I woke to a burning pain that emanated from my abdomen and spread throughout my entire body.
I laid there in the bed, too weak to move while this heat spread through every nerve in my body as screams tore from my already damaged throat.
I was vaguely aware of Marcus in the room with me. A gentle touch on my arm, a cool cloth on my head, and soothing words to let me know I wasn't alone.
I didn't know how long the pain lasted. Time had no meaning as my very blood felt like it was boiling in my veins, but slowly the pain started to recede and a soft sigh escaped my lips as I once again succumbed to sleep.
When I woke there was no pain, no heat, only the weakness in my limbs remained and even that wasn't nearly as bad as it had been. For the first time in what felt like months I felt clear headed.
My eyes wandered over to the chair where countless people sat to watch over me. It was empty. I wasn't too worried as Marcus' spicy scent still lingered in the fabric of the chair, which meant he hadn't been gone long.
I stretched my tight muscles and moved the blankets aside to assess the damage that had been done to my body. I still looked way too thin, but I had filled out enough that my bones no longer looked like they were going to pierce my flesh, and my skin was now a healthy milky colour instead of the grey pallor it had before I had taken the medicine Marcus had given me.
Which reminded me of the case Marcus had left on the bedside table. I looked over and it was still there gleaming in the soft light of the room. I reached for it and slowly opened the lid. Inside lay two more vials filled with the same dark viscous liquid, and the sealed letter. I picked up the envelope and turned it over in my hands. On the front in neat masculine cursive was my name. I stared at the envelope for a moment wondering who it was that gave this medicine to Marcus and what kind of payment was demanded for it.
I took a deep breath and cracked the seal on the envelope. I carefully pulled out the ivory coloured paper and opened it. The same masculine script greeted me as I started to read.
Riley,
I trust that Marcus has delivered the case to you. I am sorry you have gone through all this pain. When I found you bleeding there on the forest floor I knew I could not leave you there to die. I did what I could to heal you but I was not expecting a reaction like this. I am sure you have many questions but I can not give you any information in a mere letter.
The content of the vials was created to keep you stable until you can make the journey to see me. Once the initial pain has passed take the second dose. A week after that take the final dose and prepare for the trip. Marcus will try to keep you from coming to me. He always has been too over protective of those he has claimed. If you need to talk to Jiro. He knows the way and will bring you safely to my home.
I eagerly await the day we can speak in person.
Yours,
Kade
I read the letter, then read it again. 'Marcus has laid claim to me?' I guessed it wasn't too surprising since he has kept me in the pack house since I arrived. Though I had been through way too many near death experiences to even attempt to leave. I however had a feeling that Marcus would fight me on this. I had seen in his eyes how much it pained him to ask for help while I was wasting away.
I slipped the letter back in the envelope and slid it under my pillow. I then took the second vial from the case and as instructed I downed it in one gulp. It settled warm and heavy in my stomach just like the last time. I was just hoping it wouldn't be as painful once my body started to metabolize it.
An hour later Marcus returned with a mug of tea that he handed me with a soft smile. "You are awake, and you are looking much better."
"I'm feeling better." I confirmed as I sipped the tea. It was the perfect temperature and it soothed my throat as I drank.
I watched as Marcus settled into the chair and ran his fingers through it hair. "I thought I was going to lose you." I saw the dark circles under Marcus' eyes, the rumpled clothes, and wondered when he last slept.
I placed the mug on the side table and reached out to place a hand over Marcus' that was resting on the arm of the chair. "I am OK Marcus, so please take care of yourself. I can see that you haven't been sleeping."
Marcus gazed down at my hand then back up to my face. "I needed to make sure you were being cared for. If something happened to you I don't know what I would do."
I didn't want to unpack the meaning behind his words. Not right now while he looked so fragile, so vulnerable. Instead I gave him a gentle smile. "Please go to bed and get some proper sleep. Jiro will keep me safe and if anything happens I will call."
Marcus gave my hand a gentle squeeze as he nodded. "OK. I will be just down the hall if you need anything." He then got up and walked out of the room. I heard his low voice as he spoke to Jiro who was again stationed outside my door. Then it was quiet and once again I was alone in the room.
I waited for about thirty minutes to make sure Marcus was tucked in bed in his own room before I tossed the covers off my body and stretched my legs. I could feel the warmth from the potion spread through my body as it made my very bones hum with energy. It wasn't painful this time, which I was thankful for.
I slowly lowered my feet to the floor and cautiously stood. My legs wobbled a little but held. I took that as a good sign and took a small tentative step away from the bed. Once I was sure I wasn't going to fall over I made my way over to the washroom.
I sad on the cold edge of the bathtub as I filled it with warm water. I still wasn't strong enough to do everything on my own yet but I was determined to at least clean myself without Marcus' help.
Once the tub was full I peeled off my sweat damp clothing and sunk into the perfectly hot water. I lie there and soak as I feel the still quiet of the house around me, feel the hum of the potion beneath my skin, and for the first time wondered why all of this was happening to me. Admittedly the prolonged use of the suppressants was my own fault, but did it actually buy me more time as I hid among the humans? If that is the case then what is the Blood Dawn pack really after by taking the life of the son my father didn't really want?
I didn't have any answers to these questions yet but I wondered if Marcus knew more about this than he was telling me. Or perhapse this stranger that has already saved my life twice has the answers I need.
I shrugged. It wasn't like I was going to figure anything out tonight.
Once I was clean and my skin thoroughly waterlogged I stepped out of the tub and wrapped myself in a towel.
I had to lean against the bathroom counter for a moment to catch my breath and it was then that I noticed something. Not wrong exactly but different. I leaned into the bathroom mirror and took a good look at my eyes. They were still the same storm gray colour they always were but now dotted within that grey were flecks of crimson. Was this a side effect of the medicine I was given? What exactly was in those vials?
I ran my fingers through my damp hair. "Great even more questions I don't have the answer to." I muttered as I stepped out of the bathroom to grab a clean pair of sweats and a tee-shirt from the closet.
"Marcus and I are going to have a long ass talk about this in the morning." I yanked the shirt on and pulled my damp hair out from the collar to sit in messy waves down my back. "Unless there is someone else I can get information out of." I mused as I looked at the closed bedroom door.