Chapter 46: Failure or Success
They seemed to get out of their talk and looked over at Sanguini and I just staring at them. "What's wrong?" Nikolaus asked, looking at Neville, "Is there something on my face?" I rushed over, a smile on my face as I shook my head, "No, but Sanguini may have found a way to help us both!" "What do I need help with?" he asked, looking up to meet Sanguini's eyes. "It is Aethna that you are helping. But as I told her, it is very dangerous and could be deadly." Neville stepped beside me, sliding his hand into mine.
"What do you mean deadly?" we sat down and he explained the blood-bond and taking of others powers. Then explained about the possibility of being able to share some of the power with a blood-bonded vampire to lessen the effects of my father's powers on me. "Shall we go outside to get started on this?" he asked and Nikolaus looked at me, worry filling his eyes. "This seems like it could be bad for us…are you sure about this? There's no way to know what will happen." I nodded and gave his hand a squeeze, "I'm willing to try if you are. I don't want to force you. However, you were saying how you were barely a vampire and this may help you to fit in better with Sanguini and his people."
He was quiet for a while, but eventually nodded and we went outside, but I stopped Neville from following. "Sanguini has explained that this isn't the prettiest or nicest thing to see. Plus the danger is there. I would rather you stay inside Neville. I don't want you getting hurt. Please." he wanted to object, but didn't as he kissed my cheek and said he would see me soon. I waited until he as gone before I turned and followed the others to the back, darkness surrounding us. Sanguini drew a circle in the dirt with a claw and it went around Nikolaus and myself.
"Are we sure about this? As I said, this has never been done, you two are not suppose to be possible. This could end up killing you both. You need to be sure." I nodded and Nikolaus did as well, before Sanguini sighed and told us to lock our arms together, pressing our claws into the other. "Then you will bite the other, on the neck. Aethna…try to will your father's power to Nikolaus, it will want to fight and stay. This is going to hurt. Nikolaus try to pull it to you, use all your power to pull it." I paused and looked at Sanguini, "Not all of it, it's too much power for him to handle. I'm a lot stronger than he is and I can't handle it all, I feel it burning inside of me."
He agreed and worked out that I would attempt to send a third of the power to Nikolaus, half at the very most, but that was pushing the safety of this. I looked at Nikolaus, flashing my fangs, deadly and twice as long as his were. We leaned in, sinking our fangs into the other. I instantly felt the pull of power, I wanted to take his, it should be mine. It would be so easy, he is so weak compared to me. I forced the thought away, pulling the power of my father from inside and pushing it into the wounds I was causing my brother. Into my fangs…into my claws. The power resisted and made me feel like it was lighting me on fire. I wanted to stop, I wanted to just make the pain stop. But I opened my eyes, seeing Nikolaus shaking body trying to pull the power.
He was working so hard to fit in, he wanted to not be seen as a weakling anymore, he wanted to become his own man and be who he was meant to. I was able to assist him with that. I pushed away the pain and pushed the power hard, bit by bit I felt it seeping from me into him. I was feeling so weak as I broke the seal and tore my fangs and claws from Nikolaus. He collapsed on the ground and I sank to my knees as well, feeling like I was going to pass out. Sanguini rushed over to Nikolaus and checked his body for pulse and to make sure he was alright before turning to me.
"How do you feel Aethna, Nikolaus seems to be just drained of energy, but he seems alright." I blinked, he was as if he was speaking in slow motion, his words echoing around my head. I shook my head, trying to open my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The world began to spin and that was all I remember before everything went dark.
My head was pounding, why was Neville banging around so early. I wanted to sleep some more but he's footsteps are so loud. I groaned and threw a pillow, "Neville, stop it. Just come back to bed." I snapped, tired beyond measure. When the pounding didn't stop, I sighed and opened my eyes, expecting to see Neville smiling at me, but there was only darkness. I felt so tired, my body didn't want to move at all, but a face appeared above me. It took a minute before I focused and saw Sanguini staring at me.
"Thank goodness…you had me worried young one. Can you sit up?" I nodded and the motion made me realize how much pain surged through me. He assisted and I saw Nikolaus laying on his back, his face pale and he looked dead. I went to move to him, to make sure he was alright, but my body wouldn't move. I tried to move…but my body wouldn't respond. "I-is he al-alright?" I spoke and realized my voice was almost gone, my throat was dry and raw feeling. I felt as if I had been without food or water for years. "Yes, please, don't move so much." "D-did it…" I couldn't finish my question, my throat was burning with pain.
"No way to know until he wakes up…and you both recover." I blinked, I didn't see how it would take that longer to recover, just need some drink and rest and I would be fine. "Aethna, it was too dangerous to do this. Forgive me for suggesting it." I went to wave away his apology when I realized that I was barely able to move my arm. I looked down and saw the veins looked as if I blew them all, my entire arms were purple and blue in color and swollen. "Lay back down. I shall return with the boy and Augusta, we will get you both inside."
He disappeared and without his support, I fell back to the ground, my head hitting so hard I felt it would shatter. I gasped softly as I waited, feeling this much pain was almost too much. I felt like I was dying, I would welcome it over this pain in truth. I was wishing for it until I saw Neville's face appear before him, such worry in his face, his eyes filled with concern. "Can I take her inside? Can she be moved?" "I-it hurts…b-but y-yes." I breathed out and he looked like he was going to tell me to just stay here, but he did as he asked and picked me up, moving slowly as it try to make it not hurt as much.
It didn't work as I was racked with pain over and over, every step he took felt like a million blades in my body. It seemed like weeks when he finally placed me in my room, sitting beside me and touching my face softly. "Aethna, are you going to be alright?" I went to speak, but I stopped. The pain was too much right now…plus I honestly wasn't sure. "She needs to rest, but keep an eye on her. There is no sure way to know if it was a success until they are healed." "Why can't we heal them with magic?" "Because mixing magic and vampire bonds are dangerous, not to mention them both being half-vampire. This is the best way."
"Sanguini, please bring Nikolaus into the guest room, he will remain here until we know she is alright. You may visit another day. I will keep you informed." Augusta's voice came from the door, but it seemed so far away. There was footsteps and then it was only Neville and myself. "I know talking hurts, I know everything hurts. I'm sorry I can't help you." he curled beside me, trying to not touch me to much in case it hurt me, but trying to be close to me. "Aethna…I love you so much. Please get better and stay with me. I need you to be alright. Our time isn't over yet. Our lives are just getting started…" his mumbling faded out as I became so tired I fell back into slumber.