A few days. That was how long it had been since Dyani was placed in the hospital. It had also been some of the most stressful moments considering there was an inquiry about her collapse. Between investigations from the government, the school, and the Headmistress, Britt was ready to slash down anyone else that wanted to question him again over the whole thing. It would be worse once Dyani woke up and Britt could only pray that he would be able to get to her first so that she knew the story that he had woven.

  It had been quiet other than the occasional person visiting him to ask after Dyani's health. Most of the students had been forced to return home when the cause of Dyani's condition could not be discovered. For safety, the students were sent home for the rest of the holiday season. Now, the school was covered with specialists that were testing the wards, the air, and anything else that could give them a hint to the sudden growth of a students magical core without outside influence. That was the first thing that the hospital had tested for. When she came back clean of potions or spells, they were left to analyze the environment. Britt thanked the Goddess when they had brought her trunk to him, unable to open it. Britt had refused to open it, despite them knowing he had been there. Even the creator refused to open the trunk without the express permission of Dyani.

  Britt huffed and pushed away the annoyances of the past few days. It was time that he made his way to the hospital to visit. Every moment that he was able to, Britt went to see her. Something within him pulled him closer to her. Although he knew that the cause of this was due to her First being with him, thanks to the hint from the Goddess, but Britt still needed to do more research. He had never heard of an adult having undergone a First so late in life. He figured that hers would have been long ago.

  Arriving at the hospital, the long term ward, Britt nodded to the welcome desk lady. It was a younger girl this time and she waved him through. They were all becoming familiar with his face. He used the scanner and the doors opened to reveal the familiar scene. This was one of the quieter times that he had walked in on. Unlike the first day and the previous day. That had been a surprise to all involved when a severe spell creation accident was brought through the doors. Britt had sequestered himself into the room with Dyani and done some extra work while reading aloud to her. He was not sure if the woman heard him but he liked to think that it would encourage her to wake.

  Going through the normal screening, Britt ducked into the room and sat down at the prone girl's bedside. She was paler than normal and her hair was a mess. Britt stood up and moved her lightly so that he could smooth down her hair. It was unbraided and the first time that Britt had seen it like that. The woman usually kept it pulled back in some form or had it very neat. He was positive that if she saw herself, Dyani would be fretful over the state of it. Hair. Britt sat up. He had not told her family of what happened. There was a deep set panic as he picked up his phone and scrolled through the messages to find Dyani's father.

  Britt: Do you have time to speak later on? There has been an incident and you should be aware of it.

  Catan: What's wrong? Is Dyani safe?

  Britt: She is in our version of a long term hospital. Right now she is well, but she is in a healing coma.

  Catan: Can you meet with us soon?

  Britt: I shall come over as soon as I am done visiting with her.

  Catan; Thank you for telling us. I'll gather the family and await your arrival. Please keep me informed and give my daughter my love.

  Britt: I will.

  There was a shift and Britt stiffed slightly though he made sure to relax himself and adjust the bedding around Dyani's body. Someone was within the room and observing. Yet, it was only because of his sensitivity to magic that he sensed the shift when the person moved. A complex spell. One that an adult of specific caliber could perform. Britt wanted to hunt them out but knew that would give away his knowledge of their presence. This time, he would have to watch his words and that made him grumpy over it.

  He spent long enough there that it was starting to get later on into the evening. The person had not left, as their movement would have alerted him to their leaving. There was a ding as the door slid to the side and a few people stumbled in. Britt breathed a sigh of relief as he welcomed the teens that Dyani had become friends with. The presence slid through the open doors and out to the hall. Most of the group were unaware but Kavan's gaze was dark as he noted it as well.

  The moment the doors to the decontamination room were closed, Britt threw up strong wards. He relaxed for the first time in hours.

  "Who the hell was that?" Kavan bit out as the others looked confused.

  Britt scowled, "They hid their signature well. I am unsure of who it was."

  Kavan rolled his eyes and stepped over to the spot where the person had remained for the entire time. The others watched, gathering close to Dyani's bed so they were out of the way. Purple eyes slid shut as he took in a deep breath.

  "I've smelled this before. It's someone that Dyani knows but I do not know them."

  Britt sighed, "That could be anyone at this point."

  It was noted but pushed aside as Britt filled in the teenagers on what had happened. He had informed them the day after and this was the first time that they were able to visit.

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  "Do you think that she will wake soon?" Mari's voice was soft but it carried through the silent room. There were monitors that gave off a small sound every now and then. Otherwise, it was quiet while everyone kept to their thoughts.

  "Dr. Baine said that with what happened that there is no telling when she will wake. It could be tomorrow or it could be six months from now. It all depends on how much of a fighter Dyani is when trying to wake up. Right now, her core is still growing though they stabilized it with small increments rather than the large influx that it was. Although it is safe with smaller increments, they suspect that it will be much longer in the coma."

  "They gave you the option, didn't they?"

  There was an intake of breath before Britt blew it out harshly. "Since I have been in contact with her the most and am technically overlooking her status within this world when her parents cannot, they deferred to me. I knew that Dyani would be brash at first and want to just let it all happen, but ultimately I know that she would have said to go the safer route."

  Noemi gave him a soft smile and patted his hand.

  "You did well and you know she will not fault you for it."

  Britt coughed and tried to hide his embarrassment, knowing that actually it had been partially his fault for the whole situation. Kavan gave him a shrewd look but the others nodded and focused on speaking to Dyani. Britt looked at the time and cursed at it had gotten closer to a time when it was not decent to visit people.

  "I must leave, there is something I need to attend to. Please look after her and if there is anything, you can message my school PMA."

  They gave their acknowledgment but kept a low conversation with Dyani. It hurt Britt's heart to see both Dyani and her friends having to go through such a stressing time.

  There were a few that greeted him as he moved passed and he nodded in return. It was longer coming in than it took to leave. Within a few minutes, Britt was at the Dysc. He had stepped into it and was about to put in the coordinates when the same energy picked up. This time, he chose the Marketplace and took off from there the moment that he landed. Within seconds, he was off on another Dysc to his original destination, the pub. As he was whisked away, Britt caught sight of a cloaked figure dropping down to where he originally land. Their energy was the same and their body tensed up when they could not spot him. Britt grinned and breathed a sigh of relief at the familiar pub.

  He was greeted with warm smiles and soft words of sympathy. Word had travelled though Britt was not surprised. Dyani was the curious darling of the magical community, especially since the Samhain ritual. A few stopped him to ask after her health and progress on waking. Britt gave a doleful smile and spoke in soft tones. After a few minutes have nodded farewell and left the pub. It was much easier to connect to the tree in the back of their house. Having done that multiple times now, he could do it without Dyani's aid.

  The light to the back porch was on and Britt made quick work of climbing the stairs. The moment he hit the top step, the eldest brother opened the door and welcomed him in. He was guided to the living room where the rest of the family waited. Catan stood and shook his hand while wearing a severe expression.

  "I cannot thank you enough for keeping us up to date on on Dyani. I had not heard from her in a few days and was beginning to worry."

  Britt sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I apologize that I did not reach out sooner. I should have."

  "No need to apologize, Britt." Serena soothed, "You have done so much for us already. We would have never known in the first place. Now, what can you tell us happened."

  Kieran, the youngest of the three brothers, had vacated his chair to give to Britt. He sat down on the floor in front of his mother. She ran her fingers through his hair in an absent minded attempt to calm her own nerves. Britt sighed as he sat down and ran a hand over his face.

  "It's been a hectic few days since she first collapsed. Since then, I've been visiting her and dealing with an inquiry at the school."

  "Collapse?" Dylan choked out in shock.

  Britt looked at him for a moment before nodding, "The official story is that we were working in my office together when she cried out in pain. She collapsed. They said that her magical core was undergoing extreme rapid growth."

  "And the unofficial?" Catan's voice cut through.

  Britt tried his best to not allow the flush creep up into his face but from the look on Serena's face she caught on.

  "We were in the middle of doing something when she hit the magical equivalent of a puberty. Although, we go through this multiple times when younger, it is rare that an adult would do so. It was unexpected for her to undergo them."

  There were raised eyebrows and confused faces. Britt nodded to himself, expecting this.

  "We were not prepared for the fact that Dyani would go through any of the normal magical growth considering that she is well past that age range to be having them. Due to the fact that she was already with a lot of power from the backlash, the rapid growth destabilized her core and she was in critical condition. They got to her fast enough to put her into a medical induced coma. She will take time to heal as her body adjusts to the new growth. Although, she was having minor fluctuations over the past few days. The are unsure of how long she will be in this coma."

  "Coma?" Serena placed a hand on her chest with tears in her eyes.

  Britt leaned forward, "I promise that we will get to the bottom of this and I will keep you informed."

  Britt didn't have it in him to tell them the true reason. After all, it was not seen as proper between student and teacher. They teased the line of it frequently and the only saving grace was that she was well over the appropriate age. In fact, she was closer to his perceived age that he donned when working in the human world. Britt sat back and looked at the people that hd raised Dyani. They were such an anomaly. A family that supported and believed in magic despite not being able to be within the very community.

  "We cannot visit her, can we? There's no way?" It was Dylan who asked but everyone knew that it was a common thought.

  Britt shook his head, "No. I'm afraid not. Not with the Headmistress still in control and you at risk."

  There were flashes of disappointment before Catan stood. Britt brushed his hands on his pants and joined the man. They shook before Britt was guided to the back door.

  "It is getting late and I think we need some time to think on what you've told us. I'll keep in contact with you. I cannot thank you for coming and explaining."

  Britt gave him a sad smile, before nodding his head. They would keep in contact. The night air had grown crisp since he first arrived. The Elf shrugged on a conjured cloak and wrapped it over his shoulders. It would be a rough travel back to the school and dealing with a suspicious Headmistress. One hand placed on the trunk of the tree in the backyard. It had become a familiar presence with each visit. The life and memories held within it was as strong as the people inside. Flashes of a young Dyani flitted through his mind and Britt smiled serenely up at the clear sky.

  "Come back to us, Dyani. Come back soon."