Cured

Chapter Sixteen

    Ronan looked up to meet her gaze, coughing up blood. "Is it really you, Lana?" he questioned, his voice raspy.

    Lana nodded, tears stinging her eyes. She had so many questions for him, yet now was definitely not the time. Her fingers brushed through his black hair, eyes shining with sadness. "How'd you get here?"

    "I've been looking for you," he admitted, letting out another cough. He winced, blood escaping the corner of his mouth.

    "Shhh," she cooed, her voice strained. Her eyes traveled over his face, soaking in every little detail. The soft caramel streaks that cut through his dark brown eyes. His tan skin and freckles that peppered his cheekbones. Tears stained her cheeks as her gaze traveled to the claw marks on his chest and the blood that covered much of his skin. There was no way he could survive this. Even if they called for an ambulance, he'd die before paramedics arrived.

    "Is he your brother?" Micah questioned.

    She nodded softly. Her gaze connected with Nolan. He knew the story between her and her brother. His brown eyes held sympathy, the corners of his mouth turned downwards.

    "You can save him," Micah muttered. Lana looked up to meet his gaze, tilting her head to the side in confusion. Realization suddenly dawned on her as she understood what he meant.

    She could turn him into a vampire.

    Lana returned her gaze to Ronan. "It's the only way, isn't it?" she questioned softly.

    "I'm afraid so," Nolan chimed in. "He won't make it much longer."

    "What are they talking about?" Ronan asked. His breaths were already growing shallow and Lana deeply inhaled. She had to save her brother. She couldn't lose him. Not again.

    She lowered her head, her mouth hovering over his neck. She could hear his heart growing faint, his body losing too much blood. She sank her fangs into his skin, causing him to gasp in shock. He didn't fight back, probably because he was too weak to do so. Blood flooded her mouth and her vampiric nature took over. She took a few gulps before regaining control, forcing her willpower to remain intact. She couldn't lose her composure in a critical situation such as this. She waited a couple moments, wanting to make sure the venom entered his body before she raised her head. Ronan's eyelids fluttered with fear, staring at Lana with eyes the size of saucers.

    "What..." he paused, not knowing how to continue.

    "How long until the venom takes effect?" Lana asked, hoping she wasn't too late. The only victim of hers that's lived is Asher and she didn't stick around to see how soon the venom came into effect.

    "It's working now, actually. Listen to his heart," Micah stated.

    Lana's ears zeroed in on his heart. His heartbeat was already growing stronger. She let out a sigh of relief. She wrapped her arms around Ronan, crying. She felt him wince and she immediately pulled away. "Sorry," she muttered sheepishly.

    "It's okay," he replied. He glanced at Nolan, Asher and Micah before averting his eyes back to his sister. "So, you all are..." he paused, uncertain if he should proceed.

    "Vampires," Lana filled in. Her eyes glazed over with sorrow. "You've missed a lot since you left."

    Ronan's eyes shone with grief. "I'm so sorry, Lana. Tell me what happened."

    Lana spilled everything. Her development of Myelofibrosis and being close to death. The cure she received that saved her but turned her into a vampire. Her doctors finding out its affects and alerting the government. Micah being turned and sent to bring her to them. Learning their fate if they stayed and escaping together. Every little detail she vented to him. By the end, Ronan's face twisted with sorrow.