“On their own or did someone have to carry them out?” The venom in Luca’s tone cut deep.
“Both, Cana.”
While Luca looked on the verge of raging, nothing about Nash’s expression changed.
“And then?” Nash said.
“It will most likely get very bad. When the ichor is in danger of purging, it will become painful. The Anubis will fight to stay inside you.”
“And when it purges? What will happen to it?”
“We have flasks of smoked glass. I hope to contain it and drown it in as much Rakta as I have. If that doesn’t destroy it, then it will stay in the flask, and I’ll find somewhere to hide it.”
“What about Luca?”
“The Anubis will continue to share its resources while inside you. That may speed up the purging. I’m not sure.”
“Will he get sick?”
Isaiah knew Nash meant Luca’s cancer.
“If he does, I can give him blood. It will connect him to the pack—”
“No.” Luca didn’t yell, but the anger in that one word was nothing short of a punch. “I’m not taking your blood or anyone else’s. If Nox gets sick, then so do I. If he…” He inhaled. “We go together.”
There’d been another Cana who’d felt the same way about the Mah he loved. That he’d rather die than lose him.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Nash met Isaiah’s gaze, and the silent demand swam in the grey. Luca had to live, no matter what.
Isaiah agreed. And even if Nash hadn’t felt that way, Isaiah would have gone against the man’s wishes. But it was good to know he was right about Nash Kelli having Luca’s best interest in mind.
“Are you ready?” Isaiah held up the needle and Nash nodded.
Isaiah placed the needle against Nash’s forearm.
Ripples formed under Nash’s skin, and he grit his teeth. “You need to hurry.”
“It’s just reacting to me touching you. I don’t have my wolf, but it can still feel it.”
“No… it knows.”
That wasn’t possible.
A growl rose in Nash’s throat. “Isaiah, do it now.”
Isaiah pushed the needle into Nash’s bulging vein and pressed the plunger. The small tenth of liquid in the one CC syringe vanished.
Fangs filled Nash’s mouth, and black threads cut dark lines under his skin. The expression of concern on his face morphed into rage.
Luca turned on the bench and made Nash look at him.
“It’s okay, I promise,” Luca said.
The change in demeanor was instant. Nothing else existed but the Cana. Nothing else mattered, not even the drops of poison Isaiah had injected into Nash.
The monster fell into the background again, leaving the man.