Page 23 of Magic and Medicine

‘Jarek, Sir. Thank you, Sir. I want you to know I will guard her. I know you think a young wolf can’t do much, but I can. I can be your eyes and ears because no one ever notices me. Sir, she saved my life, and keeping Sara safe would go some way to paying her back, this man…’ His voice trailed off, and he gulped back the whisky. Jarek started coughing as soon as the fiery liquid hit his throat, and I struggled to restrain my smile, especially when his features firmed into determination.

I couldn’t help it. I liked this bold youngster, barely nineteen and still finding his way, who was so angry at the threat to his saviour and incredibly protective of her. Even with my thoughts focusing on Sara, I appreciated her young guardian’s determination and dedication to helping.

‘I will take care of this matter, but you have permission to guard her. Be discrete because she won’t appreciate being watched and avoid getting involved if something happens. Call your pack or Michal for backup. From tomorrow, you will start training with Adam and Tomasz. You are too smart to be a simple pack soldier, and once you are ready, I may have a position for you.’

Joy, pure and innocent, blossomed on his face. He looked at me like I’d handed his dreams to him on a silver platter. I thought he would cry for a second, but he reined himself in and bowed to me.

‘You won’t regret it, Sir. May I talk to her? Please.’ Jarek’s request surprised me. Now, he was pushing boundaries, and I frowned, hoping I hadn’t mistaken his loyalty for a teenage crush.

‘Why? There’d best be no thoughts of romance in that head of yours. The doctor has already agreed to my claim, and anyone who contests it will die.’ I said it so calmly, but surprisingly, I meant every word. I had intended to give the wolf a healthy reminder of the age difference. Instead, I threatened his life. Then a chuckle escaped me, startling poor Jarek as I realised the hypocrisy of my thoughts. Age gap, really? What was going on in my head at the moment?

‘No, I just wanted to thank her. Also, guarding her will be easier if I can earn her trust; that way, I can warn her of any danger while calling for help. She is nice but way too old for me, anyway.’ Jarek blurted out uncomfortably, and I burst out laughing.

Jarek was too smart for his own good but knew nothing about women. In my eyes, she shone with a light that would never be dimmed by age. Sara was not too old for anything, even by human standards.

‘Yes, you can talk to her. I suggest you choose honesty when you introduce yourself. Just don’t call me to save your hide if you tell her she is too old for you.’ I said, noticing his face redden as he bowed, and, with a quiet thank you, Jarek left the room.

Once I was alone again, I opened my laptop. It was time to clarify my position. I didn’t think Nadolny was responsible for the gift, not after the pup’s report, but there was a grain of doubt after her performance with the gangster… I just wanted to make sure, even if marking my territory was ridiculous. My email to him was as short as I could manage.

Someone sent Sarah a gift today. It will not happen again. My woman is off-limits. L.B.

The tracking software informed me that the email had been seen, but the impersonal method was wholly unfulfilling. I had to talk to Sara. Accepting gifts from strangers could only end in tragedy, especially with our association. If it was Nadolny, I could tackle the issue easily despite the burning jealousy, but if the pup was right… I didn’t like the fact that our mysterious trespasser knew about Sara. Another good reason for her to move into my house, if the bloody woman accepted my help, of course.

A glance at the clock told me it was nearly lunchtime, and after a moment of consideration, I changed my plan, postponing a meeting at the docks. I didn’t expect the next shipment to be loaded until late afternoon, but with recent events and my merchandise going missing somewhere between our warehouses and the buyer, I wanted to inspect the shipment myself. However, it could be done later, after it was loaded.

An incoherent grunt answered my call, the owner of the bad mood unhappy at such an early call. ‘Adam, I will be late for the inspection, so have a beauty nap. Maybe it will help with your pale complexion. I will see you this afternoon,’ I said, unable to resist teasing my friend whenever he was irritable.

‘You’ve got to be kidding. You insisted I woke up during the day because I’m your side bitch that needs to go everywhere with you, and now you are telling me you’ll be late. Let me guess. Your loyal bloodsucker can wait his turn while you chase after your newest conquest.’ He was furious, and I couldn’t blame him, but I wasn’t interested in dealing with his petulance.

‘Mind your words. I saved your depraved arse from the witches, and I’m the only one that’ll put up with your antics. You are my bitch, as you eloquently put it, and you will wait as long as I say. Sara is not a conquest. She is… an ally.’ I knew it was harsh, but Adam’s jealousy would get out of hand if he wasn’t reminded of his place. There was a pause before he gave a huff and mumbled a reply.

‘What?’ I snapped.

‘Just tell me one thing, Leszek. Where are you heading if not to the port?’ He asked, and I bit back a curse, but I didn’t want to lie to my second in command.

‘To the hospital.’ My answer was met with a single triumphant laugh from the other end of the call.

‘You may delude yourself, but not me, my friend. I don’t know how it happened, but she has hold of you by the bollocks. Don’t forget you have a company to manage, and half the elder races depend on this income. They work for you, respect you and rely on you. You can’t be seen as a weakling chasing after a human. Just fuck her and be done with it.’ He said, and I closed my eyes, letting the magic in me drain to the ground before it caused damage to my home. He can’t help himself, can he?

‘Adam, I have been too lenient with you because I like you and you are useful, but that ends now. If I dropped everything and walked through the Gates of the Nether, no one could stop me. Jurata would welcome me with open arms in Gedania, and this little empire, built on amber and petty manipulation, would collapse. You all live in relative peace here because I gave up my power for the sake of our people. So if I’ve found a woman that makes me happy, no one will stand between us. Understood?’

I stopped, shocked silent by my statement, but it was true; Sara made me happy. She didn’t fear me, obey me, or worship me. I could be the man I used to be in her company, and when her magic touched me, I felt complete. I wouldn’t give that up. After a tense pause, I continued.

‘It sounds like you finally understand. What I choose to do with Sara is none of your concern, and if you ever disrespect her again, you and your new seethe will be on the train to the last stop in South Poland.’ My voice was glacial when I ushered the threat, but Adam went quiet, and when he spoke this time, his voice held deference and contrite apology.

‘My apologies, Sir. I will head toward the harbour and wait for you there. Is there anything else you need me to do?’

‘Not for now. Tomorrow, you can present your report on our progress in acquiring a warehouse and repurposing it as a medical unit, and maybe I’ll treat you to that new Japanese whisky we were gifted last week,’ I heard Adam grunt, and I couldn’t help but smile. The cocky vampire found himself on the shitty end of the stick, and he didn’t like it. Still, given the task, I trusted Adam to account for every coin.

I ended the call and, choosing a suit good enough to impress Sara, dressed and prepared to surprise her. In a moment of inspiration, I ordered snacks and drinks for her department, and this small kindness left me feeling guilty for scolding Adam like that. I valued his friendship, preferring to work with him instead of over, but I couldn’t allow disrespect toward Sara. It would endanger her life and undermine my position in the volatilecriminalworld.

Chapter fifteen

I arrived at work a little late, provoking a few surprised glares, especially after I couldn’t blame my unusual gift and resorted to the good old-fashioned ‘Tram was late’ excuse. Still, the work day carried on until I heard my name.

‘Sara, look at this.’ The triage nurse called me over, the informality relaxing my suddenly tense shoulders, and I trotted to the window.

‘Look at what?’ I asked, unsure of what she was looking at. The morning sun brightened a street as busy as usual, enhancing the familiar sight, rays of light filtered by the trees, turning the view magical. The stream of people coming in and out of the hospital didn’t pause to admire the dancing shadows, rushing to handle their day-to-day business. Some strode toward the Emergency Department, while others walked past to enter the hospital through the main doors. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, but after my troubling morning, I couldn’t help but feel something was amiss.

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