Chapter Seven.

Grand pa Asher's breath normalized. He was still deep in a coma and needed a few more days before he woke up. 

"What the hell just happened" Mandy was in shock. Her hands vibrated. She clasped them together to stay still. She couldn't imagine what would have happened if Declan hadn't come through. 

"Wait Mandy... I can explain. He was going to be better from the antidote I gave him. We  should have just waited a little longer "

"Wait, you say? He was going to die, Leo! He was losing so much blood!"

"It's not as bad as you think. I mean.... the blood you saw was the toxins flushing out of his body. I made him better. That last concoction wasn't necessary. This man right here just wants to take the glory of what I did!"

"You're unbelievable! I can't imagine I trusted you with his life."

"So you believe him over me now? He simply finished what I started. Yes! It was my antidote that made him better"

Declan was amused at Leo's Chicanery. He was a con and a master at it.  He definitely did this to every one of his patients. 

"It's about time, Leo" Declan stated calmly and they turned to him. 

"About time for what!?"

"You kept your part of the deal."

Leo raised a brow in oblivion. Declan went and carried the jar of poison Leo had prepared. He poured some quantity into a cup and offered to Leo  to drink it.

"You claim it's potent, don't you. I dare you to take a sip from your antidote"

Leo glared from the cup to Declan. Anxiety again flashed through his eyes. 

"Why.... should I take an antidote? I'm hale and hearty. Isn't antidotes meant for those with ailments?" 

 Leo's Corny remark cracked Declan up. He was really good at what he did.

"But a deal is a deal doctor. And a decent man should always keep their part of the deal."

"Not when you took my Glory!" He turned to Mandy. "Tell this man to stay away from me!"

"Not until you take that poison you prepared for my Grandfather!" Mandy moved to Declan's side. They were a team now and Leo didn't like the look of it. 

"My job here is done then. You both should have all the fun you want!"

 He turned and intended to leave, but immediately turned back, baring a dart he had secretly brought out from his pocket and aimed it at Declan. 

 Declan was fast enough to sway Leo's arm away, taking the dart from him. 

"You're indeed the devil himself" Declan grunted, furious. The dart contained a deadly poison. Leo wanted him dead too. He blocked Leo's way before he could escape. 

"There's no way out fella. We still have unfinished business. You either take your poison or I will break your evil hands with which you prepare your evil portions." 

"No... no.... you can't do that. Don't you dare!"

"It's too late now."

"No.... You don't know me. I'm well connected, ask around. I can crush your life into pieces in my palms like a nut. Just in a matter of seconds. Don't you dare lay hands on me!"

Declan had a sneer on his face. He enjoyed the show and was about to make it more interesting. Slowly, he moved closer to Leo, step after step. Leo continued to blab but moved backwards while at it. He took another step back and his back hit a table. 

The sneer on Declan's face depended and it terrified Leo the more. He was like the devil. 

"No Declan.... please.... don't do this, I beg you. What happened.... was a mistake.... I did it before and it worked"

"It did?" Declan raised a brow questionably. 

"Not quite.... well"

"Oh... now you admit to it. That's all I needed to hear."

"I'm sorry... please don't— I...." 

Declan had had an ear full. He instantly grabbed Leo's hand and twisted it ruthlessly. The arm cracked and broke.  Leo wailed and fell to the ground, raining curses on Declan. 

"I swear you will pay for this! All of you must pay!" Leo cried as he ran off. 

Declan wasn't moved by Leo's threats. He simply wiped his hands with a napkin. 

"Thank you...." Mandy spoke. Her voice was tiny and sorry. 

"Don't thank me. I just needed to save him"

"I.... I'm sorry. Yeah. Just sorry." Her head  dropped in sincerity but embarrassed. 

Declan ignored her and moved to the bed. Her grandfather was stable and his breathing was alright. But Declan could tell he was slowly dying. They needed to find the real cure to the poison as soon as possible. 

"Find out who your grandfather last dined with before he fell ill."

"That was me. Why?"

"Then find out who approached and poisoned him"

Mandy's forehead molded in a frown. She intended to say something but a call came in. She checked her pocket and stopped when Declan brought out his phone.

"Yes?" He moved aside, away from earshot. 

"Save me... please come to me," May's weak voice cried into his ears. 

"May... Are you alright? Tell me where you are right now!"