Chapter 148: Misunderstanding 2
Soon, Felix arrived, his arms laden with the fragrant herbs Alaric had requested. Their fresh scent—sharp eucalyptus, sweet rosemary, and cool mint—mingled in the air, cutting through the heavy atmosphere in the room.
Aramis followed close behind, carefully carrying the steaming water, the heat rising in delicate tendrils as he poured it into the wooden tub. The water swirled as it filled, a perfect balance of hot water and fresh, cool streams collected from the falls. The wooden tub was as high as his thighs.
Felix, without ceremony, tossed the leaves into the tub, their vibrant greens and purples drifting lazily on the surface. He reached into a small pouch and scattered soft rose petals over the water, their delicate edges curling at the heat. Only then did he turn his attention to the unconscious figure on the bed.
"What happened to Doctor Kane? How could he sleep so deeply?"
An odd sense of unease prickled at the back of Felix’s mind as he reached for the thin blanket covering him. He hesitated, but something compelled him to pull it back.
The moment he did, a sharp inhale escaped his lips
A deep discoloration marred Kane’s arms—dark, sprawling bruises blooming like storm clouds beneath his skin. They weren’t just small marks; they were vicious, spreading across his forearms in jagged patches of deep purples and blues.
"Why was he bruised so badly?" Felix breathed heavily.
The three men huddled near the door, their expressions a mix of bewilderment and uncertainty. Each glanced at the others as if seeking answers in their shifting eyes. Their bodies were tense, shoulders slightly hunched, as they exchanged silent questions, the weight of confusion hanging heavily among them.
Finally, Alaric broke the silence. His voice was neutral—too neutral—but beneath the carefully controlled tone, if one listened closely, there was the faintest tremor.
"A python got him," he said. "Thankfully, he escaped in time."