Eventide

Chapter 20. Brogan

Chapter 20

Brogan

(Undisclosed Desires, by Muse)

　

　

　

　

　

     The run back from Anchorage had seemed to take forever, though Carlisle’s and Moira’s make-shift lab wasn’t all that far from Trapper Creek and I had run full out both ways.

     Seeing firsthand how fast they worked, it was hard to believe they had not yet found something to put Brogan back into remission. Carlisle had been a blur, checking Brogan’s blood samples, writing up the findings, and stacking those papers by Moira, who had no hope of keeping up with him as she skimmed through the results. They had been so busy they hadn’t had time to talk with me. It had been Esme who filled me in on the progress, or lack of it.

     “They’ve tested over 250 strains of wolfsbane extract against Brogan’s blood samples. No definitive success yet, but they’re testing combinations as we speak. They still have a lot of options left to explore.” She showed me a box full of slim packages. “Embry will drive these to Brogan’s tomorrow, along with more syringes for blood samples. They’re test swabs. I’ll call you each night for the reading. They measure hormone levels like a pregnancy test, only these are mouth swabs to test saliva, rather than urine.”

     Figured. Brogan was better equipped to pee on a stick than any woman, but no, all he had to do was dip the swab in his mouth.

     “Is the whole venomous thing still getting worse?”

     She hesitated. “The lethal toxins in his saliva are still in decline. Moira is worried that level will drop even faster after his next transformation.”

     In less than a week, it would again be a full moon and Brogan would transform once more. It was a fact I tried very hard to not think about, though that wouldn‘t stop it from happening if Carlisle and Moira failed to find something that would work.

     “How is it right now?”

     “The toxin is less than half the strength it was before his encounter with that first hunter, according to Moira‘s records.” She must have seen something in my expression because she quickly continued, “We still have a ways to go before his bite transforms, rather than kills.”

     Esme’s sharp eyes caught the shudder that slid down my spine.

     “Brogan want’s to know how Moira is holding up,” I blurted, mostly to change the subject. “She looks really tired.”

     The circles under Moira’s eyes looked even darker than the ones under Carlisle’s.

     “I’m putting her to bed right after lunch. Poor thing has been up 26 hours this time.”

     Her disapproving expression looked so--paternal.

     “I’ll let him know you’ve got everything under control,” I said.

     She did the whole soft-faced thing, dimples and all.

     Too weird.

     “Can I get you something to eat?” She kept her distance, but it looked like it took an effort on her part to not close it. “I’m making grilled cheese on home baked bread with tomato soup.”

     “No,” I snapped.

     Her face remained smooth, but something about the set of her mouth told me I had hurt her feelings.