Shadow of My Heart (Shadow-Walker Tribe Series) by Caryn Moya Block Page A

here for you, Miss Hamilton,” Dr. Rick said, approaching the side of the bed with a small paper cup in his hand. “Let me get you a glass of water. Then, I need to take your blood pressure and check your temperature. We need to know if you are running any kind of fever.”
    “Thank you, Doctor. How long do I need to stay in the hospital?” Cara asked, taking the cup of water and dutifully swallowing the pills.
    “This is the private clinic of Isanti, Inc. You can stay here in the clinic, or you can stay in Raven’s apartment upstairs if you wish. Your ribs and bruises are going to be sore for a while. Good, no fever. Let me put the cuff on you. Quiet please. Good. Now, there is no reason you need to stay here if you feel well enough to get up and move around. Time and rest is all you require. If you feel you need help handling your emotions, I have the phone number of a brilliant counselor.”
    “I want to take a shower,” Cara said, shuddering. Wash off the feeling of being dirty .
    Raven caught Cara’s uncensored thought and frowned. Her mind seemed to be verging on panic with her thoughts and feelings swirling around in a cyclone. He automatically sent reassurance and love into her mind.
    “Of course, Cara. I will help you.”
    “No, that is. I think I can do this myself,” Cara said.
    “The bathroom is over there. Let Raven help you until you feel steady on your feet. There is a bench in the shower and a call button if you need help,” Dr. Rick explained.
    “Derek. Did they kill him? I saw them shoot him,” Cara began, as the fear of the previous night slammed into her, and she began to tremble. Raven’s arms automatically tightened around her, and she let him comfort her if only for a moment.
    “Cara, Derek is fine. He is right next door enjoying the attention of Nurse Eschbach.” Calm down, tehila. You are safe and so is my brother.
    Cara bit her lip and tried to hold in the tears that still wanted to pour out. What was wrong with her? She had become a frightened rabbit, but she wasn’t going to let fear win.
    I’m sorry, Raven, Cara answered telepathically.
    “Do not ever apologize to me about this. You did nothing wrong. You were strong and resilient. You saved Derek’s life. I am sorry this happened to you. If you need to place blame, place it on the terrorists who attacked you.”
    “All right. I know you are right, Raven. Can you loosen your hold? You’re crushing me.”
    “I’m so sorry, Cara,” Raven said, loosening his hold but not releasing her. ”The thought of what might have happened terrifies me. I almost lost you.”
    “I’m right here, a little worse for wear maybe, but here. Did you think to bring me some clothes to wear? Shadow destroyed my outfit from last night. How do you ever stay warm in there?” Cara asked, trying to lighten the mood. Not that she would have wanted to wear that dress again. Adar ruined it before Shadow disintegrated the man-made fibers.
    “As a matter of fact, clothes are being fetched for you. Until then, perhaps Dr. Rick has some scrubs you can wear. Or I can fetch you a terrycloth robe.”
    “Whichever is quickest. I just want to wash up.”
    “I will help Cara with getting her shower. Can you tell Quiet Thunder and Gwen to give us a half hour or so?” Raven asked.
    “Of course,” Dr. Rick said. “I’ll have a robe brought down for her. Raven insists that each guest room has two of these blue robes with the Isanti logo embroidered on them. They are very comfortable. I’m sure housekeeping has a few extras on hand.”
    Cara nodded and waited for everyone to stop fussing. All she wanted was for them to get out. She felt so dirty. Those men, touching her, wanting to rape her, all because she was dating a Shadow-walker. Could she be a part of this world?
    Dr. Rick pulled the curtains around the bed and left. Raven slipped from the bed and walked around it to help Cara get up.
    “Raven, you aren’t wearing any clothes.”
    “Neither are