"Toby needs a healer," Ully said from the bedside.
"I know where to find one," Rhyn said, his thoughts going to the Ancient healer that had been a prisoner in Sasha's zoo in Hell across the hall from his own cell. He stood without looking at Katie. "I'll be back. Keep everyone out of the forest, Kris."
He stalked to the door, sexual frustration and anger in his blood again. He jogged through the castle and ran out into the snow, launching himself into the cold air as he changed into the bird form. For once, he was grateful for the coldness chilling his fevered skin.
For the second time in as many days, Rhyn surprised her. She wasn't expecting his ministrations-- however rough and sloppy they were-- or his mouthing off to Kris.
And neither was Kris. The Immortals' leader cursed and paced for a few minutes after Rhyn left before disappearing into the hallway. She rose, still wobbly, and crossed to the bed, perching on it beside Ully. The sight of Toby's near lifeless features made her feel sick to her stomach. She brushed hair away from the child's face. His sweet smell and the feel of his soft skin lingered in her senses after she'd carried him from the forest. She'd never noticed how a kid smelled, like fresh sunshine.
"You think he'll be okay?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"I don't know," Ully answered. "I think a healer can fix him. I think he's just sleeping for now." She touched the baby angel's hand. She'd never known the type of terror that tore through her when she saw the jaguar snatch him. The image replayed itself in her mind, and guilt flooded her. It shouldn't have taken almost losing him for her to realize how vulnerable he was.
He was hundreds of thousands of mortal years old, but less than half a dozen in angel years. Without Gabriel, Toby had no one but her.
"How is he?" At Sasha's voice, they both turned. A tremor of fear went through her, and Ully crept closer, as if she had half a chance of defending them. She wrapped a hand around her throat protectively.
"Fine," Ully whispered. "Sleeping."
Sasha's gaze took them both in, his eyes settling on her bandaged arm before he forced himself to look at Toby.
"I didn't know we had a baby angel in our midst. Demons don't normally attack them, unless they were trying to draw you outside the sacred grounds, Katie," he said. "They taste awful."