I have to devise a plan—a failsafe, even if Thane doesn't agree with it.
He doesn't have to know.
But I'm missing something he won't give willingly now that he knows about the potion.
One thing that's missing from it for it to be complete.
I inhale a sharp breath, spurred into action as I search Thane's bathroom for a medical kit. The cupboard above the sink, the towel drawer.
I find it behind the towels, nestled like a clue against the side. Grabbing it, I breathe out in relief when I find a syringe and a needle.
I've seen what Thane can endure, gauging his threshold of pain from when he was injured fighting the demons. He's even survived death.
He can survive a small prick.
I gather what I need—the syringe, a cotton ball—and tiptoe back to his bedroom. I lie down beside him, a tear falling from my eyes and pooling on the pillow, but I hold my breath, so I don't make a sound that might wake him.
Keeping my lips pursed, I lift the needle and slowly sink it into Thane's flesh where his arm is exposed, and a vein remains prominent, watching as he flinches and waiting.
But he doesn't wake up.
I draw some of his blood—not more than a few drops, but enough to work—before gently pressing the cotton ball on the tiny prick that will go unnoticed. Letting out the breath I've been holding steadily, I take the syringe back to the bathroom, hide it in the medical kit, and tuck the bag back where it was nestled amongst the towels.
A failsafe. That's all this is. If we can't figure out another way to lock the demons out, I won't have another choice but to take the potion.
Chapter 23 - Thane
A tormented howl rings out, and my eyelids fly open, alert, my instincts snapping into gear when the howl doesn't stop.
I snap my head to the side, momentary relief washing over me when I find Willow on the bed beside me.
My worst nightmare of losing her isn't playing out, but the howl from the mountain is too painful to ignore.
Willow's eyes flutter open, her brows knitting.
“Who is that?”
“I don't know,” I respond as I kick my legs off the bed, padding quickly to the window and noticing the lights of other houses waking up.
“Thane! We need you!”Dawson's voice bursts through the mind link, and I spin toward Willow.
“Something happened! I'm going out!” I tell her urgently, grabbing my pants and pulling them over my legs as quickly as I can.
When the howl rings out, louder now, I recognize the tone.
It's Elias.
“Shit! Something happened to Elias!”
“Emile hasbeen taken.”
Those words cut through me like the sharpest blade, my heart lurching and dropping to the soles of my feet.
Staring at Willow with dread, I repeat the words Dawson said through the mind link, and her face pales with horror.
“I'm coming with you!” She’s out of bed in no time, racing to the bathroom.
My heart pounds with dread as I reach the door, and Willow is close behind me as we race toward Elias's house.
