Chapter nine

                                    

                                          
(Continued from chapter eight)
                          
Ryker heard Evie's voice- strong and authoritative. Then he heard his brothers- furious and tired. All of this was followed by a thud. Ryker's heart began to race; he didn't care if the medic was still stitching the gash on his forearm, he jumped off the stainless steel table and threw open the door to the other room.  
                          
Channing had Evie by the throat. Ryker immediately felt the hold when he barged in, the hold that was keeping Evie from struggling, from screaming or yelling in protest. Ryker thought on instinct in that very moment. He charged towards his brother and tackled him to the ground, the rage running through both of them, colliding in mid-air: creating a dense atmosphere.  
                          
Evie's limp body crashed to the floor, but that wasn't enough to break her. Her face contorted in pain as her heart and head began to burn as if they were actually on fire. After disabling his brother, Ryker kneeled by Evie's side. Cupping her now pale face in his hands gently, he searched for any sign for movement in her eyes. He found none. She didn't even acknowledge that he was there. 
                          
Ryker felt tears slip down his cheeks and he angrily wiped them away. Ives rushed into the room as well as a nervous looking Chalmers following behind him. Ives grabbed Ryker by the arms and pulled him to his feet while barking orders at Chalmers to take Evie out of the room. Ryker watched as his Sani was being scooped up into another man's arms and carried away from him. He wanted to help her, with everything he could do- he wanted to make the pain that Channing casted on her go away.
                          
Ryker struggled to break free from Ives hold. "Evie! Ives, let go of me! Evie! Evie...I love you. I love you, I'm so sorry..." 
                          
********** 
                          
Ives paced the polished hard wood floors with his hands clasped behind his back firmly; he watched Ryker carefully- who had at this point resulted to drinking scotch. There was only thirty minutes before the introduction ball, there was no way that Evie would have been able to make a full recovery before then.
                          
"What's taking so long?" Ryker grumbled unhappily.
                          
"Give her time Ryker. Her mind has never experienced anything like this before, it needs to readjust." Ives tried to soothe him but failed in his attempts.
                          
"Where's the medic?"
                          
"He's in the room with Evie."
                          
"Father won't be happy when he hears about this." Ryker sighed and sat down on the couch. "He's been waiting to meet her, he even put his conquests on hold just for tonight. I can't imagine what he would say..."
                          
"He already knows." Ives spoke gently.
                          
Ryker sighed impatiently and the door to the Medic's room opened slowly. Ryker jumped to his feet and hastily went to the medic with a worried expression. Ives stood beside Ryker, his hands still clasped tightly behind his back and his heart beating fast for the results to be heard.
                          
"She's going to be just fine." The medic spoke quickly and everyone let out the breath that they had been holding. "But she asked of me to allow her some time to herself. I suggest you both honor her request. She's having some trouble dealing with what just happened."
                          
Ryker nodded and spoke with a quiet voice, he acted as if he was disappointed. "I understand, We'll wait here."
                          
"Ryker, it's been a long day. You should rest. Father has called the introduction ball until Evie is feeling well enough." Ives said concerned.
                          
Ryker shook his head. "I've waited longer to see her. I can tolerate an hour or two." he looked to the medic. "Let her take as much time as she needs; there is no hurry. I shall wait here."