Marko was crouched, at the water's edge. Deathly silent. Dwayne landed in the stream – Marko was in such a rage that he didn't notice them.
"Marko." Ruby spoke, forcing Dwayne to put her down. He held onto her, as she crouched down to Marko's level. Marko snarled and snapped. "Marko."
"Ruby… he's gone over." Dwayne whispered, but she ignored him. Cupping his chin with her hand, she turned his face to look at hers. His eyes were blood red, animalistic.
"Marko." Her voice held command, authority. Marko's head turned to the side, as if he could almost hear her. "Marko, I'm here. Look at me."
The beast snarled and snapped, nearly biting Ruby's hand. She moved faster then him, even for being blind, and pulled her hand away. Dwayne watched solemnly, eyes dark. Ruby tried again.
"Sweetheart, please. I don't have anything left to fight your beast. You have to push it down." Ruby spoke honestly, unable to stare in his eyes. "Please, Marko. Please." Dwayne knew she was on the verge of breaking, but her voice never lost its authority.
"Ruby?" the beast murmured, as Marko fought back. Slowly, the eyes turned baby blue, the features back to human. "Ruby!" Marko sprang at her, grabbing her tightly. Ruby lost control, sobs causing her to shake as hard as the shock had.
"Marko we have to get her back home." Dwayne hated to break this moment, but time was important. Marko examined Ruby, saw her eyes and the burns. He looked up at Dwayne.
"Where's David?"
"Paul's taken him home."
"David tried to protect me, Marko." Ruby managed between sobs. "He got us in the trees…"
"Shhh… it's all right." Marko nuzzled her, getting to his feet swiftly, Ruby slung in his arms. "I'll take her home, you get the bike." Marko looked at Dwayne a moment, before flying off. Dwayne nodded, watching them depart back to the cave.
--
Dwayne descended into the cave slowly. He really was afraid for Ruby; he'd never known anyone with sun blindness to regain his or her sight. He dumped his torch into the oil drum, and nearly walked into Paul.
"She's in Marko's room, in bed. David's still asleep in his." He was chewing his nails down to the quick. "I gave him blood. Ruby tried to give hers, but I guess David told her no or invoked some sire command. Marko gave some of his as well. The burns on his back are healing. I think he'll wake up in a couple of hours."
"Ruby's still blind?"
"Yeah, man." Paul shuddered.
Dwayne sighed. He knew Paul could feel the pain as well, part of their gift/curse being bonded to Ruby through David. Of course, Paul always got jumpy when things looked bad.
"Is she asleep?" he finally asked.
"No. Marko's talking with her." Paul ripped another nail off with his teeth. "He's trying to figure out what happened."
Dwayne nodded, pulling his friend's hand down and away before Paul ruined all his nails. "I better go find out myself." He left Paul at the fountain and headed up in the tunnel towards Marko's room.
