Kindred of Arkadia 5 Fated Healing Alanea Alder

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Sebastian s body was transitioning through animals the way a corporate executive would flick
through PowerPoint slides. One right after another.
Okay, ostrich is new. Has he been watching Animal Planet again? I told him he wasn t allowed
to watch that anymore, Liam said, then yelped when a fifteen-foot python appeared on the bed. After
three minutes of changing, Sebastian finally settled into the tiny cat form everyone in town was
familiar with. Liam and Kent exhaled.
Doc? The baby? they asked together. Claybourne listened in, looking more like a vet that a
human doctor. He looked up, smiling.
One healthy baby, he confirmed. Kent sagged against the bed before Liam pulled his lover
over for a passionate kiss.
Claybourne immediately went to Ashby next. He looked at the prince.
Doesn t being mated to you negate the effects of your blood in Ashby? Claybourne asked.
Gabriel nodded, frowning fiercely.
My Prince, I know that you wish Mikhail were here to perform this honor, but he is out serving
you in tracking down the drug ring. I freely offer up my blood so that Prince Ashby will live, Roman
said, stepping forward nervously. Gabriel looked at one of his oldest friends.
It would make me very happy to know that your blood saved my mate. Gabriel inclined his
head. Roman bowed then straightened, wiping away his tears. He took a wobbly step forward. He
had to clear his throat a few times before he was able to speak.
I would give my life for your mate, my prince, Roman said, rolling up his sleeve. Felix
sniffled. He felt like he had been transported back in time. The way the vampires regarded one
another with knightly and princely honor made his modern heart ache at their beauty.
Claybourne administered the infusion and stepped back. Ashby thrashed around as a small cry
escaped his lips. Frowning, Gabriel unconsciously took a step forward. Then Ashby disappeared and
a tiny lump was left in the middle of the cot.
Gabriel jumped forward and dug through the blankets, pulling out a tiny white bundle. The tiny
fennec fox flicked one large ear and then the other. Tears streamed unchecked down the prince s face.
The other vampires turned away as if the sight of their prince so undone was too beautiful to behold.
There he is! The little runt. Thank goodness he is okay, Nic said, sagging down and sitting on
the now empty cot.
Gabriel looked over to Claybourne and held his mate as if he were the most precious thing in the
whole world.
I will never forget what you and your mate have done for me and mine. If you ever need
anything, do not hesitate to ask. As I have offered my blood to Felix, I now consider you part of my
coven, Gabriel announced. Roman, Baptista, and the twins broke out into smiles.
It s been a long time since we had new members! Doc, you and Felix will have to eat with us
on Sundays when the other coven members from Purgatory come visit for dinner. Ashby is introducing
us to new foods, Daniel said excitedly.
It will be an honor, Claybourne said with a half bow. Felix smiled. Of course his mate would
know the proper response. He just wanted to hug the prince and Ashby, but somehow he didn t think
that would be the proper thing to do.
Felix watched as Claybourne raced around treating everyone. Nearly everyone in the gym had
been given the treatment, except for two people. Felix looked across the gym to see that Aleks and
Rebecca were waiting for them. Only he and Rebecca were left.
Claybourne, how are we going to cure Rebecca s baby? It s still in utero. We can t give it an
injection, Felix said. The jubilant atmosphere evaporated.
Doc, can t we just give Rebecca my blood? Gabriel asked. Claybourne shook his head.
Your blood would affect Rebecca s body, not her unborn. She s not infected, he is,
Claybourne clarified.
Doc, how are we going to save Rebecca s baby? Liam asked. Claybourne looked at Felix.
I don t know, his mate replied.
Would Fate grant them just one more miracle? Just one more.
* * * *
Hey, Doc, my turn now? Rebecca asked, smiling up at him.
Hey, how s my favorite pint-sized patient? Claybourne asked. Rebecca gave him a weak
smile.
What s wrong? she asked, cutting through the niceties.
The treatment we have accelerates the shifter s body to force them into a shift so that the
process will burn off the virus, Claybourne explained.
Rebecca paled. I don t have an animal, she said softly.
You ve saved all of us, Doc, you can save her and my grandbaby, a female voice said from the
door. Ma stood there, her pink flannel robe fastened tightly.
Margaret, you are a sight for sore eyes, Claybourne said.
I hear you have been achieving the impossible while I have been asleep. What can we do for
my daughter? Ma asked, walking straight to Aleks, who shamelessly wrapped his arms around his
ma s waist and buried his face in her midsection.
There, there, baby boy. It will be okay. We ll figure this out, Ma said, patting Aleks s head.
We almost lost you, Ma! Rebecca cried, holding up her arms. Aleks peeked out from his ma s
stomach, and without looking back, reached behind him to pull Rebecca into his embrace so she could
also wrap herself around Ma.
Ma looked at Claybourne expectantly. Felix hobbled over to his mate s side.
Why is he still sick? Ma asked. Claybourne scowled down at his mate.
He is refusing treatment until everyone is well.
I was the last infected so I m not as critical. Plus, you need me, if I get treated now, no telling
how long I ll be out. Felix stared down at Rebecca who had pulled back from Ma to lie back down
on the bed. Aleks too had regained his composure and was sitting a little straighter in his chair. He
looked a lot better now that his ma wasn t minutes from death.
Okay, so we can t give anything directly to the baby, and we can t give the blood directly to
Rebecca. How do we get the treatment to the baby? Felix asked, thinking out loud.
It has to go through Rebecca, Claybourne said.
But her body will react to the vampire blood as a human, not as a shifter, Felix countered.
But Rebecca doesn t have an animal, Claybourne continued.
But Aleks does, Felix offered.
But he wasn t infected, Claybourne said, bringing up a valid point.
No, but Ma was, Felix said, smiling wide.
Damn.
Admit it, Felix sang in a trilling voice.
You re right.
What was that? I m still infected and my hearing is a bit off? Felix said, cupping his ear.
Claybourne grinned before snatching up Felix. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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