"Ancelin," she offered.
"Ancelin," Dr.Canvel nodded."His venom—the absence of it—after such frequent...exchanges...may cause some withdrawal symptoms.Nothing dangerous but prepare yourself."
She squeezed Krevan's hand."Whatever it takes."Her voice caught."After everything he's done for me, after nearly losing him..."She blinked rapidly."I'll make sure he heals completely."
Krevan pushed himself upright, wincing."The windows need sealing.Those bodies won't move themselves.I have to drag them outside."He gestured toward Ancelin."She shouldn't have to deal with that.They'll keep in this cold until I can bury them properly."He looked at the doctor."Then I'll rest.Satisfied, Jared?"
The doctor ignored Krevan and addressed Ancelin.“Ancelin, feed him well.Limit the caffeine but boost him up on it before he takes care of the bodies and the windows.Feed him well after he’s done working, too.After he takes care of those immediate tasks, then he must rest.Then limit the caffeine as he recovers.”
“Very well, thank you, as always,” Krevan said, and they left for home.
“Ancelin, have you ever heard of anyone named Eismulen?”
“No, I can’t think of anyone.”
"Could be something worth following up on.I'll pass this name along to my father when I next make contact."Krevan's words trailed off as his eyelids grew heavy, finally surrendering to exhaustion.
Chapter 15
The journey home stretched long through the storm, with Krevan unconscious beside her.As Ancelin guided the vehicle into the garage, motion sensors triggered the lights, illuminating his face.Though still ashen, his color had improved since the doctor's treatment, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.She leaned close, her lips brushing his cheek."We're home," she whispered.
His eyes snapped open instantly."You navigated that chaos well."He straightened, reaching for the door."Wait here while I secure the house and deal with the bodies.The windows need sealing—plastican's on the shelf."His voice, though weary, carried urgency as he gestured vaguely across the garage."It can't wait."
"I'll handle it," she said, already moving.
"Kitchen first.And bring the vacuum for the glass and snow."He pointed toward a sleek machine tucked in the corner.While Krevan checked the house, Ancelin shuttled supplies inside, making two trips with the heavy materials.
"I've already disposed of the bodies outside.Let me grab my tools so we can seal these windows with plastican."Krevan returned moments later, his complexion ashen beneath the kitchen lights.
Ancelin's stomach knotted."You shouldn't be doing this now.The doctor said I needed to feed you first to restore your strength."
"The doctor worries too much."Krevan pressed his palm against the wall to steady himself."We can't eat with snow blowing through our kitchen.This won't take long."He handed her a corner of the translucent material."Hold this taut."
The wind fought them, whipping the plastican and numbing their fingers, but Krevan worked methodically, layering the material until it formed a solid barrier.Ancelin followed behind with the vacuum, erasing all traces of snow and shattered glass.
"Could you hang some sheets for extra insulation?"he asked, his voice noticeably weaker.
"I'll handle everything.You need to lie down."
"Just...be careful on that chair.And perhaps some food when you have a moment?"
"Food first, then sheets.Now go rest before you collapse."
Krevan dragged himself up the stairs, each step a visible effort.Ancelin's stomach lurched, and she bolted to the bathroom where she retched until nothing remained but dry heaves that left her trembling.She splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection in the mirror.A pale woman with frightened eyes looked back.
"He'll be fine," she whispered to herself, though the image of the laser wound in his abdomen flashed in her mind.The doctor didn’t seem worried, but what did she really know about Triaxen physiology?About their limits?
She pressed a cool cloth to her forehead, wiping away beads of sweat.Someone would come looking for that crystal eventually.The thought of more violence, more danger to Krevan, made her stomach threaten to rebel again.
"Later," she told her reflection firmly."Deal with that later."
In the kitchen, she assembled four tartis roast sandwiches and brewed a pot of coffee, her hands moving with purpose.When she carried the tray into the bedroom, her heart seized.Krevan lay sprawled face-down across the bed, blood still crusting his clothes.
"Krevan," she called, setting down the tray."You need to eat."
He mumbled something unintelligible.
"Please," she urged, "sit up.The doctor said you need food."
