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The sphinx immediately backed off and fell into a deep bow, his body morphing back to its humanoid shape. With his nearness, Rowan could make out his features more clearly. He was tall and lean with short, tight curls and bright brown eyes. In his simple black shirt and light jeans, he should’ve lacked genuine impact, but he, like Abanoub, smelled like long-lost memories that demanded attention.

She held her breath as Kin took a minute longer to begin his transformation. He leveled her with a stare that made her stand straight and set every ounce of dominance she had over the ruby red eyes that leveled with hers.

He let out a yip before finally following the sphinx’s example. His face morphed into a harder and older version than his usual self when he changed back and he bent over to catch his breath. In her own weakened state, Rowan couldn’t even make fun of his lack of prowess.

“Good thing we stayed against the walls.” Louisa looked horror-struck at the many traps the two beasts had set off in their tumble. Spikes, and arrows and a swinging ax took up a lot of the space in the room.

Zeva rushed to Rowan, scowling as she took in her sister’s wounds. For a moment Rowan could see her mother in her sister. “How am I supposed to talk dad into revoking his ‘off limits’ adventures if you keep going home all beat up?”

Rowan winced as Zeva tried to touch a fast swelling bruise under her eye.

“I don’t have to go to Lexine for these injuries. Home care will be fine. Not to sound rude, but Abanoub’s punches were pretty lame.”

Abanoub, who was being helped up by Tarik, laughed and gave a groan. “Next time you try being poisoned by a cursed cobra for three days straight and see how your punches land, eh?”

Rowan shook her head, impressed by the realization that hit her. “You stayed in your sphinx form to keep from being completely consumed by the poison.”

He nodded. “Though I can’t hang on much longer. Maybe we can talk when I wake-“

Before he finished speaking, the sphinx passed out.

“Master!” Tarik yelled, surprised.

“Don’t worry, we are traveling with the world’s renowned poison expert, Louisa Monterrey.” Kin reassured before he looked over Rowan’s injuries as Zeva had and Rowan once again winced when he tried to touch the same spot.

“That hurts!” She cried.

Kin rolled his eyes. “Oh honestly, one would think you never get beaten up as often as you do if they only relied on your pathetic tolerance for pain!”

Rowan flipped him off, but allowed him to pick her up bridal style.

“You can stay here with us until Master Abanoub wakes up. Poison. It all makes sense now.” Tarik shook his head as he picked up his frail body.

They followed Tarik through the caverns until the ceiling was visible. Sharp stalactites reached down to connect with a group of stalagmites on the floor, forming posts situated before an opening that led out into stone hallways and stone staircases so plentiful that Rowan couldn’t keep track of their path.

Lucky for them, Zeva had solved enough mazes in her lifetime to keep a tab on them as she oohed and ahhed over the small treasures displayed along the walls.

The sun streamed in through a slanted skylight in the room they stopped in.

Ancient furniture and countless handmade rugs filled the space as Tarik moved to deposit Abanoub on the bed. Rowan noted the color had drained from the younger sphinx’s face, leaving him ashen as he looked the man over.

Louisa, perhaps as aware as Rowan was of the man, ordered him to bring fresh washcloths and water as she examined Abanoub’s wounds. Kin gently put Rowan down on an ornate chair and Zeva moved closer to the side of the bed.

She had enough energy recouped to walk without help, but, when Kin took it upon himself to actually be soft, Rowan milked each occasion for all she could get.

She watched from her chair as Zeva helped Louisa clean and place ointment over the puncture wounds with the supplies brought back by Tarik.

When they finished, Zeva returned to Rowan’s side and Louisa leaned down, her fangs glinting in the rods of light still pouring in from outside.

“What are you doing?” Tarik hissed.

Louisa glared at the sphinx but indulged the question. “I have to know what poison he has in his bloodstream to transmogrify my blood cells for an antidote.”

“The antidote will come from your vampire blood? Won’t that turn him?” Tarik’s face turned even paler, if possible. Rowan was sure he was seconds from face planting.

“He’s not close enough to death to turn, and she won’t give him more than what’s required to cure him.” Kin was the one to oblige him. “Tarik, we didn’t come all this way to harm your master. If that were the case, we could’ve just waited for him to off himself tomorrow.”

The words hung in the air, thick with tension, before Tarik allowed Louisa to continue with a reluctant nod.