Page 73 of Gift from the Tree

“Fine. Have it your way,” Tillman growls, grabbing ahold of Claven’s head in a death grip.

Oh my God, he’s going to crush his brain right here in front of everyone.

“Draken, what’s he doing?” I feverishly whisper.

“He’s looking into his mind and watching the entire thing over again through Claven’s eyes,” he whispers so softly, I barely hear him.

“How can he do that? Should he be doing that in front of people?” I ask as my eyes grow wide with shock.

“Everyone knows that Tillman can read minds, so they’ll probably assume that’s what he’s doing. Only us and Gaster know he can do this.”

I sure as fuck didn’t know he can read minds.

Holy fuck, what have I thought around him?

Tillman lets go of Claven’s head and takes a step back, taking a few deep breaths. It obviously doesn’t calm him down because the next thing I know, he’s beating the fuck out of Claven. Claven attempts to fight back, but it’s a losing battle. His hits aren’t landing at all, and Tillman’s a wild man, delivering savage blows that draw blood with every hit. Each punch echoes through the silent training field as we all watch Claven go limp, but Tillman doesn’t let up, just continues to pound his face in.

“Draken, stop him before he kills him.” I rub his chest and try to hold my eyes open.

“Tillman, enough. Willow needs a doctor. Now,” Draken barks loudly, making me flinch. “I’m sorry, sweetness.” He kisses my forehead and starts walking toward where Tillman’s pacing in front of an unconscious Claven.

“Willow, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.” Tillman looks at me, his eyes wild with guilt, regret, and rage.

“It isn’t your fault, Tillman. I used a couple of the moves you showed me this morning, so you helped me out.” I try to make light of this, but really, I’m in so much pain and on the verge of passing out.

“Will you take me to the doctor, please, Draken? And someone call Gaster. He and Oakly were going to meet me here after class. And Corentin too. Just tell him where to meet us, please. Caspian if you think…” I trail off, both dizzy and not willing to finish that sentence. They can decide if he needs to be informed or not.

Tillman’s already dialing on his communicator before we take our first step. It only takes one ring for the voice on the other side to pick up.

“Yeah.”

“Meet us at the healer wing. Now,” Tillman barks.

“What’s wrong?” Corentin replies.

“It’s Willow.” With that, Tillman hangs up, dialing the next number.

“Tillman, how are—”

“Meet us at the healer wing. It’s Willow.” He doesn’t even give poor Gaster a chance before hanging up.

“Thank you,” I tell him softly, closing my eyes.

“Open your eyes. You can’t go to sleep until the healers make sure you don’t have a concussion,” Tillman orders out in a panic.

“Sorry. Sorry,” I mumble, the world spinning, my vision darkening, and my mouth filling with saliva.

Fuck, I’m not going to be able to hold it.

“Draken,” I groan.

“Just another minute, Willow,” he says, picking up his pace.

“I can’t. I’m going to be sick.” I begin gagging before I even get the words out.

Draken puts me down gently and as soon as my feet hit the ground, I throw up. This goes on for a minute while someone holds my body and hair up, and someone else rubs my back. As soon as I finish and give a short nod of my head, I’m picked back up and we’re on the move again. We make it into the healer wing, and we’re immediately surrounded.

“Oh my, child, what happened?”

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