average human’s Reviews > Edge of Steel > Status Update

He shook his head. “No, although I think he’s affiliated with them? He appears to be a purple python.”
Joseph’s golden brows hit his hairline. “A what?”
I relaxed—slightly. “He can come in.”
The door opened, and Dr. Lee slipped inside. Tall, fit, cheekbones that could cut glass, shiny black hair that one could have no doubt would be silky-soft to the touch. Dark, kind eyes and endless patience for bullshit. He looked fresh, which meant I was catching him early in his shift.
At Dr. Lee’s entrance, Ian sat up straighter and wiped the scowl from his face. I coughed and rolled my eyes at him.
George slithered in behind Dr. Lee and made straight for my bed.
“Hey, buddy,” I cooed at him. “Where have you been?”
Dad stood rigid against the wall, and Joseph went deathly still on his stool. While George made his leisurely way up into my bed, they stared at me like they were concerned I’d lost some faculties out there in those woods.
“Relax, Dads,” Ian drawled. “That’s George. He belongs to the basilisk, but he’s super fond of Aves. I’m pretty sure he’ll choose to live with her after the divorce.”
George curled himself into a pile next to me and draped his head across my thighs. I stroked the smooth scales on his head.
“Fascinating,” Joseph said, relaxing. “Maybe George somehow sensed the Moon-given connection between your beast and the basilisk. Wouldn’t that be something?”
I scowled. That was probably true and would explain a lot, but the idea that George’s affection for me was only due to Elijah’s beast being Fated to mine soured the whole thing a bit.
Dr. Lee reviewed my chart on his tablet, and then he approached the bed. “Do you mind, George? I need to check Avery’s injuries. She had quite an ordeal last night.”
George hissed at him.
“Sorry about that,” I said sheepishly. “I haven’t seen him in weeks, so he’s being clingy.”
Dr. Lee chuckled. Such a saint, this man. “I see. Well, I’ll do what I can.”
He worked quickly through his exam, humming approvingly at some points, frowning and tutting at others. The frowns were usually accompanied by the soft, buzzing warmth of magic as Dr. Lee used his healing affinity to move things along.
Dull pain lingered in the leg the Giant had broken, and the wounds and lacerations I had all over my body stung a bit as they continued to heal. I had internal injuries that I suspected had taken up the bulk of the magical healing work, both for my tiger and for whoever was on call last night when I was brought in.
I was sore and weak, but with Ian’s blood pumping through my veins and my beast in her peaceful healing sleep, I’d be good as new in a few days.
“All right, I’m satisfied,” Dr. Lee announced, stepping away to make more notes on his tablet. “Everything is healing as it should. I’d like to keep you here for observation for another twenty-four hours, and then I’ll release you. After that, I suggest you head home with your family, since the semester’s pretty much over.” He smiled at me, a twinkle in those dark eyes. “I’d prefer as many capable hands keeping you out of trouble as possible for the next few weeks.”
Ian saluted him. “On it, Doc.”
“Good man.” He made his way to the door, then paused with his hand on the knob to toss a conspiratorial look over his shoulder. “I’ll be seeing both of you this summer at Guardian training. It’s my turn to be camp doc this year.”
I blinked in surprise, and Ian just grinned like it was his birthday.
Dr. Lee didn’t wait for a response. He left, clicking the door shut softly behind him.
Ian sighed dreamily, and then he looked at Dad where he lingered near the door. “You should go reinforce Kai. He thinks the situation in the waiting room is mostly amusing, but I don’t trust those assholes not to try something to try to get back here. Again.”
My stomach curdled at the mention of the proximity of my not-mates.
Dad sighed. “Fine. I’ll go growl at that Alpha. He’s impressive, but now I know why his tail was between his legs earlier.” He gave me one last look full of concern. “Now that you’re awake, I can give them a definitive yes or no. Do you want to see them?”
We told you the cold, hard truth. You aren’t it for us.
I didn’t need to think about it. “Fuck no.”