Page 64 of Magic and Medicine

Leszek’s body tensed. He looked at me through narrowed eyes, and I wished I could spare him this worry, but the void in me didn’t want to close. I needed to be there to ensure Nikolai Rostov would never walk this earth again. I’d fought to preserve life all my life, but I needed to end this one, to right the wrongs and ensure no one else would suffer at his hands.

‘No, Sara. You know it’s a trap. I’m sorry darling, but I won’t allow this,’ He said, and I felt a wave of magic enfold me. Coercing me to give up? Really? I almost felt the doors of a gilded cage closing on me before I stepped away from Leszek’s outstretched hand.

‘You don’t own me,’ I whispered, too tired to cry again. I know why he did it, but it didn’t lessen the feeling of betrayal. After everything we’d been through, he still tried to control me with his magic. He had good reason, an excellent reason born from love, but it didn’t change the fact that in stripping me of my choice, he behaved like one of those assholes from my past.

I needed to get out of there. It was too much. The pressure in my chest intensified with each passing moment, my emotions threatening to choke me, and I couldn’t even turn to Leszek because, for him, the world could burn if it meant I was safe. I looked around, but there were no wounded to help. Rostov ensured everyone was dead except for Jarek, who, I guessed, was left alive to deliver the message. There was nothing for me to do, and I needed to feel the salty wind on my face, blasting the traces of my tears away. I needed to feel free.

I turned and walked toward the exit. The little dream I’d had lasted such a short time. My hospital was in ruins before we could even open it. Kris and Kamil were risking their lives fighting fires in the dockyard to cover up for this slaughter. Rysiek and Damian, with haunted looks, were helping grief-stricken wolves mourning their brethren. Jarek was dead, and Nina…

My world had fallen to smaller and smaller pieces since the day I met Leszek, and the man I loved couldn’t accept my decision, acting like my life was more important than those I cared about.

‘Sara, stop. We need to talk.’ He called behind me, but I kept walking, hoping the fresh evening air would ease the pain in my chest.

‘Stop!’ He roared, power reverberating through the air, and my steps faltered. I heard Leszek’s footsteps approaching but couldn’t face another argument. I needed to be alone, so I closed my eyes, imagining my apartment. My safe haven before the Nether came into my life, wrecking it completely.

Magic shimmered in me, resisting Leszek’s command. The lingering aftermath of my anguish burned through my body, and with a stumbling twist of reality, time slowed again, and I broke free of my lover’s power. I walked through the deserted dockyard, feeling increasingly drained by the temporal distortion, with one thought driving my steps. I wanted to go home. My home. It didn’t take long before my body rebelled against the spell, and I found myself panting near the main street with barely enough energy to call for a taxi. I wasn’t sure how long the drive was, but the next thing I remember was the blissful darkness of my living room before I fell face-first on the carpet.

I woke up feeling like I’d been beaten with plastic pipes, and the rough fibres of the carpet irritated my skin. Lifting my head slowly, I fought a wave of nausea. The constant buzz of my phone didn’t help, but at least I was in my apartment. I’d recognise the coffee stain under the sofa anywhere. Slowly, I rolled onto my back and looked at my phone. Leszek’s number repeatedly flashed when I turned down the volume before throwing it on the sofa.

I knew losing so many of his men affected him. Leszek hadn’t been himself from the moment he saw the bodies. It didn’t excuse him for trying to force my hand, but I knew I had overreacted. We both needed time and right now, I felt broken and selfish, unable to deal with his feelings and attitude before I sorted out my own.

I didn’t know how long I lay there staring at the ceiling, but eventually, I got up and went to the bathroom. A hot shower helped me gather my thoughts. Calmer, I phoned Veronica, but she spoke before I could say a word.

‘Come to the Coven tomorrow, and I’ll teach you all I know, what little knowledge I have, at least. Those who tamper with time and death don’t usually live long enough to pass on the knowledge. What you did today skirted close to being Dark Arcana, Sara. I hardly dare to ask if you knew you were using the death of those shifters when you created your temporal distortion.’

‘How did you know what I was going to ask? Death… No, I just wanted to go home.’

‘I know, and the tiredness in your voice tells me you tethered the spell to yourself. Tampering with time can be dangerous, but nothing is more dangerous than an untrained witch willing to burn up her life force just because she wants to go home.’ I heard a heavy sigh on the other side before Veronica continued.

‘Still, I can’t deny you are a rare talent. That you manipulated time like that with no preparation or knowledge? I haven’t heard of anyone doing that before. Our gracious leader thought Rostov had stolen you away, which gave me a bit of satisfaction despite him blowing up my phone, demanding a city-wise search and the promise I would tell him immediately if you showed up on our doorstep. If that wasn’t enough, he left one of his wolves here to ensure I followed his orders.’

‘I’m sorry.’ I managed before Veronica cut me off.

‘No, you don’t. There’s nothing to apologise for. Knowing him, he did something male and upset you, so we, the Coven, that is, decided to shield you until you’re ready to face him. Fighting the will of the Forest Lord is draining, and you should get some rest,’ she said, and only now did I realise no one was hammering on my doors carrying coffee and chocolate.

He must be worried senseless. I thought, sighing softly.

Leszek may have shown his ruthless, commanding side, disregarding my wishes and opinions, but I hadn’t acted any better. Grieving after Jarek and worrying myself senseless about Nina, I almost did something unforgivable, and I didn’t even have the whole Nether to protect. We both messed up, but this time, it was my responsibility to fix it before our misunderstanding caused even more damage.

‘No, drop the shield. Let him find me.’ My quiet words seemed to surprise her.

‘Are you sure? He is unhinged. Maybe wait till morning?’

‘He would never hurt me. I may not be thinking clearly today, but this is one thing I’m sure of. Lift the shield, please. Let him find me. I will come to the Coven tomorrow.’

When the call ended, I phoned the hospital, leaving a message for HR that Nina and I would be unavailable for a few weeks because of family issues. They would most likely blow up my phone tomorrow, but I needed time and space, and I hadn’t taken an absence for ages, so they had no reason not to suck it up.

Half an hour after my phone conversation with Veronica, I heard a quiet rapping on my door. I knew it was him, but I didn’t expect him to knock, maybe barge in, but not politely knock. Biting my lip, I went to answer the door.

Leszek stood there, wet and miserable, his eyes two pools of darkness as he looked at me.

‘May I come in, please?’

I gestured him inside.

‘What happened to you? You’re soaking wet….’

‘It’s raining, and I ran…’ He reached up to stroke my cheek before his fingers clenched in a fist, and he lowered his hand. ‘I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I would never hurt you. When you disappeared, I… forgive me, my Firefly.’

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