Axe
After five hours of driving, all I want is to pass out in front of my favorite fireplace. But when Cora’s text comes through, there’s a slight change in plans.
Cora
Need you at Sonic Jungle. Vessa's got something bad in her system. Bring my kit.
With something like two hundred inebriated people packed into this building, pinpointing Vessa's scent may take a littleeffort. Ray, a stocky Bleeding Sun warrior who works part-time as a bouncer, admits me through the employee entrance around the back. When I slip inside, I detect the faintest trace of the smell that's been driving me mad over the last week. Beneath a hazy green strobe light, I lean against a steel beam and close my eyes to filter out the overwhelming stenches of sex, booze, marijuana and cheap cologne. Finally, I narrow in on the essence of her. It guides me through a rowdy cluster of dancers.
The aroma of dread amplifies the closer I get to her. Whipping my head around, I’m hustling faster now, clutching the first aid kit to my chest.
A new message buzzes in my pocket.
Cora
Ladies' room. Behind the south bar.
My wolf rumbles deep in my chest.There.
My eyes connect with the illuminated sign. I rush to the restroom, swiftly dodging servers in slinky dresses. I see my medic's concerned face before my eyes dart over to my hyperventilating mate.
"She won't let me come near her," Cora explains. "I don't know exactly what she's seeing but judging by the yellow powder on her face, I think she’s hallucinating from a dose of Ludone."
Ludone? Dom and I have zero tolerance for it here, mainly because it isn’t just a drug. It’s a manipulative agent that lycans pass around to amplify human scents, making for an enhanced sexual encounter. The problem is most humans that snort Ludone get so high it causes nightmares to bleed into the boundaries of reality.
Vessa trembles against the wall, clutching onto it for dear life. Crimson oozes out of her hand. Judging by her petrified eyes, it doesn't seem like the pain even registers in thisstate. Cora rummages through her first aid kit, selecting her instruments. Carefully, she reaches out to try and see to Vessa's injured hand.
"No!" Vessa shouts. She jerks it away and sinks down to the floor.
Cora backs off. A pair of humans pass by, snickering cruelly as they watch her writhe. Vessa recoils from them in horror.Stupid pricks.
I decide to drop to my knees so that I'm at her eye level. By design, Ludone is an intense high for my species. For a small thing like her, I’d imagine it has the strength of a horse tranquilizer.
Cora cringes, likely contemplating the same. "If it’s Ludone, then her hallucinations will fluctuate. The drug works as an entropy accelerant.”
“In Agathoran, Doc. Please.”
“Right. First, there's about an hour of ecstasy. Then, the frontal lobe of the brain goes dormant, like what happens when children have night terrors. Like that scenario, waking them up in this state can be dangerous. It can prolong the disassociation and cause them to submerge further into the delusion.”
She dabs her brow. “I’ve read that often a person is shown their deepest fears on replay. But what they’re really seeing are glimpses of Somnium."
Silverfire, I know exactly what that’s like.
Someone scurries over with a glass of water and hands it to me. Gemma.For fuck’s sake, Dom’s letting in underaged girls now?
The young cadet looks nauseous as she takes in Vessa's blotchy face.
Cora nudges me as she opens a roll of gauze. "Try offering her the water."
I say Vessa's name and place the cup two feet in front of her. She’s on the verge of hyperventilating. At first, she doesn't move a muscle, so I try a different approach. I take the cup back and bring it to my lips, swallowing the drink. Then I place it by her feet again, whispering,"Water. Just water."
Reluctantly, the skittish girl lets me look into her wide eyes. Terror holds her hostage and I can’t fucking bear it. But through her tears, there’s a subtle spark of recognition. Slowly, Vessa reaches for the glass of water, downing the liquid in two seconds flat. The potent scent of her distress diminishes as she stares back at me, panting.
“Are they gone?" she sniffles.
I cock my head, not entirely sure what she means. I extend my hand to her, slowly. "Take my hand, Moonshine. We'll get yours fixed and take you somewhere safe."
Ever so slightly, I lean closer. "You're safe with me. I promise."
