Page 17 of Siren in the Rain

“Wha—” is all I manage to get out before I hear a loud click and the collar drops from around my neck and into my lap.

Instantaneously, the background pain that has been my constant companion for years disappears.

I stare at the collar, stupefied, until Cal scoops it up and shoves it into a bag.

“Sorry. We’ll need to take this back to our headquarters for me to examine it in more detail.”

With a trembling hand, I reach up to touch my neck.

I wince at the raw, painful sensation of my no doubt permanently scarred skin. But the instrument of my enslavement is finally gone.

“Thank you.” My voice is raw and hoarse as I stare up at Cal with more gratitude than I could ever find the words to express.

“He’s bleeding,” Wolf Boy says, a little anxious whine in his voice again. “Please help him, Ruby.”

The elemental witch comes to sit beside me on the bed, her hazel eyes full of sadness. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. But you’re free now. If you’ll let me, I can use my powers to heal some of your injuries. Would that be all right?”

Like Griffin, there’s something soothing about her presence, but in a different way. Even if she is a stranger I don’t fully trust, my body’s too banged up to turn down a free healing session. “Okay,” I grumble.

She smiles warmly. “Thank you, Shae.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

A soft golden glow of magic lights her up and when she lays her hands on me, I feel it enter my body. The sensation is like immersing myself in a wonderfully hot bath to soothe my body’s aches and pains. As her magic courses through me, I finally let go of some of the nonstop fear I’ve felt. Right here and now, I’m safe and I’m free.

Ruby finally pulls back and when she goes to stand, she sways on her feet.

To my surprise, Emma is right there to catch her. “Are you okay?”

Ruby flutters her lashes and then smiles. “Thank you, Emma. I used a bit more magic than I anticipated.”

Emma lets her go and rummages in her bag before pulling out a stoppered vial of shimmering liquid. “I… if you’d like, I have a recovery draught I’d be happy to give you.”

Ruby places a hand on her ample bosom. “How wonderful! Emma, did you make this?”

Emma is distracted by the sight for a moment before turning her gaze away, a flush to her cheeks. “Potions are my specialty. I was never much good at any other kind of witchcraft.”

Ruby reaches out and takes her hand. “My dear, a talent for potions is a rare gift. I’d be honored to receive this.”

Emma nods awkwardly. I’ve never seen her so tongue-tied before.

However, the way she watches Ruby as she drinks the recovery potion to recharge her magic finally clues me in on things.

My friend has an insta-crush.

When Ruby’s done, her eyes flutter open and she beams at Emma. “You have impressive talent. That potion worked wonders, and so fast!” She turns to Dallas with a determined look. “We need to hire her.”

Emma gapes. “What?”

“A Potion Master would be a huge asset to our team,” Ruby continues undeterred. “Readily available recovery potions are not only useful to all of us but also to those we’re rescuing.” She glances back at Emma, her gaze calculated. “I’m sure you can make other kinds of potions as well, correct?”

Emma appears a bit overwhelmed and I share the sentiment. “Uh, yeah? I mean, for sure.”

Ruby claps her hands with excitement. “See? She’s perfect, Captain!”

Dallas strokes his beard. “You have a point.”

While they continue to discuss this, Wolf Boy brings my hand that he’s still holding to his face and rubs his cheek against it, worry shining in his eyes.

---