Impulse (45 page)
Justus muttered something unintelligible as they left the room.
The party had ground to a halt when the smell of arousal bloomed in the air and Logan’s brothers took that as their cue to head out. By the time the last person left, I’d fallen asleep on the sofa. Max curled up beside me, paws stretched like prickly branches around my neck.
Half asleep, I gasped and sat up, completely disoriented. Beads of sweat rolled down my brow and I shuddered.
Where was I?
Stumbling to my feet, my hands searched for a switch when my hip knocked into a shelf and I fell to the wood floor.
“What are you, a duster now? Get up.” Christian’s foot nudged my side.
“I don’t want to get up. It’s my birthday, and I’ll—”
“Jaysus. Start singing that and you’ll get a thick ear.”
Over the past hour, something murky and cold had rolled through my body. It reminded me of when I didn’t level down and the power depleted.
“Christian, I don’t feel good.”
His voice grew closer as he knelt down “What’s wrong?”
“Sick.”
“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
He lifted me up and went downstairs. His boot kicked against a door, making a shockingly loud sound.
“Justus, rise and shine.” He kept moving and put me in the sheets of my bed.
“What did I tell you about coming in here?” Justus scolded.
“Silver needs a specialist; she’s not well.”
“Logan said it would take time to wear off.”
“I hear her breathing and heartbeat, and it’s all off. She’s not getting better, she’s worse than she was six hours ago. Do you know a good Relic? Then you better get one.”
Chapter 35
“Why didn’t anyone call a Relic as soon as this happened?”
The woman’s voice was stern and authoritative. She came highly recommended by Remi, a close friend to Justus. He personally drove her to the house but was uncomfortable with staying and offered to pick her up when she was finished.
Relics are mortals with a unique gift. They’re born with ancient knowledge inherited in their genes, passed down by their ancestors. In order to retain the knowledge and continue their line, Relics only marry another Relic. They date back as far as any Breed, perhaps further, which makes their knowledge invaluable. Most become healers of some kind, or scientists, but they were also consultants. I couldn’t imagine being a young child and simply knowing things I couldn’t explain.
This woman sounded like she wanted to inflict pain among the men and heal later. She had a feminine voice with a sharp edge that reiterated her confidence. I liked her immediately.
“We had it under control,” Justus replied defensively. “The Vampire drained the venom and I gave her some of my light. She’s been kept warm and had an appetite at the party.”
When the door closed, I could hear the soft hush of her legs rubbing together when she approached the bed. She was wearing a skirt. It’s funny how much we rely on vision when our other senses will make up for our shortcomings.
“Silver, my name is Page La Croix. I’m one of Remi’s personal advisors, but I’m also a healer. Have you ever met him?”
I nodded.
“I’m only doing this as a favor because Remi is a dear friend of mine and as it turns out, your Ghuardian is close friend of
his
. Personally, I’m of the opinion that Creators should only be women, because only a man would think that having a party for an injured Mage is okay.”
“He didn’t mean any harm.”
“They never do,” she muttered privately. “I’m going to check your vitals and perform a physical examination. If you feel any discomfort, I want you to speak up right away.”
Page pressed firmly all around my abdomen, checked inside my mouth and ears, squeezed my ankles, and even looked at my fingernails. The only sore place on my body was where Tarek had bitten me. She examined it closely. It was swollen and hot, yet the only thing Page noticed were three puncture holes and no discoloration.
“It’ll scar,” she said. “I hope you know that. Mage light won’t work, nor will the healing saliva from a Chitah.” Something I’d already guessed, as I was sure that Logan would have tried if he knew it was possible.
Legs from a chair tapped on the wood floor beside the bed. Page asked questions while I listened to the scribbling of a pen. “Tell me exactly how you feel.”
“This morning I was all right. It started just before the party and I don’t know—my body just feels lethargic. By the end of the party I could barely move and I fell asleep on the couch.” I touched my eyes. “Maybe it’s just being in the dark.”
“And now?”
“There’s a cold ache deep in my bones. Also, my light feels like it’s leaking out of my body. My neck still hurts and the tips of my fingers are burning.”
“No doubt from the energy leak. Silver, I’m going to be frank with you. Chitah bites don’t happen very often unless it’s with the intent to kill. One or two punctures—yes, we’ve seen that administered as a warning. Because their venom is deadly to a Mage, most never tangle with a Chitah. Other species don’t have the same reaction to the venom; it takes a specific hold with your kind. If they use all four of their canines, it kills. But three is just so
rare
. Three contains enough to kill a weak Mage, but you seem to be a tough cookie,” she said with a smile in her voice.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“The venom hasn’t left your body and it’s wreaking all kinds of havoc. If we do nothing, you’ll eventually weaken to a state of mortality. Do you understand what that means?”
I shook my head.
I touched the tips of my fingers. “Could I die?”
“Yes. I’m not going to lie to you. A patient should always know the truth about what’s happening to their body because they may have important decisions to make and they need to prepare. Your Ghuardian should have called a Relic as soon as this happened, but most men are stubborn and think they can fix things themselves. I’m going to try to heal you, okay?”
“Okay.”
“My methods may be unorthodox, but it will always be your choice to deny the suggested treatment. Anytime you’re not on board with the plan, just chime in. Vampire, you can come in now. I also wish to speak with her Ghuardian.” Page never lifted her voice above a soft hum because she knew Christian could hear every syllable.
“What can we do?” Justus sounded like a general looking for an order.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t get your name?” Page said.
“De Gradi. Anything you need, I am at your service.”
Her bag snapped open and metal items clicked against the bedside table. I was acutely aware of everything happening and my nervous heart pounded against my chest.
“Her condition is deteriorating; you boys had the right idea, just not the right method. Once we draw the venom out of her bones and into her blood,
then
we drain her. If we don’t expel every drop, it will redistribute and this will start all over again. Don’t look at me that way, Vampire. I need you for other reasons. I can’t have your blood tainted with the venom, so you won’t be drinking from her.”
“Already did.”
“When?” she asked. “Because unless it was within the past twelve hours, you know that it won’t make a difference.”
“I can’t give her my blood, it’s—”
“Suck up your egotistical pride about the glory of your pure blood. I’m quite aware of how revered a Vampire’s blood is. If it helps, I’ll throw down some rose petals at your feet during the ceremony. This is the only way. Are you a friend, or—”
“I’m her guard.”
“Ah,” she said victoriously. “Then you are duty bound to protect her life.”
“What if she turns?”
“Vampire, she won’t turn. She’s a Mage. Once a Mage, always a Mage. Isn’t that right, Mr. De Gradi?”
Liquid poured, followed by the sound of stirring. Page sniffed lightly and slipped her cool fingers behind my neck.
“Silver, I need you to sit up and drink this… all the way down. I won’t lie: It’s going to taste noxious and disgusting, but I’ve got a breath mint if you want it,” she offered. “Here.”
The glass was cold and I dipped my nose in. “Oh, that’s rank. Please tell me the glass isn’t full.”
“Drink it, Learner,” Justus scolded. “Or else I will plug your nose and—”
I’d never heard anyone order Justus around like that. When he didn’t argue back, that was my signal to drink before a world war broke out. I held my breath and gulped down whatever muck and madness it held. Like expected, it was rancid, but the glass was emptied to the last putrid drop.
“Good girl, Silver.” She held my wrist and smoothed a hand over it. “I’m going to wrap a tight band around your arm. I need to find your vein, so you’ll feel a stick. Don’t worry, I always get it the first time.”
I nodded and she prepped me—thumping and slapping the inside of my forearm. I flinched a few times and a needle slid in. Actually, it felt more like a nail.
“Mr. De Gradi, I need you to bring a couple of large containers. I’m not sure how long this will take, but I’ll test her after a few hours. Get the biggest ones you can find so we don’t have to keep making trips. I’m sure you don’t want to recolor your flooring by accident.”
“A few hours?” I exclaimed. “If you take all my blood, won’t I die?”
“That’s what the Vampire is here for.”
A sensation swept through my body—like flames charring my bones. I grimaced and threw my head back.
“It’s starting to work; give me that container pot until the Mage returns. It’ll do,” she said.
If I ever saw Tarek again, I was going to personally defang him.
“We don’t have time, Vampire. Quit staring and get in the bed with her,” Page said.
“Do you mind not calling me Vampire all the time? It’s beginning to rub me the wrong way.”
Page’s heel tapped against the floor.
“
Christian
, this is going to take a while. No, no, no. We can’t do it that way. She won’t get enough. I don’t want her falling unconscious because the intake needs to be continual due to the blood loss. Get in the damn bed. I’ve got a scalpel.”
“Don’t threaten me, lass,” he murmured in a dark voice.
“I was simply pointing out the obvious.” Page was the kind of woman I admired; she really knew how to shape these men up.
The mattress depressed.
“Absolutely not,” Justus barked. Hollow containers tumbled on the floor. “Get
out
of that bed, Christian.”
Page assertively lowered her voice. “You’re either going to be supportive to your Learner or I’m going to tape your mouth shut. If you want this Mage healed, then you need to let go of those protective reins and let me do my job. Exactly what do you think is about to happen here? This is not a bordello, Mr. De Gradi. I don’t have time for this.” She sighed wearily.
“Why not do a transfusion?” he asked in a tone that challenged her.
Page punctured Christian’s neck and the first few draws of blood were awkward. I was afraid of throwing up, but it didn’t taste like blood at all. It was dark and sweet, like black liquorish and spicy red wine, except it went down like hard liquor and burned my stomach. It comforted me, and like a babe at the breast I sleepily pulled to him. My lips numbed from the sucking, and when his wound began to heal, he cut it again. Somehow, that magically tasty beverage had a way of working itself out of my stomach. I didn’t understand the science behind it—whether it was going straight to my veins or speeding up my body in producing more blood—all I knew is that the need for more would take hold again.