I Scored Myself A Mate

Amelia moved to the side and Ares walked in first with his brother in his arms. Ea was now dragging Joe's unconscious body and after they placed the wounded general on her bedroom, lying in the middle of the big bed, still as if there was no life left in him, they tied Joe to a chair and the witch made sure he would stay asleep for a little longer, at least until they had managed to get Theseus' injuries under control. He lit up a candle close to him and advised everyone not to approach because they would fall into a deep sleep. 

Her bedroom was filled with decorations. Necklaces hanging on the walls, tarot cards scattered on his light green nightstand and books about witchcraft in many different languages. Her colorful skirts were thrown into a big pile on top of a chair and her boudoir had many half empty perfume bottles on it and half burned sage. She was definitely messy but it was a mess that seemed to fit her well. Like her magic, her personality could not be contained in just a room. It felt like a home. 

"Well as far as I can see some of his bones are broken, he has also been shocked by a huge amount of magic and those injuries can't heal because of the poison in the bullet. Our main goal is to dissipate the poison first, then his wounds will heal but he might die in the process." She explained.

"What do you mean he might die?" Allias asked, scared of losing him. 

"He is already bleeding out. He has lost a lot of blood. Also I would want to take look on the magic source that hurt him, to recognize the risk and the after effects."

"The magic source was a bracelet, Allias' father had forged for his entrusted relatives. He was wearing one of those. He is still wearing them now. I can get it for you" Ares volunteered and she nodded, wanting to examine the unknown object. 

"How did he…"

"Maybe that was the magic that made you sick" Ea suggested but Allias already knew that was not it. There was no way something that his father had created would make him sick. It was very possible that the bracelet would have no effect on him too, because he had his blood. 

"That's not it. We are missing something. We are always missing something and I don't know what it is!" Allias exclaimed angrily and rubbed roughly his head. There was something he couldn't see. Something he still hadn't uncovered and that was driving him mad. He was supposed to be a leader. He should be able to recognize these things but all he is doing now is putting his closest people in danger. His one and only love is at the brim of death and he still doesn't get it. What is the connection between hunters and demons? Why are they together and what is the source of that sickening magic? 

"Don't blame yourself too much. We all made mistakes." Mark tried to comfort him, even though he knew his words would not be nearly enough. For as long Theseus was laying on this bed and for a long while after Allias would drown in regret, painful sorrow and resentment for his incompetence. He viewed himself as stupid, naïve and no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that his old self had completely been erased his kindness and wish for peace were always rooted in his heart. He always searched for a way that require no violence, no blood loss but now he was staring at his hands, crimson and wet with his own lover's blood. He always wanted to protect others, even the bad guys but in the end he couldn't protect his own. Allias was a disappointment. 

Ares soon walked in with the cuff. Still shining gold and before he gave it to Amelia the king took it in his hands. His father's craftsmanship, so elegant and beautiful. A gift that held so much honor, meant to protect the ones he loved had been turned into a vicious weapon that hurt his people. Allias had failed him. He had failed the man who admired the most. 

"Can I take a look at it?" She asked and Allias handed it to her. She carefully examined the object caressing the material and absorbing information about it as she did so. For a second she frowned before she placed it back into the nightstand. Allias carefully grabbed it again and wore it, not trusting anyone else in keeping it. "Well I see the situation now. I will need one of you to apply pressure to his bullet would while I make a remedy for the poison. It will take about an hour so I need you to be really careful. Who will do it?" 

Everyone clearly expected Allias to volunteer. They were sure he wasn't willing to let anyone around him at such a difficult and risky time but the king did not. He looked at Ares before he spoke. 

"Ares stay with your brother" he told him and the elf nodded as Allias stood up. He took his place sitting next to his brother and Amelia handed him a rug which she showed him how to use. The thin material soon changed color from white to red and the woman advised Ea to help her, bring more towels and rags. Also a bowl of water to drain the blood as they went. Ea was more than eager to help, he would do anything for Theseus to wake up. 

"Allias…where are you going?" Amelia asked him when she noticed that the Elf King was walking out the room. He stopped at the door frame and adjusted the cuff on his wrist, a stern look on his face as he announced his intentions. 

"I am going to wake Joe up and show him how this is properly used." He said. 

After a while everyone felt it again. That unworldly power that oozed from him. Joe had hurt Theseus, that was the only mistake, the only action Allias would never forgive.