Chapter 653
As Gabriel and Amelie walked back, they were met by a storm of grief and confusion. David and Samyra were pale, their eyes darting toward every passing nurse, while Zander looked like a man on the edge of a breakdown.
“Amelie! Gabriel!” Samyra cried out, rushing toward them. She pulled Amelie into a hug, but her eyes were fixed on the closed doors of the emergency wing.
Zander didn’t wait for a greeting. He intercepted Gabriel, his face contorted with fear and fury. “Prince Gabriel, why is Flora injured? How did this happen?” he demanded, his voice cracking. “Prince Casaio said something about venom. How could he hurt her so much in your presence p>
The questions rained down on Gabriel. Zander stepped closer, his anxiety only increasing. “You were supposed to be there! Why is she the one fighting for her life while we are all standing here? Please, tell me she’s going to be okay p>
David stepped forward as well. He placed a steadying hand on Zander’s shoulder, but his gaze remained locked on Gabriel. “Your Highness, my daughter, she will be fine, right p>
“The doctors and healers are discussing an anti-venom,” Amelie stated. “Flora will be fine,” she asserted, clenching her fists on her sides.
Carlos, standing in the shadows of the corridor, furrowed his brows. As a Sorcerer, he could see what the others couldn’t: the thin, fraying thread of Flora’s life force. He stepped forward just as the doctor emerged from the ward.
“The healers agreed, Your Highness. One of them had read about this in an ancient text,” the doctor explained. A woman in pale green robes stepped out from behind him.
“I am Ella, a first-degree healer,” she introduced herself. “To remove the venom from Miss Flora’s bloodstream, we must perform a Blood-Bond Transfusion. However, for the blood to successfully hunt and neutralize the venom, it must come from the patient’s true mate. Sadly, there was no mark on her neck, which usually means she has no mate p>
“I am her mate,” Zander said, stepping forward. He didn’t look at Gabriel or Amelie; his eyes were locked on the healer. “I didn’t mark her because she hasn’t accepted me yet. But the bond is there. I can help. Take my blood and save her p>
David’s voice rose in sharp concern, “Are you really her mate, Zander? If the bond isn’t real, the transfusion could kill you both p>
“Yes, sir,” Zander answered. “I am aware of that. I am Flora’s mate,” he added.
“Then, let us begin,” the doctor stated. Without a second of hesitation, Zander followed him into the ward.
Carlos stepped forward. “I can provide additional support. If the healing magic falters or the venom proves too aggressive, I can use my powers to amplify the healing,” he offered. He looked at Amelie, catching her eye and giving her a nod, a silent promise to do everything in his power to save Flora’s life.
Ella looked at him. “Are you a—” she began, only to pause.
“Yes, I am a sorcerer,” Carlos finished for her.
“Please, follow me,” Ella whispered, gesturing for him to enter.
“Noah is finally asleep,” Katelyn whispered, a long-awaited breath of relief escaping her lungs. She watched the toddler’s chest rise and fall rhythmically before turning her gaze to Zilia. “You have a way with babies. I can’t help but worry about what’s happening in San Ravendale, though. The silence is making me restless p>
Zilia pressed a finger to her lips, gesturing for silence. She didn’t want to risk waking the boy after such an ordeal. With a subtle tilt of her head, she led Katelyn toward the drawing room, outside the bedroom.
“Casaio must have tried to reach me,” Zilia said, pulling her phone from her pocket. She had kept it on silent to avoid startling Noah. Her heart sank when she saw the string of missed calls and urgent notifications. She immediately dialed his number and switched to speakerphone.
“Why weren’t you answering?” Casaio’s voice came through, sharp and strained.
“I was helping Noah sleep. He was incredibly distressed,” Zilia replied, her voice low. “How is the situation there? Please tell me… Did they kill Alex this time p>
“Yes,” Casaio answered.
Katelyn and Zilia shared a quick, triumphant smile. But the victory was short-lived as Casaio continued, his tone turning grim.
“However, Flora is gravely injured. She’s being treated as we speak p>
“What happened to her?” Zilia asked, her smile vanishing instantly. “Was it Alex? How bad is it p>
“He used a necrotic venom,” Casaio explained. “It’s dark magic, Zilia. They are performing a blood transfusion right now with Zander as the donor. It’s a gamble that could cost both of them their lives p>
“What? Is it that bad?” Katelyn exclaimed.
“Kate, you are there too!” Casaio’s voice sounded weary over the speaker.
“Yes, I’m here with Zilia,” Katelyn replied.
“Well, the situation is grim. It’s already been over thirty minutes since they went in,” Casaio said. “And if Flora doesn’t make it… Gabriel will have to answer for this. He’ll have to carry the full weight of the responsibility p>
“Why?” Zilia asked, her brow furrowed as she stared at the glowing phone screen. “What do you mean by responsibility p>
“Because he used Flora as bait,” Casaio revealed, his voice dropping into a heavy sigh. “He used her to lure Alex out. But there was a delay, and Gabriel couldn’t reach her in time. He hasn’t told anyone yet because he knows there’s no point in explaining himself now. The damage is done p>
Katelyn gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “So if she dies Katelyn whispered, “It’s on our brother p>
“Exactly,” Casaio replied solemnly. “Now all we can do is wait and see if Zander’s bond is strong enough to pull her back p>
“Nothing will happen to Flora,” Zilia said, sounding positive.
“I am praying the same,” Casaio stated. “I will hang up then. Take care.” The call disconnected, and both women looked at each other.
“Why do they have to undergo so much trouble?” Katelyn muttered, silently praying to the Moon Goddess to save Flora.