Page 15 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Colton used his free hand to flick the air and create the black script. She helped him to the couch and laid him down when Karam arrived.

The healer knelt beside the couch. His dark Mediterranean features were clearly worried as he inspected Colton’s wound. “When did this happen?”

“About twenty minutes ago,” Riley said.

He pressed the black flesh surrounding the wound. A black, oily substance bubbled from the wound and streamed down Colton’s chest. “I have never seen anything like this. Since it’s demon in origin, I will apply a poultice containing particles of blessed steel.” He pulled a leather satchel from his pocket. His actions unhurried and calm, similar to his nature. He instilled a certain confidence in those around him. She was extremely thankful he was a member of the cougar clan.

He sprinkled sparkling herbs into the gaping wound, but when he pressed it into Colton’s flesh, Colton screamed and arched off the couch. Karam was forced to hold Colton down as the spasm passed.

The blood-curdling sound echoed in the living room and sent the birds squawking from the tree that supported their home. Colton’s body shivered before it began to shake. His eyes rolled to the back of his head for several seconds before his breathing returned to normal.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“His flesh appears to be rotting,” Karam said with a concerned expression.

“Do something!”

Karam leaned toward Colton’s shoulder and sniffed before covering his nose with his hand. “He’s infected. I didn’t realize this was possible.”

Her heart stuttered. “With what?”

Karam pushed on the edges of the wound again, causing another rush of black oil to erupt. “I don’t know. You need to take him to the priestess. Whatever this is, it’s beyond my capability.”

Riley knelt beside Colton. “Honey, I need to take you to see Anaisa. Are you strong enough to travel?”

“You can guide us. I am strong enough to shift, but that’s all.”

Karam helped Riley get Colton to his feet. She didn’t wait, her shadow enveloped his instructing it to merge with her molecules before they rushed into the pathway. She understood why their last trip had been bumpy. Colton’s shadow was difficult to contain. It made several attempts to dislodge itself from the invisible casing she created. It was like another consciousness was attempting to control Colton’s demon. Something intent on Colton’s death.

They coalesced under the same evergreen, cresting the forest that guarded the Haitian village. She put his arm around her shoulder, supporting his weight as they stumbled through the field that acted as a gateway between the cluster of houses and the trees. The short grass left no means to sneak up on the inhabitants.

Samuel ran out to them when he noticed Riley struggling to support Colton’s weight, his muscles flexing beneath the orange tunic he wore. “What happened to him?” He said, taking Colton’s other arm.

“Deruthel bit him. He isn’t healing.”

Samuel turned his face away from Colton’s. “It smells like a sewer.”

“The healer said his flesh is rotting,” Riley said.

They made it through the gates of the village and stumbled towards Anaisa’s home. Colton’s feet dragged on the loose gravel as they struggled to support his weight. “The priestess will know what to do,” Samuel said.

“I hope so,” Riley said as they maneuvered Colton through the house and to the couch.

Anaisa entered the eclectic living room in a whirl of white ruffles and gold braids. Her nose wrinkled as she inhaled the acrid air. “Let me see his wound.”

Riley moved to the chair so Anaisa could sit on the side of the couch and inspect the bite. She pressed the edge of the wound, inspiring a rush of putrid black oil.

She put her hand over her nose before clearing her throat.

Colton’s eyes drooped. “That bad?”

Anaisa rose from the couch and went to a shelf containing sealed glass jars with various contents. Some looked like cinnamon sticks, while others were liquid or contained animal parts. She grabbed a jar full of dried brown leaves. “I won’t lie to you. This isn’t good.”

“Can you heal him?” Riley asked.

“I’m not sure. I need to test his blood. It’s unsafe for me to ingest it, so I must perform a blood rite to discern the nature of the infection.” She grabbed a granite bowl, then opened several more jars before putting the contents in the Mortar bowl. She used the pestle to grind the ingredients into a fine powder before returning to the couch.

Anaisa took a thin stick from the marble box on the coffee table, then touched it to the black oil seeping from Colton’s wound. Once coated in the putrid fluid, she dipped it into the mortar bowl. It flared up as if she had lit it with a match. “His blood is infected by a virulent strain of demon venom. It will eventually kill him or turn him into something unrecognizable.”

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