"We could try cutting the cuff off," Aiden suggested.
Keelan shook his head. "You'll cut my arm off!"
"Don't be silly Keelan. If we cut your arm off, blood will get everywhere." Aiden chastised.
Keelan had just started to hyperventilate when Darian had an idea. He stepped forward and leaned in close to his friend. "You're a witch who has mastered air; can you deflate the cuff," he asked.
Seconds later, Keelan yanked his arm out of the blue cuff and slid off the small bench to sit on the floor.
"I hate going to the store. I hate going to the store. I hate going to the store..." Keelan repeated over and over.
"Hey, blondie!" A cantankerous voice called. Darian turned to see Bill waving him over. "Give this to him. It will calm him down. If you tell anyone I gave it to you, I'll deny it. I normally wouldn't do this, but it is my fault for not getting that thing fixed." Bill dropped a small pill in his hand.
"Will this cause hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, fever...?"
Bill rolled his eyes. "Just give it to him." He turned and disappeared again.
Darian looked around. He spotted a display of bottled water and grabbed one. He walked over to Keelan and knelt down. "Here you go Keelan. This will help." He handed him the small pill and the opened bottle of water. Keelan didn't even question what it was; he just downed it.
"How's the arm?" Aiden asked.
Keelan looked up, his eyes a little less wild. "I can move it." He extended his arm and rotated it.
Aiden turned to Darian. "Did you get Amelia's medicine?"
"Yes, though I have concerns about giving it to her." Darian frowned.
"Trust Rheia, she wouldn't give her anything that would be harmful," Colton said.
"I say, is the boy all right?" Bart said pointing to Keelan who had slumped over on one side, mouth open and drooling.
"Keelan!" Colton knelt down and checked for a pulse.
Bart turned to the pharmacy counter. "What'd ya give the boy?" he demanded.
"Just a little something to calm his nerves, though it shouldn't have kicked in so soon, it usually takes between thirty and forty minutes to get that sort of reaction." Bill said peering over the counter.
"Pick up him, Colton. Let's get him home," Aiden said.
Colton pulled Keelan into a sitting position and wrapped the witch's arm around his neck. "Come on kiddo, let's go home."
"I try so hard, but nothing changes," Keelan murmured incoherently before passing out again.
"I know, I know." Colton nodded and stood. "We'll get you home and then you can go beddy-bye."
"He is out cold." Gavriel observed.
"The only thing that could contribute to this type of reaction is possible sleep deprivation. Has he been sleeping?" Bill asked.
Or it could be that it affects witches quicker than humans. Darian shook his head. Trust Keelan to find out the hard way.
The men looked at each other. "He did say at breakfast that he was having a hard time sleeping lately," Gavriel said.
"Then I'm glad he's getting some sleep now," Aiden said before turning to Bill. "You have my thanks."
Bill waved off Aiden's thanks. "He should be fine by morning."
Aiden nodded and they walked to the front of the store.
Colton lifted Keelan into the back of the SUV and shut the hatch.
"Colton, you couldn't put him in a seat?" Aiden asked frowning.
"He'll be fine, just drive carefully," Colton said hopping into the back.
Once they were on their way, silence filled the cab.
"You know he'll never go to the store with us again after this, right?" Darian asked.
That was all it took, first Gavriel then Aiden started laughing. Colton put his hands behind his head and chortled.
Darian shook his head and smiled.
There were worse ways to spend an evening.
*****
Amelia opened her eyes when she heard Darian return. She had been dozing off and on since he left.
"Did I wake you?" he asked stopping in his tracks.
"No, I've been awake for a little while. Any problems picking up the prescription? I didn't give you any of my ID."
He shook his head. "No, I was able to get it with no issues." He set a bottle of water on the nightstand, opened the paper bag, and pulled out a small bottle. He broke the tamper proof seal and gently tapped out a pill for her. He handed her the medicine. She placed the pill under her tongue gratefully, willing it to dissolve and kick in as soon as possible. Prying one eye open she looked longingly at the water but knew it would have to wait until the nausea subsided to take a sip.
"I'll sleep in the guest room." He turned to leave.
"Please stay." All she could think about was Darian wrapping his arms around her and never leaving. She wanted the problems of the world to stop at their bedroom door and leave them alone.
Quietly, he stripped off his clothes and climbed in behind her. On any other occasion, she would have done anything she could to seduce her mate. Their one night of lovemaking had left her with a taste for more, but she could barely keep her eyes open.
"Sleep, my love. Tomorrow is a new day." He kissed her shoulder and pulled her close to his body.
When the medicine started to kick in, taking the edge off her migraine, she let out a sigh of relief; sleep wasn't far behind.