Breath of Yesterday (The Curse Series) Read Free

cell?”
    “Hmm. I don’t know.”
    Lippert, who didn’t feel like adding extra overtime to his already long and arduous shift, looked at his watch. He then closed the patient file, glanced at the name, and made a suggestion. “Listen, you check these numbers one last time. If the results are confirmed, I’ll call the patient back in, just in case. If the numbers are right—which I think is impossible—I’d be surprised he hasn’t come back in himself.”
    Tillman nodded and walked over to the refrigerator where the blood samples were stored. “If the numbers are right, then he’s beyond help anyway,” he quipped.
    “Probably, but I still can’t think of an explanation. If I recall correctly, he was in perfect shape when he was discharged two weeks ago.”
    “Is it possible that he got an infection from the stab wound that you guys treated?”
    Lippert was already washing and disinfecting his hands. He was off duty now and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Let Frank check the numbers once more. In his own expert opinion—and after all, he was an experienced physician—the problem had to do with the laboratory and not the patient himself.
    “It’s possible, but I doubt it. Such damage to cells caused by an infection…is unlikely. Look, I have to go. Send the results up to my office when you have them. Then we’ll talk again.”
    With a quick good-bye, Lippert left the lab, first for his op report and then for the well-deserved end of his shift.
    By the time he sped away in his Camaro an hour later, his tired mind had banned any thoughts about patient McLean’s strange blood work.
     

C HAPTER 3

    I opened my eyes.
    The molded ceiling in my bedroom looked like it had since my childhood, but I had changed. I was no longer that little girl who admired the pretty roses on her bed and imagined what it would be like to marry a prince.
    I was eighteen years old. I had lived through indescribable things during my visit to Scotland. And I had to come to terms with the fact that for centuries my own family’s history was inextricably linked to Payton’s.
    Fate had brought us together to right a past wrong and to finally allow love to claim victory over hatred.
    Vanora’s curse caused Payton McLean to suffer terrible pain every time we were together. Although he realized that I carried within me the blood of the Camerons—the blood of his enemies—he fell in love, and his feelings for me softened the curse and brought him back to life. His love for me was strong enough to defy even death. He would have died for me—and he almost had died from a stab wound to the heart.
    And now he was lying beside me. His breathing was regular, so I knew he was still asleep. I gently caressed the bandage. I could feel his heartbeat. Once during the weeks in the hospital, I had seen the wound that Nathaira had inflicted. She had wanted to stab me with her dagger. She had wanted me dead, but she lost, and her hatred and anger died with her.
    I could barely believe my luck. The coolest boy in the world with a small crescent-shaped scar on his chin and the most intense look in his eyes, a look strong enough to turn my legs into Jell-O: That boy was my best friend and boyfriend all rolled into one.
    I was still staring at him when Payton woke up with a start, grabbing his head and groaning.
    “Good morning,” I whispered, fully in love—but I didn’t get a reply.
    Payton swung his legs around and sat upright on the edge of the bed. He held his head and mumbled something in Gaelic.
    I clambered up next to him, caressing his back.
    “Payton, are you okay? Is the wound hurting?”
    “ Ifrinn! No. Don’t worry, everything’s all right.”
    “You’re crazy! I can see you’re not well. What’s the matter?”
    It made me angry that he thought he needed to play the bulletproof Highlander in front of me. His smile seemed forced.
    “Hmm, maybe last night was a bit much. I had no idea how insatiable you could be, my sweet