Page 50 of Healer
“Can you heal her with that?”
Siereita leaned against the doorframe, holding a tray loaded with bread and a bowl of something that smelled like meat stew in her hands.
“No,” I admitted. “But it can ease her pain if I could get the damn thing to work.”
Siereita snorted, striding over and placing the tray on the table before me. “You need to eat and rest, Hakkar.”
My gaze drifted towards the bed, taking in the deep furrow etched between Agnes’ brows. “I can’t sleep, not while she’s....” I trailed off, not bringing myself to say the words, but they lingered in my soul.
So sick.
In such agony.
Plus, the one thought that struck my heart with an icy shard simply because I knew it to be true.
Near death.
I barked a frustrated, derisive laugh, remembering the other reason I would not let myself rest until the Bardaga arrived. “Plus, I wasn’t exactly subtle in affecting her rescue.”
“I heard,” Siereita commented dryly.
“Do you think we are in danger?” I cocked a brow, trepidation prickling along my spine.
“No,” she sighed, pinching off a nibble of bread. “Most here do not condone the slave trade the Ulkommanian deal in.
“Good.” Agnes moaned, and I jerked toward her, hovering until she seemed to ease.
Siereita’s slender fingers rested on my shoulder, a touch filled with compassion and friendship. It was a simple gesture, but one that spoke volumes.
“I have made inquiries, and it appears a merchant on south street has a Gilese crystal that will work in the Medi-unit.” Her voice rose barely above a murmur, not wanting to disturb Agnes.
“How much?” I asked and steeled myself for the answer.
“I do not know, but the shop is owned by a Targulani, and they love to negotiate.”
That sounded promising. Targulani were born merchants and would swap their mothers if it made a good deal. I still possessed many credits, although probably not enough to buy the crystal outright. If the merchant would bargain, I would trade my weapons... my skills... even my soul to help her. I glanced at Agnes. Even though she seemed to rest peacefully, I hesitated to leave her side.
“I will go buy the crystal.” Siereita offered, following my gaze.
“Thank you.” I stood, my hand finding her shoulder and giving a squeeze. Normally, a Ntavian pleasurer would see the touch as a signal of desire. Thankfully, Siereita seemed to understand that I only wished to convey gratitude. Retrieving my leather pouch from atop the dresser, I placed it in her hand. She gave the bag a small bounce, weighing its contents before closing her fingers around it.
“Use every single credit if you need.”
Siereita nodded, her gaze flickering to Agnes. I noticed a shimmer of wetness in her bright green eyes before she turned away. I listened as the Ntavian’s footsteps moved quickly, leaving the shop with haste.
Please Valana, let her be successful.
I pulled a chair to the side of the bed, gingerly taking Agnes’ hand in mine. A momentary grimace crossed her face, but I held on, unable to resist the need to touch her. The tea seemed to help, thank the goddess. Her skin had lost the grayish pallor, and her breathing seemed less strained and raspy.
I believed in science… in what I could touch and see. And while I believed in the existence of the goddess Valana, I’d never considered myself the religious sort. Yet now, sitting by Agnes’ side, feeling more helpless than when my brother bled out in my arms, I bowed my head. I prayed to the goddess and every other deity I managed to recall, even those from my Earth studies—Buddha, Allah, Jesus, God Jehovah, and Vishnu—repeating the same intercession.
Please protect my Aggie.
I laid my head on the pillow, wanting to be near, and watched her breathe, comforted by the rise and fall of her chest.
The sound of a door slamming jerked me awake. My gaze frantically scanned Agnes, but she still dozed, although now a faint frown creased her forehead. I attuned myself to the intruder, but the cadence and weight of the steps assured me it only Siereita returning.
I rose from the chair as the Ntavian entered, worry gnawing at my gut.
