Page 29 of Big Top Bear Raid
“Only if I’m familiar with the signature of another warlock’s magick.”Focusing on Wraith, an expression of distaste twisting his features, Urskin admitted, “Which I am.”
Then Urskin refocused on what he was doing.He used a small spoon to scoop a dollop of the ointment from the tin into the mortar bowl.Then he opened one of the small pouches.Holding it near Wraith’s arm, Urskin reached into it.
Pausing, Urskin held his gaze once more.“I apologize in advance, but this will hurt,” he warned.“Ready?”
Wraith had no clue what he was supposed to be ready for, but he jerked a nod anyway.
Urskin’s lips tightened as he drew out a bit of pale purple powder between his thumb and pointer finger.“Stay as still as you can.”With that final warning, Urskin sprinkled the powder directly onto Wraith’s slice wound.
Searing pain flashed through his arm, and Wraith barely stopped himself from jerking away.Dark spots actually danced across his vision.Sweat broke out on his forehead and temples, and his jaw ached with the effort it took to keep it clenched so he didn’t scream.
Faintly, Wraith heard Urskin encouraging him to breathe.
Right.Breathing would be good.
Wraith sucked in a harsh breath before letting it out on a hiss through bared teeth.After a few seconds, he forced himself to take a second, then a third lungful of air.It took a moment, but finally, Wraith got his breath back.
Urskin eyed him with sympathy as he dipped his fingers into the pouch again.“I know this hurts like a bitch,” he murmured.“But I need to do that one more time.”
“Gods, seriously?”Wraith would forever deny the whine in his tone.When Urskin grimaced and nodded, he grumbled, “Anyone ever do this to you?”
When Urskin began to shake his head, Wraith scowled.“Then how the hell would you know?”
Yup.Now I’m being pissy.
Smirking, Urskin claimed, “I had to do it to myself.”He glanced toward the left side of his torso, his inference clear.
“Shit.”Wraith really felt like a douche.“Sorry.Let’s get this over with.”
Wraith mentally steeled himself for another round of agony.Unfortunately, it was worse the second time, and he may have passed out for a few seconds, but he wasn’t certain.When Wraith blinked his eyes back open, he saw something that looked suspiciously like a sickly blue-green puss oozing from his wound.
Gagging, Wraith barely kept down his second lunch.“What the fuck?”he managed.
“The color of that discharge tells me what kind of poison was used on the blade,” Urskin explained, quickly adding a scoop of powder to the ointment he’d already placed in the bowl.He added a couple of drops of clear fluid with a dropper, saying, “Distilled water,” then began using his pestle to mix it all together.
Urskin began a soft chant.Immediately, the gritty-looking paste took on a vibrant, glowing blue hue.When the warlock stopped speaking, it remained a rich color.
Gripping Wraith’s arm just below the bleeding wound, Urskin smiled and told him, “You’ll like this part.”Then, using what looked like a butter knife, Urskin spread the ointment over his torn flesh.
To Wraith’s surprise, a cool, soothing sensation spread through his arm.The pain immediately eased.It even tingled a little, which felt sort of neat.
Urskin was right.Wraith definitely liked that part.He watched in fascination as the green sludge was expunged from his body.Urskin caught it in a metal container, using the butter knife to make certain no drop was missed.
Once Urskin appeared to have gotten it all, he used a damp cloth to wipe away the excess ointment.He put a lid on his container and tucked both items, as well as the used tools, into a resealable bag.
“I’ll clean everything later,” Urskin explained as he began tucking everything away.“As well as sanitize them, disposing of the toxins properly.”
Wraith nodded slowly as he felt the effects of the spell dissipate.“Did you send my mate away because you knew how painful this would be?”he asked curiously.After all, shifters could be irrational about keeping their mates from pain, regardless of the how and why.
“In part.”Urskin chuckled as he rose to his feet, then offered him a hand.“And you have to admit, getting Zion out of my way was important.”Once Wraith was on his feet, the warlock crossed to a trailer and picked up the poisoned knife from where it’d fallen.“Plus, Lawrance needed to be tracked.”Urskin wrapped the knife in a piece of leather before tucking that away, too.“And this also gave Acadia a chance at a little revenge.”
Wraith nodded.There really wasn’t any other word for it.He supposed it could be called restitution, but revenge definitely fit, too.
Another thought hit him, and Wraith couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you worried about Lawrance running into your familiar?Uh, Warsaw?”Easing his soiled shirt from his body, he continued, “He and Steele have been working together, after all.”
Urskin smiled as he shook his head.“No.I gave Warsaw immunity to magick after bonding with him,” he told him nonchalantly.“Hmmm...I can clean that, but not repair it.”Urskin held out his hand.
“Wow, you can do that?”Wraith asked in surprise as he handed over his bloody shirt.“Give him immunity, I mean.That’s impressive.Can all warlocks do that for their familiars?”
