Page 69 of The Wolf King

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Identifying the strain.”

Callum’s gaze seeks mine. I can see he is lost, floating away, and looking for something to hold onto. Even though we barely know each other, he wants it to be me.

I know that feeling. I felt like I was drowning when my mother was dying. I wanted to grab onto someone, anyone—my father, my brother, the ladies-in-waiting—so that my head would remain above the water. Only, they always remained out of reach.

I will not remain out of Callum’s reach.

My gaze flits back to Blake. “Can he be cured?”

“There’s only one person in the Northlands who knows the antidote,” says Blake.

“You?”

His lips curve into a smile. He goes back to the workstation and starts mixing something in a beaker.

“Keep pressure on the wound,” he tells Callum.

When Blake returns, he tips back Ryan’s head and pours the liquid into his mouth. Ryan chokes.

I step closer, peering over Becky’s head. “That’s the antidote?”

“Yes.”

“What is it made of?”

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” His tone is light, but I have the distinct feeling that this is not an empty threat. “Keep hold of him.”

“I am holding him,” growls Callum. “Fix him.”

“How does it work?” I ask.

Ryan’s eyes jolt open. His back arches off the cot, and his shoulders bend in an unnatural way. He screams.

Blake clamps his hand over Ryan’s mouth, forcing him to swallow the liquid that he’s trying to spit out.

“Is that necessary?” snaps Callum.

“Get off him!” shrieks Becky. “You’re hurting him. Stop it!”

I watch the gash in Ryan’s side, fascinated. The blood loss is slowing. Blake is hurting him, yes. But he’sfixinghim, too.

Becky doesn’t see it, though. She throws herself at Blake. With his free hand, he grabs her arm.

“Take her outside,” he says.

Callum looks at me, and I see the question in him, the plea.

“Come on, Becky.” I gently touch her shoulder. “Let’s—”

“No. The rabbit stays.” Blake glances at Callum. “Youtake her.”

Callum’s posture straightens. “If you think for a moment that I’m leaving her alone with you—”

“Do you want me to fix him?”

Callum swallows. “Aye, but—”

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