East

"Uncle," the nephew tried again.

"Enough!" Chaghan's shout made me jump. "Leave! All of you!" His face was flushed and his eyes glittering.

I had no idea what was going on except that I was chained to a madman. The men left quickly. Not one of them took the goblets with him. I remained where I was.

Chaghan paced, fuming at the rejection of his disgusting gift. He jingled the leash as he walked.

I straightened and climbed to my feet. For the first time since waking, I felt the pain of what he'd done to my hands and arms.

"You really believe my blood cured you?" I asked cautiously, unable to understand what might be going through his mind.

"I know it did. I was a dead man."

I shook my head. "It doesn't seem possible." Unless there was something weird in the sleeping agent Carter created.

"It was not only me." He appeared to be calming, tolerant of a goddess where he wasn't of his men. "Tomeid! Bring him!"

No one else was in the tent, but I sensed his servant was never too far, either. Less than a moment later, Tomeid entered, all but dragging a young warrior who didn't look much over fifteen.

They both dropped to their knees.

"Last night, the boy was brought in, close to death from his wounds," Chaghan explained. "He drank your blood as well, and we both awoke healed."

I was balanced on my feet, a little lightheaded. "Those are … miracles. They aren't because of me," I said.

"You are a miracle," he reminded me.

I wanted to roll my eyes but didn't. "Listen, Chaghan, I believe these healings happened. I don't think they're tied to me."

His face was growing red once more. "You do not bleed like any other!" he snapped. "There is magic in your blood. It is visible!"

To demonstrate, he yanked me closer. I stumbled and landed on my knees in front of the two men waiting silently to be dismissed or acknowledged. Chaghan pulled up one arm and slid the blade of his knife across one finger. I flinched.

My red blood was dotted with black.

Damn you, Carter. What the hell did you do to me this time? I knew nothing of science or medicine, but I was almost able to rationalize some sort of preservative in my body that kept me from aging or deteriorating while I was under for so long. I woke up perfect - not one scratch.

"So maybe there is something unusual about my blood," I murmured.

"I only took a few drops."

"It's potent." I glanced up, and my whole body went rigid. He was looking at me the way I imagined a starving vampire considered his victim. "I have many other talents."