Page 40 of Claiming a Demon

“He’s still resting. I’m just stretching my legs a little. What’s going on?”

“Zach’s sick. He threw up a few times on the trip home,” Vienna informed her. Mom’s brows drew together tightly.

“Oh dear, I was worried about that. I told him he looked pale.” She turned to me. “Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be with him?”

I should. I knew I should. But my eyes trailed automatically to Dad’s room. I felt torn in two, wanting to be close in case something went wrong with Dad. But I also wanted to get to Zach. I didn’t know a lot about human sickness, but throwing up sounded bad.

Mom and I had mostly avoided each other since we got here. I only checked on Dad when she was in the restroom or taking a break. We still had to talk about what happened at the house. But apparently it didn't scare her enough to stop her from glaring at me now.

“Malakai Darkmore! That boy has gone above and beyond to take care of you and your family. You are not going to leave him to suffer through illness alone. Your father is in excellent hands here. You yourself brought him to this facility. You know he is in the best place he can be. Do not neglect that poor boy to watch your father sleep!”

I grimaced. She had a point. I did everything I could for Dad by bringing him here. There wasn’t anything else I could do for him, but there was something I could do for Zach. It wasn’t fair of me to leave him on his own, not after everything he’d done to take care of me. Still, I struggled to walk away.

When Mom saw the pain and conflict on my face, she softened, cupping my face in her hands. She leveled me with a look.

“I know you don’t trust me, but I’d never knowingly put your father in danger. He has an entire team of healers helping him now. Zach doesn’t. Don’t neglect your mate.”

My eyes flew to hers, surprised. “How–”

She shot me a bland look. “Call it mother’s instinct. Go to him. I promise, if anything changes, I’ll tell you first. Go. It’ll be okay.”

Swallowing hard, I took one last look at my dad’s room before nodding my head. I needed to get to Zach. I stepped away from my mom, turning to Callum instead. “I don’t suppose you know anything about human illness?”

He shook his head. “Not really, no. But Brandon does. We can stop at my place first. The farmer’s market is closed now, but there should also be some potions made for humans that might help. I’ll stop by in the morning and pick up what I can for you.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I nodded. I wouldn’t have even thought of that. I was too worried about Zach. Giving one last hug to my mom and my sister, I teleported with Callum to the tunnel. It was busy this time of day, but the line moved quickly and we teleported the second we stepped out to the other side. Then it was a race to meet with Brandon, go to the store for the medicines he suggested, and get to Zach’s apartment. Hopefully, he was okay.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ZACHARIAH

“Zach. Sit up. I need you to drink this.”

I groaned, turning away from the voice. I didn’t want to drink anything. If I tried, I’d throw up again. I couldn’t keep anything down. My whole body ached and my stomach was in knots. My head throbbed incessantly. I was going to take something for the symptoms, but I couldn’t get off the bathroom floor for hours. I didn't even remember crawling into bed.

“It’ll help. I promise.”

They weren’t taking no for an answer. I whimpered when a muscular arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into a sitting position. My stomach tightened, warning me against the shift in position, but when I opened my mouth to protest, something glass touched my lips. I was too weak to fight it, so I swallowed whatever they were pouring into my mouth, clamping my lips shut tightly when my stomach protested. It took a few seconds for it to set in, but when it did, I nearly cried. The cramping in my stomach subsided a little, and the vice around my head loosened. I whimpered again, accepting another swallow when the bottle was brought to my lips again.

Each sip made me feel a little more human until I could finally open my eyes. The room was dark, the curtains shut, which I appreciated. I was too weak to do it myself, and the light hurt my eyes. Slowly lifting my gaze, I took in the demon wrapped around me.

“Mal? When did you get here?”

“Last night. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”

Swallowing around a dry patch in my throat, I grimaced. “I didn't want to worry you. You had enough on your plate. Is your dad okay?”

He shifted, switching the vial he’d had before for a glass of water. I wanted to slam it, but he held back, forcing me to take small sips.

“He’s the same. The healer I bought the potion from said to take things slow. It’s not a cure, it only takes an edge off the symptoms. Apparently, human diseases are complicated and can’t be fixed with a simple potion.”

The water was cool and refreshing and while my stomach still seemed unhappy about it, I kept it down for once. I leaned heavily against Mal’s shoulder when he took the glass away, resisting the urge to crawl under his shirt to steal his warmth. I went back and forth on whether I was too hot or too cold, but right now I was freezing and Mal’s warmth sank under my skin like I was lying in the sun.

“I asked Brandon how to help you. He wrote me a list. I’ve got soup on the stove when you’re up for it and both hot and cold packs because human diseases are weird. You’ve been sweating a lot, so I’ll help you take a shower once you’re more alert. We’ve got some human medicine, in case the potion didn’t work, and Brandon picked out some sport drinks for you. He said it’ll help with something called electrolytes.”

I hummed, burying my face against him. “My brain can’t function enough to explain electrolytes right now. I’ll try again later. Thank you for coming. You didn’t have to do that. I know–”

“Zach,” he growled, interrupting me. He sounded irritated, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why right now. It was a little unfair for him to be mad at me when I couldn’t think straight.

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