Page 5 of Fearless Bond

“Give him something to drink. Tepid water with sugar or honey. I’ll be with you in ten minutes. Visibility is shit.”

“I got honey.”

“Is he allergic?”

“Calvin, are you allergic to honey?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Okay, ending the call now,” Hunter said. “I’ll be right with you.”

I found a straw, the proverbial last one, at the bottom of my cutlery drawer. I heated some water in the kettle and dissolved two spoonfuls of honey in it. When I came back into the living room with a mug in my hand, Calvin was asleep.

I shook his shoulder.

“Hey, wake up. You have to drink this. Then I’ll let you sleep.”

“Huh?”

“Drink. It’s just water with honey.”

I put the straw to his lips, and he drank without opening his eyes. He gulped down almost everything.

“I called a doctor. He’s on the way. You’ll be fine.”

He didn’t reply, but his breathing was normal, and it looked like some color was returning to his cheeks. He had a smooth, boyish face, freckles on his nose, and plush lips. He was pretty.Too young for you, you creep.

I let him be and sorted the wood for the fireplace.

By the time Hunter arrived, the fire was roaring, and Calvin was sleeping like a log. My cousin toed off his boots in the hall and rushed toward the living room.

“He’s in there?”

“Yeah. He’s asleep.”

Hunter dropped his messenger bag on the floor by the lounge chair and rooted inside until he found a thermometer. He checked Calvin’s temperature and pulse, then scrutinized his hands and the skin on his feet.

“You got to him in time. He’ll be fine tomorrow. What was he doing in the forest anyway?”

“No idea. I’ll have to ask him when he wakes up. I found him on the eastern side of Red Creek Valley. You know, where the pines grow all bent in the same direction? At first, I thought he was a hiker who’d gotten lost, but he was miles away from any trails.”

“That part of the forest looks like it’s been altered by aliens. Did he tell you anything?”

“Just his name. It’s Calvin. He was so drained he seemed barely conscious.”

“Well, he’s lucky to be alive.” Hunter pulled the blanket back up to Calvin’s neck and stood. “I guess you’re not coming tonight.”

I chuckled helplessly. “Not gonna leave him here alone.”

“Yeah. Keep an eye on him. If he develops any symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or confusion, call me immediately. Tiredness is to be expected.”

“Got it.”

“When he wakes up, get some food into him, but slowly. Loads of liquids.”

“Okay.”

The tiny pale omega under my blanket seemed almost translucent. So little and frail. Yep, he looked like he needed to be fed.

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