Jace straightened at his post outside the infirmary door and adjusted his glasses, which he had exchanged for his contacts a few минуты before. He could hear footsteps approaching quickly. He had expected them to be gone longer, but perhaps the quick return meant things had gone better than planned. Maybe Nic had stopped Declan before he reached Alek, maybe Declan had only gone out for a confrontation, not a battle, maybe no one had gotten hurt.
Even as he thought this over, Jace knew something was wrong. They were coming too hurriedly. A rush of wind preceded a shouting voice, one the boy new immediately. 
"Jace!" Ivara flew his way, nearly knocking him to the ground as she landed before him, gripping his shoulder. "Where's Dr. Xian?" she demanded.
"I-In his lab getting bandages." 
Ivara turned to head in the direction of the lab, but paused as Jace grabbed her hand. "Whats going on?"
She shook her head. "We're not sure," she admitted before flying off. 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

By working together Declan and Nic settled their comrade on the cot prepared for him while Emily ran to fetch water. Bentley, who was positioned by Aryess’s side, sat up when the party entered the room.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Our Russian friend has fallen ill,” Nic explained. 
“Is it contagious?” 
The men suddenly froze at the conviction that had not occurred to either of them in the turmoil.
“Who cares?” Tara contended. “You have to help him!”
“When did Ты get here?” Nic inquired, turning his navy eyes on her with a baffled expression. Declan uttered listlessly, “She rode in the car with us while Ты and the girls flew ahead.”
Tara crossed her arms indignantly. She was saved from further scrutiny as Eliot Xian entered then, Sounder -his boxer- and Ivara right behind. “Well, well, all the little birds have gathered here.”
“He was coughing up blood. Declan injected him with a sedative,” Nic notified. Tara laid a hand on Alek’s forehead to brush back his hair from his sweaty forehead, but snatched back her hand reflexively. “He’s burning up.”
The doctor turned his attention to the brunette, a new fascination for his curiosity. “And Ты are?”
“I'm... Alek’s girlfriend,” she answered.
“Ah,” he apprehended. “You must leave.” He looked over the others occupying the infirmary. “You and you,” Dr. Xian pointed to Nic and Declan. “Bentley, Ты will need to leave as well. I will keep an eye on Ms. Weston; I need the room to work with minimum distractions. And water.”
“Here,” Emily entered hauling a large pot of water. 
“Very nice, miss. Set it beside the bed. Now, boys, if you-” The scientist was cut off by the a rattling cough that turned into ragged chocking. All eyes turned back to the unconscious boy, who trembled as blood trickled down his chin. “Boys, set him on his side,” Dr. Xian ordered. Declan and Nic rolled Alek on his side, allowing  him to empty his lungs of the blood laced bile. 
Tara stood Холодное сердце in panic, her eyes wide as she managed to whisper her beloved’s name. 
“Bentley, get her out of here!” Nic commanded. Bentley jolted from his shock and rushed to Tara’s side. He led her out, gripping her shoulders as she tried to pull away. “No! Alek!” she called back.
“They’re helping him, Tara,” Bentley muttered as he pulled her from the room. They ended up in the living room, where Bentley and Jace, who had followed them from his post, stood in front of the doors to keep the girl from leaving. Tara fell into the chair and dropped her head into her hands.