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Alex snuggled with Cyprien until he fell asleep The Darkyn actually didn’t sleep as much as hibernate, but she could tell from the moment his pulse dropped fro to do the same, so she eased out of his arms, dressed, and tiptoed out of the room

The only other souls awake in Derabend Hall were Sacher and his grandson, Wilhel breakfast in the kitchen Alex tried not to drool at the sight of the big, fluffy waffles with golden syrup stea with the fact that she was on a liquid diet for the rest of eternity

"Dr Keller" Sacher got to his feet and introduced his grandson before asking, "Is there so you require?"

"I need to borrow a car, Sach" She knehere she had to start looking for John "I’d like to drive across town to the hospital and see a former patient of mine"

"The sun has already risen" He nodded toward the"Perhaps you could visit tonight?"

"It’s okay I’ish as the other vaht much better than Cyprien or Phillipe, another difference in herone of Jaus’s cars around to the front of the house, and while she waited Alex checked the elderly tresora’s hand

"This looks a lot better this " She was pleased to see that the tissue infla "We’ll clean it up again tonight, but keep it dry and uncovered today"

"You are very kind," Sacher said "Are you certain I cannot drive you? All I would need to do is drop Wilhelm off at his school on the way"

"It’s okay" She so, and I’ driven places"

Alex had never driven a Porsche, but once she had gone zero to sixty in the tiet used to it The dark-tinted s kept the sun fro her eyes, so she didn’t have to put on her shades until she reached Southeast Chicago Hospital

She checked in the lobby to make sure Luisa was still on the burn ward and then took the elevator to the fourteenth floor The fourhis face and not dying of rapture and blood loss had moved Luisa into a private room and afforded her the best physicians Southeast had to offer

Alex bypassed the nurses’ station and went directly to Luisa’s rooirl was out of the burn cradle and in a bed with an adjustable mattress that could be reconforrafts that had been performed on her face and neck looked healthy, but her eyes were covered with a thick band of gauze From the rise and fall of her chest Alex could tell she ake

"Hey, stranger" She took off her jacket and hung it over the back of one visitor’s chair "Long time, no see"

Luisa’s head turned toward her voice "I know you?" Her voice still sounded deep and husky froe to her throat, but repairs the reconstructive surgeon had reatly improved her enunciation

"I’m Alex, your old doctor Remember me?" She went to Luisa’s bedside and touched her hand The fingers that had been fused together were now separated and covered with tiny skin grafts "I was in town for a couple of days, so I thought I’d stop in and see how you’re getting along"

"Dr Killer I remember you" Luisa turned her head away and moved her scarred hand out from under Alex’s

"It’s Keller, actually" Alex sat down in the bedside chair so she could study the work that had been accorafts were the color of dark chocolate, a perfect skin rew some nice skin for you"

"Wouldn’t know"

Alex had expected bitterness--Luisa had been through a continuous tour of hell, and the ride wasn’t over--but the apathy wasI can do for you while I’ her that?"

Alex turned to see a short, dark-haired wo at her "It’s never too late to be helpful Who are you?"

"Jeether" She cauard "Luisa gets tired very easily You should go"

"You should butt out" Alex turned to Luisa "Has my brother been to see you? He’s the priest who ca you here"

"No" Luisa’s voice tightened on the word "No priests"