Page 65 of Caller of Crows

Inside the hospital, he walked right up to the reception desk. "I'm here for my mother, Katya Kjellberg. Where is her room?"

"You're here to visit the mortal woman?" one of the nurses asked, her eyes darting toward Altair. Obviously, she did not think it was a good idea to allow a vampire in. She herself had something distinctly fae-like about her. Not surprising, really. A lot of fae worked in the medical field.

"He's with me," Sven informed her.

"Sir—"

"Please."

"The vampire is not allowed inside."

"Mymotheris dying."

Clearly sensing Sven was going to cause a scene, Altair placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll wait outside."

"Alt—"

"It's fine," the vampire reassured him. "I'll wait for you."

Sven didn't have the time or the mental strength to argue.

Altair pulled him close and pressed something into Sven's hand. A black feather. "Keep this with you. If you need me in there, hold this close to your heart and open a window."

"What?"

"I'll hear you."

Sven met the vampire's dark eyes, wanting to ask questions, but time was not on his side, so he clutched the feather and followed the nurse to his mother's room, his heart hammering.

When he stepped inside, his worst fears were confirmed. His mother was connected to numerous machines and her face was so pale it looked like she was dead.

"Mom?" he called out, his voice breaking.

The nurse led him over to the bed, but instead of staying, she left, closing the door behind her.

Sven sank into the chair next to his mother and reached out, grasping her cold hand, squeezing it gently. "Mom? Can you hear me?"

Katya stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Her eyes were glassy, her gaze unfocused, but when she spotted him, a weak smile curved her lips. "Sven?"

"It's me," he said, forcing a smile onto his face.

"You came."

"Of course, Mom. I'd never leave you."

"Such a good boy." Her voice was so feeble, her breaths short and uneven.

Tears gathered in Sven's eyes, but he blinked them back.

No, he couldn't break down.

Not here, not now.

"I'm sorry," he forced out, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."

Katya shook her head ever so slightly. "It's okay. You're here now." She gave him a fond smile. "What have you been doing?"

"I was…" Sven swallowed as thoughts of his time with the vampire coven clouded his mind. "I was looking for a way to save you."