Page 91 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Thehardest part is yet to come,”Clairanniaadded, unbuttoning the shirt acrossPompeii’schest, his breathing deep in his spelled slumber.
Mystomach churned seeing what had been left in the wake of the disease that would have taken his life ifIhad not destroyed theBlighttrees inViridiswith fire.Itspread across the shape of his chest in a mottled black and purple, stopping at his throat.
Clairanniadrew her power into a thin, sharp blade above the sternum of his chest, shimmering in bright scarlet.Shehad brought with us a sizable porcelain platter, intending for his current lungs to lay there while we replaced them.
“Whatare you doing now?”Moiraasked, tilting her head to the side.Herviolet eyes grew in size as she watchedClairannia’sglowing red blade slice across the center ofPompeii’schest.Bloodpooled at the cut, butClairanniawas ready, capturing every drop in a deep bowl she had formed with her power.
Allof us sat in silence watchingClairanniapull back skin, breaking the bones of his ribs in disturbing cracks to access the horror of what had lain quiet inPompeii’schest for months.Hisbreath still came, unhindered by his torso being flayed open.Theinky black flesh he held within his body smelled of decay, just like the treesIhad grown inViridis.
Moiracovered her mouth, turning to the side to retch onto the forest floor.Herbody’s reaction to the popping bits of lung that burst in succession ended with her passed out on the ground.Figuerahwas not far behind and had to turn her head, squeezing her eyes shut, her nostrils flaring to breathe any fresh air she could.
Iwanted to hurl all the contents in my own stomach, but bit down on my cheek instead.
Icould do this forPompeii.Igot him here.Icould get him out.
Clairannialooked on in fascination, her rich brown eyes wide, her mouth slightly open as she leaned down to inspect the diseased lungs. “Hewould not have survived this in the end,” she stated easily.
Icould guess that even without all the medicus experience she had.Hemay have been cured enough to live, but these lungs would have become useless before too long.
Shecontinued her work, some of whichIsaw, some of whichIcould not stomach, turning my head away at the pull of black flesh that fell onto the tray in a heavy wet slapIwould not soon forget.
Mystomach roiled, my effort spent trying to breathe fresh air rather than dampen my disgust.Iknew thatRevichwould soon be able to feel whatIfelt, if he was not on his way here fromViridisalready.
“Getready,Karus,”Clairanniasaid to me. “Ineed one side at a time.Startingwith the lung on his left.”
Idid as she instructed, maneuvering what would become his left lung into place as she used her power to fuse the flesh to flesh, seamlessly providing a seal.Hisleft lung expanded with his diseased right lung still intact.
Clairanniawiped her forehead. “Onedown, one to go,Figuerah.Justhold on.”
Figuerahnodded, letting out a breath in a puff of air, breathing back in a fresh gulp.
Wefollowed the same steps, replacing his right lung with the oneIhad grown with my power.Clairanniasat back for a moment, her hands covered in his blood, the rest of it pooled in her magic bowl, her power sending a line of it to trickle back into his exposed veins.
Hisbreathing was steady, the same deep sleep keeping him from witnessing any of what we had done.
“Ithink it worked.”Clairannia’ssmile was wide across her small mouth. “Timewill tell, butIthink you did it.”
“Wedid it,”Icorrected.
Shemade quick work replacing all the blood spilled from his body, closing his chest and murmuring words of healing over his bruise.Shehad tried it before to no avail, the black marring of his skin indicating that he had been inflicted with a disease directly from theBlight.Butnow, the color of his golden-hued chest returned, the bruise subsiding at her words.
“Figuerah,”Imuttered, watchingClairanniain awe. “Look.”
Shedid, one eye open, her head jutted back as if she didn’t dare see any parts ofPompeiithat resided inside of him.
Shegave a huff of a laugh. “Well,Clairannia,” she started, “looks like those medicus books will have to be amended.”
* * *
“I’veseen your insides.”
“Moira,”Clairanniasnapped, listening toPompeiias he took another deep breath for her.
Iheld the tray of myOverseer’srotted lungs in one hand, just waiting forClairanniato give me permission to burn them.Iheld it by my palm, letting the platter balance in my hand, ready to upturn my stomach the momentIcould.
Clairanniaheld her ear toPompeii’schest as he inhaled. “Doesit feel any different when you take a deep breath?”
“Yes,” he responded, a shaking smile spreading across his mouth. “Yes,Idon’t ever remember breathing this deeply.”Helooked at me, his chin rising. “Thankyou,BaronKarus.”Heturned toClairannia, her hand pressing lightly on his chest. “Andthank you,ConduitClairannia.”
