I put my arms around Paddy's neck. He lifted me slowly. He looked up.
"Boys. I need help now." They turned back down.
"Sorry Dad."
They looked around. "What about Quinn?"
"He can survive a shot from a Haarbus. He has before. You two on the other hand. We do not know if you are fast healers yet."
"When will you know?" They asked.
"I do not know Boys. Let us not tempt fate. All right."
"All right Dad."
I moved slowly. The Boys had their arms around me. Paddy was behind me.
"This might hurt."
I could feel him pulling something out of my back. He tugged hard on it.
"Hold tight on to your Mother Boys. This one is in deep."
"What ever it was." It went into the same spot as Caleb's silver stake.
I could smell something putrid. "Is that smell coming from me?"
"Yes." Paddy whispered. "Caleb must have stuck something in you when he staked you."
"He did say 'now you will die.'"
"Do you think you will be able to climb back up?"
"I can try."
"Dad there is a path over there." George pointed towards some trees.
"I think that might be better." I nodded to Paddy.
We took our time going up the path. I had to stop and rest every few minutes.
Everyone was waiting for us at the top.
"Where are the mortals?" Paddy asked.
"They went back towards the first lake."
"What took you so long?" Athos asked.
"Kylie's injury is ..." Paddy could not finish what he was going to say.
"Let me see." Athos said.
I saw Quinn nodding. Paddy was signing to him. Quinn shifted and flew back towards the cave.
"What did you tell him?" I asked Paddy.
"I told him to find Scott and Elder Camarillo. They need to see what is oozing out of you."
My knee had stopped bleeding. I could move a little faster.
Paddy turned to me to him. "I do not want you moving too much. We are going to take turns carrying you."
"All right."
Paddy, of course, was not going to let anyone else carry me. He ran most of the way but it was becoming difficult running through the trees.
My stomach was becoming nausea.
"Paddy put me down."
"We are almost there."
"My stomach ..." He stopped. I was extremely ill. Paddy held my hair back. Finally the heaves stopped.
"Kylie, you are burning up." I nodded.
"Ready?" I nodded again.
He picked me up and carried me the rest of the way to the cave.
Scott, Athos and Elder Camarillo were examining the shard of rock I landed on.
