Page 79 of The Healing Dragon
Looks like I am not the only one who hasn't heard of this. The past couple of days, I’ve tried to not think of Janelle or follow in any of her footsteps. I’ve not been very successful, but I tried.
“Earlier today at the clinic,” she says to me, then turns to West on my side. “How did you hear about it? It’s only been a few hours.”
West takes a bite from his apple. “The walls talk,” he says between chews.
Janelle looks at the clock on the wall then at Santiago.
“I have to go,” she says.
She picks up her plate and takes it to the trash.
“Wait.” I chase after her.
I take her plate out of her hands. I move to the trash and empty it out for her. The act is so casual and so much like we used to be.
“Jesse, do you know what you are doing?” she asks, looking around anxiously.
I take a step closer into her space. “Definitely.” I trace her lips with mine then take a step back. “Go on. I will find you later,” I say.
Her eyes are open wide and if it wasn't for the slight tint of pink on her cheeks I would worry she was in shock. She turnsto the hallway doors and swiftly leaves. I don't have to look around to know every eye is on me.
“That was subtle,” Santiago grins in my direction.
What can I say, I can't help it. I could have never been able to.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
JANELLE
“Stop whining, it’s your job,” Matias says.
The large number of people coming in and out of the library is truly testing Santiago’s patience right now. Lined up one by one in front of the help desk, they all patiently wait for him. Santiago rolls his eyes as yet someone else joins the line. He paints a fake pleasant smile on his face and goes up to help them. It’s an awfully busy day at the library for lunch time. During meals it’s usually when the halls are emptier, but that is not the case today.
Isabel and I finish early at the nursery. She is in a hurry to get back to Brandon. As their trip to Fierno nears, she needs to do a lot of the planning for them.
“Found anything?” Matias asks me.
I shut a book with a bang. “No.”
Pad catches my attention as he looks around the library as if searching for someone. When his eyes land on me, he waves. He dashes through the crowd, stopping when he finally reaches my table.
“I need your healingmagic,” he says.
Getting straight to the point. I appreciate the lack of fake pleasantries.
I tilt my head. “Do you feel bad?” I healed him a couple of days ago and from his walking speed, he can’t be in too much pain.
I reach my hand to him, but he waves me off.
“I need you to come with me.” He clears his throat. “I’m afraid this person can’t come to you.”
I give Matias a look and he gestures for me to go ahead. I follow Pad out of the library, giving Santiago a wave and gesture that I will be right back. The sour look on his face might have more to do with the line starting to reform in front of his desk.
We walk down to the tower that houses most of the people who live in the Black Castle. We stop when we see a cluster of people outside of a door.
“My good old friend is in a lot of pain today. Do you think you can take some of that away?” Pad asks in a hush tone.
We reach the door and the people standing outside all turn to look our way. The first thing I see inside is a young woman hugging a distraught older woman. Amy Bee exits the room and greets Pad and me.
