The Blood Contract
Chapter 46: Completely messed up

Chapter 46: Completely messed up

Lucian woke up to the sound of a persistent knock on his door, the rhythmic tapping cutting through the silence of his room like tiny daggers. The sound though light, was to him so loud and annoying that the moment he opened his eyes, his fingers twitched with the urge to vaporize whoever was out there disturbing his peace, his eyes burning with irritation.

"Boss?" Adrian’s voice finally echoed from outside, the tentative call announcing his identity, but that didn’t ease Lucian’s annoyance. If anything, the familiar voice only made his jaw clench tighter.

"Go away," Lucian spoke, the words rough with sleep as he pushed himself off the bed, the sheets tangling around his legs like restraints. He felt like the worst version of himself, his movements sluggish. His sleep had been troubled and his mind slightly disoriented but his mood took the biggest hit—he was extremely irritable, every nerve ending raw with tension.

After he left Serena’s room the night before, he had returned to his room with the intention of waiting a few minutes for Marlowe to be done with the inspection of the antidote, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. But he didn’t know how or when he fell asleep, the darkness claiming him before he could resist.

A worried frown registered on Adrian’s face when he heard what Lucian said, his brows drawing together in concern. It sounded so strange, as Lucian had never told him to go away before. But he still ceased knocking and disappeared from the vicinity, his footsteps fading down the stairs.

"Why do you look like your love interest is about to get married to someone else?" Darrell asked when Adrian came to sit beside him, the teasing words falling flat in the heavy air between them.

"I think something is wrong with Boss," Adrian answered, the frown on his face remaining rigid, his fingers tapping restlessly against his thigh. The unease in his gut refused to settle.

"Something is wrong with him, how?" Darrell asked before his eyes widened in realization, the color draining from his face. "His condition?" As soon as the question left his mouth, he frowned, his mind racing. "I thought Serena already provided him temporary relief."

"I thought so too, but we don’t know how long the relief is supposed to last," Adrian pointed out, his voice low with worry. The uncertainty gnawed at him.

"That’s true," Darrell agreed, running a hand through his hair. The motion did little to ease his own growing concern. "Does he look sick?"

"I didn’t see him." The admission came out strained.

"You didn’t see him?" Darrell threw the incredulous question, his voice rising slightly. "How then did you know something was wrong with him?"

"I knocked for more than two minutes, calling him from time to time, but there was no response," Adrian narrated his observation, the memory making his stomach twist. "When he finally answered, he asked me to go away, and his voice did not sound okay." The strain in Lucian’s tone still echoed in his ears.

Darrell’s lips twitched, the expression caught between amusement and concern. "He may just be in a bad mood. Don’t jump into hasty conclusions," Darrell scolded, though his own voice lacked its usual conviction. And while Adrian said nothing further, his heart refused to make light of the situation, the worry settling deep in his bones.

***

Sweating like he had run a marathon, his skin slick with perspiration, and feeling an intense pounding in his head that threatened to split his skull open, Lucian trudged to the bathroom to fix himself up, each step heavier than the last.

By the time he laid eyes on the wound resting on his shoulder, the angry red line stark against his pale skin, a wave of rage washed over him, hot and consuming. He fisted his palms to avoid punching the mirror or breaking something else, his knuckles turning white with the effort.

The cut was still fresh—no clotting—and instead of closing inward like a normal wound should, the edges seemed to be spreading apart like a blooming flower, the skin pulling taut. Worse, they were turning darker and thicker, the blackened veins creeping outward just as Salvador had explained, a living testament to the poison working its way through him.

He needed no other proof to tell he had indeed been poisoned, the reality settling like a stone in his gut. He hoped what they brought was the antidote because if he continued the way he was feeling, the weakness seeping into his limbs, he wouldn’t be able to move pretty soon, as his legs were becoming heavier and his body was getting weaker, each breath more labored than the last.

Putting on a fresh shirt, the fabric brushing against the wound and sending sharp spikes of pain through him, he headed down the stairs, his steps laden with difficulty. He arrived at the ground floor successfully, but strength instantly left him, his vision swimming for a terrifying moment. He grabbed onto the backrest of one of the sofas for support, his breath coming out in short bursts, the world tilting dangerously around him.

Adrian shot up to his feet the moment he sighted him.

"Sir, are you alright?" he asked, his feet hurrying to stand beside Lucian as panic flashed in his features, his hands hovering uncertainly. The sight of his usually composed boss in such a state sent ice through his veins.

Darrell didn’t look any different, his own face pale with shock. He had seen Lucian on more than one occasion whenever his curse attacked, the man’s strength wavering but never breaking. Those times, the guy handled it well, the strain on his features being the only evidence that something was wrong with him, his pride refusing to show weakness.

What he was looking at now was different and scary, a visceral shift that made his stomach drop. Lucian looked completely messed up, his skin ashen and his movements unsteady, even though he was still trying to stay composed, his jaw clenched against the pain.

"I’m fine," Lucian frowned, hating the looks on their faces, the pity and concern like weights on his shoulders. "Marlowe—where’s she?" he asked, the words coming out more strained than he intended. He needed that antidote now.

"Doctor!" Adrian called out in a loud, urgent voice that echoed through the house, already knowing that the woman was seated in the dining room discussing with Serena. The panic in his tone was unmistakable.

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Author’s Note:

TBC received it’s first review today and it was a one star, highly negative review, by a reader who has been dropping awful comments throughout the Chapters they read. Which makes me wonder if they didn’t see all the warnings or if I didn’t put enough warnings.

So let me reemphasize. This is a dark romance story. There are dark scenes, and dark characters. Please if this story is not for you, drop it. Refrain from leaving negative comments and reviews that would discourage the potential readers and the author as well.

Thanks to my supportive readers. I see all you do and I appreciate your gifts, comments, and support in other forms. XOXO.

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