“Hmmph,” Aldous scoffed.
“Perhaps you should get the door,” Lake said ahead of the knock. “Would hate to keep our guest waiting.”
Aldous leapt up faster than he intended., letting True inside. She was a vision in an off-the-shoulder turquoise blouse that brought out the color of her azure eyes. It was the first time he’d seen her in anything other than their customary uniform. Aldous tried not to stare, but couldn’t help it. True’s beauty was organic, inherent, and the most attractive part was, she seemed to have no clue.
“Well, are you going to let the poor girl in?” Lake wiped her hands with a dishtowel and pushed past Aldous to greet True. “Welcome. I don’t believe you’ve met Torrun Saege, Aldous’ closest advisor and best friend.”
Torrun accepted True’s extended hand and brought it to his lips. “My pleasure. I’ve heard all about how you took excellent care of Lady Ravenwood when she was unwell. On behalf of all Mages, I thank you. Our Dowager Queen is second to none.”
“My head will swell if you keep talking like that, Torrun.” Lake gave his arm a playful pat. “Come sit at the bar, True. Have a drink.”
“Yes ma’am. Something smells wonderful.” True craned her neck towards the oven.
“I’ve made a Mage specialty and one of Aldous’ favorite meals, Philosan. I think Gideon compared it to something called Chicken and Rice?” Lake looked over her shoulder to her beau, who pulled glasses from the cabinet.
“Yes,” Gideon agreed with a nod. “If you like chicken, rice, and cheese, you should love this.”
Lake guided True to a seat, then poured several glasses full of an amber liquid. “Leke ale, non-alcoholic. Though we do have the liquor if you prefer.”
“No, this is perfect.” True brought the glass to her lips for a sip. “That’s wonderful. Spicy and rich. And I’m not a picky eater, so I look forward to any new cuisine.”
“Excellent.”
For the next hour, they ate and conversed about everything from Project Extinction to the Mage aging process. They even discovered True’s husband had served in the same military branch as Gideon. Amid their talks, Aldous’ stomach was a bundle of nerves and he wasn’t sure why. Certainly, he had no qualms about asking her for help, even if she was Human. True made him nervous, self-conscious, emotions he’d never experienced before, but he couldn’t think about that right now, not when his son was sick and needed help. Before he could begin a conversation about Rath, the door to the bedroom opened and the little boy created his own segue.
“Papa, I know you said not to come out, but my tummy hurts.”
Lake was the first to move. She scooped Rath up and pressed his head to her shoulder. “I’m so sorry you’re not well, sweetheart.”
True’s disposition went from surprise to realization in mere seconds. She jumped off the barstool and went to Lake’s side. “Hi Rath, my name is True and I’m a doctor. Maybe I can help you feel better.” She turned her head toward Aldous for approval.
“Would you mind?” he asked. “He’s been seen by some of the best doctors and healers in the Complex, and no one has had any success. We would compensate you.”
“Compensate me? No. There’s no need for that. It would be my pleasure to help Prince Rath. Just let me run to my clinic to get some tools and I’ll be more than happy to help. I’d also like to perform an exam on both you and Torrun for comparison. Is that okay?”
“Of course. No question,” Torrun said, lifting his glass. “Anything for Rath.”
“I do have to ask, if Rath is sick with a disease of unknown origin, how did you get him in?”
Lake smoothed the boy’s black hair. “You had mentioned that my exhaustion was the equivalent of running four marathons in a few hours… or tunneling through the bottom of the Complex to retrieve my grandson. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you then, but it’s hard to know who to trust. After meeting you, in the little time we’ve spent together, it’s easy to see you’re a dependable person and you genuinely care about the welfare of your patients.”
“I hope you aren’t angry that I didn’t tell you the truth last night,” Aldous whispered low so only he and True could hear.
“Not at all. I’m honored to help. That is… if Prince Rath will have me?” True winked, making a silly face at the little boy. His giggle filled the room.
“Mamil, she’s funny.”
“Yes, she is, sweet boy. True’s going to see if she can make you feel better.”
“Let me run downstairs to my clinic and grab my medical bag.”
Seconds later, Aldous opened the door for True and she went straight to Torrun. “Thanks for letting me check you out. Since you aren’t related to Rath, I’ll use you as my baseline.” She completed a body scan, then listened to his heart and lungs. “Now, all I need is a blood sample and a few swabs from your mouth.”
“If there’s anything else, I’ll be happy to help,” Torrun said, giving Rath a thumb’s up. The little boy giggled again, pressing his face into Lake’s chest.
“For the moment, this is plenty.” She shook his hand, signifying she was done with her exam.
“Well, if I’m not needed anymore, I think I’m going to turn in.” Torrun waved in Aldous’ direction. “I’ll see myself out. We’ll talk tomorrow. Good luck, Dr. Mathieu.”
“Thanks.” After washing her hands and cleaning her instruments, True sat her stethoscope and body scanner in front of Rath. “Why don’t you take a turn on me first?”
Rath’s fingers toyed with the stethoscope. “What does this do?”
“Put those spongy pieces in your ears and place the bell here.” She pointed to the center of her chest.
As he obeyed, his mouth widened into an O and he gasped. “I hear something beating.”
True grinned and pushed the bell onto his chest. After he’d listened, she pulled the ear pieces out and set the stethoscope to the side. “You heard our heartbeats. Our hearts are one of the most important organs we have. It’s a pump that carries blood throughout our entire body and when it beats in normal rhythm, it means it’s doing its job.”
“Cool.”
“Can I listen to your heart now?”
“Sure.”
As she auscultated his heart and lung sounds, True counted it good fortune that she’d been asked to help Rath. She could test his lung fluid against one she had back at the clinic, and she would almost guarantee they would be similar in their pathology. They were definitely similar in color. Bright purple. Hyperaware of Aldous’ gaze, True met his eyes. She expected to see a reproachful glare, but instead, he regarded her with admiration and respect. Quickly finishing with Rath, True obtained the other samples needed and said to Aldous, “I guess it’s your turn.”
Lake snickered and grabbed Rath’s hand, joining Gideon in the kitchen. “We’re getting a snack.”
“What do I need to do?” Aldous asked as she listened to his heart. “Anything special?”
“First, you need to be quiet.”
“Is it loud when I talk?”
True squinted. “Yeah, actually it is.”
“I shouldn’t talk at all?” He took a deep breath, inhaling her perfume. White rose. Cedarwood. Jasmine. Aldous was intoxicated and anxious as hell.
“That’s ideal.”
His finger tapped the table nervously, only stopping when True huffed her displeasure. “Sorry,” he said.
“Do you have white coat syndrome?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“White coat syndrome?” Aldous repeated.
“Are you afraid of doctors?” True punched a button on the scanner.
“Not that I know of.”
“Your blood pressure is awful and your heart rate is through the roof.”
He gulped louder than he intended. “Doesn’t that mean my heart is doing its job proficiently? That’s what you told Rath.”
“I said when it beats in a normal rhythm. You should’ve observed your son more closely. He’s the model patient.”
/> Aldous thinned his lips. “Rath has had a lot of practice in the past several years. You’re good with him though. Do you have children?”
“No, my husband and I never had any.” True shifted, uncomfortable.
“That’s too bad, you’re a natural.” He regretted the words as soon as he said them, especially when she wiped a tear away. “I’m sorry. I was just making conversation, not trying to hurt your feelings. Gods, I’m so insensitive.”
She brushed it off with a rapid shake of her head. “It’s no big deal.”
“Yes, it is. What do you want to know about me? Anything. I’ll answer any question. So we can be even.”
“There’s no need for us to be even, Aldous. You misspoke, you apologized. We’re good.”
“No, no. Really. Any question. Go.”
Okay, fine. Where is Rath’s mother?”
“He doesn’t have one.”
True’s brow was full of lines. “We all have a mother.”
“Rath has his grandmother and that’s it.” He paused. If she had to endure an awkward question, so did he. “I actually don’t know who the woman was. Several years ago, I was what Human’s may consider a philandering cad. I slept with any Mage female I desired, any time I wanted. I used my power and position to seduce women. One day, Mother came to me and said an infant would be born in the rainy season and he was mine. She sensed him. She also sensed that the female wouldn’t care for him and would leave him by a brook next to a forest in Famiil. With her guidance, I found Rath. After testing, we confirmed him he was my child, but even if he hadn’t been, I was totally and completely devoted to him. From that moment on, I changed. The presence of my son merited that kind of response.”
“Essentially, Rath saved you,” she said, using a thin needle to collect a sample of blood.
“Yes, he did. I’m not proud of that time in my life. It doesn’t show honor or leadership, both qualities I strive to live out in my life now.”
True’s hand lingered on his forearm a moment longer than necessary. When his skin reacted, emitting a soft glow, she pulled away. “Some of our worst times lead to the best. I believe that. I have to.”
“Then maybe our best times are ahead.”
Chapter Eleven
The next morning, True arrived at her clinic and received report from the overnight doctor. Two more patients had come in during the night with symptoms similar to the Demon female and the Mage male, both with the same color lung fluid as Rath. Anxious to analyze and compare the samples collected, she quickly did her assessments, spoke to the nurses, and withdrew to the lab.
After she slid the vials into the centrifuge, True pressed the spin button, and sank into a chair. Her cheeks burned as she recalled last night’s events. She couldn’t deny the attraction to Aldous even if she wanted to. He was a mystery—arrogant and humble at the same time. The perfect mixture of light and dark. Aldous’ love for his son was his motivation, that was easy to see, but True wondered more about him as a man, as a person.
She shook her head to clear her mind. She didn’t have time to think about Aldous or any other potential love interest right now. Rath was True’s priority.
With Lake’s profile available for comparison, she clicked on Torrun’s lab results.
“Hmm. Interesting,” she muttered. He had a higher concentration of eosinophils, which typically help fight infections, and something she wasn’t familiar with—Raunevene.
“What is Raunevene?” True asked the mini-tab.
“Raunevene is a bitter herb found on Planet Famiil and is used to make Licasa ale.”
As she scanned Aldous’ blood analysis, she noted another unfamiliar component called Brimbone. “Can you tell me about Brimbone?”
“Brimbone is a wild herb found on Planet Famiil and is used to make Leke ale.”
Apparently, both men enjoyed their spirits, which was nothing out of the ordinary. Moving along to Rath, True compared his results to the other sick Metas she was monitoring, and they were a match. Whatever Rath Ravenwood had, the others had too. She pulled out a notebook and grabbed a pen. Like the stethoscope, writing facts on paper was an archaic practice, but it helped her visualize the problem and work on a solution better than tapping computer keys. She opened to a blank page and scribbled the date the Demon came in. January 2—Demon female brought to clinic with respiratory symptoms. Reported they started that day. January 3—RR inside Complex. Symptoms for three years. January 5—Vampire Male and Mage Male brought in with same ailments as above. Similarities include: shortness of breath, purple fluid in the lungs, lethargy. Excess mucus secretions, abdominal pain. Judging by Rath’s lab work and history, he’s been exposed longer than the adults within the Complex, yet their symptoms seem to be more acute. Prognosis: Guarded. Treatment plan: keep patients hydrated and on a broad-spectrum antibiotic until cultures and further test results come back. Continue breathing treatments every two hours. Continue with chest physiotherapy as needed for airway clearance. Continue with research and comparison. Will send another note to my supervisor (since he didn’t follow up) at Health Management for consideration.
Before True could complete her message, a nurse called out for her assistance. “Dr. Mathieu, come quick.”
True rushed to the front office and helped her staff assist a Witch who had fallen to the ground. She was barely breathing. “Somebody get me the crash box.”
“We were just going over her symptoms,” the receptionist said, panicked. “And then she collapsed.”
A nurse knelt along her side and opened the container that housed the equipment used in emergency resuscitations. True snatched the scanner and pinpointed the problem: pulmonary edema. The only hope for the woman to live was to perform a thoracentesis at that moment. “We’ve got to drain the lungs now. We don’t have time to get her to a room.”
The nurse nodded. She returned in seconds with several trays. Ripping open a pair of sterile gloves, she applied hers followed by True’s, then cleansed the right side of the Witch’s rib cage with iodine.
Working quickly, True assembled her needle and syringe along with the chest tube she’d likely have to place after the thoracentesis.
“She’s prepped,” the nurse said.
“Great.” True located the fourth intercostal space, and in a swift but fluid motion, she pierced the skin. As soon as she punctured the pleura, royal purple fluid filled her sixty-milliliter syringe. “Oh, my God. There’s so much.”
“Here.” The nurse passed the chest tube which had a container attached ready to catch the accumulating fluid. True glided it in. The Witch took a labored breath.
“You are the best.”
“Not so bad yourself, Doc.”
Once the patient was transferred to a room, True wrote a few orders for tests, then excused herself to call her boss, deciding to forgo the message earlier.
“This is Dr. Blake,” a man said, his voice hurried.
“Dr. Blake, it’s True Mathieu.”
“True? I hate to be rude but unless it’s an emergency, I need to patch you through to my secretary. We’ve really got a situation—”
“Let me guess,” she cut in. “Respiratory distress, lethargy, and a bright purple fluid in the lungs?”
He released a heavy sigh. “Not the Aquatic Dome, too. Damn. I was hoping you’d not been affected. How many cases total?”
“Four.” Intentionally, she left out Rath, though she did need to talk to Lake and find out how she transported the boy inside. She had confirmed the ailment was present before he arrived, but it was rampant now. Could Rath have contaminated their water supply?
“Four? That’s the highest number anywhere in the Complex. Why didn’t you report this?” he barked.
“I did. With my first case. Check your notes.”
The only sound was the clicking of computer keys on his end.
“God, I’m sorry, True. You did. I see it now. You’re also doing research? That’s wonderful, especially since the Aquatic Dome
could be Ground Zero, with you having the highest number of patients. What can I do to help?”
“I think we are low on a few supplies. I’ll have my receptionist call an order in to your staff.”
When her shift ended, True went straight to Lake’s suite. She’d planned on having Aldous called once she arrived, but he and Gideon were already there. Rath played quietly in the corner, stacking blocks. If her business hadn’t been so urgent, she would have ignored the adults and joined him, but she had to hear exactly how they smuggled him inside. His and other Metas lives may depend on it.
“True, what a lovely surprise.” Lake welcomed her with a hug, gesturing toward a chair. “You look exhausted, dear.”
“I am. Work was brutal. I’m afraid there’s some sort of virus spreading within the Complex. I now have four patients who share the same symptoms.” Her voice was quiet so the little boy—who hadn’t noticed her arrival yet—wouldn’t hear. “The reason I’m here is, their symptoms are the same as Rath’s, except on a much more accelerated rate.”
“What?” Lake breathed, clutching her chest.
“They are worse off than my son?” Aldous asked.
“Yes. Each patient is short of breath, completely exhausted, and has the same purple color fluid in their lungs. I treated a Witch today who nearly died in my lobby because she was drowning in her own fluid. When I left half an hour ago, we’d already drained five liters. What I need to know from the two of you, Lake and Gideon, is exactly how you got Rath inside the Complex?”
Gideon’s hand went to Lake’s shoulder. “Think you could handle telling her everything? I’m not feeling very well so I’m going to head home.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. I have a little stomach ache and would feel better if I laid down for a while. That’s all.”
“Oh? I’m sorry, love. I’ll give you a call once Rath is down for the night.”
He nodded and, without saying goodbye to anyone else, left the room.
“How strange,” Lake remarked, then focused on True’s request. “What would you like to know? I’ll tell you anything.”
True North (The Complex Book 0) Page 6