Page 90 of The Healing Dragon
“You have come here to ask us to make you worthy?” Their three faces, free of expression, close in on me. “You must not ask for something only you can do for yourself.”
“I want the opportunity to make the right choice.”
“You get that every day you draw a breath,” they say in unison.
There’s a chance for me to make it. The realization of this makes my chest lighter. Lately I’ve felt like I’m swimming against the current. My arms are getting tired and every time I look up to see my progress, it’s not enough. There’s so much more to do. I’m behind despite not taking a day off. I’m tired.
“What about Ray?” I ask, looking from one to another. “My soul was bonded to him. He became my soul bond after I asked for my fate to change. Can that be undone?”
There is a giggle shared amongst them. I wish more than anything to be in on the joke right now.
“You severed that the second your hand wielded the blade that ended him.”
“Regardless,” The pink one peers up. “You never meant to bond with him or anyone else. Not in this life.”
“This life,” I follow.
They giggle again.
“We may not meddle on bonds created in other lives. Butit’s always fun to see them find each other in every life they live.”
“Interesting,” I say carefully. “Are you all telling me I’ve found my way to a bond I had in another life?”
Could this explain this unavoidable connection I’ve had with Jesse since childhood? Why we’ve always been magnetically pulled to each other.
“We cannot say.” The pink one giggles again. “Go on and face the situations presented to you. The opportunities to do what is right will be plenty. It’s up to you to bear through it or cower from it.”
With that positive message, they all turn back to the water fountain. They point at different things displayed on the water and whisper amongst each other. I don’t wish to overstay my welcome and make my way out the back door.
I cover my eyes from the sun as I take a step outside the temple. There is only one entrance and one exit on the opposite side, leaving me with a longer walk back to the castle. I start my journey feeling lighter than before. The sun is high up and I can feel the rays beating at my skin.
A noise that doesn’t belong to the forest stops me in my tracks. I freeze and my senses are suddenly on overdrive. I strain to listen closely and catch a grunt and huff. I hear it again.
I’m not alone.
I hear it a couple more times. Whoever is making the noise is not trying hard to conceal themselves. I debate if I should go investigate or rush back to the castle. The bushes and tree tops hide it from sight, adding to my nerves.
I didn’t tell anyone I would come out here. The decision felt safe, but I never counted on being hunted. Stupid thinking for someone with so many enemies.
Movement from a bush alerts me I’m too late for an escape.A body flops down clumsily. An older man struggles to get to his knees. His clothes are dirty and bloody. He’s clasping a hand to his stomach. His hair is plastered across his forehead, drenched in sweat. When he rises to his feet again, I realize it’s Oli.
I run and kneel next to his body. There is a wound on his belly that profusely continues to bleed. I press my hands down on the wound to stop the bleeding. I close my eyes and push the healing magic against it. The continuous flow of blood tells me it’s not working.
“The wound is too deep.” I lean over closer to his face. “Oli, what happened?”
His eyes don’t focus on me. I need to get him help soon. He has already bled so much. The hand I have on his belly isn’t doing anything. I can feel a pulsing flow under my skin.
“There isn’t much time,” he says in a painful whisper. “He is coming for you, my girl. I had to warn you.”
“Hold on,” I say, getting to my feet. “I’m going to get you help.”
I’m still a few miles away from the castle, but I need to get there as soon as possible. Running there and coming back with help isn’t an option. It would take too long. I’ve never felt more powerless to not have magic. This is the time it would be vital.
I stand behind him and hook my arms under his. I lift up as much as I can then walk backwards in the castle’s direction. If I had my magic, I would’ve been able to pick him up as light as a feather. With a single spell, I could have crossed the distance between us and the clinic. But there’s no point in dwelling on the what ifs.
Oli is a big man, easily four times my size. Every few steps, I run out of breath.
“They are coming soon,” he says between heavy breaths. “You need to leave. Go far away.”
