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But as she reconnected the severed ends of the blood vessels, Alex realized that the Kyn pathogen did s; it preserved them under the worst possible circuen, nourishanism, bacteria, or virus could survive in their bloodstrean to the body All it wanted was huh the Kyn’s drastically altered digestive systems and sustained it

Vampirisle procedure to repair Nottinghaether ten different and separate reconstructive surgeries She orking with the barest, most basic supplies, which didn’t help But as she slowly progressed outward her work held, giving her more confidence By the tiha chance of recovery

"Start the IV," she told Michael, "and keep your fingers crossed"

"I cannot start the IV ifslared "You did say to do whatever you told me to, no matter what it was"

"I can still kick you while I’," she told him "Remember that"

Michael removed the claham’s arm As Alex rejoined the neck an to seal over She had work at top speed to suture the epider a little dizzy, she stepped back to survey her patient

"Holy shit," she breathed "I think I did it"

A half-inch channel of new, pink skin enveloped the outer sutures and forha as his lungs filled Alex listened for any wheezing or whistling that would indicate blockage of the trachea, but his breathing sounds were normal

She wouldn’t break out the chane just yet "Okay, let’s wake hihaha happened

Michael called his na results "Sometimes Kyn retreat to the dreamlands and for reasons of their own never return I do not think he is co back, Alexandra"

"Bullshit I didn’t just spend three hours stitching hi" She reh the idea e inside, it explained why he wasn’t responding to Michael "Let et pissed off about this" She leaned over her patient "Guy of Guisbourne, rise and shine"

Nottingham opened his eyes, blinked, and stared at her

"What did you call hi the roo roses

"He’s not the same Guy," Alex said "The Guisbourne you all hate was his half brother He took his place, had hiland This Guy never fought in the jardin wars He was hiding out in Italy Skald told me the whole story"

"Before or after he shot you?" Michael’s eyes, half alance "Very well Let him speak for himself"

"He can’t" Alex faced her patient "Your larynx was completely crushed, Guy What little the sword left wasn’t enough for ha the new skin, and then stared at the ceiling

"What difference does that make?" Michael demanded

"A lot No larynx, no voice," Alex said flatly "He’ll never speak again"

Byrne woke near sunset and reached for Jayr, only to find himself alone in her bed On her pillow lay a sketch of a stalk of heather entwined with a tansy flower He rolled onto his back and looked at it for several minutes before he rose and dressed

Beneath the flowers she had written his name and hers Aedan and Jayr She had also written another word Evermore

Byrne went up to the battleh central Florida was nothing like his birthplace in the Scottish Highlands, the two shared a nameless, untamed quality about them that even the cement and steel of the modern era could not coe blosso of the lake’s water against its pebbled banks

Two riders drew his attention as they rode out to the practice field From this distance they alnized one of the horses as Jayr’s favorite an to swear slowly and viciously

Byrne did not have his lover’s speed, but he reached the practice field just as the two completed their initial pass

Amusement colored Jayr’s voice as she called out to her opponent, "You do know that you are to strike me with your lance, my lord Not use it to fan me"