Page 93 of Siren’s Secret

Ilijas leaned over her, but before he could touch her, he recoiled.

“Lalwe root.”

“What?”

“It’s a powerful sedative that can be poisonous in large quantities,” Ilijas replied. “She reeks of it.”

“The bond feels sluggish,” Jarred told him.

“Makes sense. We need to get her clean before I can treat her more. Marc, grab a blanket and carry her to the shower.”

“Is it safe to move her?” Jarred almost growled.

“I don’t see anything amiss outwardly, but I need to touch her to know more. We have to get her clean first,” Ilijas replied and continued before Jarred could berate him. “I can heal other injuries. The most pressing thing is to wash the poison away. This fucking storm is actually helping.”

“Okay.” Jarred rushed to the closet, pulled out a towel that was likely free of any tampering, and handed it to Marc. Carefully, he wrapped Wave in it before lifting her into his arms. Jarred wanted to reach out and support her head, but Ilijas shook his head.

“Marc is better shielded against stuff like that. Let him handle this.”

“Fine, fine,” Jarred growled, rushing over to turn on the shower.

The storm began to fade once they got Wave under the water. Ilijas tactfully waited outside and Jarred heard him ask for another set of clothes for Wave that wasn’t anything from her room. Marc stripped Wave and tossed her soaked clothes in the trash that Jarred held out for him. They would probably burn them.

“Careful,” he snapped when Marc turned and Wave’s head lolled to the side.

Marc grunted and cradled her closer.

“Hand me that soap,” he said.

“Ilijas,” Jarred barked.

“Yeah?”

“Can I wash her when Marc holds her up?”

“Mmh… Pull up an extra shield and make sure you touch her only with soapy hands. Proper soap, not some lotion bullshit.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” someone shrieked in the background. After a moment, Chrissy poked her head in, a bar of soap in hand. “Here. Diana made this. It’s all natural and made to neutralize any plant-based poisons or irritants.”

“That’ll do well.” Ilijas nodded.

Jarred grabbed the bar and lathered his hands liberally before returning to the shower. Marc turned Wave away from the water and Jarred soaped up her face. After rinsing, he did it again before moving to washing her hair.

Slowly, they moved from her head to her throat, shoulders, breasts, stomach. Jarred kept going over every area until he couldn’t directly sniff the foul smell anymore. Then Marc shifted his hold on Wave, moving her so their chests were smashed together and Jarred could wash her back.

“Ilijas, I think she’s clean,” he called out.

“Good. Rinse yourself and then Marc can hand her over.”

Jarred didn’t waste time. Not that he had a lot to strip, either. Briskly, he scrubbed himself down and thankfully took the towel Ilijas was holding out for him. Once it was wrapped around his waist, there was a robe waiting for Wave.

They maneuvered her arms into it, still dripping wet, and Jarred cradled her to his chest. With averted eyes, Ilijas tied the robe closed.

“Marc, you need to wash, too. I’ll see if we can find some pants for you. Jarred, come.”

Jarred carried Wave out into the living room and settled her on the couch. All his attention was focused on her and the bond. The room spun and he blinked. Was that the bond?

Ilijas kneeled on the floor next to Wave’s head and cupped her face before closing his eyes. A frown marred his forehead in seconds.