Page 6 of Salvation
Dante gazed at him with an expectant look.
Best to go for broke on this one. “Okay, she’s abrasive, uptight, and may have an anger management problem.” That had sounded way better in his head.
“More than you?”
Whoa, what?
Dante leaned forward, his hands folded on his desk. “Nick, Sakura is my disipula and therefore my responsibility, just as you were. She is at least as gifted as you, and I anticipate her training will be as brief as yours. However, she is almost twenty-four. Had I discovered her sooner, she would be a full-fledged master healer by now. As my colleague I expect you to treat her as you would any other healer-in-training. Youwillput your differences aside, reach out to her, and share your knowledge, because the Holy Mother knows we are in desperate need of talented healers. And, as I see it, you have no other option.”
Blinking, Nick sat back. “Of all the thousands of healers out there, I don’t understand why it has to beus.”
“That whole gifted thing, it’s not a joke. All the Terrians we’ve discovered bearing Matiran heritage are immensely talented in their fields. Stronger than any of their Matiran counterparts. But so far, the only Terrianhealersare you, Alex, and Sakura. Of the three of you, only you and Sakura are viable candidates for this assignment.”
“Why not Alex?”
Dante gave him a look that said he should know better. And he did. Unlike him, Alex had achieved master healer status and could run the Infirmary during Dante’s absences. She also had her family to think about.
“What’s the big secret, Doc?”
Blue lips thinned. “You will find out tomorrow.”
Nick slapped his hands against the tops of his thighs, then pushed out of the chair. “Swell.”
“Don’t forget the book.”
“I won’t.” Nick hefted the volume from the desk. “You know, a digital version would be easier to carry.”
“Indeed.” Dante waved a long blue hand in the direction of the two-ton tome. “It is imperative certain parties remain unaware that we have obtained a copy. Hence, the untraceable, bound version.”
“Becausethisis so subtle.”
A ghost of a smile touched Dante’s mouth. “Take it easy with that book, it may be useful to you in the future. And do not go beating each other with it. It’s the only English translation in existence.”
“We’ll do our best.” He stalked toward the door.
“Nick?”
Nick turn partway to meet Dante’s gaze.
“It’s nice to have you back,ropo.”
Nick’s mouth twitched and the tightness in his chest eased at the Matiran word for my friend. “It’s good to be with you again,ades.” Brother.
~*~
Nick regarded the massive volume on the wide, black-top table in the common room of the student healers’ dorm. Sakura stood at his side, close enough that he could feel her body heat, but not touching. The delicate aroma of her green tea hung in the air like a subtle perfume.
Sakura set her steaming mug on the table. “Well? What are you waiting for?”
“Just admiring the cover. What kind of animal skin do you think it’s made from?”
“A dead one.”
He cast a side-long glance at her frowning countenance. So much for breaking the ice. She was a tough audience. Quitting while he was behind seemed like the best option. “Let’s see what we have here.”
Grasping the behemoth book with both hands, he dragged it closer, the unidentified olive-green animal skin shushing across the table top. At this point it didn’t matter where they started. His fingers found a spot along the edges of the pages, and he opened the book.
The sharp scent of fresh paper rose up. How long had it been since he’d opened a real book? Had to be at least seven years, and the last book he’d ever opened was probably a high-school text book. He’d been in biology class when the Anferthians came.
