CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Caine looked up when his mother stepped quietly into his room. She was carrying Sarah in her arms, and the baby squealed and cooed happily when she saw her daddy.
Caine stood up immediately and held out his arms for his daughter. He hugged the little girl tightly and put one arm around Amanda’s shoulder as she stood at the bedside.
“How is she?” Amanda asked softly.
“Her heart rate and temperature has returned to normal. But she hasn’t woken up...” Caine answered.
Amanda sat at the edge of the bed and took Tia’s hand. “She’s a fighter. She’ll make it. I know she will,” Amanda said fiercely.
Caine nodded and turned to his daughter. Sarah smiled and patted his cheek with her tiny hand. Her injuries had all disappeared and she looked fine.
“My little phoenix,” Caine whispered. “You’re so tough and brave.”
Sarah had healed herself by shifting. She shifted to phoenix form and burned away all her wounds and injuries. His baby girl was a survivor, a fighter, a true phoenix. She grew stronger after emerging from the fire.
Caine had carried both Sarah and Tia to his car, which he had parked just one street behind the old museum, and sped them home. Tia’s heart had started beating again just a few seconds after it stopped. It beat hard and fast, pumping the wolf venom through her veins. Tia was young, strong and tenacious. Her will to live was strong. Caine had faith in her, but still the fear and worry gnawed at him.
They were all in his house now. Caine forbade his mother from going back to her house until he had done a sweep of the entire house and installed new locks on every door and window. Amanda tried to object when he told her that he would be getting her house fitted with the most state-of-the-art security system. But she knew that this was an argument she couldn’t win.
Caine’s eyes flicked back to Tia. “It’s been two hours...”
Amanda patted his arm. “Give her a little more time. It can take a few hours, or a few days. It depends on the individual. That’s what your father told me.”
Caine scrubbed a hand down his face. “I can’t lose her,” he said hoarsely.
Amanda smiled and said, “You won’t. Tia loves you. I can see it in her eyes. She’ll fight for you. The girl is strong and proud, and...she reminds me of me in my younger days,” his mother finished with a chuckle.
“Come here,” Amanda said to her granddaughter. “You must be hungry, sweetheart. How does a nice, warm bottle of milk sound? I’ll tuck you in after that. Nana will sleep with you in your room tonight.”
After his mother and daughter left the room, Caine sat down on the bed and stroked Tia’s face tenderly. She let out a soft sigh at his touch and her eyelids fluttered.
“Tia,” he called out, grabbing her hand. “Tia!”
He searched her face anxiously and felt her forehead. “Open your eyes, please. Wake up, Tia. Tia!”
Tia turned her head at his voice and whispered his name. With a gasp, she opened her eyes and blinked.
Instinctively, her fist flew out. Her mouth rounded in a soundless scream as she flailed and kicked wildly.
“Tia!” Caine grabbed her wrists and stared into her wide, frightened eyes. “Tia! It’s me, Caine! Stop! No one’s going to hurt you. Tia! Look at me, just look at me. I’m Caine. Everything is okay, you’re safe. You’re safe now, Tia.”
He hugged her and said in a choked whisper, “You’re home.”