Xo Novel
32
KNIGHT
“Shit. This is getting more complicated.”
“Don’t let her go out there by herself.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Zarah drew a sigh again. A worry was deep in her eyes. “Whenever I heard about young women with gifts, I became overprotective of them. Many years ago, I met this beautiful young woman. Just like Nirvana and Shadow, she didn’t wanna be a part of it if it ended up sacrificing the people they cared about. Shadow came to me for help, but she would not leave Califf. I know Nirvana would do the same thing. She would not sacrifice her relationship with you. Since you touched her mark, there have been rumors about a powerful ancient warlock searching for a young witch.”
I felt like someone had just thrown a bucket of ice at me. A thrill of pure fear crawled under my skin. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I have a feeling he is looking for Nirvana.”
“But she’s not yet a witch.”
“Yes, but the blood of a witch and ancient werewolf are running in her veins. Be careful. Don’t let her take off her necklace.”
“But she has a mark that protects her, right?”
“From supernatural beings, Knight. I don’t want something to happen to her. Don’t let her get out of your sight. Is she staying with you?”
“Yes. She finally decided to work on our relationship, but I have a feeling it’s gonna be a disaster.”
“She has to decide. Time is not our luxury here.”
“We might end up losing. Whatever Nirvana decides, I have to respect it, and I can’t bite her without her consent.”
“I know. I expect nothing less from you, Knight. I have to go. Call me when she’s ready.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
Once Zarah was gone, I left the room and called Zander.
“Who’s with you?”
“Alpha? I’m with the twins and Maddox.”
“Come to my house. Bring Maddox and the twins with you. I need you here right now.”
“On the way, alpha.”
I hung up the call and dialed Nirvana, but she didn’t pick up. I started from the patio to look for her, but I couldn’t smell her scent. It seemed that she went out of the house.
I waited for the boys at the entrance. A few minutes later, they arrived in the Ford truck.
“Is something wrong, Alpha?” Maddox asked.
“Help me find Nirvana. I couldn’t find her scent in the house.”
“We’ll go on foot. We will divide so we can easily find her,” North said.
“Link to me immediately if you find her. I’ll have to check the footage and inform you if I find something.”
“Yes, Alpha. Guys, let’s go.” Zander left ahead of them.
I went to my office to check the footage. I rewound the footage and saw where did she go on foot. My gut suddenly took a nosedive. My instinct told me something didn’t settle right, reminding me of what Zarah told me.
I paused the footage when Nirvana appeared on the screen. She was heading south on foot but wasn’t walking back home. She was probably clearing her head.
“Who’s heading south, Zander?” I asked via our link.
“Me.”
“Continue heading south. Nirvana is there. Try to sniff her scent. She wouldn’t get far. She’s not familiar with that area.”
“Got it.”
“If you can’t find her, let me know quickly. I’m coming over.” I got out of my office and dialed Case.
He picked up right away.
“Hello, Case. I hope I didn’t catch you in the bad time.”
“I’m free for you anytime, son. How’s my granddaughter?”
“She didn’t take the news Zarah told us well.”
“I won’t convince her whatever it is to undo the curse, son. She’s happy with her life, and whatever she decides, I will respect it.”
“I know, Case. I’m calling you to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you meet your wife’s father or grandfather?”
“Yes. I did.”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Is he still alive?”
“No. He died a long time ago. I was there at his funeral. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Was he a warlock?”
“Yes. A powerful one.” Why did I have a bad feeling he wasn’t as dead as everyone thought?
“That’s all I wanna know. Thanks, Case.”
“Anytime, son.”
I just ended the call when Sander linked me. “Alpha, I found Nirvana. I need your help. Something is wrong-”
My world suddenly stopped. Everything around me seemed suspending. The phone fell off my hand.
“Hurry up, please!”
I thought my heart nearly stopped beating, and my breathing stuck in my lungs. “On my way!” As adrenaline kicked in, I bolted out of the house at a supernatural speed.
My heart pumped so hard, and I could barely see my surroundings in a blur as I headed south, but it still felt like an eternity before I saw Zander running in my direction, carrying Nirvana in his arms.
“What happened?” I took Nirvana with me.
“I don’t know. I just saw her on the ground and not responding to me when I called her name.”
“Go, tell the twins to ready the SUV.”
He sped up right away back home. I followed him right away. I could be faster than him even if I were carrying Nirvana, but my head was not clear.
I couldn’t think straight. I looked down at Nirvana, who was still unconscious, and her heartbeat was weak and barely breathing.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
I arrived at the house, and the car was already at the front. “Take us to the hospital now.”
“Yes, alpha,” West replied and went to the driver’s seat.
“Hey, sweetheart. Can you hear me?” I sniffed for poison as I got in the SUV with her still in my arms, but I could only smell her own scent.
“What happened?” North asked.
“Not right now,” said Maddox.
“Nirvana, can you hear me?” She didn’t respond. “Her heartbeat is weak.” I could barely breathe. I checked her arms for something that might have bitten her. Her legs, her foot, I couldn’t find any bite marks. “Goddess, help me. What happened to her?”
“We’re close to the hospital.” West was driving beyond the speed limit, but I couldn’t care less. I needed to know what happened to my mate.
“I swear to Goddess. Whoever did this will pay ten times worse.” I checked her mark. It should protect her if a werewolf did this. I slightly caressed the mark, but it didn’t burn me anymore. That was when I saw a small redness surrounded by somewhat black dead veins on her shoulder blade. “Fuck.”
West pulled over the vehicle in front of the emergency room. I got out and placed Nirvana on the stretcher, and the medical staff took her away from me. I was just there standing, all my strength gone.
“She’s gonna be okay, alpha.”
“I don’t think so, Zander. She wasn’t just bitten by Deathstalker. There’s no Deathstalker in the property unless it was brought there and purposely let it bite her. That bite has something more than just a venom.”
“Should I call Kailin?”
I stared at West and nodded.
“Who’s the patient’s relative? The doctor needs some information.”
“I’m her boyfriend.” I followed the nurse inside. At least three people were tending Nirvana.
“What happened?”
“She was walking in the property maybe twenty minutes ago. When she did not come back, I asked the boys to find her. He found her unconscious on the ground. What’s wrong with her? I saw a stung redness on her shoulder blade.”
“We will do a test now. If she is bitten by something venomous, we will give her antivenom, but it won’t lead to consciousness unless she’s allergic to it, called anaphylaxis. Her heartbeat is also weak.”
“Is she gonna be okay?”
“We will do everything we can.” The doctor left.
Until I realized something, she was not wearing her necklace.