The Devil's Surgeon

The Midnight Flight

REIGN POV

"Dr. Rhys?"

"Reign." His deep voice came through immediately. "I need a favor."

I straightened. At this hour? That couldn't be good.

"What happened?"

"I have a high-profile client who needs urgent medical attention. I should be handling this myself, but I'm in Russia for a medical summit and can't make it back in time."

I frowned. "Sir... you have other surgeons more qualified than me."

"No." His answer was immediate. "You're the only one I can entrust this job to."

For some reason, those words made my chest warm.

"What's the case?"

A brief silence. Then, "Gunshot wound."

My eyes widened. "Gunshot?" I instinctively looked around the corridor. Westridge Medical Institute was a breeding ground for gossip — one wrong word and the entire hospital would know by sunrise.

"Yes," Dr. Rhys said. "And time isn't on our side, Reign."

I hesitated. Gunshot wounds were complicated, and high-profile clients usually meant trouble. But I was a doctor. A life was at stake.

"I'll do it."

A sigh of relief came from the other end. "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me."

"There's one more thing," Dr. Rhys said, his tone shifting, graver now. "I require absolute confidentiality from you. Whatever you see, whatever you hear once you're on that island, should stay with you. No exceptions. Not for colleague, friend, or family. Do you understand?"

I hesitated at the weight in his voice. "I understand. You have my word."

"Good." A beat of silence passed, as though he needed to hear me say it before he could truly let himself relax. "I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't trust you completely."

"Pack light," he continued. "Everything else has been arranged."

"Arranged?"

"A helicopter is on its way."

I nearly dropped my phone. "A helicopter? Wow, that's a lot to process at once."

"There's no time, Reign. The patient is on a private island."

An island? This night just started getting interesting.

"I'll send you the details." The call ended.

For several seconds, I simply stared at my phone. Then I laughed softly. "Well... this is new."

Twenty minutes later, I'd changed into fresh scrubs and packed a small overnight bag with a few essentials and a change of clothes. The elevator doors slid open onto the rooftop, and the wind hit me immediately.

A sleek black helicopter sat waiting, its blades already turning, whipping my hair across my face. Beside it stood a tall man in a perfectly tailored dark suit. He stepped forward as I approached.

"Doctoressa?" The accent was unmistakably Italian.

I blinked. "Sorry?"

"Doctor Carter?"

"Yes."

He inclined his head respectfully. "Please." He took my bag and helped me into the helicopter. The door shut, the engine roared louder, and we lifted into the night sky.

I looked down through the window as New York's glittering lights slowly disappeared beneath me. I had no idea where I was going, or whose life I was about to save. But somehow, I had a feeling this night was going to change everything.

---

**Third Person POV**

Far below, a pair of eyes watched the helicopter disappear.

A woman in scrubs lowered her phone. On the screen was a photo of Reign climbing aboard. A slow smile spread across her lips.

"Well, well." She zoomed in, voice dripping with malice. "A helicopter in the middle of the night? Who would've thought our innocent Dr. Reign is a midnight fairy?"

She chuckled, fingers already moving across the screen. "Let's see how long that spotless reputation of yours survives."

Then she hit send.

The photo dropped into the hospital group chat — and within seconds, the notifications started pouring in.