I swallow down the stream of bile trying to force its way out of my mouth and will myself to keep it together.
Now is not the time for me to lose it.
“What about her markings? They’re darkening, too. What does that mean?”
Both are aspects I’ve noticed as the days have passed. However, I didn’t give them much thought, too preoccupied with the more paramount issue at hand; namely, her choosing to pass on. I assumed it might be normal for hybrids, especially since Draegan hadn’t mentioned anything about it.
“The markings are nothing to be concerned about,” Doctor Ward states evenly. “Simply immortality attempting to claim her body.”
If nothing else, at least there’s that.
“Was that the good news?”
“Yes and no. The good news is the infection can be cleared.”
“How?” Hope seeps through my tone. “Antibiotics?”
“Oh no. No.” He gives a staunch shake of his head. “Medication will never make it into her bloodstream, and if it does, it’s likely she’ll have a negative reaction. To remove the infection, her wings must be extracted.”
“I’m not following. If medication is out of the question, how do you expect to proceed with surgery?”
“I can provide local anesthesia throughout the process, as frequently as needed. She should only need three rounds per wing.”
“Still not following, Ward.” I cross my arms. “So you can provide a numbing agent, great, but how does that solve the problem?”
“The infection is contained, Captain. Yes, she’ll continue degenerating the longer she doesn’t feed, but the infection hasn’t spread elsewhere.”
He appears as sure of himself as ever. You think that would put me more at ease, yeah? Wrong. Something doesn’t feel right. I’ve never doubted the man before, and truthfully, I don’t plan to start now, but this seems too easy.
What isn’t he telling me?
“What about site wounds once the extraction is complete? Will they heal?” I question, and within seconds, the truth reveals itself.
Ward’s face, though already fair, drains of what little color remains. Evidently, he hadn’t thought I’d dig this deep, that I’d be so thorough with whatever questions I may have. Quite stupid on his part. I’m nothing if not thorough, and he should know that by now.
“Doctor—Will. They. Heal?” I take a single step toward him in warning.
The old man swallows, yet continues to stand his ground despite my advance. “Not unless she feeds, no.”
“What happens if she still chooses not to?”
“She’ll have about a week.”
A week. That’s it. Without feeding, she can’t heal. Her wounds will continue on in the same tortuous loop of wanting to heal and relapsing until her body gives out all together. I should’ve expected that to be a possibility. And now that I know for certain, I’m absolutely dreading asking my next question, because I don’t just have an inkling. I know what the answer will be. “And what if she chooses not to have the surgery?”
Doctor Ward exhales a harsh breath and sets a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Days. Hours, really. The infection is spreading through her wings quickly. She’s already collapsed from the pain once, and I can assure you it, unfortunately, won’t be the last. An ending of this nature won’t be pretty, Captain. Excruciatingly painful, probably more so than she can imagine. I’m not certain what her reasons are for not feeding as of yet, but remind her that time is limited, more than ever. Her body is screaming for proper sustenance.”
Of course it is.
I knew that without him mentioning it. I’ve been watching her wither away a little more every day. First her wings and markings, then her complexion and hair.
What will it be tomorrow?
Peering over my shoulder, I find her and Tigerlily having their own hushed conversation. I’m relieved to see she’s not caught onto what Ward and I have exchanged, but disconcerted all in the same.
I’ll have to tell her, let her make the decision.
Turning back to the good doctor, I rake a hand through my hair, sighing in defeat. “If she decides to go through with it, will you be available to get it done today?”
He nods. “Absolutely. We can either do it here where she’s more comfortable or in my office.”
“I’ll check with her. Just give me ten minutes. I believe Cassius is still out in the hall. Have him escort you to the parlor while we wait.”
Another nod and he’s off, swiftly exiting the room. Tigerlily and Tinksley immediately cease their discussion, dawning their attention on me now that I’m the only other body in the room.