Its only been a few hours and Luke fought the urge to wake Ashton because he had no idea what was going on in his mind. If he was having another dream and if Caius is trying again. He also knew it was nonsense to wake him and keep him awake because if someone is trying to control him through his dreams, then Ashton would have to stand and leave the house, go past Luke.
Even though Ashton couldn't understand it, Luke could understand why Caius wanted him dead. Family or not, what mattered for real to the preternatural creatures was their own survivor.
And if Ashton is standing in the way to Caius's survivor then it was clear as the sun what move will be taken.
When someone knocked on the door, Luke sighed and didn't even bother telling the person to come in.
And he didn't had to because Liam walked in right after knocking.
"What now?"
"Where is Ashton?"
"Why are you asking?"
"I don't have time for that-"
"He's fine. Why?"
"I need to talk to him. Its seriouse this time."
"What is it?"
"Caius is going to try something-"
"He already did."
"What did he do?" Liam stepped further into the house, looking around for Ashton.
"I found him in the middle of the street with a pack of wolves."
"Things are getting worse lately."
"You mean, you're having family issues."
"Ashton is exposed. He doesn't know how to camooflage himself and Caius is afraid that he will be revealed and well, lead to him."
"So he's trying to get rid of him?"
"Yes."
"And you?" Luke raised an eyebrow.
"He can't control me."
"And you want to help Ashton resist?"
"Yes."
"Ashton is not the problem. And you can't make him strong enough to fight Caius."
"So?"
"So Caius is your problem."
"Its harder then you think."
"I didn't sense him when he walked outside." Luke commended as he walked upstairs and Liam followed him.
"Its part of the trick."
"Its a good one."
"Caius is very good Luke, you don't want to understatement him."
They walked into the room and Luke pulled the blanket from Ashton.
"Ashton." Luke shoke him.
He looked at the cuts and noticed they turned blue around his skin and that they still haven't healed.
"He looks dead." Liam came closer as well.
Luke placed his palm on Ashton's heart and felt no heart beat, looking at Liam with a frown.
"It can't be."
"He's dead?" Liam's eyes widened.
"I heard his heart beat the entire time, even from downstairs."
"Its part of his trick Luke!" Liam put his fisted palms on Ashton's chest and started pressuring his heart but Luke knew it wouldn't work.
"Move." Luke placed his open palm on Ashton's heart and passed him energy.
"Luke your power is bad for him."
"Right now, that's your only option."
Luke managed to bring him back but the beats were still faint and extremely slow.
He was about to bite his wrist and give Ashton his blood but Liam stopped him.
"Your blood with the combination of the werewolf wound? That's a certain death."
Luke knew he had a point, but there was nothing else to do.
"So what's now?"
"He's breathing, for now its enough."
"It won't last long."
****
"Caius will kill him."
"What?"
"If not in his dreams, then he will find another way. But he won't stop until Ashton will be out of his way."
"Its not like Ashton is going anywhere. For now he's safe."
"And in his sleep?"
"For that to stop, you need to find Caius."
"Its hard to find him when he decids to disappear. I can't even count how much time I spent in searches for him during the years."
"Ashton can fight him, but in his subconscious he thinks its just a dream." He added
"And you think Caius will give him all the time in the world to get ready and become stronger?"
"So what do you want Luke?"
"To find Caius."
"You let me do that."
"You're too slow. By the time you will find him he will have at least fifty other chances."
