Page 25 of Magic and Medicine

Finally, the surgeon and the anaesthetist stood there while I cut away the bandages, showing them the crusted skin flap that overlapped the wound.

‘Here, he needs theatre before this perforation causes sepsis.’ The longer I talked, the more I felt a headache grow. I had barely slept and hadn’t eaten today. I hadn’t even had my coffee, and this case made me feel dizzy, especially after the mistake I made. When the theatre nurse took the patient upstairs, I inhaled unsteadily and turned, heading toward the cafeteria.

As I left the resus room, I noticed my colleagues gathered around, looking suspiciously like they were waiting for some juicy gossip, attempting to cover sly smiles as their eyes turned toward me. Fortunately, Nina came to my rescue as I wondered why I’d become the centre of attention.

‘A man is waiting for you at the reception. I’ve never seen someone so out-of-place in all my time at the Emergency Department, so you better hurry before—What the hell is that?’ She exclaimed, and I spun around to see what she pointed at. Some idiot had parked in front of the triage, taking up the ambulance space before unloading two crates of what looked like snacks and coffee.

Ready to tear the driver a new orifice, Nina strode over, fists clenched in anger and telling the foolish man off, only to turn around, laughing as she announced.

‘Sara, seductress extraordinaire, has charmed a local business owner into providing us with lunch.’ She said and grabbed a passing nurse to lead the delivery man to the staff room.

We sometimes received perishable goods, usually pastries and coffee that didn’t sell that day, as a gift for the night shift, but it was never for lunchtime, and everything looked deliciously fresh. My stomach rumbled, and I was about to ignore whoever was waiting for me for the appeal of fresh coffee while my attention zeroed in on an apple strudel. I was ready to give in to my precious love of baked goods, but something told me disregarding my visitor would not be the best idea.

Nina was right. The visitor turned out to be Leszek, resplendent in a tailored three-piece suit and more handsome than any rugged movie star. He crouched, entertaining a harried mother’s child while three teenagers swooned over him, trying to attract his attention until one gathered the courage to stand up and approach.

‘Hi, once our friend has been seen, we were thinking of going to a bar, would you care to join us? I can give you my number.’ She said with hope written all over her face, and I saw the amusement in Leszek’s eyes.

‘You are very kind, but I’m afraid I’m already taken.’ He said, and I moved closer, trying to save the day but still avoid my colleagues seeing us together. No such luck as the frustrating man spotted me, calling out across the waiting room.

‘Sara, my love, I hope you had a good night. I apologise, but work kept me from your side. An unforgivable sin, but I hope you will allow me to take you for lunch?’

I stood, gaping like a stunned fish as he stalked over, gathering my unresisting body into his arms and claiming my mouth in a deep, possessive kiss before I came to my senses and pulled away as far as his hands allowed me.

‘Not here… please,’ I whispered, and I felt Leszek’s smile against my cheek while the tension seemed to leave his body. His beard brushed my ear when he whispered.

‘Yes, here. The more people know you are under my protection, the better, and if they know how much I’m willing to do for you, then even better. You are mine, Sara and I want everybody to know it,’ He whispered, taking my hand and lifting it to his lips, kissing it before I could react.

‘We can eat in the hospital cafeteria if you’re busy, or if you don’t have time, I can pick you up after work for a proper meal.’ Leszek said this part much louder, and I noticed the waiting room grow quiet, with several heads popping out of the E.R. to eavesdrop on the conversation.

‘Fine, let’s go,’ I said, panicking and dragging him to the staircase. On the lower ground level was a corridor for the storage area that we often use as a route to the cafeteria, its quiet emptiness perfect for avoiding difficult conversations with colleagues and patients, but in my haste, I had forgotten one thing: Leszek and his overwhelming presence. As soon as we disappeared from the line of sight, the impossible man grabbed my shoulder, pressing me against the wall as his lips descended to my neck.

‘What are you doing? We are alone; there’s no need to pretend.’ I said, pushing him away, trying to find an excuse to break from his touch before it went too far. He inhaled deeply, and a shiver ran down his body as his nose trailed over my skin.

‘You promised me three months, Sara, and yet only this morning I find out you accepted a gift from someone else. Who was it? Nadolny? He is not for you, my little seer. He may have honour, but he is a dangerous man who would overshadow your light, moulding you to his desire. I cannot let that happen. We will go to your house so that you can pack for your move into my home,’ He said, and I found it challenging to focus on his words, his breath giving me goosebumps as it brushed over my neck.

‘And you? How are you different? All you can think about is how to lock me up,’ I said when he gently stroked my cheek.

‘No, Sara. I want to lift you to where your light burns brightest, but for now, you are in danger, and I will do what I must to ensure your safety. Gdansk is not safe for our kind, and until you can protect yourself, it would be suicide to be alone. I would never lock you up, my Firefly. My home is not your cage but your shelter.’ His eyes shone with tenderness laced with desire as he spoke, causing my heart to race in response. I wanted to protest and say something clever, push him away and go my own way, but I felt my hands sliding to his shoulders to pull him closer, feeling his heartbeat against mine.

As the tension grew, Leszek suddenly frowned, his magic overpowering my senses, and he lifted my fingers to his nose, inhaling deeply and growling at what he discovered.

‘Why do you reek of Czernobog’s filth?’

Chapter sixteen

What do you do when a gorgeous man presents you with a speech that touches your soul, only to stop and look at you with eyes consumed by primordial power, one that has terrified humans for centuries? Well, I lost my temper, grabbed his expensive suit by the lapels, and pushed the arsehole away with all my strength.

‘What? I don’t reek of anything.’ I snapped, outrage overcoming whatever fear I might have felt. ‘You mean magic, yes? Whatever! I meant to tell you, anyway. The gift you mentioned? I don’t know who sent it, but my cat said not to touch it as it was dangerous.’

Leszek raised an eyebrow, and I realised what I’d said, revealing that my cat could talk, the heat of my cheeks telling me how red they must be.

‘Your… cat?’ he asked, his amusement at war with the anger in his eyes, but when I tried to push him away, his hand stroked my chin as he forced me to look him in the eyes. ‘No, my Firefly, don’t hide your face. It is good you’ve already found your guide, but I should be the one to teach you, not your cat. What exactly was this… gift? Did you open it?’

‘Yes, it was just a necklace. I thought you’d sent it as it looked weird and expensive, but a letter told me to choose the third option and wear it. Oh, and it called me a Soul Shepherd, like some priest in a frock. There was no signature, just the letter N.’ My explanation was rushed and unclear, but could I swear Leszek paled as he listened.

‘Even more reason for you to move in with me. Czernobog’s magic, which I can still sense on you, is dangerous. He presides over death, darkness, and all the vile creatures you see in nightmares. Who knows what will be delivered next time or who will visit your dreams? You did well following your guide’s advice. Now, it’s time to follow mine. I can even change into a cat if that will make you listen.’

You visit my dreams, I almost said before his last sentence hit me. Did he just make a joke? I stared at the man who blasted into my life, disrupting it with his arrogant demands whilst my hormones were voting for me to jump on board and ride him to O Town, and now he had a sense of humour. It felt as if he genuinely cared for my safety, even when I made him growl in frustration, but woe to me, I kind of liked it. A warm, gentle smile bloomed on his lips when he noticed my gaze, and against my better judgment, I smiled back.

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