He chuckled as he jumped to his feet and tidied his clothing.
Isla straightened her back and opened the door.
“Forgive the intrusion.” Ivana’s voice held a hint of embarrassment. “But you asked me to bring the cure to your room. I thought I would stay with you during the healing process.”
Isla glanced back over her shoulder and with a flick of the eyes gestured to the crumpled coverlet on the bed. Lachlan tugged at the corners and then sat down on the edge.
“Please come in.” Isla stepped back. “We were just discussing the cure. Lachlan wishes to remain here, too, although I’m not certain if he means to wait with Douglas downstairs.”
Lachlan stood. “I’ll stay here, in the room, if you’ve no objection.”
Isla gave a weak smile. “No. It will bring me comfort to know you are here with me.”
“I’ve told Leo he should keep Douglas company,” Ivana said. “For a man who is so honest in his observations, he is adept at masking his inner feelings in the presence of others. I fear he will not be as controlled if left to his own devices. Besides, they now share a mutual love of whisky, which I’m sure will keep them both entertained for hours.”
Isla closed the door to her chamber. “Is it simply a case of drinking a tonic?”
Ivana’s lips curled down though she tried to disguise it. “No. You must puncture your vein and drink your own blood. With others, it seems that to wait five minutes before drinking the elixir causes the least amount of pain.”
An icy chill travelled over him at the thought of witnessing her sharp fangs protruding awkwardly from her gum. He clenched his teeth as he imagined her crying out in pain.
“How much will I need to drink?” Isla screwed up her nose.
Ivana touched Isla affectionately on the arm. “A little more than a mouthful should suffice. I suggest you wait five minutes before drinking the potion. Then you must lie down in the most comfortable place possible.”
Isla nodded. “I shall lie on the bed.”
“We’ll need water, Lachlan,” Ivana said, “to bathe her forehead and a clean pitcher full for her to drink.”
Lachlan inclined his head. “I shall see to it at once.”
As he left the room, he closed the door behind him. It afforded him the opportunity to express the fear clawing away inside. Pressing his palms flat against the wall, he hung his head, closed his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh.
He could not lose her now.
As soon as Lachlan left the room, Isla clutched Ivana’s arm. “I’m ready now. I do not want him to see me drink my own blood. I cannot bear to look into his eyes and say goodbye.”
“It will not be goodbye.” Ivana stroked her cheek. “You love him. That much is clear. But I understand your motives for wanting to detach from all emotion.”
Her heart suddenly lurched at the thought of leaving him alone. “Wait,” she said as she rushed to the door to peer along the corridor. She would tell him she loved him. He would hear it from her lips. But Lachlan had already made his way downstairs, and she could not risk going to search for him. Returning to the room, she said solemnly, “I’m ready now.”
“Are you sure you do not want to wait?”
Isla nodded. “I’m sure.” Without another word, she concentrated on forcing her fangs from their sheath. When fully extended, she pierced the skin at her wrist, felt a sharp sting as the points of her teeth punctured the vein.
“A mouthful is all that is needed.”
It surprised her to find that she found the taste of her blood soothing. Indeed, it worked to calm her spirit. “How will I know when to drink the potion?” She licked the wound, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“I will count silently. You should use the time to clear your thoughts.” Ivana produced a small brown bottle from inside the bodice of her dress. “Forgive me. But it is the only place I could carry it without fear of me falling and breaking the bottle.” Ivana removed the cork stopper. “I must start counting.”
Five minutes felt like a lifetime. Isla tried to empty her mind of all thoughts as Ivana had suggested, but her head was full of images of Lachlan. The memories of the times they had spent together in their youth were precious to her. The memory of their joining would sustain her in the afterlife if that should be her fate.
“Are you ready?” Ivana held out the bottle: the magical mixture that would give her another chance of living a normal life.
Isla sucked in a breath and nodded. “Thank Douglas for everything he has done for me. He has been like a father to me these last few years. Tell Lachlan I love him. I will always love him. His happiness is more important to me than anything.”
Ivana nodded. “I will tell them, and we will all be here waiting for you once you are cleansed.”