Max didn’t want to let go of Vivienne. He couldn’t understand the kind of pain she lived through day in and day out, but the mere thought of losing Amber Rose sent him into a spiral of despair, and that gave him a glimpse into Vivienne’s hurt. His heart ached for Vivienne, and he wanted to lessen her sorrow but didn’t know how. For all the money he had, he couldn’t fix the past.

From over Vivienne’s head, he silently thanked Wilson. His friend had stepped into the waiting room and exited right away when he saw that Max and Vivienne were having a heart-to-heart.

“I pretty much ransacked the vending machine,” Wilson said, walking to their corner with his loot. He opened his arms over the side table. “Snacks for everybody,” he announced with a flourish. Dozens of wrapped goodies fell onto the black surface, making lots of noise in the otherwise quiet room.

Vivienne chose a chocolate bar. “Thank you, Wilson.”

Max went for an anemic sandwich and swallowed the small triangle of bread, ham, and cheese all at once. “I need more,” he said, gulping down the bite and going for another sandwich.

Soon, between Max and Wilson, the entire supply of food disappeared from the table. Vivienne only took a second chocolate bar, saying that she couldn’t eat more.

After the feeding frenzy, Max’s fear returned stronger than ever. Doctor Kalisten hadn’t come back, which meant the news could be either good or bad. Meanwhile, whatever web Louise was spinning, it only grew larger, and it would trap him as soon as he set foot out of the hospital.

A muted commotion distracted him. Voices and steps rose in volume as they came closer. A woman holding a microphone burst into the room, her eyes zeroing on Max without hesitation. Max recognized her at once. It was the Asian reporter from the news, looking for her next scoop. In real life, her shifter nature became evident; she was a were-fox. She wasn’t alone; a cameraman and two other people followed her.

It turned out he didn’t need to leave the hospital after all. He should’ve imagined Louise had eyes and ears there as well. The woman seemed to know what Max would do even before he knew. He was tired of the game already and would need to confront Louise soon and put a stop to her harassment. Now though, he had to take care of the press.

The reporter’s long, sleek black hair slid from one shoulder to the other as she hurriedly advanced toward Max. “Is it true you killed your daughter’s mother?”

Max wasn’t shocked by her question, and he had no intention to fall for her theatrical ways. He gave Wilson a subtle nod, and his friend nodded back, reaching for his phone as he stepped out of the room.

“Do you have permission to be here?” Max asked the reporter.

“Mr. Prize, why aren’t you answering my question? Is it true, then? You killed that poor mother,” the woman continued as if she hadn’t heard Max’s question.

“I suggest you leave,” Max said.

“You can’t stop us from uncovering the truth, Mr. Prize.” The reporter’s eyes shone with a maniacal light. The woman was high on something. “You are not above the law.”

Max wanted nothing else but to let his dragon out and burn the woman to cinders, but sometimes, brute force wasn’t the answer. He might have intimidated social services, but if he attacked the idiot in front of him, no tribunal would absolve him, and Amber Rose would end up alone, losing both her mother and father. For his daughter’s sake, he resolved to keep the dragon inside his mind.

“What are you doing here?” Doctor Kalisten asked from the archway.

“I am Alice Weng from King Six, live from Seattle,” the reporter said, reciting for the benefit of the camera. Despite her arrogant attitude, at least she knew better than to expose the hospital as a supernatural haven. “We are here to help justice—”

“You need to leave, now,” the doctor said, cutting into the woman’s explanation with an expression of utter disgust.

“You can’t stop us,” the reporter said, brandishing her microphone.

“I can, and I will. Unless you are a patient, or a relative or friend of one, you and your crew have no business here. Security accompanied me, but if you wish to avoid a scene, leave now.”

“This is outrageous!” the reporter cried, eyeing the four sturdy-looking men who had just appeared behind the doctor.

“What’s outrageous is that you’re wasting my time; time that could mean the difference between life and death for any of my little patients,” Doctor Kalisten said, raising her brow and crossing her arms across her scrubs.

The reporter blanched, her eyes nervously going to the camera. A red light blinked, indicating it was recording. “Of course, we would never want to keep you from saving lives.” She attempted a smile, probably a cue for the cameraman to turn off the camera, but either her sign was too subtle, or the man purposefully ignored her and kept recording.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Doctor Kalisten moved to the side to let the reporter and her crew through the door.

Security silently followed the somber procession, guiding them away.

“I’ll find who among my staff called King Six, and I’ll fire this person,” the doctor said, looking at Max. “Whoever did it doesn’t have the wellness of our patients at heart, and I can’t have anyone with such low moral standards working in my ward.”

Max lowered his head in thanks. After the day he was having, it was nice to have his faith in humanity restored.

“How is Amber Rose?” he asked, stopping the doctor at the threshold as she was leaving.

“Still in critical condition, but stable. I’ll let you know if there are any changes.” The doctor tapped the doorframe twice. “There’s a small parking lot in the back of the hospital. It’s gated, and only employees are allowed in, in case you want to get some fresh hair,” she said before leaving.

Vivienne touched Max’s arm, her small hand pressing slightly over his elbow. “Maybe we could stretch our legs,” she said, her chin tilted as she looked at him with her bright eyes.

“That’s a great idea,” Wilson chimed right away.

“I don’t know—” Max said, eyeing the door.

“We’ll take turns. I stay here as you take a walk around the block.” Wilson sat, stretching out his legs in front of him. He raised his cell phone for Max’s benefit. “If there’s news, I’ll call you right away.”

Vivienne nodded. “Just five minutes.” The warmth of her light caress seeped through the fabric of his shirt.

“Only five minutes.” Max took her hand in his, and they walked out into the parking lot.

A few people milled about their cars, but the place was otherwise deserted. Tall street lights cast white circles creating bright spots and long shadows. A fine drizzle covered every surface with tiny droplets that sparkled like diamonds. Vivienne led him under the colonnade that ran along that side of the building.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do if—” Max shuddered, unable to finish the sentence.

“Don’t go there,” Vivienne said, pulling him back and hugging him tightly.

“I’m powerless.”

“I know.” She rested her head against his chest. “I know.”

Their united shadows created a silhouette on the wall behind them. Max’s outline looked large, almost swallowing Vivienne’s, but she was the strong one of the two, and he thanked the Goddess once again for having Vivienne at his side.