Grace ran over and opened the door, running out to the front porch with Faith on her heels, both of them sliding across the wood decking.
Ronan leaped out of the driver’s seat and yanked a still form toward him, ducking and lifting before hustling around the car.
“Adare?” Grace said, her chest hurting. He was slung over Ronan’s shoulder, his body limp and blood dripping onto the snow as they moved.
Ronan’s face was a grim mask as he maneuvered up the steps and into the cabin, flipping Adare over onto his back on the oversized sofa. “He passed out about an hour ago and won’t awaken, and he’s not healing himself while sleeping.” Ronan wiped dried blood off his forehead. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
Faith ran back into the kitchen.
Grace hurried around the sofa to the table, reaching out to push Adare’s hair away from his bloodied face. More blood poured from his head, arm, and leg, pooling on the sofa in bright red. “Adare?” Her voice shook.
Faith hustled back in with supplies in her hands. “We need to stem the blood if he can’t heal himself. Was he knocked out by a head shot?” She handed Grace scissors. “Cut away his shirt and pants while I examine his head.”
Ronan stood by the end of the sofa, his face cut into harsh lines. “I don’t think so. He was hit several times, but he was off all day. I think he just passed out.” Ronan reached down and pulled off Adare’s boots, grunting as he did so. “He can’t take blood while he’s unconscious, so we might need to give it to him intravenously. Do we have any medical equipment for that? We’ve never needed it before.”
Faith finished examining Adare’s head, which looked enormous in her slender hands. “He’s been cut and has bruises, but no bullet or knife wounds to his skull. Although he has a cut above his eye, probably from shrapnel.” She sat back, pursing her lips. “He should not be unconscious from these injuries.”
Grace finished cutting away his jeans, fighting not to vomit at the damage to his leg. “It’s because we mated. Right?” She knew it.
“Maybe.” Faith poked at one of the bullet holes. “He didn’t even expel the bullet.” She reached for a black package and ripped it open with her teeth, her gaze worried. “He needs surgery and a lot of blood. We have to get him to the Realm hospital, Ronan. Like right now.”
Ronan nodded. “We split with Benny before stealing the truck. He ran to get the helicopter.”
Faith started wrapping Adare’s injuries. “This is a blood clotter that will help until we can get him to a trauma unit.” She finished with his leg and moved up his arm, working until she could place a bandage on the cut above his right eye. The white pad immediately turned red from the blood.
Grace took his limp hand and held it tightly. “He’s getting too pale.” An unnatural hue glowed beneath his skin.
Ronan swore and ripped open his wrist with his fangs, leaning down to press it against Adare’s mouth. “This will help, but I can only get so much down him while he’s unconscious.”
Tears filled Grace’s eyes. “This is my fault. My blood or cells or whatever are attacking his.” Deep down, she hadn’t really thought it was possible. Adare was just too strong for simple blood cells to harm him.
Ronan wiped more blood off his cheek. “I can’t imagine that. The threat honestly didn’t seem real.” Bewilderment showed in his world-weary eyes for a moment. “I don’t think any of us thought he was in real danger, not just from a mating.”
Grace squeezed Adare’s hand tighter. He felt cold. Even his palm, which was always hot, was chilly against her fingers.
Faith checked his eyes and then felt his wrist, counting out loud. She frowned. “His heart rate is too slow. This isn’t good.”
Ronan looked out the window at the sky. “Benny should be here any minute.”
Faith nodded, feeling Adare’s head. “Did you save the enhanced females?” She didn’t look away from her patient.
“Yes,” Ronan said. “We dropped them off at the local police station and got out of there to steal the truck and get Adare help. We have no idea what they saw or what they’ll say, but at least they’re safe. We notified the Realm, and they should intercede soon with the women. Dage will make sure they’re safe, which is what matters.”
Well, that was something. Grace grabbed