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“Fine,” Archer snapped, already rolling up his sleeve. “Take mine.”

“Not that kind of ancient,” Lord Richard said, though his expression softened at the young alpha’s instinctive need to help. “We’re talking about preserved blood from centuries ago, carrying the accumulated power of multiple generations.”

Lady Helena was already reaching into her robes. “I carry a small vial of our clan’s preserved blood. It’s over three millennia old, blessed by a hundred generations of Blackthorn elders. From the time of our first ancestors.”

“You just… carry that around?” Hunter whispered, but Sylvie shushed him.

“One vial, always,” Lady Helena said softly. “For emergencies.”

Sebastian nodded. “We can arrange for more. The security protocols will take time, but?—”

“Whatever you need,” Zane cut in, his wolf still pacing with anxiety. “Any resources, any security measures.”

“This isn’t about resources, Zane,” Lord Richard said gravely. “Blood this old… it’s beyond precious. The fact that we’re even considering using it…” He exchanged meaningful looks with Lady Helena. “Well, that should tell you how serious this situation might be.”

Lady Helena held the ancient vial up to the light. The blood within seemed to shimmer with its own inner glow, not unlike the ethereal light pulsing beneath Luca’s skin. “There’s another concern,” she said carefully. “Blood this powerful… it’s not just about age. The magic it contains…”

“What she means,” Sebastian explained, seeing the brothers’ growing impatience, “is that there could be complications.”

“The question is,” Lord Richard said gravely, “will he accept it? Some vampires, especially during… unusual manifestations… can be very particular about blood.”

Dr. Xu and Dr. Stevens consulted quietly, discussing dosage and administration. The brothers watched through the glass, their wolves pacing with agitation as Luca’s fever climbed higher.

“We need to try,” Dr. Stevens finally decided. “His temperature is reaching critical levels.”

The next few minutes were torturous. They watched as Dr. Xu carefully added the ancient blood to Luca’s IV, drop by precious drop. The brothers pressed against the glass, their wolves straining toward Luca, ready to intervene at the first sign of distress.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then…

“His temperature,” Dr. Stevens reported, eyes fixed on the one monitor that still worked. “It’s starting to drop.”

The ethereal glow beneath Luca’s skin dimmed to a soft shimmer. His restless movements calmed, the pained expression on his face easing into something more peaceful. The collective relief in the room was palpable—Aunt Senna saggedagainst Great Uncle Johnathan, the twins clutched each other’s hands, and the brothers felt their wolves’ desperate tension ease slightly as Luca’s scent lost that edge of distress, though their powers still manifested in small ways—occasional frost, sporadic sparks, restless energy.

“This will help,” Lady Helena said, but her expression remained serious. “But it’s temporary. We need to understand what’s really happening here.”

“He’ll need more,” Lord Richard said, watching Luca’s now-peaceful form. “The ancient blood seems to stabilize his condition, but a single dose won’t be enough.”

Lady Helena nodded. “We can arrange daily deliveries from our clan’s reserves. Though…” She exchanged concerned looks with Sebastian. “Even our stores of ancient blood are finite.”

“Whatever it takes,” Zane said immediately. His wolf still paced with residual anxiety despite Luca’s improvement. “Name your price.”

Sebastian waved off the offer. “This isn’t about clan politics or debts, Zane. If this is what we suspect…” He glanced at the elders. “We need to research similar cases in our archives.”

“The council should be informed as well,” Lord Richard added gravely. “Johnathan?”

Great Uncle Johnathan nodded. “I’ll accompany you. The other elders need to know about this development.”

Dr. Xu finished adjusting Luca’s IV. “We’ll monitor him closely. The private wing’s security has been doubled, and I’ve assigned our most experienced vampire nurses to his care.”

“And the brothers?” Aunt Senna asked quietly, noting how all three alphas still hovered by the observation window.

Lady Helena’s expression was sympathetic but firm. “It’s best if they remain out here. His condition is… delicate. Any strong supernatural presence might interfere with his stabilization.”

Zane looked ready to argue, his frost creeping across the window again, but Aunt Senna stepped in.

“You three look terrible,” she said bluntly. “When was the last time you ate? Slept?” When none of them answered, she nodded. “Exactly. Go home. Clean up. Rest. I’ll stay with Luca.”

“But—” Archer started.