Page 95 of Between Imminent Fates

“We all do.”

***

By the end of the following week, every one of Isaiah’s lieutenants had all come to the same conclusion: his condition was deteriorating. Jaeda had observed a decrease in his body temperature of more than two degrees, and his reflex movements were almost nonexistent. His heart rate was stuttering, falling to a low of nearly forty beats per minute before rising back up to a normal rate.

Jaeda hadn’t left Isaiah and Rukia’s home for more than thirty minutes at a time in more than three days, and her mania was beginning to affect the other lieutenants. Something had to be done.

Regardless of his own wishes, Derikles would honor Isaiah’s.

When Rukia had taken Isaak to the clan’s lake, and Jaeda had left to refuel the massive amounts of healing energy she was using, Derikles quietly ascended the stairs. One look at his sovereign and he almost abandoned the quest. Isaiah’s grey complexion stretched over an emaciated frame. His cheeks were sunken and, while he breathed hard, he never seemed to get enough oxygen.

If Isaiah could see himself now, he’d wonder why Derikles had waited so long. Guilt crashed into him hard, and he physically staggered. He had a job to do.

Somewhere in Isaiah’s bedroom, amid the boxes of saline bags and warming blankets, sat a sculpture containing amerjhadagger. It was the only object capable of fully claiming Isaiah’s life.

Rayn’s words kept repeating in his head. I hope his mind rots and your clan crumbles from within. You’ll have no choice but to end his life because you can’t function without your precious sovereign.

Though Isaiah had asked for this, it would be Derikles’ hand that spilled his blood. He had no way of knowing if it was too soon or if he’d given Isaiah enough time to recover. Had they done enough to help the sovereign, had Rukia had a proper goodbye?

Was he making a mistake?

He squeezed the cool hilt of themerjhadagger tightly in his hand as his mind shifted back and forth. In the end, his indecision cost him the choice.

“No!”

Rukia’s shriek startled him away from Isaiah, and she threw herself on top of her mate protectively. “Stay away from my mate, Derikles. If you take another step, I’ll end you.”

The pure viciousness in her words told him just how much she meant it. The Elemental watched his every move. If he took a step to the right, Rukia shifted, forming a physical shield between her mate and Derikles.

“This is what he wanted.”

Though he wanted to cure the suffering of his clansman—and Isaiah—his soul was relieved at her interference.

“I don’t care what he wanted! Look where doing what he wanted got him,” she hissed. “It has been amonth!My mate is still healing, and if you touch him, I can assure you, it’ll be the last thing youeverdo.”

From the doorway, Jaeda echoed, “Derikles.”

Pity, fear, hopelessness, sadness—he could read all the Healer’s emotions through the clan bond, but still didn’t know whether she’d said his name in warning or support. The tears tracking down to pool under her chin were enough to make him admit defeat.

He teleported the dagger back to where it belonged. “If this isn’t what you want, I can accept that, but we need to discuss how to sustain him.”

A curt nod, and they all turned for the door—except Rukia. The water Elemental didn’t move from her mate’s side while Derikles exited. She didn’t follow him until after he’d stepped out into the hallway and had taken the first several stairs down.

Even before he’d gotten to the main floor, he’d reached out telepathically to Celeste, sending her a mental ping to ask for a moment of her time. Though they’d spoken briefly two days ago, he wondered whether Nina was faring just as poorly as Isaiah.

It took less than ten seconds for Celeste to respond.Derikles.How nice of you to call.

How is Nina?he asked.Has she shown any signs of improvement?

No, but we haven’t been able to think of anything new to try.

Sighing, Derikles gave Celeste the truth.Isaiah is showing signs of deterioration. Decreased heartbeat, losing body heat, rapid and shallow respiration. It doesn’t matter how often we install the feeding tube. Is Nina showing the same?

No, but we also have an IV line of blood.She’s a vampire, after all.

Thanks for the info, Celeste. I’ll ask Nero if Key is doing any better and pass along any updates.

For a moment, her presence lingered in his mind, as if she wanted to say more. He held his breath, wondering, but then she was gone, taking with her the light caress of her mental presence.

---