Page 62 of The Healing Dragon
“Thank you,” Pad says as he takes the herbs in hand. Hekisses the bag and pulls it to his chest in a gesture of appreciation.
“Wait,” I say without thinking.
I reach Pad and place my hand in his. I close my eyes and push the healing energy into him. It’s unlikely that I’ll be able to completely heal him. Oli has had a bad knee for years now. I’ve been able to soothe his pain to the point he feels as if nothing is wrong with him.
Pad gasps as we both watch as his hands stop shaking.
“It’s gone, the pain is gone.” His laughter is genuine this time.
“How?” Amy Bee asks in shock.
“It won’t last forever, maybe a couple of days,” I say.
I didn’t have to soothe Oliver every day, but about once a week unless he had an especially hard day. I might have to add stopping at the kitchen as part of my routine before or after breakfast to make sure Pad is ready for the day.
“Can you cure chronic pain?” Amy Bee asks, trying to figure out what just happened.
“I can soothe it. I can heal only small things like cuts and scratches. But for big illnesses or internal injuries, I can soothe the pain away.”
The look on Amy Bee’s face is close to diabolical. It’s a smile, but I’ve never seen something so wide and expressive on her face. I take a step back and regret ever saying she wasn’t something to fear. Isabel has my condolences.
“Can you please be here by five tomorrow morning?”
“I don’t think so. That’s an unholy hour.”
Who on earth gets that early to do anything requiring functioning?
“Janelle Duelo,” Amy Bee says in a sweet sing-song voice. “Be here tomorrow by five in the morning or I will gofind you.” Her smile drops and the tone of her voice does, too. “You don’t want me to go find you.”
“Fine,” I spit out. “I’ll be here tomorrow morning at five.”
“I do not know what’s happening, but I will be here too with breakfast for all of us,” Pad says with a smile.
“That is very nice of you, Pad,” Amy bee says in a cheerful tone once again.
I watch the little sociopath walk back to her desk in her cheerful mood.
“I will head out then.” I look between them.
“See you tomorrow bright and early,” Amy Bee waves with a smile, like she didn’t just threaten me and forced my hand.
I roll my eyes and leave the clinic. Looking at a clock on the wall, I realize I spent longer than anticipated with that errand. I make my way to the forest behind the castle. The training circles seem almost deserted as the dining hall fills with hungry people.
My steps pause in the middle of the yard as pressure rises, slowing my pace. The current pressure of the atmosphere resembles the one of water. I take one step and the pull against it reminds me of walking in a pool.
“This is odd,” I say.
I place my hand up and try to scan for magic when I recall my lack thereof. That is also when I recall the protection spell that encapsulates the Black Castle and its grounds. I push against the pressure and walk past it. Once the tension drops, I know I have crossed the barrier. I look back at the castle and admire how the few people that were visible by the gardens seconds ago are gone. The protection spell conceals anyone on the other side from sight.
I walk into the woods and find the first clearing and spot Matias and Santiago right away. They are sitting side by side on a boulder with a bag of snacks between them. I knew thatplanning to meet during lunch didn’t mean either of them were planning on going hungry. I’m glad about it too.
“There you are!” Matias greets with a smile.
The bags under his eyes look smaller and the smile less heavy. Last night I was so tired. I slept like the dead and from the looks of it, so did Matias. I’m glad for it.
I only get a nod from Santiago, but I don’t mind. That’s a better greeting than I got yesterday.
“Let’s not delay this any further.” I turn to look into the vegetation. “Matias, can you call for it?”
