Chapter 194: Chapter 194
Elara POV
I force myself to walk at a normal, steady pace to the doctor’s house. I can still feel Quinn’s eyes on my back, and if I run or walk too fast, she might become more upset than she already is.
Asher comes out of the doctor’s house just as I am about to enter. He glances at me nervously and keeps on moving. I consider calling him back to tell him how disappointed I am that he would disappear without telling us, but I let it go. His only concern right now is his family, and he will not give a rat’s ass about my opinion.
I watch as he walks away, and sadness nestles in my chest. I thought we were friends, but he is walking past me like I am a stranger and have not spent countless nights with him and his family.
I exhale deeply and enter the doctor’s house, following the sounds until I find everyone in a bedroom. Mindy is sitting in the corner, crying, while Mason pins a squirming Maxim to the bed.
“I can’t hold him still,” Mason says when he sees me.
Quickly, I walk to the bed, take Maxim’s face between my hands and force him to look at me.
“I know it hurts,” I say calmly. “But you’re a big, bad high guard, and you can do this.”
“I ... I’m tr ... trying,” he mutters through clenched lips, his face drenched in sweat.
“It’s the wolfsbane,” the doctor says behind me. “He’s losing the battle, he can’t help himself, and I must inject him into the wound, or it won’t work.”
“Don’t you have restraints?” I ask, desperately.
“Not at home,” the doctor replies dryly. “And I must be honest; I don’t think the antidote will work. The infection has spread too far.”
“You must try, pleeeeease,” Mindy weeps from the corner.
“Doctor, I’m not accepting that,” I hiss, looking into his pale, blue eyes. “We risked everything to break him out. We’re not giving up now. Mason, give me your belt, and Doctor, I need a single bed blanket.”
“Mindy,” I turn towards her. “Get up and lie beside Maxim. Hold him as close as you can, and on our count, push Maxim away from you.”
“N ... no,” Maxim protests. “My spasms ... can’t control ... might hurt ... her.”
“So, you’ll give her a black eye,” I reply dryly. “She’s a wolf, she’ll heal.”
“Here’s the blanket,” the Doctor says, and I take it from him.
“Help me get this under his hips,” I say to Mason. “The centre of the blanket must be under him.”
With a lot of moaning and effort, we finally have the blanket in place, and I call Mindy over. She wipes away her tears and climbs onto the bed, pushing herself tightly against Maxim, wrapping her arms around him.
“Maxim, concentrate on Mindy, okay?” I say, motioning for Mason to come closer. “Listen to her breathing and try to calm yourself. Even just a little bit would help.”
Mason loops his belt around Maxim’s foot, and I throw one side of the blanket over Maxim’s hips, creating a sling.
“Okay, Doc,” I look at the old man. “Mason and I will be pulling, and you better be accurate and quick with that needle.”
“On my count,” the doctor nods, standing closer.
I stand at Mindy’s side, taking a deep breath and silently praying this will work.
“Two, three,” the doctor counts.
Mason pulls his belt, keeping Maxim’s leg straight. I place my feet against the bed, pulling both ends of the sheet with all my might, while Mindy pushes him in the opposite direction.
“Done!” The doctor jumps backwards, and Maxim howls in pain.
I release the blanket and watch Mason release Maxim’s foot from his belt.
“Did it work?” Mindy whimpers, still clinging to Maxim.
“We’ll only know that after twelve hours,” the doctor replies.
“You mean all of this could be for nothing?” Mason growls.
“I told you the infection has spread too far,” the doctor defends himself. “It’s in his bloodstream; it won’t even help if I amputate.”
“How about a witch’s potion?” I ask, hopefully. “They have all kinds of stuff.”
“Please,” the doctor rolls his eyes. “They only concoct potions which will benefit them, not anybody else.”
“But they had a concealment potion for me,” I argue.
“Yes, because they have hybrids, too,” he replies. “The potion was meant for them, and you should count yourself honoured that they were willing to share it with you.”
“So, this is it?” Mindy whimpers, lovingly stroking Maxim’s cheek.
“Except if you can get blood of a hybrid,” he shrugs nonchalantly.
“A wolf hybrid?” I ask, hope bubbling inside me.
“Yes,” he nods. “Wolfsbane does nothing to a vampire, but a vampire’s blood is fatal to a wolf. But a hybrid is immune to a wolf’s and a vampire’s blood.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” I ask, smiling brightly.
“Dear, you’re out of time. Where do you want to find a hybrid?” He asks patiently.
“Right here,” I smile, dropping my fangs and raising my arm.
“You’re a hybrid?” The doctor stares at me with big eyes.
“In the flesh,” I reply, biting into my arm and holding it over Maxim’s mouth.
“Drink, buddy,” I whisper when he moves his mouth away. “You took care of my friend and mates. It’s time for me to repay a favour.”
Maxim slowly licks my blood before he clamps my arm against his lips, drinking eagerly. I stay in place until colour returns to his face.
“That’s enough,” I say, pulling my arm away.
“It’s working,” the doctor smiles as he examines the wound. “It’s already healing. Slowly, but still.”
“Thank you,” Mindy shrieks, throwing her arms around me and nearly knocking both of us off the bed.
“Mason, pay the doctor,” I say, gently pushing Mindy away. “We must get out of here.”
