Page 74 of Perilous Healing

“Bianca!” I yell, running my hands over her face. She doesn’t move.

Doesn’t stir.

And I feel the fear of what may come next piercing my bones. “Wake up! Bianca!”

“Here, try this.” Abana parts Bianca’s lips and pours some water inside.

It simply pools and pours down the side of her face.

“What’s happening?”

Abana feels her forehead again. “She’s too hot. We need to cool her down. Her fever is spiking.”

“How?” The main house doesn’t have running water, so a cool bath is out of the question. Everything comes from the well, and it’s always warm.

She looks to Laring as the woman says something I can’t understand.

Abana nods. “We know a place. A spring that has cool water. But the guards will never allow us to leave.”

The door opens, and Idra walks in, humming a happy song that dies the moment he sees us kneeling on the floor. He rushes over and sets the bucket of water down, then kneels next to me, his hand taking Bianca’s.

“Where?”

“It’s not in this camp,” she says.

“I don’t care. Can you take us there?”

“If you get us permission to leave, I will take you there.”

“Done.” I cradle Bianca against me and stand, then head out the still-open door, Abana, Idra, and Laring behind me.

I rush outside, moving as fast as I can as I cradle her against my chest. “Hang on, Bianca, you better not die on me.”

She groans in response, her head lolling to the side. Sweat beads on her face, and I imagine her temperature climbing. The guard outside of the main house steps in front of the door, blocking my way as soon as I step up onto the porch.

“I need to speak with River. It’s urgent.”

He looks from Bianca to me. “No.”

I step closer. “Do you see her? She’s sick, and I need to speak with River.”

“No. I’m not allowed to let anyone into this house.”

I turn toward Idra. “Take her.”

Even though we don’t speak the same language, he clearly understands and takes Bianca into his arms. I turn back toward the guard, stepping even closer now as I clench my hands into fists at my sides. “I am getting through that door. It’s up to you if you want to remain standing.”

“Is that a threat?” he asks.

“It’s a promise. Move.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but the door opens behind him.

“What’s this, then?” River questions.

The guard moves quickly. “He was trying to get inside.”

Bianca’s uncle looks past me at her, his gaze widening just a bit before he shifts his attention to the guard again. “And you blocked his way?”

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