Page 56 of Cursed
Zayne has grown weak over the last hour. Ryland actively holds him steady in the saddle as they race down the dirt road toward the castle. He switches arms to get a better grip, then says, “Zayne and I are twenty minutes away. He’s been bitten by a Rogue. I’m going to need help to get him into the clinic, and then Adele can give him the antidote.”
“Fuck!” Garek yells through the mind-link. “I’m dressed. I’ll meet you there.”
Adele doubles over, putting her hands on her knees, trying not to throw up. “I’ll get Sadie.”
Ryland takes his first deep breath in hours when he sees the outline of the castle. They ride around the outer perimeter, directly to the hospital wing, where Garek, Adele, and Sadie are waiting. Ryland jumps down and reaches up to support Zayne as he dismounts the horse.
It takes both Ryland and Garek to walk Zayne inside. He’s too weak to walk on his own from the poison’s effectson his body. They gently lay him on the bed, and Adele gets to work, cutting off his leathers and shirt and cleaning the wound.
Ryland dumps his weapons and gear out of the way and steps up next to her to help, following her instructions.
Sadie leans over Zayne with tears in her eyes, kissing him gently. “I missed you.” She smiles sadly and runs her fingers through his hair.
Zayne reaches up to touch her face. “I’m so sorry, love. Ryland and Adele will be here for you and the baby, always. So, don’t you worry. You will not be alone.”
Sadie shushes him, trying to put on a brave face. She takes his hand in hers, kissing his fingers. “You are going to be fine, Zayne. It will all be OK.”
Adele’s eyes flick to Ryland’s at the news of the baby. He nods, and her pulse spikes, her bottom lip trembling. Ryland quickly grabs her hand, squeezing it tightly for support. She nods her head, takes a shaky breath, and regains control over her emotions.
Once they have freed him from his battle leathers and the wound is cleaned, Adele turns to the tray table next to the bed and picks up the syringe containing the antidote. The antidote that she knows doesn’t work. She pauses, freezing in place, her mind turning in a million directions.
Ryland anxiously yells at her, “What are you waiting for? Give it to him!”
She turns to him, trying to hold back her tears. “It doesn’t work, Ryland! You know it doesn’t work. This won’t help him at all.”
Adele’s eyes widen, and she snaps her gaze to Garek. “You need to run to Ryland’s rooms and bring Nori here as quickly as you can. Carry her if she can’t keep up with you!”
“Nori?” Garek frowns and yells, “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Garek! There is no time to explain; you need to trust me and move your ass! Now!”
Garek grumbles and turns to the door, flinging it open. “Wait!” Adele yells.
Garek’s eyes narrow on her. “You want me to go or not?”
“Yes, but don’t scare her. She’ll freak out, which will waste time. Tell her…tell her I need her in the clinic urgently, and she’ll come with you willingly.”
Garek nods and bolts through the door.
Adele turns to one of her nurses in the room. “Shauna, I need you to run and bring Lyra back here because Nori is going to need her.”
Shauna doesn’t question the order and takes off running to Lyra’s cottage.
Sadie is losing her composure, running her hands through her hair. “Adele, you give my Mate that shot! He’s your brother! You need to save him. Please, Adele!”
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, Sadie. Save him.Nori is the only hope we have.” Adele sets the syringe down and rolls up her sleeves.
Ryland grabs her arm hard. “What the hell is going on, Adele?”
Trying to pry his fingers off her arm, she looks up at her frantic brother and gently says, “You need to trust me, Ryland. Do you trust me?”
Eyebrows raised, Ryland releases his hold on her. “I trust you, Adele.”
“I swear to you. Nori is the only one who can save him from this Rogue poison.”
Ryland frowns, not understanding anything that’s happening. “How? How exactly is my Mate going to save our brother?”
Adele steps back so she can face Zayne, Sadie, and Ryland. She holds out her left hand, palm up. “Do you see my hand? Do you see any injury on my hand at all?” She flips her hand from one side to the other, looking at all three of them.
