Page 83 of Kiss of Light

“What happened to her?” Shade demanded brusquely. Lemar brushed the hair from Tala’s face.

“She was using borrowed magic. That light you saw to pinpoint our position - it drained her life force whenever she used it. I begged her not to, I told her to shimmer to the ground, but she wouldn’t listen.”

Shade nodded.

“She is the most stubborn demon I have ever met. But without that light I would not have seen you.” He glanced at Lemar. “She must think much of you to risk her life.”

“She was doing a job. A jobyouasked her to do.” He couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. “And because of it she’s at death’s door.”

“You are saying this ismyfault?” Incredulous, Shade took a step towards him and Raya hastily intervened.

“Gentlemen, let’s concentrate on Tala. Count Lemar, has this happened before?”

“Yes, my La… I mean, Raya. Last time she used it, it took several hours for her to heal.”

“What about your blood?” Shade demanded. “I have heard Vetali blood can heal.”

“Humans, yes. Not supernaturals. Besides, her sickness is magical. My blood is useless here.”

“But demons heal fast too, don’t they?” Raya asked. “If she got better last time, chances are she’ll recover again. It’ll just take a while. Shade, please fetch the healers.”

Shade went to the door and spoke to someone outside.

“The healers are on their way,” he said as he returned. He looked at Tala and a flash of worry crossed his features. Lemar remembered what she’d told him. That the jinn had done his best to help her when she was trapped in a box. That they were friends.

“She’s tough,” he said abruptly. “If anyone can come back from the brink of death, it’s Tala.”

Shade nodded.

“I once saw her take on a golem with nothing but her blades. Which are next to useless on a golem.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. I saw her take out half a dozen vampires and then she kidnapped me. All in the same night.”

Shade gave a surprised bark of laughter.

“That sounds like Tala.”

The healers came in, a man and a woman both challenged in the height department. They barely reached Lemar’s knees. They examined Tala in silence, occasionally giving each other knowing glances, and Lemar had the impression they were having a conversation no-one else could hear.

Eventually they turned to Shade and bowed respectfully.

“She is very weak, my Lord. Her life essence is still there. But it is sluggish, on the brink, and it is debateable whether it will come back this way or dissolve into the ether.”

“Can you not help her?” demanded Shade angrily. The healers flinched.

“It is ancient magic that ails her, my Lord. Far beyond our abilities to fix. But she is strong and there is hope. If she has a reason to return, she will.”

The healers shuffled out.

“I’ll stay as long as it takes,” Lemar said. “She’ll come back. You’ll see. She’s not a quitter.”

“I will stay too,” Shade announced. Raya laid a gentle hand on his arm.

“Sweetheart, I think we need to leave this to the Count.”

“But why?”

Raya rolled her eyes and stood on tiptoe to whisper five words into Shade’s ear. She needn’t have bothered. Clearly she didn’t know about vampire hearing. He heard what she said as clearly as if she’d yelled it from the rooftops, and he knew she was right.

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