Brisk air invaded the opening of my wound, and icy pain emerged from the center. My shriek echoed off the porcelain walls of the temple, and my body sprung from the couch, desperate for relief.
"What the hell?!" I hollered, tumbling to the floor.
"Jesus, fuck, Igs! Watch it!" Coop exclaimed, rushing over to me, throwing the blanket around my shoulders.
Pleasure invaded my bloodstream, and instantly I snuggled the fuzzy fabric. I closed my eyes, lavendar flowing into my nostrils. Coop lifted his arm around my shoulder, and hoisted me up onto the couch.
My eyes opened again, and were met with crystal blue. They sparked with amusement, and I gathered the strength to scan the rest of my surroundings.
The crystal blue orbs belonged to a blonde man. Similar in height to Coop and his hands were held out,suspiciously.
Hands immediately coiled their way around my leg, and my body jerked with pain. Igs turned my leg around, exposing more of the wound. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, then widened in shock as he dug a finger inside. Not even gloved, just bare. My agonized yelp caused Coop to wince slightly and place a hand on my shoulder, laying me all the way onto the couch.
When the guy smeared the green blood between his fingers and took a large, gag-inducing sniff, my stomach knotted. His eyes immediately widened, and his eyebrows creased.
"Yep, just what I thought. Deadly Nightshade and jellyfish stingers. This stuff is potent. Forbidden at Adolphus Academy under any circumstances. How did this happen?" He questioned, eyeing me cautiously.
I threw the blanket off my shoulders, fury coursing through me. This guy just assaulted my abnormal wound, like a madman, then has the audacity to ask me how it happened. No introduction, no 'How are you feeling?' Irritation bubbled to the surface.
"I don't even know you. Why the hell would I tell you?" I grunted, the pain had returned at full force, and I was no longer in the mood to be kind.
"Igs is the name. I see Coop doesn't mention me much." Igs stated, and waggled his fingers above my leg.
Green blood danced its way out of my leg, and into the air, swirling above Igs' head. When the clean, deep crimson began to take its place, Igs retracted his hand, and held his palm out. A small vial appeared out of thin air in his hand. The blood entwined itself with his arm, before being sucked into the center of a vial, and sealed with a cork.
"What are you? What the fuck was that? Can you get your other hand off my leg?" I snapped, folding my arms across my chest.
"Not a thank you? Damn, Coop, I owe you ten bucks." Igs snorted, releasing his hold on my leg.
"Now's not the time Igs, can you please just patch her up so we can go. I don't really want to see father right now." Coop's anxious voice chimed in my ear, and I winced slightly
When he noticed, he cleared his throat and ambled over to the door. He didn't fully turn to face me, but I could see the hint of blush covering his cheek.
"Okay, no problem, Coop. One second." Igs replied, waving his arm over my leg again.
The skin around the wound tightened, and began to stretch over its opening. Tingles sparked my entire body to life, and I writhed in agony. My begging for it to stop halted once the skin was fully stretched over the wound. Eyes wandered to my newly patched leg, gold shimmers barely visible beneath the skin, and relief flooded me.
The pain was gone, and my leg looked as good as new. I carefully pulled myself off the couch to test my strength, when Coop flashed over to me. I gave him a confused look as he swung an arm around my shoulders, guiding me back onto the couch.
"Careful, Oakley. Give it a minute before you use your leg again." His soft voice hummed in my ears, and I let myself sag back onto the couch.
I'd blame it on the aftereffects of the blanket, but I found listening to him, and resting before we headed back to be a wonderful idea.
"No, but seriously, what did happen? I'm kinda lost how a student was poisoned with Deadly Nightshade." Igs voice popped my peaceful bubble.
"I don't know what attacked her, all I know is there was an electric collar buzzing on her damn bed, Igs." Coop answered, his frustration leaked into his words.
I couldn't gauge what side Igs was on, and letting him know about the collar was not on my to do list.
"It doesn't matter what attacked me-"
"Oakley, Stop being-"
Igs cut Coop off with an elbow to his shoulder.
"I think Oakley here just wants to know that whatever is said in this room. stays in this room am I right?"
I nodded my head at his words, and smiled in understanding.
"You have my word." He replied.
I pondered the situation for a moment. I knew that Coop would have to know what happened, and Igs did heal my leg. I wanted to test him though, see where his heart truly was,
"I may have your word, but do I have your oath." I spoke, holding out my forearm.
"You want me to tie a piece of my soul to you for this information? Are you insane?" Igs' tone was curious, but fear-filled.
I simply nodded, keeping my features stoic, untelling. I extended my arm out further.
Igs looked at my forearm in fear, gazing back at Coop to gauge his reaction. I wasn't sure what was said between the two, but their eyes were pink, glistening with secret conversation. Igs took in a deep breath, before plastering a brave look on his face. He extended his forearm above mine.
Both men said nothing. Igs was really willing to tie his soul to mine for this information, and Coop wasn't stopping him.
Immediately, I brough my arm into my chest and sunk further into the couch. A snicker escaped my lips, and I clenched my eyes shut. When I opened my eyes, I threw my hand over my mouth, quieting my giggle fit. Coop and Igs stared at me, for lack of a better term, flabbergasted.
"What...Just happened?" Igs whispered, inching towards the door.
When my laughter died down, I sucked in a deep breath. This was a 'now or never' type of moment.
"A bear, and a lion. Two separate times. This time was the lion, and both had similar collars on their necks. All you need to know is that I am going to find out what the fuck is going on."
I felt like my tone was as sharp as it needed to be to get my point across. Coop took a step toward me, and I pulled myself off the couch.
"Just because I'm telling you this, doesn't mean I trust you. Igs, please do keep this to yourself. Coop, I'd like to go back now." I said, wobbling a bit.
Coop wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and lifted his wrist. When he pushed the button on the side, he let his wrist fall, and pulled me into him further. Even with my physical body patched up, I still felt the heavy drag on my energy edging me into the darkness.
"Igs, I'll call you later. Let me know what you find." He called over his shoulder, leading me through the disorienting, fluorescent portal.