Page 112 of Infernal Bonds

“His bloodline.”

His natural scowl deepened. “I don’t think it’d work against Feranzis’ magic. He’s not poisoned.”

“If the curse affects his blood, he can expel it. Even if it doesn’t clear Zeke’s mind, it’ll at least give him a stronger chance of pulling through.”

Rae pushed up, turning to look at me. “If it’s in his mind, how does it help him?”

“Because the curse infects both the body and mind,” Ezra said, stepping into the room.

29

CURSE

ASH

“Ash is correct. My blood should rid Zeke’s blood of the dark magic, but do nothing for his mind.”

“So he’ll still be cursed.” Rae’s gaze returned to Zeke, and the skin near her eyes pulled taut, the brightness in her eyes blurring with unshed tears.

I stepped closer, looking down at my brother. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but his expression remained calm. “If we take away one of his fights, he might have enough strength to keep the curse at bay.”

“What about my blood?”

Ezra canted his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“I gave Cyn my blood when the curse tried to cause problems for him too.” Her eyes locked with Cyn’s, and he held her stare, silently acknowledging that “problems” was a significant understatement of what had happened.

“We’ll use my blood first.”

I knew he wouldn’t risk the curse transferring to Rae, even if she’d risked herself before with Cyn. They weren’t in Feranzis anymore; we had other options.

She sniffed, rubbing her red nose, not arguing with him or asking questions. She’d grown to trust him, even if they hadn’t acknowledged it in words.

Cyn stood, allowing Ezra to approach Zeke’s bedside.

“The vallants gave him a mild sedative, so he shouldn’t fight me.” Ezra sat on the edge of the bed. “Not enough to keep him from regaining consciousness should the curse recede, but enough to keep him relaxed.”

Rae looked from him to Zeke several times before she asked, “Do I need to move?”

“Do you want to?”

Her lips pursed as his eyes locked with hers. “No,” she mumbled.

“Then, no, you don’t need to move.” He rolled his sleeve up his arm. “Your presence will prove beneficial to him.”

“It will?”

Sliding a claw over his palm, he glanced at her. “Your scent alone will do a lot to soothe him if you can keep your discomfort under control.”

She frowned. “I’m fine.”

“The spoiled fruit aroma in the air suggests otherwise.” He turned to me. “Hold his legs. I don’t know how the curse will react to my blood’s invasion. I don’t want him to hurt himself if the curse seizes his body.”

Cyn paced the room as Rae took Zeke’s hand. I moved to the foot of the bed and wrapped my hands around his ankles, watching the steady rise and fall of Zeke’s chest. This close, I saw the sweat coating his skin.

When Ezra’s palm clamped over Zeke’s mouth, forcing blood down his throat, Zeke’s entire body spasmed, arching off the bed.

“Cyn,” Ezra barked. “Raelynn, you need to move.”