I do not own any part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. All of that greatness is the work of the amazing J R Ward.
As of 5-22-12 the wonderful GothicBelle has beta'ed this for me. Hopefully this is now easier to read.
I hope everyone enjoys.
Chapter Fifteen
Qhuinn practically ran Havers down getting to Blay's side. He looked awful. He was so very pale for a second Qhuinn thought the worse, and then Blay took a breath and Qhuinn let his out. He was still breathing, but barely. He had a tube coming out of his mouth, an I.V. in his arm; all kinds of wires stuck to his bandaged chest and damn even a catheter bag hung on the side of the bed. It was his prayers answered and a fucking nightmare at the same time.
Qhuinn took Blay's free hand in his, "Blay I'm here. I'm going to stay right here."
"Actually Qhuinn, I need you to move away from the bed so I can check him out. Then perhaps I can bring him around and get back to the clinic, where I'm needed," Havers said.
Qhuinn didn't like the doc's fucking tone. Blay was more important than anything he had going on back at his damn clinic. Qhuinn was just about to go off on Havers when Phury clasped his shoulder. "Come on, Qhuinn, so Havers can do his job right," Phury stared right at Havers the whole time and Qhuinn appreciated the threat in the male's voice.
Havers went to work poking and prodding Blay. He checked out some x-rays still hung on the wall. Looked over the machines connected to Blay, he even checked out the piss bag. All while the other four watched in silence.
"He seems well. I am going to go ahead and cut the anesthesia off. Then I am going to remove the tube from his throat. When I do that I need one of the Chosen waiting to place her wrist on his mouth immediately. Are we clear?"
"Yes," they all said together.
"I will go first," said Amalya. "He maybe rough the first time. Males severely injured often are."
"I'll be right by your side," Phury said moving with her.
"It would be best if you stayed back," Havers said a little irritated at not being obeyed.
"I will not have one of my Chosen hurt," Phury stood by Amalya on the far side of the gurney.
"Fine," Havers moved to one of the machines and messed with it. Once the machine was off he stepped to Blay and pulled the tube from his mouth. Qhuinn held his breath yet again and waited for Blay to breathe. Amalya placed her hand over his mouth. Qhuinn saw his chest rising and falling own its own. But nothing else, Blay wasn't feeding.
"What's wrong?" Qhuinn asked, stepping forward in his panic.
"Stay back," Havers snapped in a raised voice, just short of yelling. "Chosen," he said looking at Selena. "Get over there and help your sister."
Selena ran to Amalya's side. "What should I do?"
"Put some of your blood under his nose," Havers said as if she should know exactly what to do.
"Here," said Phury. "Give me your hand."
Blay watched as Phury picked up a scalpel from a tray and slice the end of her finger.
"Now put it under his nose. Amalya be careful," he warned and stepped back to give them more room.
Selena did as instructed and, without actually seeming to come to, Blay struck hard and ripped into Amalya's wrist. She gasped in pain, but never flinched, never broke contact with Blay's fangs. He drank from her hard and long. Qhuinn never looked away and when Havers backed away he took his place and held Blay's hand again.
"It's okay, baby, take what you need. We won't let you hurt her and there's another Chosen if you need more," Qhuinn spoke softly to him even though he wasn't sure if Blay could hear him. "We're going to make sure you have everything you need. You just drink. That's it, baby, keep it up."
After a few minutes Amalya said, "Selena we need to switch."
Qhuinn pinched Blay's nose shut so that he would release Amalya. As soon as Selena moved into place Qhuinn let go and Blay sunk his fangs into her wrist. Qhuinn looked around to check on Amalya and noticed Havers had left.
"Primale, I think he is going to need more than just the two of us," Amalya admitted while Phury sealed her wrist.
"Layla is out in the hall with No'One. Send her in on your way out. I want you to go back to the Camp and bring back a few more Chosen. Better yet send Cormia and you rest, I think you let him take too much."
"He was in such need and I just wanted to help," she bowed her head.
"Thank you," Qhuinn said. "Thank you both so very much. I can never repay you for what you are doing today."
Amalya blushed and went into the hall.
…
"Hello, No'One," Layla said taking the empty chair by her sister. "How have you been?"
Layla never heard her answer. She had found Qhuinn again in his chair on down the hall. He didn't look well. She thought that his loyalty and worry over his friend was a lovely quality. Even as worn out and tired as he looked he was still the most sexually appealing male she had met to date. He had been letting her practice her kissing skills with him after his feedings. It was very nice; he seemed very talented at it. He had even let her sleep in his bed a few times. She was sure that next time he fed he would take her. She was very excited at the idea. To finally be used for what she was trained for. The thought had filled her head the last week, knowing that he would have to feed again soon.
"Layla," No'One interrupted her thoughts. "Layla you're not even listening to me."
"I'm sorry. I guess I just drifted off."
No'One looked at her with knowing eyes, "Which male were you thinking about?"
"I wasn't… I mean… No one in particular," Layla really needed to work on her lying skills.
"Yes you were. Now tell me what male you were thinking of."
"Qhuinn," Layla said watching him speak to the doctor called Havers.
"Qhuinn?" No'One said like it was inconceivable for her to think of him.
Did she think he wasn't worthy of her or the she wasn't worthy of him.
"Yes, Qhuinn, he is a very desirable male. He likes me very much you know," she said watching him go into the operating room with Havers and the Primale. Two of her sisters went in as well. "Perhaps they need me," she went to stand.
No'One put her hand on her arm and stopped her. "They will call for you if you are needed," she paused for a bit and just stared at Layla. "My dear, you must know that Qhuinn cares for Blaylock very deeply."
"Of course he does. They are the best of friends. They've grown up together, transitioned together and trained together. They are soldiers of the King together," Layla stated with much pride in her voice. Qhuinn would make a lovely hellern one day. Layla was sure with the way he'd been treating her that perhaps she too, like Cormia, could have a mate.
The two sat in silence for a long time.
"Layla, dear, I really do think you underestimate the feelings those two males have for each other," No'One said. "They love each other."
"Of course they do. They are like brothers. Plus anyone who get's to know Qhuinn would love him. He is absolutely wonderful."
Layla didn't know what No'One was shaking her head at.
"Layla," the Directrix said. "You are needed in the operating room."
Excited to be useful she rushed forward. Perhaps Qhuinn will have a special thank you for her if she helped Blay.
…
Layla entered the room as quietly as possible. The Primale was standing against the wall behind Selena. Qhuinn was on the opposite side of Blaylock. Layla slowly crossed the room and stood by Selena.
"Thank you for doing this, Layla," Qhuinn said to her never looking away from Blaylock.
"I am glad to be of service, sire," she replied.
Layla took the sight of Qhuinn in. His dark hair was getting a little long; she wished she had had the courage to touch it already. She just knew it had to be soft. He had a fine profile but she wished he would look at her. She loved his eyes. She had never understood how something so beautiful could be considered a defect. His jaw looked a little rough like he needed to shave. She knew from experience that if she kissed him now her face would be irritated. Her gaze continued down and she took in his bicep. She loved the way the muscles of his arms and back flexed as he moved. Watching him had become a bit of sport for her. She would hang around after feeding the other Brothers just so she could catch a glimpse or two of him. One night she had followed him down to the gym and had watched him run on the treadmill through the little glass window in the door. She had watched the way his muscles flexed and moved as he ran on the machine. It had made her feel very warm inside.
She continued her study of him at the bed side. As her eyes traveled down she saw that he was holding Blaylock's hand in one of his and the other hand was on Blaylock's head. Qhuinn was rubbing his thumb back and forth on Blaylock's forehead in a soothing motion. It seemed so thoughtful, but still didn't sit well with her. She didn't like Qhuinn touching Blaylock like that. So tender and loving, that was what she wanted.
"Blay, I know your hungry," Qhuinn said. "But you need to let Selena go. Come on."
When Blaylock didn't respond Qhuinn pinched his nose shut and soon the male withdrew his fangs from Selena's wrist.
"Selena, thank you so very much for your gift," Qhuinn said.
"Selena, come I'll take you back to the Camp," Phury said after sealing her wounds. "Layla, Qhuinn, let's give him a few minutes and then see if he will feed from Layla without the help."
"Yea, sounds good my man," Qhuinn responded, trying to smile at Phury. "Thanks for everything."
"It was nothing," Phury said as he and Selena left.
Layla watched the two leave then turned back to Qhuinn. His focus was again on Blaylock. This time when she looked at them she got a burning feeling in her stomach. She had felt this once before when Cormia had mated the Primale. She was jealous of Blaylock.
Surely not, there was no reason to be jealous of a male. She should be proud of Qhuinn for being such a good friend. Loyalty was an important trait in a mate. And the one thing she had learned being around the Brotherhood is that she wanted a real bonded mate, not just a hellern. She wanted it all and just knew that Qhuinn was the male to give it to her.
"Blay, baby, you're looking so much better," Qhuinn spoke so gently to Blaylock. His voice was so soft and sweet, Layla had never heard him like that. And she didn't think she liked him talking to Blaylock like that. She didn't like it at all.
"He looks very well to me," Layla said. Wanting to point out how silly she thought Qhuinn was being. "His coloring looks normal to me."
"Not really, if you look at his lips you can tell. They're still a couple shades too light. And his cheeks right here," Qhuinn drew his finger softly and slowly over a spot on the other male's cheek. "They're normally the palest shade of pink, not pasty like this. They turn almost as red as his hair with he blushes. It's beautiful."
"Oh," Layla said. Not knowing what else to say. A male didn't use the word beautiful for his best friend. He didn't call another man beautiful at all. "Oh," Layla said with a little shock and a lot of surprise. "You, you…" Layla's voice rose. She really didn't want to believe it.
"Layla?" Qhuinn looked at her, "Oh, shit, Layla." He had an expression like a light bulb just popped on in his head. "I was going to talk to you about this. I swear. It's just he got hurt, shit, Layla I'm sorry."
"Sorry," she was a lot louder, close to yelling. "You're like Will. How could you do this?"
"Like Will, who's Will?" Qhuinn was confused.
"Will. On the T.V. On Will & Grace. You like other males. But, you. . . you kissed me." She was mad, really mad.
"But I love Blay. I always have, Layla. What I did with you was unfair, even though you asked for it and wanted it. I was in denial, but that doesn't change the fact that I was wrong. Hell, Layla I've spent most of my time since transitioning having sex. Males and females. Vampire and human. That's all it was though. Just sex. Blay is the only being I've ever loved." Half way through his speech he starting looking at Blay not Layla.
"Then why do things with me?" Layla asked, her burst of anger was waning.
"You're perfect and it's want you wanted. Layla you are everything a male should want. Beautiful, smart, classy, and caring. You were everything I told myself I wanted. The perfect shellan. The only thing is no matter how hard I tried the feelings just aren't there. And if I can't love you, I'm never going to love anyone, but Blay. It has always been him. And the other night I woke up and realized that I was pissing it all away and I needed him. That I am nothing without him. Layla, I truly am sorry for what you thought was happening."
Layla was crying, full blown bawling. Between ragged breathes she asked, "What is so wrong with me. Will no male every want me? I've trained my whole life to please males sexually, so why will no one use me?"
She turned and ran from the room never wanting to see either of the two males again.