Page 120 of House of Pain
Fisting her bones, Alecto murmured the spell to conjure more light, but with her other hand completely numb, she couldn’t wield power.
She swallowed hard, part of her throat refusing to work already, and then it dawned on her.
When her throat muscles locked, she wouldn’t be able to swallow.
She’d fucking choke on her own saliva.
Hissing and screeching sounds came from the corridor, light bouncing off the walls into Alecto’s dark room. Then, there were a few screams that didn’t sound natural, and then a ball of light flew at the backs of the Hellbates in her doorway.
They pounced forwards, hissing as Blaze stepped into her room, eyes wild, a ball of light in both his palms.
When his gaze landed on her, Alecto could have sworn a shadow of relief passed through his face, and he moved towards her, Jolene in his wake.
She held a thick bundle of herbs in her hand, the other one holding a lighter to keep the flame going. The room filled with thick, sweet smoke, and Alecto’s eyes started burning.
And then the creatures started screaming, thrashing around as if they were in agony.
Blaze stopped right in front of Alecto, light evaporating in his palms as he inspected her. “Are you all right?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out as her throat refused to work.
Her eyes widened, and she grabbed for her throat as if that could help.
“Jolene,” Blaze called. “Jolene!”
Alecto could only breathe through her nose as she tried to keep herself from swallowing and choking. Blaze’s hand wrapped around her waist, dragging her away from the wall.
Jolene’s eyes widened with worry.
“What the fuck?” she whispered, eyes darting from Alecto’s face to her arm. “They got their claws into her. Venom. They’re venomous.”
“I can see that,” Blaze snapped as he led Alecto to her bed. His palms guided her hips to sit, but he didn’t move away, kneeling beside her. “What do we do? You have an antidote or something?”
Jolene shook her head, coming to her other side. She poked Alecto’s numb arm, then her fingers traveled to her neck.
Only when her soft fingers probed her cheek did Alecto feel something.
“I don’t,” Jolene admitted, her breathing shallow. “I haven’t learned the antidotes yet.”
Blaze cursed under his breath. “We need Gillian.”
Andro and Val came into the room. Andro held an identical bundle of herbs. “We cleared the first floor. What—”
“Get to Gillian,” Blaze said over his shoulder. “Alecto’s poisoned.”
“I’m on it,” Andro said, handing the bundle to Val. “Give me ten minutes!”
“I don’t know if we have that long,” Jolene whispered. Alecto tried to swallow as her eyes widened, but she just choked.
A tear escaped down her cheek. Blaze cupped her face in his palms, turning it to meet his.
“Hey, relax, baby,” he muttered softly. “He’s going to be here soon with help, and we’re going to get the venom out of you, all right?”
Alecto blinked, her panic leaving space for another type of feeling.
She didn’t think Blaze had ever been so gentle, so caring with her before.
There was nothing but worry in his dark gaze as it held hers, his soft expression making his face even more beautiful.
