Taste Of Darkness

“What’s wrong?” Flea asked.

“It’s a pulmonary embolism. You just saved his life.”

“Me? No, you. You’re the healer. You would have figured it out.”

“I was going to give him fever powder. If you hadn’t spotted it, he would have died tonight.”

Flea stared at me a moment as if he couldn’t quite believe what he’d heard. “You mean, this...magic might be a good thing?”

“I know he can be annoying, but don’t you think waking Quain was a good thing?”

“Yeah, I did, but...that was more a onetime deal. And after seeing Quain’s...” He spread his hands. “Just seemed more like a curse.”

“It’s a gift from the Peace Lily. But I understand what you’re saying. Having magic is a mixed blessing. Yes, we have power and can do things others can’t, but we also have a duty to use them to help others and a responsibility not to abuse the gift.”

Flea groaned. “Why does everything have to be so complicated?”

“I wish I knew. And if I could, I’d change it in heartbeat, trust me.”

Before I healed Davin, I continued checking the rest of my patients. Growing bolder, Flea touched each one, reporting what he felt. Glad there hadn’t been any other medical surprises, I returned to Davin.

This time after my magic flooded him, I pulled it back into me, assuming the clot and his cracked ribs to make him more comfortable. Wheezing with the effort to draw breath, I walked gingerly to my cavern. Pain ringed my chest with every step. I almost passed out from taking off my boots.

“Avry, wait.” Flea carried a cot. He set it down next to the fire. “You shouldn’t be lying on the cold stone ground tonight.” He helped me lie on it, put my pillow under my head, and covered me with a blanket. Flea paused when he spotted Kerrick’s shirt on the floor. Then he scooped it up and tucked it next to me.

“Thanks, Flea.”

“You’d do it for me.”

“Yeah, but you’d complain I was fussing over you too much.”

He shot me his lopsided grin. “You are overprotective, but I’d be...sad if you weren’t. Good night, Avry.”

“Night.”

When he reached the exit, I called his name. He turned.

“I’d like you and the guys to bring your bedrolls back. It’s way too quiet in here.”

“Will do.” He saluted and left.

I drifted into a deep healing sleep. Dreams mixed with memories.

I stood in the garden in Sogra with Kerrick behind me. He traced the scars on my back as Tohon called my name. Instead of running away this time, I turned to embrace him. But he’d disappeared. A thorny bush grew in his place.

Tohon laughed. “You can’t escape me, my dear. I’m always with you. Unlike Kerrick, who has a nasty tendency to leave you when you most need him. Who’s going to save you now?”

“I can take care of myself.”

“You’re sick and injured.”

“I’m safe inside the cave.”

“Are you sure about that, my dear?”

A shuffling noise woke me. I peeked through slitted eyelids. Messy bedrolls surrounded the fire pit. The guys had been here, but by the tossed blankets and scattered pillows, I guessed they’d left in a hurry. Unease swelled. Drawing in a deep breath, I tested my ribs and lungs. Still very sore, limiting any extended physical activity.

More shuffling sounded nearby. I murmured and rolled over as if still asleep, managing to free my hands from the blanket. If I touched skin, I could defend myself. Too bad I’d left my stiletto in my pack.

After several minutes the slide step of boots resumed. Fear churned in my stomach, but I resisted the urge to tense my muscles. Two, maybe three people approached. Risking another peek, I spotted a black figure nearby.

I counted the steps. One. Two. Three. I surged to my feet and lunged for the closest figure, wrapping my hands around my attacker’s thick neck. A good idea, except he wore a hood that also protected his throat. In fact, the man was completely covered. Other than a thin slit for his eyes, no skin showed.

Not that it mattered now that I’d lost the element of surprise. His companions pulled me off him. I struggled and shouted for help until one of them pressed a sweet-smelling cloth over my face.

The cave spun as the sticky odor invaded my nose. My muscles turned to liquid and I giggled.

“Take her out,” the man said. “I’ll make sure no one follows.”

Scary words, but I didn’t care. Instead, I marveled as I floated over the floor. If only they’d release me, I’d fly to the ceiling. We left the cavern and snaked through the cave. Lanterns hung along the walls, casting a sickly yellow glow.

“Wow, good thinking,” I said to my captors. “Using the back entrance. Did Wynn tell you to do that?”

They ignored me.

I tsked. “Didn’t your mothers teach you any manners?”

We kept moving.

“Phew! What stinks?”

They shushed me, which just made me shout louder. Finally a gloved hand clamped over my mouth. My head cleared by the time we neared the back exit. Fear returned full force. Even though I dragged my feet and fought, our pace never slowed.

Panicked, I increased my efforts despite the pain in my ribs.

Nothing worked. They had me in a firm grip and weren’t letting go.

CHAPTER 4

Fresh air brushed my sweaty forehead and cleared the stink of the privy from my nostrils. Normally welcomed, fresh air in this case meant my chances of rescue decreased. Still held tight, I’d stopped struggling as the two men dragged me out the back entrance of the cave. My efforts to escape hadn’t made any difference, so I’d decided to save my strength for later. If there was a later. Fear pulsed through me.

They halted to let their eyes adjust in the predawn light. Four others waited for us. All wearing black clothing and hoods that exposed no skin, like my captors. The three soldiers who had been stationed to guard the cave lay on the ground. Knocked unconscious and not dead, I hoped.

“This way,” one said, gesturing. “Quickly.”

We followed. After a few steps, the trees rustled. Thuds followed curses and yells. The two holding me fell forward, pushing me down as something heavy landed on top of us. Pain ringed my chest and all my breath whooshed out.

More cries sounded before the weight lifted off my back. I curled into a ball, gasping for air. Once my noisy inhalations eased, other noises of a scuffle reached me.