Queen of Ruin

charred coals as Teddy scanned the poorly lit parking lot and the rain pour

, he staggered across the parking lot towards the emergency department sign. "Third, you're

, wet sack of hundred-pound potatoes the w

ed and tossed her up in the air. "It's okay. I got you. H

her blood across his face. As the coppery smell of it entered his nose, the vision of his pr

r as she ran to him, and she screamed into the hall. "Somebody get me a goddamn stretcher now!" The nurs

the nurse grilled him for informa

p, and..." When he realized he could hand her off and think for a moment, Teddy

nd oxygen into her nose, and rolled her back and forth looking for wounds. Being bathed

knelt down. "You're covered i

hoe, Teddy nodded as he came to realize why he survived t

nced up to the young doctor that checked Tessa's eyes

his as she tried to divert his atte

d to reach out to her in his mind, but no matter h

but this was the first time she ever fell over it. "Se

eeled on and held out her hand. "I'm going to take you to a room to

solid black, he glared at t

"No. I'm going to sit right here, and you're all going to do what I tell you

ars, the staff continued working, and th

ok control. "There will be a man that will come and ask for us by those names I

e, he grabbed the nurse's arm when she turned to leave. "Also

is nose in disgust at the sweet, hot concoction on his palate, he set down the coffee and criticized the part of him tha

his feet, he tried to remember everyth

g of holding and ru

d had quite a stock of supplies with her at all times. "Great balls of fire! This is

is eyes to her with a sigh. "You brought a bathing suit. Really? Like that

d opened the lock. He touched each tiny, green glass bot

e tossed them around in his hand and stood f

uals of the old religion. Rafik's people were more secluded and secretive and practiced a

derneath, then pressed his forehead to hers. "You're going to be alright, Tess. I think that m

he chair and moved on to the next step. "Fou

ay his tears. "I'll take care of her, Daddy. You don't have to wor

finger. "No brand." With his lips twisted to the side, he clicked his tongue as he search

anguage isn't very good, but I'm quite sure that boy did a rite of binding on you." He shoo

ty as he chuckled to himself. "Just like you to find yourself in

force him to sleep, but Teddy's eyes snapped open when he heard the ras

r rushed to him and threw his a

as his entire body jerked with each sob. "He p

helpless in the bed. A sickness rose in his stomach as he focu

he pulled away. "I think she's going

patted Teddy's back. "We have to go now.

t, Tess. I'm so sorry." He shook his head at Tessa's voice in his ears complaining about the outfit sh

Teddy's eyes snapped to the Viking as he put

ped the straps of the bags around him as Haldir silently

closed his eyes and buried his face into hi

d them as a dark form opened

before his eyes, Haldir watched the kni