Damon pulled back and stood up. Nervous energy pulsed through his system, forcing him to do laps around the waiting room. Around and around he went, his mind solely focused on Nick. He tried to stay calm, but it was next to impossible when Nicholas was grievously injured.
Nicholas had been hurt before, they both had, but they’d always healed. The shifter genes sealed up every wound, mended broken bones, and knitted together torn flesh. So, why wasn’t he healing on his own? He stopped in his tracks and turned around, looking at Rory.
“I can’t lose him, Rory.”
“You’re not going to.” Rory stood up. He strode toward Damon and wrapped his arms around his waist, holding him.
They stood still, wrapped tightly in each other’s embrace, amongst the turmoil and confusion surrounding them.
“Damon Sabbath?”
“Yes.” He grabbed a hold of Rory’s hand, pulling him toward a man in green scrubs. “I’m Damon Sabbath.”
“Your brother’s lost a lot of blood. Before we can perform surgery to remove the silver projectiles lodged in his abdomen and chest, he’s going to need a transfusion. Otherwise, he might die during the procedure.”
“What are you waiting for? Give him a transfusion and do the surgery.”
“We’re low on blood right now. We’ve called around to other hospitals in the area. All we can do now is wait.”
“We’re the same type,” Damon told him, relieved that he’d be able to do something for Nicky. “Take my blood.”
“I’m sorry,” the doctor murmured. “We can’t take your blood if you’re gay.”
“Excuse me,” Damon scoffed, unable to believe what he was hearing. “He’s my fucking brother!” he shouted, the calm dissipating, replaced by anger so fierce that Damon’s jaguar rose to the surface. “We’re shifters. We don’t get human diseases. Now, take my blood and fix him.”
He nodded rapidly. “Yeah, okay.”
The doctor turned on his heel and pushed a pair of double doors open. Damon followed along. He marched down the plain hallway, his footsteps echoing off the walls. Rory gave his hand a squeeze, and Damon automatically slowed his pace.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
“I know you’re worried,” Rory whispered, only loud enough for him to hear. “But you have to start thinking positive.”
“I know. You’re right.”
“Do you think I should call Adam? He’s Nicholas’s mate. He should know what’s going on.”
Damon exhaled, blowing out a heavy sigh. “Not yet.” He shook his head.
“When?”
“Calling him isn’t going to change Nicholas’s situation. Adam can’t do anything to help him right now. As soon as we know more, I’ll call him.”
“Wait in here.” The doctor ushered them into a small room. “Someone will be with you shortly.”
Damon paced the room like a caged animal. He didn’t want to sit and wait. He couldn’t, not while Nicholas’s life hung in the balance. His brother had silver projectiles lodged in his abdomen and chest from a bomb. Why him and not me?
The door opened, and a nurse walked into the room. “We’re going to need a few pints. Please, lie down and make yourself comfortable.”
“Take as much as you need,” Damon told her.
He hopped up onto the hospital bed and lay down, holding out his right arm. The nurse wrapped an elastic band around his bicep and quickly located a vein. He felt a sharp pinch as the needle punctured his skin, easing into his vein. Damon watched intently as his blood flowed into a bag.
Rory walked over to the foot of the bed. He climbed up, crawling on top of Damon. With his left hand, Damon wrapped it around his mate, holding him close. Having his mate close had a calming effect, allowing Damon to breathe a little easier.
“I love you.” Damon kissed the top of Rory’s head.
“I love you, too.”
Closing his eyes, Damon relaxed. His breathing evened out, his body weakening. Minutes ticked by. It felt like a lifetime as the nurse filled three bags with his blood.
“Okay, we’re done,” she announced. The nurse removed the needle and collected her supplies. “You should stay here for a little while and recover then return to the waiting room. The doctor will find you when he’s got an update on your brother.”
“Thank you.”
She left the room, closing the door behind her. Damon and Rory remained motionless on the bed. He wrapped his arms around his mate, holding Rory against his chest.
“Are you okay?” Rory asked, breaking the silence.