Ancient Darkness (On HOLD)

Chapter Twenty Five - Healer Sean

As Sean watched Owen and Sang with something that might be called amused tenderness, his heightened senses began to notice something which had his brow furrowing.

"Sang," He interrupted, his voice unknowingly filled with concern, "You are not feeling well."

The others all moved their eyes away from the petite human to stare at him in demand.

"Why do you ask that?" Silas' deep voice rumbled.

Sang pulled away from Owen, his arms reluctant to leave her back. "I'm not sure..."

Sean shook his head and moved to her side so that he could rest his hand across the back of her neck. "The temperature of your skin is elevated and..." He leaned down to run his nose down the length of her neck, "Your scent has changed since we left."

She trembled beneath his touch, her voice breathless as she held still, "I feel fine except that I'm beginning to really want food."

"We have not taken good care of you," Owen whispered.

Dakota cleared his throat and placed the handbag he had retrieved onto the bed, "Although I am mostly unfamiliar with modern food offerings, I believe that there are some sort of condensed bars available amongst your belongings."

North hissed, watching as Sean continued to tower over the girl, his mouth now pressed against the skin below her ear, "What is it, Sean?"

He chuffed, "I am not entirely sure...can none of you smell the difference?"

Nathan moved closer and leant around Sean's head to stare into Sang's eyes, "May I?" He waved at her arm.

Her mouth dropped open slightly before she murmured an affirmative, closing her eyes as she tried to mentally distance herself from the sensation of having the three males pressing into her.

Nathan's fingers carefully wrapped around her forearm, lifting it until he could press his nose into the inner crease of her elbow. "It's only a slight change," His eyes flashed darkly as he lifted them to look at Owen, "But there is most definitely a difference to her scent."

She wasn't sure why but Sang's eyes filled with stinging tears. Although this was really the first time that she had heard Nathan's voice, it was filled with suspicion.

What was she going to have to do to prove to them all that her intentions were honest and pure?

"The smell is almost familiar," Sean murmured, "But I know that I've never encountered its like before. It's sweet...like citrus."

"Nothing I know of shares a similar scent," North interjected, his face guarded as he watched that delicate face twist with sorrow.

"Sang?" Owen asks, his hands gently releasing her into Sean's hold as he began to take notice of what it was that his brother had seen.

Her skin was flickering between episodes of clammy heat and dry cold, and he could hear the way that her heart fluttered with the pain of their renewed accusations.

Although it was greatly suspect for her scent to change, there was nothing in her mind that hinted at subterfuge.

She lifted those luminescent eyes to meet his own, "I don't..."

He nodded, "Yes, I believe you but something has changed and it concerns me." He waved at Sean, his brother still refusing to lift his head. "Sean is the healer amongst us. Please allow him to check your health more thoroughly."

Although he made it sound like an order, Sang heard the soft question, "I don't feel unwell."

"Nevertheless."

Hearing no protest from any of the others, she drew in a deep breath, "Very well." Her hands glided onto Sean's chest, exerting pressure as a subtle cue for him to step back.

The heat of his breath wafted over the length of her neck before he straightened – he put no distance between them even though he could sense how unnerved it left her.

His face turned to Owen's, "I will be listening."

His brother inclined his head, "As will I." A hand drifted through Sang's locks for a short moment before he gestured the others towards the door. "We will all be downstairs if you need us, Sang."

"Ok," She whispered, wishing that she didn't feel the need to call him back as he silently slipped out.

"I frighten you," Sean announced, his head bent so that he could watch the length of her delicate face.

"You all frighten me," She answered. "Haven't we already covered that?"

"I am not usually one that people fear," He replied. His features were attractive and the blonde curls coupled with the green of his eyes were quite effective at putting those around him at ease.

"You're Immortal and holding me against my will," Her eyes flashed up at him shyly. "I know that you drink human blood to survive and have threatened to kill me if I prove to be a threat. Of course, you frighten me."

No matter how cute you are, she added silently.

His lips twitched, "You think that I am cute?"

She spluttered, her face heating, "Stop reading my thoughts!"

"I did not attempt to," His eyes twinkled in the fire light. "You almost screamed that at me."

"Well," Her teeth clenched, "Just don't listen."

Although he would have answered, a wave of dizziness blurred Sang's vision for a moment. "Argh, I need to eat something before I pass out."

His hands moved to cradle her, "Sit down and we will find these bars that Dakota was referring to." He paused, "We will ensure that the kitchen is stocked for your use tomorrow."

"So you're not planning to starve me to death then?" She asked wryly as he lowered her to the comforter.

He quickly unzipped her bag, rummaging through a number of unfamiliar products, "Of course not. We have never enjoyed the company of a human before and have allowed ourselves to get dangerously distracted. None of us meant for you to go this long without food." He handed her a granola bar, watching closely as she shakily ripped open the edge.

"Thanks," She muttered, closing her eyes as the usually bland taste exploded in her mouth. "Now," She spoke around each mouthful, "What happened earlier and what do you think is wrong with me?"