Chapter 10 #4
"The crystal," the man gasped, blood vessels bursting in his eyes. "Worth any price. Trever could've saved them all—just hand it over. Stupid fucking hero." His voice broke into a wet rasp.
Krevan's fingers sank deeper into the man's throat. "Who. Hired. You." Each word punctuated by a tightening grip.
The man's gaze darted to Ancelin, terror making his pupils pinpricks. "Someone—knew her father—"
"Earth-Axis?" Krevan's fangs elongated, venom dripping onto the man's cheek, sizzling against flesh.
"N-no—someone—Eismulen—" Desperate now, words tumbling out between strangled breaths. "I swear to God—"
"Your orders?" Blood trickled from the man's nose as vessels ruptured under Krevan's crushing grip.
"Crystal. Girl. Dead." Each word a desperate gasp.
Something primordial erupted from Krevan's chest—not a roar, but the sound of something ancient breaking free. "YOU TOUCHED MY MATE!" The walls seemed to vibrate with his fury.
"You promised—" the man sobbed, urine streaming down his leg.
Krevan's face contorted, skin stretching taut over bone.
"MINE!" His eyes blazed with an unholy light that cast shadows across the room.
"I'd resurrect you all just to kill you again for touching her.
" His jaws unhinged like a serpent's, impossibly wide, and he struck—tearing through cartilage, muscle, and bone in one savage motion.
The man's scream became a gurgling fountain that sprayed crimson across the ceiling before abruptly silencing.
Krevan hurled the corpse with such force that bone fragments embedded in the wall where it hit.
Blood-soaked and heaving, Krevan stood trembling with rage. Ancelin lunged from her chair, colliding with his blood-slick body. He howled in agony at her touch, but his arms still encircled her, claws retracting as they found her skin.
"What happened?" Ancelin's voice trembled.
Krevan's hand pressed against his abdomen, dark fluid seeping between his fingers. "Laser shot. Clean through."
"God, no—" Her hands hovered over the wound, afraid to touch.
"Coti clinic." Each word seemed to cost him. "They have what I need. A protein compound. But you'll have to drive." He sagged against her shoulder, his weight nearly buckling her knees.
"How did you even fight like that? With this—"
"You." His eyes locked on hers. "The need to protect you was more powerful than pain."
Wind howled through the shattered kitchen windows as they staggered toward the garage. The garage door was open. Snow swirled around their ankles, melting into crimson puddles where he stepped. She eased him into the passenger seat, his breath hissing through clenched teeth.
Inside the vehicle, Krevan's bloodstained fingers activated a glowing display. "SatView. Follow it to Coti. Signal might fail." His eyelids drooped. "Just need to rest..."
"No!" Ancelin clutched his arm. "Stay with me. Please." Her whisper fogged in the cold air. "You might not wake up."
"My physiology is resilient. The protein compound will accelerate cellular regeneration," Krevan said, his voice strained but steady. "Triaxen bodies endure what would kill others."
The journey to Coti stretched into a nightmare of white. Twice the SatView flickered out completely, leaving Ancelin blind in the swirling snow. She gripped the controls with white knuckles, inching forward as wind rocked the vehicle. Each minute felt like ten.
When the blue glow of the clinic sign finally pierced the darkness, Ancelin nearly wept with relief.
"Krevan?" She touched his arm, finding it unnaturally cool. "We've arrived."
His eyes opened, revealing pinpricks of silver light. "I've been monitoring our progress, beloved. Give me a moment." With visible effort, he hauled himself from the seat. His movements were precise but painfully slow, as though each muscle was being individually commanded.
At the clinic entrance, his fist struck the door with surprising force. The portal swung open to reveal a silver-haired man whose eyes widened in recognition.
"Dr. Vallex," the man said, ushering them inside. "What brings you to my door?"
"Jared," Krevan gasped, clutching his abdomen, "I need the Triaxen compound. Laser shot. Clean through."
"Sit before you fall." The doctor ushered them inside, his movements efficient despite his age. "I've fresh stock—your father's latest shipment arrived just before the storm stopped all transport. Your home supply run out?"
Krevan nodded, teeth clenched against another wave of pain. "Used the last after a shoulder hit. Projectile weapon. Never restocked."
Ancelin's eyes widened. "You were shot before? When?"
"A few days before we met." Krevan's voice strained. "Exit wound sealed before I reached you. The compound works quickly on minor injuries."
Krevan's body convulsed, a guttural noise tearing from his throat.
"He'll pull through," Dr. Canvel said, the glass rod clinking against the beaker as he stirred the amber liquid.
"I've seen him survive worse. Four projectiles in his gut his first month on Verrian.
Made it for three weeks with no compound access.
" He slid the vial across to Krevan with practiced precision.
"Jared Canvel—family physician to the Vallex clan since before your mate was born.
They didn't ship me to this frozen wasteland for my health.
" Something softened in his weathered face.
"Those people would move stars from their orbits for this one.
"Krevan tipped his head back, emptying the vial.
"Appreciate it, Jared. I'll need two for the road. Even Hellgate Prison couldn't kill me without proper supplies, though nobody there had energy or projectile weapons. Order more—Ancelin might need it someday."
"You're heading back? In this tempest?" Canvel's eyebrows shot up.
"The SatView's operational for now. Atmosphere's clearing temporarily. Better move while we can."
Canvel reluctantly handed Ancelin two sealed bottles.
"Already feeling the effects," Krevan murmured, brushing his lips against her cheek. "We'll be fine."
"Laser damage is worse than ballistic—burns through internal tissue.
Triaxen physiology struggles with that." Canvel's tone turned clinical.
"Take another dose if symptoms return. Your color's improving, but you need complete rest. Minimal movement.
No sex—conserve your venom and energy. Young lady," he turned to Ancelin, "ensure he rests.
High-protein diet—meat especially. Less caffeine.
No biting until he's fully recovered—his venom accelerates healing.
Two weeks minimum downtime." He wagged a finger at them both.
Krevan's face darkened at the doctor's instructions. "Fourteen days without intimacy?" His jaw clenched. "Impossible. I'll recover long before then." He glanced at Ancelin, then back to the physician with narrowed eyes. "I refuse to not be with my mate for that long."
Dr. Canvel sighed, adjusting his spectacles.
"Your recovery depends on proper rest. Minimize exposure to cold temperatures and allow your body to heal naturally.
" He leaned forward, his voice firm but patient.
"Listen to me as your doctor, Krevan. Your stubborn nature won't accelerate healing.
You know your physiology better than most—respect its limitations.
" Turning his attention away from Krevan, the doctor looked directly at Ancelin. "Now, young lady," he began.
"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.