I added vanilla to make it taste better.”
    Abby accepted it but still eyed it reluctantly. Alcohol never sat well with her system. “How much vanilla?”
    “Like I’d really load you up with enough alcohol to throw your balance off. Just drink the tonic, Abby. You’ll feel better quicker.”
    She sipped the tonic. Her face puckered again. She gagged, covered her mouth and mumbled in disgust, “Oh my God! ”
    “I said it tasted better, not great.”
    Abby continued to force the sour tonic down in sips. She could taste a hint of vanilla but the potion left a bitter aftertaste that was similar to vinegar. Her stomach gurgled and burned.
    “Water,” she coughed after her last sip of tonic.
    “No. You’ll dilute it,” Noel said firmly, relieving her of the glass.
    Smartly, she rebutted, “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do after drinking poison? Or is it throw up?” She took several long, deep breaths. She was so disgusted she had uncontrollable spasms jolt through her body.
    “Have you spoken with Valerie yet?” he evaded.
    Confused, she asked, “Who?”
    “Valerie. Hunter slash clairvoyant. Never stands in a crowd.”
    Abby vaguely remembered the girl watching her the first night. “Likes to hide in the shadows?”
    “That’s her.”
    Abby swayed forward and stood up slowly, pressing down on Noel’s shoulder for support. He held on tightly to her waist and kept her upright. Her legs tingled but stood firm.
    “No, haven’t bothered talking to her. Why?” she asked, taking her first steps.

    Valerie was leaning over the balcony