“She’s been like this since she was attacked,” Caleb told Obian worriedly. “Looks like she’s in shock.”
“Okay,” Obian said in a low, soothing voice. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with. Can you lie her down on the bed?”
“I can try,” Aleki said. Although he was reluctant to let go of her. When he tried to shift her, though, she cried out and clung to him.
“Okay, let’s just leave her where she is,” Obian said. “I’m just going to examine you, sweet flower. All right?”
She didn’t reply.
Aleki watched Obian place a pulse oximeter on her finger to measure the oxygen in her blood. He took her pulse before he slipped on a blood pressure cuff.
“Her blood pressure is low,” Obian told them.
“But she’s all right?” Caleb asked anxiously, standing at the end of the bed.
“Yes. I think she’s likely in shock.” Obian worked on cleaning up her arm and bandaging it as he spoke. “Keeping her quiet for a while would be a good idea. No more big shocks. Not too much excitement. Maybe a nice bath. Some playtime.” Obian winked down at Vivi.
Aleki saw her give him a tremulous smile back. Relief flooded him that she was responding. The door opened and Wolfe raced in. His hair was mussed and his glasses were falling down his nose. He shoved them up and studied Vivi with his obsidian eyes. “What’s wrong with her? Does she need a hospital? I knew we should have gone straight there.”
“She’s fine,” Obian told him. “Just in a bit of shock. Let me know if there are any problems. I’ll see myself out.”
Obian left and Wolfe shot his gaze to Aleki. “What the fuck happened?”
Vivi buried her face in his chest.
“Watch your tone, man,” Aleki told him. “You’re scaring her.”
Caleb walked over and hugged her gently. “Poor baby. Been in the wars, haven’t you?”
“Marilyn shouldn’t have gotten anywhere near her!” Wolfe snarled. “Why weren’t you watching her?”
Vivi let out a small whimpering noise. Aleki ran his hand up and down her back soothingly, shooting Wolfe a look. Didn’t he think he already felt terrible? That he wasn’t questioning every move he’d made?
“Wolfe, go run her a bath.” Caleb pointed at the bathroom door.
Wolfe glared at them both.
“Now,” Caleb commanded. “And take a minute to calm down because you are not helping anyone, least of all Vivi.”
Wolfe scowled at them all before stomping off to the bathroom. They heard the sound of water running.
“I’m sorry,” Vivi whispered suddenly, moving her head so she was facing Caleb. “I don’t want to upset all of you. I just need a minute.”
Caleb crouched in front of her. “You take all the minutes you need. Okay? Can I get you anything? Maybe some orange juice. You could probably use a bit of sugar.”
Aleki could feel her trembling and agreed.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Caleb said.
Wolfe returned, staring down at them both, his face unreadable.
Vivi reached her hand out to him. Aleki waited. If he rejected her, then Aleki was going to kick his ass. Instead, Wolfe moved forward and sat on the bed, facing them. Then he slid his hand into hers. She let out a breath, relaxing slightly.
“A whole hand this time?” she asked quietly.
Wolfe just nodded. Aleki raised his eyebrows, surprised that small touch was enough to help her relieve some of the tension riding her.
He guessed they all had their ways of helping her.