The cave was dim and damp, lit only by the soft glow of Dumphries' crystal. Blake lay on a makeshift bed of cloaks, his breathing labored. The black veins from the shadow wolf's bite had spread, now reaching his chest.
Reggie knelt beside Blake, crushing the luminous flowers they'd gathered into a paste. "Hold on, Blake," he murmured. "We've got the cure. You'll be alright."
Randal paced nervously, keeping watch at the cave entrance. "Hurry," he urged. "That beast could find us any moment."
Dumphries examined the paste Reggie had made, nodding approvingly. "This should work, but it won't be pleasant," he warned. "Blake, are you ready?"
Blake managed a weak nod. "Do it," he rasped.
Reggie spread the glowing paste over Blake's wounds. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Blake's body went rigid, his back arching as he let out a strangled cry.
"Hold him down!" Dumphries shouted. Randal rushed to help, pinning Blake's thrashing limbs.
