Page 75 of Lucie
“Luc! Are you—”
Iain ran in from the other doorway and stared in shock at the carnage. “Oh, dear Jesus! What happened?”
“Never mind me. Check Mom andJohna. I think their fever broke.” He was breathing hard from his exertions. His head continued to swirl, but he was ableto remain cognizant.
Yulenreached out and placed a hand on Lucien’s arm. “You’re shaking like a leaf. Answer me. Were you hurt?”
“No.” He managed to shake his head without feeling faint. “But I saw those things nibbling on Mom andJohna. Are they okay?”
Iain examined Atty. “I don’t see any broken skin.” Rolling her onto her back, he pressed his ear toher chest. Everyone remained silent while he listened to her breathing. His eyes widened, and he sat up. “I can still hear fluid in her lungs, but it doesn’t sound as thick as it was. She’s also breathing easier.”
“Does that mean she’s getting better?”
The physician placed a hand on her face and back of her neck. “She seems to have cooled down some. I not going to saythe virus has peaked. But if this continues come daylight, I’ll be more willing to say she’s starting to come out of it.”
“AndJohna?”
Iain went over to examine the young woman, checking her the way he’d done with Atty. “Same thing.” He looked to Lucien. “The transfusion may have worked.”
“Thank God,”Yulenwhispered, glancing around the room. “Looks likeall of us managed to repel an attack.”
“Yeah,” Paxton agreed. “But I’m willing to bet Luc’s story is a whole lot more interesting that what we just went through.”
Before the men could ask any more questions, Lucien pointed to the crack in the far corner of the room. “The roaches retreated back in there. I bet that’s where they originated.” His gesture drew his father’sattention, and the man grabbed his hand.
“You were bitten. Iain, come look at this!”
“It doesn’t hurt,” Lucien protested.
Iain scooted over, clutching the remains of his alcohol bag. Tearing off a piece of his shirt, he dabbed it inside the container, then applied it to the wound. “That’s all the alcohol left.”
“Sorry. It was the only wayto keep those things away fromJohnawhile I tried to protect Mom.” He waved again toward the crack. “The roaches came from there,” he repeated.
“Then I’ll bet that’s where we’ll also find water, since those thing like the dampness,” the battle lord declared. “Warren, have Cole go getPechardand bring the man to the main hall. Then fetchJarishand his men. It’s time we starteddigging a well.”
