Before I could knock, the door opened from the inside, and Quinn, his face full of anguish, invited me into the cramped space.
Shes gotten worse suddenly.
Its those attacks she used to have, but its been years since the last one," he explained as I hurried to sit on the small bed where Celine lay trembling, her body burning with a dangerously high fever.
She suddenly started coughing violently, clutching her chest with a pained expression as if she were suffocating.
"Celine!" I supported her as she sat halfway up, and Quinn quickly positioned himself behind her to hold her upright, ensuring she didnt choke on her own blood.
"Pass me that piece of cloth!" the lycan urged me.
I spotted the torn fabric of what looked like Quinns undershirt on a nearby table.
With trembling hands, I handed him the improvised handkerchief, which he pressed to Celine: blood-stained mouth.
Nana, whats happening? Whats wrong with her?" "Her internal energies are fighting for dominance, but neither is strong enough to suppress th¢ other.
She needs healing tonics from a witch to hold on in the meantime," Nana answered in my mind before falling silent again.
I knew she couldnt expose herself, but it was so frustrating to do nothingto not use the powers or magic I had inherited, whatever they were.
I wanted to help Celine.
After all, they had risked their lives following me so I could save her, and I felt more useless than ever.
"Pm...
Pm okay.
Dont worry, Ican get up," Celine tried to stand, her body trembling all over.
She looked awful, barely able to keep herself upright.
Quinn helped her.
We need to disembark and find a healer, Celine.
She can help you for now.
We won't leave here without treating you, I promise," I vowed, looking at the two siblings with all the determination I could muster.
But fulfilling my promise didnt go as planned.
ee "My friend needs help," I told the Vampire King once we were on deck and ready to disembark.
What kind of help? Blood to feed on?" he asked mockingly.
"No, she urgently needs a healer." "That will delay us," he confronted me coldly, and the tension on the deck was palpable.
---- "T wont take another step if Celine doesnt get better.
In case you havent noticed, Vampire King, the magical artifact hasnt indicated any other location," I said, glancing toward the small box where it was safely stored.
The message was clearif they didnt treat Celine, he would have to find his damn door alone.
Our gazes locked, practically sparking with intensity.
Deep down, Iwas terrified of his oppressive and murderous aura, afraid he might suddenly attack.
My thoughts always circled back to protecting my pup.
"Eine.
Put on those gray hoods.
You're my subjects, and Im a nobleman.
We'll go into town to find a healer.
And Valeria, you'd better hurry up afterward, or I might just rip your friends head off to save time." He turned his back to don the heavy concealing hood.
I clenched my fists and swallowed my anger, waiting silently.
I grabbed my cloak and walked over to help Quinn dress Celine.
She was pale and weak, her temperature still rising.
Iwas terrified of what might happen.
We descended the ships narrow stairs, and a scruffy-looking man was waiting for us at the decrepit pier.
"Welcome to 'Happy Witch Town," he greeted us with yellowed teeth, though there didnt seem to be anything happy about this half-ghostly, decaying place.