They’d only been in the study a short while before the door opened, and a man walked in. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, except the costume he wore was from the same era as Max’s.

“I’m sorry. I had to go downstairs to get my bag,” Wilson Thacker said, shutting the door behind him. “Victor told me one of our guardians got hurt.”

“She believes it to be just a bruise, but I wanted to make sure,” Max said. “Lisa, this is Dr. Wilson Thacker. He’s been with me for years, and he’s not only a brilliant scientist, he’s a brilliant doctor as well.”

Lisa’s eyes never left the man’s sixteenth-century garb as he approached. “Um…no offense, but—”

“Don’t worry, young lady,” Wilson said, chuckling. “While I may have started my medical practice centuries ago, I promise you I’ve kept up with the times. Now, where’s this bruise Victor told me about?”

“My arm,” Lisa said, pulling off her glove. “But it’s nothing, really.”

Wilson took his time examining the now dark purple handprint on Lisa’s forearm, asking her to flex and stretch her hand, wrist, and arm, all of which she did without incident. “Well, it appears the lady is correct. It’s only a bruise, although it is a nasty one. I have something in my bag that may help though.”

Wilson fumbled in his oversized worn leather bag before pulling out an instant cold pack and rupturing the inner seal. He shook it to activate the contents, and turning to place it on Lisa’s arm, he laughed when he saw her anxious expression. “What? Were you expecting leeches?”

Lisa blushed. “The thought did cross my mind,” she said, wincing as he placed the pack on her arm.

“I’ll have you know that modern medicine still uses leeches, and most hospitals have an ample supply. They come in quite handy for reconstructive surgeries and reattachments, like when someone loses a finger.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yes, but given what we all are, having blood-sucking worms around seems unnecessary. Don’t you agree?”

It was Lisa’s turn to laugh. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“And now that I’m done with my house call, I think I’ll return to the party,” Wilson said, closing his bag. “Keep that pack on for about fifteen minutes, and whenever you get home tonight, ice it again. It’ll help with any swelling and should stay any further bruising.”

“Thank you.”

“I think I’ll go with you, Wilson,” Max said, following the man to the door. “No need to hover.”

Lisa rested against the desk, keeping the ice pack in place as she looked over at Bennett. “You can leave. Like Max said, there’s no need to hover. I’m fine.”