Tyrant's Blood (48 page)

Corbel had been feeling uneasy all day. In the moments before dawn, when he had seen a shooting star and experienced a strange sensation of calling, he had begun to believe that the moment was finally upon them. And this feeling had intensified in the hours since. Now it was late afternoon and he could swear his skin was all but tingling with anticipation.

It had been so long, he couldn’t be certain that he wasn’t simply imagining it but he could swear magic was bristling around him. He had to trust his instincts. His father had told him that all his life. His king had given him similar advice when he had kissed his daughter farewell and handed her to Corbel. And Sergius had offered similar words of wisdom when they had walked down to the beach all those years ago. His instincts to open himself up to the magic again were not just tugging at his consciousness; they were screaming at him.

‘Reg!’ called a voice, startling him.

He turned and smiled as the familiar warmth rippled through him upon seeing her approaching. The spectacles she wore were plain glass and a deliberate attempt to hide her youth, lend a greater air of authority. He grinned more widely. They always amused him, especially as she’d only shared her secret of them with him.

‘You’ve forgotten to take your stethoscope off,’ he said, touching its end, careful not to touch her.

She looked down and snorted. ‘I forget it’s there. It feels like part of me these days. How are you?’

‘Different.’

She regarded him with bemusement. ‘You know, Reg, you’re meant to just say something along the lines of, “I’m fine”, and let the enquirer move on.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s polite and you know it. How are you ever going to find a girl being so contrary?’

‘I don’t want to find a girl.’

‘Whyever not? You can’t live like a monk, surely?’

‘Who says I do?’

That took her off guard. He smiled to ease her discomfort.

‘Ooh, you make me mad sometimes.’ She tugged his beard briefly and he tried not to flinch. Just feeling her simple, friendly touch could derail his thoughts, his whole night. And this evening—of all evenings—he needed to be focused.

‘That needs clipping,’ she said, sneering at his beard and sounding softly disgusted. ‘Do you want me to do it?’

He shook his head. ‘I can manage.’

‘I’m glad I found you so close to the hospital,’ she said.

‘Why’s that?’

‘I wanted to apologise for missing lunch today.’

‘You don’t have to. I never expect anything of you.’

‘Don’t be so obliging,’ she said, pursing her lips in mock vexation. ‘Did you wait for me?’

‘I always wait for you, Evie.’

She looked at him with soft exasperation. ‘What am I going to do with you, Reg?’

‘Make me a promise.’

She laughed. ‘Oh, well, that’s easy.’

‘How can you be sure?’

‘Because you’ve never asked anything of me.’

‘Perhaps I will sometime.’

She gave him a sideways look. ‘You can ask anything of me.’

‘Thank you. If I should suddenly ask you to do something that sounds strange—even dangerous—will you do it?’

She frowned, considering.

He didn’t let her respond. ‘Just do as I bid, no questions asked. I would never do anything that was wrong by you, or ask you to do anything that would hurt you.’

Evie’s frown deepened. ‘Reg, I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.’

‘Then it won’t hurt you to make the promise, will it?’

She shook her head, and he could see that she did trust him. ‘All right, yes,’ she began in a tone that suggested tedium. ‘I will listen to you and do as you ask without question. Is that what you want to hear?’

‘Excellent. So, how has today been?’

She brightened. ‘Strangely quiet. It’s rather nice to have a day like this.’ She gave a small shrug. ‘Tomorrow it will probably be twice as busy, though, with lots of casualties, and I’ll forget there are ever quiet days like today with no blood, or weeping.’

‘Tomorrow may never come,’ he murmured.

‘Oh, Reg, don’t be depressing. What’s got into you today?’ He shook his head slightly and she continued, lightening the moment.

‘I’m leaving a bit early tonight if there are no emergencies.’

‘Out somewhere?’ he asked.

‘A ghastly fancy dress. I don’t know whose idea it was to dress up for the Prof’s twentieth anniversary bash but now we have to. It’s not my cup of tea but I have to go and I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know I’m actually getting out and socialising.’

He frowned. ‘Where is it?’

She waved a hand. ‘That new pub that’s opened up near the gardens.’

‘The Botanic?’

‘Yes, probably. They’ve got a private dining room.’

‘What have you chosen to go as?’

‘Oh, I’m sure I’ll regret it but it sounded inspired earlier to look like a peasanty barmaid. I didn’t know what else to choose at the hire place. That’s why I couldn’t make lunch—the others forced me to go with them and find something. Anyway, this outfit looked plain and not overly colourful in the shop. Everyone else was choosing madly glittery things or very bright character costumes. I thought I’d choose something simple, not too loud or colourful. Something in which I could still appear vaguely feminine and not have to wear a wild wig.’

‘And you don’t think a corset is going to draw attention to your—’

‘Absolutely not! Well, not if I don’t draw the strings too tight. Besides, I have a cloak! I have secretly always wanted to wear one,’ she admitted, mimicking flinging a cloak around her shoulders.

He grinned. ‘Pay attention to your phone.’

She blinked. ‘Why do you say that?’

‘I don’t know,’ he said, shrugging. ‘I’ve had a strange feeling since I woke up.’

She shook her head. ‘That sounds ominous.’

‘Then perhaps I should have said the instantly forgettable and meaningless
take care
,’ he offered.

She gave him a look of tolerant indulgence. ‘That’s exactly what you should have said.’ She pointed over her shoulder. ‘I’d better get back.’

‘I know. Thanks for finding me.’

‘So, I’ll see you on Monday, then?…usual spot?’

‘Not if I see you before,’ Corbel replied.

‘Reg, this is the moment you say, have a nice weekend.’

He stopped his trimming of the small hedge outside the Admissions area. ‘I prefer to be honest.’

She gave him a sad smile. ‘Yes…and the truth is that’s how I like you. Just a bit strange and always honest. All right, my friend, you have a happy weekend and I’ll bring lunch for Monday.’ She squeezed his arm and turned away, unaware of what that simple affection did to him.

Corbel swallowed, watching the Admissions sliding doors close behind her.

He was sure this moment was the last time she would enter the building.

There had been an emergency—a car accident on the highway with two fatalities and a number of casualties. Evie had been called in for a man in his late fifties who was experiencing heart problems. She’d already had several calls from the party and now she found herself frustrated and changing in the staff room, much to the delight of two of the young interns.

‘Risk looking and I’ll give you hell next week,’ she warned, holding her corset on as one of the nurses laced her up. ‘This was such a stupid idea!’ she groaned under her breath. ‘And having to get ready here. It was so quiet all day! I thought I’d have time to go home and get ready. I really don’t want to go now; I hate parties at the best of times and besides, I look like I’ve just come from work all hot and bothered.’

‘No you don’t!’ the elder nurse tutted. ‘Of all of the women on these wards, you’re the one who needs no make up. When are you going to accept that you are a naturally beautiful, young, hotshot doctor?’ She smiled into the mirror. ‘There, how does that feel?’

‘Tight,’ Evie replied. ‘Thanks, Sarah. And for the confidence boost. Have I got time for some warpaint?’

‘Trust me, you don’t need it. Take off those glasses, plump up those breasts so they actually sit higher.’ Evie groaned. ‘That’s how they’re meant to look in this medieval maid garb,’ the nurse said, exasperated but laughing. ‘You chose it.’

‘I thought I could just fade behind all the other loud outfits.’

‘Bare skin, especially your flawless décolletage, will hardly go unnoticed,’ the nurse warned.

‘Well, I have a cloak!’ Evie protested. ‘Help me pin the brooch on, will you.’

Sarah did so. ‘There, you look rather good, actually. Forest green suits you.’

Evie mocked herself in the mirror. Her phone beeped and she groaned. ‘Oh no, they’re saying they won’t start eating until I get there. I don’t need this pressure.’

‘Grab a taxi and just go.’

‘I’m worried about Mr Henderson’s—’

‘Well, don’t! We’re under control and you know it. Go!’ Sarah left, glaring at the interns as Evie dug into her bag for the mobile phone. She didn’t recognise the number the text had come from. She hit the button to read it.

Meet me on the roof of the hospital immediately. It’s important and v. urgent. Reg x

She frowned. ‘Reg?’ she murmured with disbelief. ‘I don’t have time for this now.’ She grabbed her bag, checking her purse was in it, and threw in the phone. She left the staff room and headed down the corridor, breaking into a jog, knowing she was holding the celebrations up, calculating whether it was more expedient to jog cross-country over the botanic gardens or queue for a taxi outside the hospital.

As she ran by one of the nurses she knew well, the woman whistled. ‘Blimey, you look different,’ she said. ‘Have you spoken to the groundsman, that Reg bloke?’

Evie stopped, walked back. ‘No, what’s happened?’

The nurse shrugged. ‘I don’t know but he was inside the hospital just a few moments ago, asking everyone coming into the cardio unit to tell you to please take notice of the message he left for you. He said it’s very important. I didn’t even think you knew him. Strange man. He’s so tall and imposing and scruffy. I half expect him to open his coat and pull out a pair of guns.’

Evie looked down, frowning. ‘Don’t be idiotic, he’s a friend…of sorts.’

‘Really?’ The nurse pulled a face of disbelief. ‘Well, he looked a bit freaked out. I’ve seen him often enough before. He’s normally very shy, very quiet, but he wasn’t either this evening. But I’ve always thought he was a bit crazy, you know.’ She twisted a finger near her temple.

Evie shook her head. Something must be wrong.

‘I hope he isn’t going to do something crazy,’ the nurse added.

‘Like what?’ Evie said, offended.

‘Well, he looks like a halfwit sometimes, doesn’t he, beneath all that beard? Maybe he
is
crazy. Maybe he’s going to kill himself or something.’

‘Oh, Fran, don’t be ridiculous! He’s as sane as you or I. Listen, I’d better go.’

‘Enjoy the party,’ Fran said, continuing on her way.

Evie bit her lip. She couldn’t leave now. She had to find Reg.

She ran for the fire exit and headed upstairs.

Corbel’s heart was pounding. He was sure this was the moment. But would she come? Would she trust him? Would she do it?

He threw the mobile phone down and crushed it with his foot. He had used it only once, to send her a text. He would never need it again. It shattered against the concrete, which was his intention. He dug through the ruin and found the sim card, which he threw into one of the air conditioner funnels.

Reg heard a door bang and he turned around to see her. She looked perfect, her outfit so suitable. Even unconsciously, she was following her destiny.

‘Reg? What the hell is going on?’

‘Where’s your phone, Evie?’

‘My phone?’ she repeated, looking perplexed. ‘In my bag.’

‘Can I see it?’ He held out a hand.

She dug inside the bag. ‘Reg, I’ve got a party to go to and
everyone’s telling me you’re acting like a loony, which they seem to think is pretty normal, but I don’t. What are you doing up here and why are you texting me?’

He flicked his fingers, beckoning for the phone.

She handed it over, not seeming to notice how rude his gesture was. ‘Now what is this about? I’m running la—’

Corbel flung the phone off the roof.

She stared at him dumbfounded for a blink. ‘Reg!’ she shrieked. ‘Are you mad?’

‘Apparently.’

He knew Evie was not prone to histrionics. As he watched, she calmed herself down. ‘All right. You have my attention,’ she said. ‘Will you tell me what this is about?’

He nodded. ‘Here, will you share this with me?’ He held out a can of her favourite soft drink, knowing she would feel obliged to drink it.

She took it and sipped but he could see it was only to be polite. He opened another can for himself and sipped too, hoping to encourage her.

‘Cheers,’ he began. ‘Do you know today’s my birthday?’ he lied.

Evie looked momentarily pained. ‘No, I didn’t. Oh, Reg, I—no, wait. That doesn’t make sense. We’ve always celebrated your birthday in September.’

He smiled sadly. ‘That’s because you chose September when I said I didn’t know when my birthday was. But that was a fib. I’m sorry about that. It’s actually today.’