Chapter 71 Seventy One
KAZIEL
"Dani!" Kaziel's roar echoes down the corridor, his footsteps thundering closer. But I can't focus on him. I can't focus on anything except...the blood on my hand. My blood. An ice-cold shiver shoots down my spine.
My vision blurs as I stare at the crimson stain smeared across my palm, horror expanding in my chest like a balloon ready to burst.
"I—" My voice is barely even a whisper. "Kaziel... what's happening to me?"
He materializes at my side, dropping to his knees so fast the air distorts around him. His hands cradle my face, his eyes blazing.
"Dove. Look at me."
But I can't. I can't rip my gaze away from the red pooling on my palm.
"I hurt him," I choke out, my voice unsteady from the agony. "I hurt him for years. He's dying because of me. He—he drank poison for me—Tyler took it—he saved me—and I—I—"
My words melt into another fit of coughing. More blood hits the floor.
"Your power," he murmurs roughly. "Dove... your vessel core is reacting with your sanctum core, fuck."
I can't think. Everything hurts.
"Because of Ember?" My voice is small and childlike.
"Because you were triggered," he answers. His thumb wipes blood from my lips, his hand shaking.
"I should have known your body was already wearing out."
I choke on another sob. "Am I—am I dying?"
His head snaps up, his eyes wild. "Don't ever say that."
But I can feel it. It feels like I'm on fire.
"Kaziel..." I whisper. "I don't feel good."
He pulls me tighter, almost crushing me against him.
"I've got you," he murmurs fiercely. "Dove, listen to me. Your body is reacting, yes, but you are not dying. I won't allow it."
Gently, he lowers me to the ground.
"Stay with me," he breathes, swallowing hard. "Danika, do you hear me? Look at me."
"I'm scared..." The confession tumbles out of me.
Kaziel presses his forehead to mine.
"I know." His voice cracks. "I know, dove. And I'm here. I'm not letting go."
Another cough rips through me, and blood sprays onto his shirt. He doesn't even flinch, he just places a hand on my chest. His eyes turn black with a ring of gold, his chest heaving. The last thing I see before my vision goes white...is the sheer, murderous terror in Kaziel's eyes.
...
I stir awake slowly, letting out a groan. I'm lying on something soft and warm. A familiar bed. And he's sitting right beside me, slumped against the headboard. He's shirtless, half-sitting, with his hand holding mine. The pain is all gone, I notice. But now, I'm as weak as a newborn kitten, and I really, really need to go to the bathroom.
My gaze roams over my mate's handsome face, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. He looks drained. I really don't want to wake him up. So, I try pushing myself up, but my body refuses to cooperate. Just then, Kaziel stirs. His eyes stay sleepy and unfocused at first. He stares right through me as if he doesn't think I'm real. But when realization hits, he gasps, moving over to cup my face.
"You're awake, oh thank goodness," he rasps, kissing my forehead.
"How long was I out?" I croak, pressing my thighs together. He winces.
"Three—"
I let out a sob. Three weeks? Oh God. Not again. I'm screwed. What about my lectures and attendance? I've missed way too many classes.
"Dani, why are you crying?" Kaziel asks, pulling me into his arms.
"Kaziel—" I start to say only to burst into tears when I notice that even his hair seems a little longer than before.
Oh my God, what if it's been three months?
"I'm so sorry, babe. You must've missed me. It must have been a miserable three months," I sob, and he holds me tighter.
"It's been three days, dove," he says, and I instantly go still.
But my bladder doesn't let me dwell on this. So I reach for his hand.
"Bathroom," I say hoarsely.
He instantly scoops me out of bed and carries me to the bathroom in bridal style. He lowers me gently to my feet, but my legs buckle instantly.
His arm snakes around my waist, steadying me.
"Easy," he murmurs, his voice rough. "I've got you."
My entire face is probably as red as a tomato at this point. He guides me towards the toilet, slow and careful.
"Kaziel," I whisper, mortified, "I can do it—"
"You can barely sit up," he says softly.
And then, with the kind of tenderness that makes my chest go hot and achy, he helps lower me onto the seat. His hand stays on the small of my back so I don't tip over. I have to lean into him because my spine has the structural integrity of overcooked pasta.
"I can't believe this is happening," I whisper, double embarrassed.
He leans close, wiping the tears off my cheeks.
"Oh, sweetheart," he says softly, "I've held you while you bled and convulsed. This is the part that embarrasses you?"
Touché.
My cheeks burn, his thumb stroking my back in calming circles.
"I hate this," I mumble, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head.
"I know. But trust me, helping you pee is the least horrifying thing I've had to deal within the last seventy-two hours."
A watery smile tugs at my lips as I lean against him, breathing in his scent.
He proceeds to not only help me shower and get dressed, but he feeds me too. And a little while later, I'm curled up on his lap in the sitting room, watching a sappy TV show.
"What happened after I passed out?" I finally manage to ask. "And what happened with the council meeting? Did you attend it?"
Kaziel strokes my hair gently. "I had to induce an unnatural sleep to help your body recover from the overload."
"Oh..."
"As for the meeting, I couldn't leave your side. So I didn't go," he adds.
"And Tyler?" I ask, and he stiffens.
"I released him. He's been coming over to check on you," he replies, and my eyes go wide. I turn to look at him, and he looks away.
"You let him see me?" I whisper, awed.
"I saw the way you cried, Danika. I still have nightmares from that day. I just want you to know that it wasn't your fault. None of it was. Tyler made an active decision, and whatever consequences arose from it are his to bear," he tells me, and I gulp, a lump forming in my throat.
I really want to believe it, but my mind won't stop spinning in circles.
"For some strange reason, the hollow hasn't affected me since the day you accidentally burned me. Callen said your power might have subdued it for good," Kaziel says, and relief grips me.
"If that's the case, then we...won't have to worry about it anymore," I breathe, tears of joy welling up in my eyes.
Kaziel nods.
Just then, there's a knock on the front door. Kaziel gently rises to his feet and lays me on the couch before heading to the door. Doctor Callen steps in, beaming at me when he sees me.
"How's our Luna doing?" He asks, and I smile.
"Better. Just wish I had an energy booster," I reply, and he smiles, moving over to me.
"It's best if you take things easy. Your body needs the rest, so it's taking it. Whether you like it or not," he says, opening his toolbox.
As Kaziel heads over to us, I notice the black veins on his left forearm, a frown creasing my brows. Before I can ask, Callen's already snapping on a cuff.
"Let's check your temperature and pressure first," he says gently.
I exhale shakily after he's done, relief spreading through my limbs...right until I see him pull out a vial from his kit. And a syringe.
My soul leaves my body.
"Callen," I croak, "why is that so big—"
"It's a standard dose, Danika," he says calmly. "A tiny pinch at most."
"Tiny?!" I squeal, scooting back so fast my head spins. "That thing looks like it could tranquilize a horse!"
Kaziel catches me before I collapse backward into his chest. His arm wraps around my waist, keeping me upright.
"Dove," he murmurs, fighting a smile that he's clearly not allowed to show right now, "it's a needle. Not a weapon."
"It is a weapon," I whisper fiercely. "They stab you."
Callen sighs. "I promise I'm not stabbing anyone today. Just a quick injection in your thigh."
"My WHAT—?!"
Kaziel chuckles under his breath and lowers his mouth to my ear.
"Danika," he whispers, his voice smooth, "look at me."
I turn my face towards him.
His fingers brush my jaw, lifting my chin as he murmurs, "Just breathe with me. In... and out."
I gulp.
"You trust me, right?" he adds softly, and I nod quickly.
The moment my attention is fully on him, Callen swabs my thigh.
"Kaz—Kaz, he's—Kaziel—"
"I've got you," he murmurs, pulling me closer, his thumb stroking my hip. "Eyes on me. Just me."
Kaziel rests his forehead on mine.
"Good girl," he whispers.
And then, a sharp sting hits me.
"Aaah—!" I squeak, gripping Kaziel's shirt in a death hold. "It hurts—okay—okay—ow—"
"All done," Callen announces.
I blink. "What? Already?"
Kaziel presses a kiss to my temple, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You survived."
I want to protest, but a heavy, warm wave rolls through me. My muscles loosen, my eyelids suddenly too heavy.
"Oh," I mumble. "M'tired..."
Kaziel catches me again as I slump. "The stabilizer's kicking in," he murmurs, lowering me onto the couch. His hand stays on my cheek, his thumb brushing lazily under my eye. "Sleep, dove."
A warm blanket is then tucked around me, faint voices caressing my ears.
"How's the pain?" Someone asks.
Pain?
My drowsy brain struggles to keep up.
"Manageable."
Manageable?
I try to open my mouth, but the weight pulling me under is irresistible.
"She needs to know," the voice insists. "You have to tell her about the baby."
What baby?