CHAPTER 7: CHANGES
Flavia was by his brother's side in a flash. Alexx and Frank entered the room, too, preoccupied by Calleigh's cries.
-Alexx, shut the door, quick! Thank you. -, Flavia ordered. -Shit, it's begun. -, she swore.
-What's begun?-, asked Tripp's gruff voice behind her. She sighed. She had to explain.
-The transformation. I fear it's just begun. -, she deadpanned.
-You mean… he's going to become one of them?-, the Texan seemed outraged. Calleigh held her breath, even if she knew exactly what Flavia was going to say.
-So it seems…-, the redheaded girl sounded defeated.
-Now listen: you're an expert in this kind of things, so do your damn woo-doo an cure him. -, barked Frank.
-I wish I could, sir, but it doesn't happen to exist a cure for lycantropia. I, for one, never received a particular treatment. –, Flavia replied through gritted teeth. She was trying her hardest to calm her brother's spasms, she had thrown the white bedcovers on the floor and was currently stroking Horatio's body, massaging the burning skin of his stomach and arms; she hadn't really paid much attention to what she had just revealed about herself. But Calleigh and Alexx had.
-What?!-, they cried in unison. –You are a werewolf, too?-, Alexx asked, shocked. She hadn't seen that one coming.
-Please, I don't have time to explain!-, Flavia cried too. Didn't they understand that that was not important right now? Her brother was suffering…
-Calleigh, please, help me. -, the girl pleaded. –Touch him, everywhere you feel comfortable enough. –
-What?!-, the blonde stopped in her tracks, shocked at such a request.
-Oh, for God's sake, there's no time to be shy! He's suffering! Help me!-
That did the trick. Calleigh advanced at once and tentatively stroked Horatio's right arm. He was burning everywhere.
-What's happenin' to 'im?-, she murmured.
-He's changing. His body is trying to adjust to the virus. Don't worry if he's hot: that's normal for werewolves. -, Flavia explained, massaging her brother's chest.
Frank and Alexx watched in fascination as Horatio's flustered body calmed down under the two women's gentle ministrations. It was almost… erotic. Horatio's labored breath slowed down to an almost normal pace, even if his body still glistened with sweat. Alexx's nostrils caught a peculiar scent, musky and prickly and sweet and incredibly male; it excited her, she could feel her body respond to it. To hide her predicament, she started rummaging through her purse. She then tossed a bottle of water at Flavia, who deftly caught it.
-Good thinking. -, she praised, showering Horatio's face, forearms and stomach with water. That seemed to calm him for good. He opened his eyes, previously shut in pain, and stared hard at the ceiling, waiting to regain some kind of composure.
-Horatio, if we are lucky enough no one noticed what happened here. If you want this situation to remain hidden, I advise you to leave the hospital as soon as you feel up to it. The crisis will become more frequent and painful within the next twenty-four hours. -, his sister warned him.
-I have to get out of here…-, he replied, trying to sit up, but Calleigh gently pulled him down again.
-Horatio, rest. Just for a minute. –
The feeling of her little, cold hands against his hot chest startled him out of his trance-like state. He looked down at his bare chest, than at Calleigh. She flushed a deep crimson and flew to the other side of the room. Horatio hastily retrieved the covers and threw them over his body, as if to hide it.
-Call me a nurse, please. Where are my clothes?-
Suddenly, he was in charge again. He was back to Lieutenant's mode, with his no-nonsense tone, deep and soothing voice and authoritative aura.
He easily charmed nurse and doctors and talked them into releasing him, with the promise of taking it easy. Yeah, right. He just wanted to hide, hide from Calleigh's frightened eyes, from Alexx's concerned gaze and from Frank's hard stare.
Frank! Oh, God…
-I came here with my bike… sorry, bro, can't take you. -, Flavia was saying.
-I rode in the ambulance…-, Calleigh shrugged. Horatio was distracted for a moment: so she had ridden with him? He hadn't imagined that, then?
Shit, Frank…!
Late. Calleigh looked questioningly at Frank, who shook his head.
-I can't. I have to go. -, and he flew from the room, but not before throwing a hard and betrayed look at Horatio.
The ladies watched one another, puzzled.
-Let him go. Let him be. –, he gently admonished, fastening the last two button of the shirt. Luckily for him, Alexx had a spare set of clothes in her car, obviously her husband's; she had just had them washed and knew they were approximately Horatio's size, only a little bigger.
Obviously, the women thought, Horatio knew something they didn't, so they let the matter drop… for the moment.
-Well, I guess you'll have to ride with me, sugar. -, Alexx commented lightheartedly.
-That's fine by me. I'm just sorry for the inconvenient. I know you can't wait to go home to your children. -, Horatio said, averting his gaze from the African American woman.
-Don't mention it, sweetheart. Calleigh, you coming with us?-
-Yeah, that'd be great. –
Calleigh smiled, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. She was troubled, and apprehensive. Damn Horatio and his hero complex.
***CONTINUES***
Okay, Horatio's good… for now. What's gonna happen to him? Keep reading to find out!
Lots of love, Elisabetta