Read Online Renegade by Nancy Northcott - Free Book Online

was no sense bringing his trouble to her doorstep to worry her or, God forbid, endanger her in some way.
    Someone tapped on the door, and Stefan walked in. “Ma’am, Mr. Walker, I’m Dr. Stefan Harper.” Hettie introduced herself and Magnus. Stefan shooed them out politely, then knelt by Griff’s side.
    “Banning came through for you. I admit I’m surprised.”
    “You don’t…know the half.” She’d risked her life for his tenants, was risking it for her word to him. Hell of a woman.
    Stefan set out a small boom box. He punched a button, and soft, slow violin music filled the room. As he took cleansing wipes and bandages from his bag, he wove his power through the music, wrapping the melody around Griff’s mind, distancing him from the pain.
    Stefan lit a lavender candle, and the sweet, healing scent filled the air. Griff drew it in, let the magic in it bolster him. Stefan’s low, soothing voice detailed his progress as he worked. Griff drifted with the music and the sound of his friend’s words.
    Maybe Valeria would sit for him, let him paint her someday. Sap green flecked with gold and burnt umber would work for her eyes. Naples yellow, highlights of burnt umber and sienna for that beautiful fall of hair. Cadmium red mixed with white for the rose in her cheeks and lips.
    Yeah. Like that would ever happen.
    “Easy,” Stefan murmured. “I have to remove these bandages, and they’re stuck to you.” Lukewarm water and a soft hint of power slid over Griff’s skin, tamping down the pain. Until Stefan lifted the makeshift bandages. Fire blazed over Griff’s back.
    His fists clenched on the edge of the mattress. “Holy fuck,” he muttered through gritted teeth.
    “Sorry, bro.” Stefan held a hand above the abused skin, easing the agony with more magic. “This is bad, but I guess you know that.”
    “No shit.” As Stefan probed, Griff set his jaw and breathed through the hurt.
    “I’m worried about your systemic venom levels,” Stefan said. “I’ll take a blood level in a bit. Before I do any healing, I want to draw the venom with an herbal plaster. This’ll take a while.”
    Griff answered with a grunt. The sooner they started, the sooner he could have the conversation that might give him back his life.
      
    An hour later, Griff’s chest and back still burned, but not as much as his need to see Valeria. At least he didn’t have the venom-based taste of ammonia on his tongue.
    “All done.” Kneeling by the mattress, Stefan switched the music to something quiet with acoustic guitars, something familiar.
    “Did you write that?” Griff asked.
    “Yep, so if you don’t like it, pretend you do. Either way, it should help the healing. Let the lavender candle burn until it gutters out.”
    “Right. Thanks.”
    Marc tapped on the door and entered. “Will and Lorelei are here. You up to seeing them?”
    “Sure.” He hadn’t expected them, though. Was something else wrong? Griff forced himself up to sit cross-legged. Rather than focus on the throbbing in his back, he concentrated on breathing.
    Marc reached for the knob. “I’ll send your guests in, then check on Ms. Banning.”
    When he opened the door, the newcomers walked in. Lorelei Martin, a petite brunette, led the way. An unusually large, blue tote hung from her shoulder. Griff noted the faint outline of her crossbow on the fabric.
    Behind her came Griff’s second-in-command, tall, blond historian and archaeologist Will Davis. Will was also the Collegium’s assistant loremaster and like a brother to Griff. Marc closed the door as he left.
    “Not many Mundanes we can trust.” Stefan glanced at the closed door, then at Griff. “It was a lucky day for all of us when Marc found you wounded by the road and brought you here.”
    “Not many Mundanes who would believe us, anyway.” Griff nodded a greeting to the new arrivals. “You know, it’s weird how easily Marc accepts all this, but I’m not complaining.”
    Hettie might listen,