Cursed by the Fountain of Youth

Chapter 25

Nick stood with his hand hovering over Fae's wrist, a razor blade in his fingers. What am I doing? Am I really going to cut Fae's wrist and drink her blood? His stomach sickened at the thought.

"Why don't you let me do it?" Thomas asked.

Nick pulled the blade back. "If anybody is going to do it, it'll be me."

"Nick," Fae said. "It's okay. Just get it over with. I swear the anticipation is worse than the act."

He nodded and moved in again—the blade once again hovering over her wrist. He stood, his mind screaming at him not to do it. Harming Fae seemed to go against every fiber of his being.

"It looks like the link is stronger than we thought," Conall said.

"But not strong enough," Avira said.

"Nick," Fae's voice beckoned to him. "It's okay. You don't have to do it." She took hold of his wrist and carefully pulled the razor blade from his fingers. Before he could guess her intent, she slashed her own wrist. Blood spurted across his shirt.

"Oh, shoot," she exclaimed. His heart took a flying leap against his chest. "That was deeper than I wanted to cut."

"Fae," Nick growled, and then he cursed. "We have to stop the bleeding." He clamped his hand over her wrist.

Avira had a mug just below his grasping fingers and said, "I need you to let go for a moment."

"Forget it," Nick snapped. "She's going to bleed to death."

"She's not going to bleed to death. She barely nicked the artery," Avira said as she caught the stream of blood pouring from between his fingers.

"Hope," Nick shouted. "We need you to stitch it up."

"As soon as the cup is full," Hope said calmly, a needle and thread in her hand.

Nick bellowed a curse in frustration.

"I would ask you not to use profanity in front of my wife," Conall said.

"It's okay, dear," Hope said. "I can see how upset he is."

"I almost have enough," Avira said.

Hope stepped forward. "Just tell me when."

Avira nodded. Half a minute later, Avira said, "Okay, that's enough." She pulled the cup away, and Hope moved in.

"Mr. Chase," Hope said. "I need you to move your hand."

Nick hesitated, afraid to let go.

"I work fast," Hope said. "You needn't worry so."

"Nick." Conall took him by the shoulders. "She really is great with a needle. Come on. Just step back."

Nick took a hesitant step away and held his breath as he let go.

The bleeding had slowed to an ooze. "Fae's a remarkable healer," Hope said, her eyes wide. "I don't think we'll need to stitch it after all." She turned to Nick. "Just put pressure on it, and we'll check it again in a few minutes.

"Too bad," Thomas said to Conall. "I'd like to have seen your wife in action. I've heard she's quite impressive."

Conall nodded in appreciation. "That she is. After two hundred and thirty years, she still amazes me."

Hope smiled back, her countenance bright. "Why, thank you, husband." She turned to Nick. "Although the bleeding was kept to a minimum, Fae did lose over a pint of blood. I think it best we provide some nourishment and she stays to rest until she recovers her strength."