Anya just stared at the boy paralyzed on the ground. But there was no time to waste. Nick needed help.

"Get him up quickly," I ordered, as Kiri helped me lift his awkward weight. The mob around us noticed something was up, and I forced a laugh "Sorry everyone. He isn't feeling too good. He's so angry, he froze."

With Anya trailing behind us, we tried to run. For a skinny kid, Nick weighed a ton, and his body sort of dragged behind us.

"What happened to him?" Anya said as we hurried away from the mob, although I saw more than one phone raised to an ear.

"Not here," I hissed. "Anya, grab his legs."

With the stern order, she did as she was told, and we sped up, disappearing into the alleyway. When we reached Kiri's apartment, my arms began to burn as the adrenaline wearing off.

"Lock the door and get him on the couch, keep his head elevated but just a few inches." We set him on the couch, limbs still raised above him with one knee raised above the other. He was paralyzed in the position he had hit the ground.

"What is it?" Kiri asked after bolting the door.

"Gorgon blood."

The words brought a chill to the room. Anya leaped back from him, while Kiri stood at his head like an omen of death, her eyes downcast. Gorgon blood was never good.

"Anya." The girl stared at me, her dark eyes watery as her bottom lip trembled. "Can you drive? Are you in a good headspace?"

"I think... I think so," she stuttered, as her hand shook at her side. If I put her behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, there was no guarantee she would make it to her destination.

"Kiri, can you do it?"

"Where do you need me to go?" There was no hesitation from her. At least one of us was in a good headspace. God knew I wasn't.

"Drive to the pack land and get Alpha Daniel. Tell him it's gorgon blood. Make sure to keep this under wraps."

She grabbed her keys and disappeared out the door, the locks bolting once more behind her.

"Anya," I spoke softly to the anxious girl. "I need you to calm down. He will be alright, but we need to stay calm and think."

"It's the Living Plague." She lost her voice to a fit of heavy breaths. "He won't, he can't. Lexi."

"I know it's bad, but we can heal him." I took her hands in mine. "Can I leave you with him for a minute?"

"What if I get it?"

"This isn't contagious, I promise. Right now, you need to explain to him what's going on. See if his pupils react to light, check his pulse. Once you do, calm him down. Talk to him, just do something while I make a phone call." I shook her hand to startle her out of her dread. "Can you do that?"

Anya nodded but there was lingering apprehension. It wasn't surprising. Slowly, she crept toward him, being careful to avoid contact, and I heard her murmured voice as she went about checking him.

I took a deep breath before turning on my heels and marching toward the bathroom. With the door locked, I pulled out my phone. Uncle would be no help in this matter, not until Nick was taken care of. If I told him, it would only hinder the progress of Nick's recovery. Aunt Bea, it was.

I hadn't called her since my encounter with the demon, but I was possibly more scared this time as I punched in her number.

"Alexis, honey? Please say something, are you there?" The panicked voice of Aunt Bea rang through the speaker. She must have remembered the last time I had called out of the blue.

"Hey, Aunt Bea. Listen," I hugged my legs as I sat on the floor in front of the cabinet, "I need your help."

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, but my friend isn't. Aunt Bea, he's paralyzed."

"Do you mean?" Her voice cut off, and I imagined the usually perky woman hanging limp on the other end. This only furthered my own fear.

"It's gorgon blood. I can confirm."

"How long has it been? Is he reactive?"

"We're checking that now, but I assume so. It happened a few minutes ago. He's safe and hidden. Can you help?" I bit my lip, tears building. "I'm afraid, Auntie. I don't know what to do."

"You did the right thing, honey. I'll be there as soon as I can." The sound of pounding feet obstructed her next words, but I caught them. "Who else knows?"

"Kiri and one of his friends. I sent Kiri to get his Alpha. I think it's contained."

She released a long breath. "Good, keep it that way."

"Auntie? He's going to be alright, yeah?"

"He's lucky someone knew what was happening. Alexis, you've probably saved his life." Something clattered, metal on wood. She was probably in her workroom, loading her potions bag. "I'm going to let you go. I swear I'll be there soon."

"I'll send you the address. I love you."

"I love you too, honey. Just breathe." The phone clicked, and the little comfort her voice provided disappeared.

I dug my fingernails into my jeans as I held in frustration and fear. I wanted to scream. My head felt like it was combusting and shutting down all at once. The adrenaline was gone, and my body shook as pain replaced it. Silent tears curled down my cheeks as I held everything in. Anya and Nick needed me.

I washed my face, staring at the red eyes looking back like they were taunting me. The one part of my mask I couldn't hide.

I unlocked the bathroom door to find Anya kneeling over Nick, a sad smile on her face. With bated breaths, I moved to the sofa, taking Nick's hand. If I remember correctly, he could feel it.

"Nick, I know you're probably afraid, but Kiri went to get Alpha Daniel. My aunt is also coming to help you. You'll love her. She's a witch and so weird. One time when I was little, I hurt my ankle, and she made me an enchanted cast that showed whatever I wanted." I stared at the emotionless eyes set inside a shocked face. "If you're lucky, she might make you one, though you won't need it. You'll be fine."

"Your aunt can heal him?" Anya didn't look up from Nick's face. "Can you do anything for him? Cast a spell or use a potion?"

"I can't." I stifled the guilt. "She can though, and Aunt Bea travels faster than anyone."

"She's the Mother?"

"That's the seat she occupies. I trust her more than anyone. Hear that, Nick? You're about to meet a famous witch."

"You should tell him more about her. I'm sure it would interest him, he's always asking lots of questions."

"If you say so. Do you know how witches used to ride brooms? Well, those were elemental witches. My aunt chose the elements as her main focus, but she's really good with medicine too. Anyway, when you're healed you can see how she travels. It's like a motorcycle that you can lean back in, and the bottom is shaped like a plane. She thinks it's inconspicuous, but it just looks weird."

I looked to Anya who gave me a thumbs up. "Keep going," she mouthed.

"If you recover fast enough, maybe she'll take you up. You can ride the winds with her. You have to heal so you can do that, you hear? You need to recover and stay positive."

Though I knew he couldn't say anything, the incessant beats of Nick's heart slowed. Not enough to be concerning, but enough to tell me he was calming. From somewhere in those frozen eyes, I swear I saw a glimmer of hope.