Page 63 of Darkness and Deceit
Vaughn pushes forward, limping but relentless, until we reach the last room at the end of the corridor.
When the door opens my world stops.
Kai lies in the bed, pale and still. His eyes are open, but empty. Glassy. Like he’s looking through me instead of at me.
And his body?—
Gods.
A massive burn sears down his right side, from jaw to ribs. The skin is raw and blistered, edges blackened. His shadows flicker weakly around him like they don’t know what to do without him.
It’s a miracle he’s breathing.
I stumble forward, a cry catching in my throat. “Where are the healers?” My voice breaks, ragged with disbelief. “Why isn’t anyone helping him?”
A woman in healer’s robes steps back from the door, guilt flickering across her face. “We tried,” she says softly. “But it’s not something we know how to treat. We’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Then get someone who has,” I snap. “Get the Keepers. The headmistress. Someone.”
No one moves.
No one answers.
It’s like they’ve already given up.
My legs nearly give out.
I cross the room in three steps and drop to my knees beside the bed. My fingers brush his wrist. His skin is ice.
Vaughn leans against the wall, exhausted. “I think somethingbrokein him.”
I look up sharply.
“He recognized one of them,” Vaughn says, voice hoarse. “A Rogue. I think—I think it was one of the ones who held him before. He froze. I’ve never seen him freeze before.”
Simon’s face darkens.
“And then...” Vaughn swallows. “He got hit. With that blue flame. I’ve heard stories. I’vefeltit. It doesn’t just burn. Itcorrupts. Eats your magic from the inside out.”
I grip Kai’s hand tighter. “Is he... in there?”
“I don’t know.” Vaughn wipes a hand down his face. “He killed the Rogue. Snapped his neck like it was nothing. But after that... he collapsed.”
Simon puts a hand on Vaughn’s shoulder. “You did good getting him back.”
Vaughn nods, too tired to argue.
“Simon, take Vaughn to get checked out,” I say. “Please.”
Simon gives me a look. “Are you sure?—?”
“Yes.” I don’t take my eyes off Kai. “I’ll stay with him.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then Simon and Vaughn leave, the door clicking softly shut behind them.
And I’m alone.
Just me and the boy who once bled shadows and now bleeds stillness.
