Free Vampirates 3: Blood Captain by Justin Somper

deeper connection. Is that all right with you?”
    “Whatever you need to do,” Lorcan said. Then he smiled. “Why, I nearly called you ‘doc’ then!”
    Mid-chuckle, Lorcan’s head suddenly hung limp. Grace saw that Mosh Zu’s hand was resting on the back of Lorcan’s neck. He had been so fast, she hadn’t even seen him reach out and touch him. She was amazed and intrigued at how quickly he had put Lorcan “under.”
    “Would you help me, Grace?” he asked now.
    “Yes,” she said, wondering what she could do.
    “Would you remove the bandages for me?”
    This she could certainly do! She’d been changing Lorcan’s bandages ever since returning to The Nocturne . Now, Mosh Zu gently raised Lorcan’s head, allowing Grace to untie the knot she herself had fastened earlier. She carefully lifted the cloth from his face. As the bandage came off, they both looked down at the wound.
    “You’ve seen this before?” Mosh Zu asked her.
    She nodded. “Several times.”
    “Does it show any sign of improvement to you?” Mosh Zu asked.
    She looked down. She could almost persuade herself that the livid colors of Lorcan’s scar were lightening, but she realized that this had more to do with the soft light in this room than any change on his face. As much as she wanted to see signs of improvement, the wound looked exactly the same as always.
    “No,” she said, shaking her head glumly. “No, I wish I could say differently, but it’s just the same.”
    “And, out of interest, what have you been dressing this with?”
    “Just a touch of yogurt,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what else to do. My dad always used to use yogurt when Connor and I got sunburned. I remember it being very soothing on tender skin. They had some in the kitchen on The Nocturne, so I thought I’d try it.”
    Mosh Zu smiled.
    “Did I do something stupid?” Grace asked, suddenly embarrassed.
    He shook his head. “I’m not laughing at you, Grace. I was just thinking that you do, as I have been told, have something of the healer’s art about you.”
    “The healer’s art? Really?”
    He nodded. Now she was pleased.
    “Do not be dismayed that the wound has not yet shown signs of healing. It will be a slow process for Lorcan. Vampire skin takes much longer to mend than mortal skin. Lorcan does not have the same quantity or complexity of cells running through his body as you do. The blood he takes is needed for more basic functions — the life force, if you care to characterize it as such. He needs the blood to help him heal, but it cannot easily be diverted to cure a wound like this. We have to direct it there.”
    Grace nodded, but then a dark thought came into her head. “But Lorcan hasn’t been taking blood,” she said.
    “Quite so,” Mosh Zu said. “Quite so. And that is a further challenge to the healing process. We must encourage him to start feeding again.”
    Grace nodded determinedly. She was prepared to do whatever it would take to bring Lorcan back to full health. If he had to drain every last drop of blood from Shanti’s small body, he would have to do so. Grace shivered at the thought.
    “The yogurt you applied has helped to ease his pain,” Mosh Zu said. “But I’m going to prescribe a slightly more intensive treatment. I shall have Olivier make up an elder salve. You might find it interesting to watch him do this.”
    She nodded. “Yes, please! So, you think he can be cured, then?”
    Mosh Zu nodded. “There’s no problem with this wound. No problem at all. It’s just a matter of time. As long as we get some blood back into his system and apply the salve on a regular basis, you’ll watch these angry burns fade away. He’ll look as good as new.”
    “And he’ll see again. He’ll be able to see again!”
    Grace felt elated. Mosh Zu was definitely living up to his reputation. They’d only just arrived at Sanctuary and already he knew how to set Lorcan on the road to recovery. Now Mosh Zu indicated for Grace to