Page 27 of Magic and Medicine

‘Look, I get it. We both feel this chemistry between us. I agreed on pretending to be a couple, so you’re probably thinking, the hell with it, let’s behave like it’s real and have some fun. That does not sit well with me. You’re a complete stranger who disrupted my life, revealing a whole new world of magic and danger, so how am I supposed to contend with this without processing the craziness? I have a good life, work I love, and friends who are the only ones who could help me process this much weirdness.’ With a headache forming, I closed my eyes. ‘I will move in because it seems reasonable to me and important to you, but please, let’s try not to do something we’ll both regret, no matter how tempting. Teach me about my magic, then, if we haven’t killed each other, let’s agree to go our separate ways…’ My voice trailed off when I opened my eyes to the sight of Leszek’s hard, feral smile. He didn’t appreciate my speech, and the taut severity of his features told me I wouldn’t like his response.

‘Sara, for the next three months, I will do what I want with you, and if I decide to treat you like my woman, I will. You swore an oath to the Forest Lord, and no amount of arguing will help you evade payment. I will take you to your apartment after your shift so you may pack, and then you will move into my home. At least then we can avoid receiving gifts meant to harm you.’ I drew a breath to argue, but when Leszek sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily, I backed down, letting him continue. ‘Go back to work, little healer, before your friend comes back to berate you,’ he said as he leaned over, kissing my cheek tenderly and heading back upstairs.

I looked at his back, too angry to say anything else. He was adamant about ignoring my words, but what was worse, he seemed unable to stop touching me, and I felt so tired fighting it; part of me wishing to go with the flow and see where I took me. I sighed deeply, following him upstairs.

My cheeks flamed as Leszek made a scene of saying goodbye in reception. Only after he was gone did I realise I hadn’t told him about my vision from touching the burns victim. I was sure he could help or at least explain why it happened, but, at least for now, I was determined to find my answers rather than risk deepening my bond with him.

‘Nina, I will be in intensive care if anyone needs me,’ I said. My friend nodded, busy checking charts as I headed upstairs.

It didn’t take me long to find him. The man in question had returned from surgery, still wrapped in burns dressings while his life hung by a thread. Looking at him, I knew he’d taken a turn for the worst as the grey veil of death shrouded him despite the best medical attention.

‘At least show me who did this to you,’ a deep sadness seeped into my voice, knowing we’d failed to save him, and I lay a hand on his forehead, ready for the pain. The vision replayed as before, the same men and their leader painting flaming symbols on the wall. I clenched my teeth when the man was shot, focusing on the fair-haired leader while he drew the sigils. Finally, my vision darkened when the victim lost consciousness. I memorised the face of the enemy and the symbols he painted. That would have to be enough.

I pulled away from the engineer’s memory, panting heavily, but I couldn’t leave the room, not just yet. Whatever it meant, I was a Soul Shepherd, and I wanted to help protect his soul or guide it to the afterlife.

‘I know the pain is unbearable, and you are scared, but I promise you are not alone. If you wish to fight, I will try to help, but it is okay if you cannot continue; I can ease your journey. I will seek out your murderer and bring him to justice.’ As I spoke, my fingers stroked the poor man’s forehead, my words a gentle whisper. I didn’t need to look up to see his response, the monitors going crazy as his soul flickered before it finally disappeared. Was that the purpose of my magic? To ease the soul’s passage and let my patients feel less alone in their final breath? I thought, fighting back tears, the moment breaking my heart, even as I felt it, the veil, the afterlife, whatever it was, opening up to gather him to its bosom. When the light was no more, I walked out before the alarms dragged the crash team to his bed for whatever futile efforts they made to save him.

It was such an arrogant promise to make to a dying soul. Now, I was afraid. This new magic, soul guiding or whatever you would call it, felt too grand for me, yet it felt so right. The worst was that a man who didn’t hesitate to kill had seen me in the vision. The sensation I’d felt when it happened was similar to the moment I saw Czernobog’s necklace, forcing me to come to the only logical conclusion: he already knew where I lived, and I was sure he wanted my magic.

Standing in the corridor, I saw the crash team rush past me, equipment in hand. The last person, the intensive care consultant, a colleague of many years, stopped beside me, placing a hand on my arm.

‘Yes?’ he asked, hopeful, but I shook my head. We both understood the meaning of this question, the experience of years behind us.

‘No,’ I said, and he squeezed my arm.

‘Alright, at least he didn’t suffer for long. Go, I’ll take care of him.’

It struck me how easily he accepted my judgment. Maybe I should have realised earlier that my entire career as a prodigy was a lie based on the magic I pretended I didn’t have.

Now, I could no longer pretend, but as my grandma said, try the window if the door is blocked. Leszek was my window of opportunity to learn, to be safe, and maybe even smile, as long as I wasn’t too eager to rely on him.

‘Well, Tree Boy, you got yourself a girlfriend. Hopefully, you don’t snore too loudly,’ I said. Accepting the inevitable lifted an immense weight from my shoulders. I didn’t know what I was, but I was determined to find out and learn to be the best… whatever…Icouldbe.

Chapter seventeen

After leaving Sara’s side, I sat down to dine alone. I couldn’t help it. I caught myself smiling each time I remembered the blush on Sara’s face when I kissed her fiercely, staking my claim for any prying eyes to see. She would come to my home today, and I couldn’t wait to see her reaction when she saw the island. My home, my sanctuary, the one place I never took any of my fleeting romances. I want to see her walking between my trees, those dainty hands brushing the bark of ancient oaks. Even thinking about it brought so much contentment that I wished time could flow faster.

For my meal, I chose a cosy little cafe along the banks of the river Motlawa, hoping the calming flow of its deep waters would positively affect my chaotic thoughts. The ships and yachts slowly sailing past, gorgeous boulevards and magnificent granaries always helped remind me why I continued to protect the people under my charge. Here in the centre of the old town, under buildings and mud, beat the heart of Gdansk, a city that had never surrendered its freedom despite being conquered countless times, my home.

Thinking over today’s events, I remembered Jarek’s desire to protect Sara and wondered if he was already watching her. If he was, then his insistence that no one noticed him was correct; not once had I detected a shapeshifter and with that, my mind inevitably turned to the woman herself, the note she’d received this morning worrying me the most. A Soul Shepherd. If correct, then the situation was becoming more complicated. Sara, who, like the spirit of Gdansk, loved her freedom and was unyielding in the face of any such threat, would not appreciate the measures needed to keep her safe from those wanting to exploit her magic.

I could still taste her on my lips, and I mentally slapped myself for thinking of her and not the problems that needed to be addressed. I did it again, but the lingering scent of her body and the thought of her in my home stripped me of my reason. Damn it, this was going to be trouble. I may have overstepped in the basement, but I’d been worried and angry, which brought out the worst of me. Sara had been attacked after I left her unprotected, Czernobog’s magic inflaming every protective instinct, almost unleashing the beast I tried to keep hidden. I didn’t want her to fear me or be disgusted by my true nature. I wanted my Firefly to trust me, not just with keeping her safe, but with her heart.

As things were now, she didn’t trust me enough to share anything unless I tricked it out of her. It was surprising that Sara had already discovered her spirit guide, but it opened up another source of information. However, with it being a cat, they weren’t known to be the most helpful creatures.

‘Your coffee, sir.’ Allowing her fingers to slide across the back of my hand, an overly familiar waitress placed a large glass before me, falling back as I snapped my head sharply in her direction. ‘A caramel latte, just as you ordered. If it’s not right, I could always make a new one,’ she said with a slight shiver.

I nodded, turning back and ignoring her presence, reaching for the pale concoction. Coffee was not a favourite of mine, but Sara seemed to enjoy it, the sweet taste reminding me of her lips as we kissed. Unfortunately, the vile commercial brew had nothing in common with the tingling spice of the doctor’s lips, the overwhelmingly sickening sweetness of the coffee curdling my tastebuds, and I settled for breathing in the aroma to prompt the memory, inspiration flashing before me as I savoured the scent.

As I called Michal, my smile was full and satisfied. ‘Install a coffee machine in the kitchen and buy the best roasts available,’ I said, not even bothering with a greeting.

‘Sir, I have been trying to reach you for the last two hours. There was an incident at the docks, an explosion on the ship due to be loaded today, and something similar happened at Nadolny’s warehouse. He’s been on the phone ever since, demanding answers, saying he hasn’t touched your woman, so why did you attack his property? What should I do?’ He asked as I thought about the situation. This must have happened during my visit to the hospital, the last-minute change of plans possibly saving the lives of my men.

‘Tell Nadolny I’ll be at his office in half an hour, and tell him he has an information leak. I’ll explain when I get there. Ensure Adam and his team are alright and secure the shipment if it wasn’t on the ship. Oh, and don’t forget the damned coffee machine; we’ll still be having a guest over later.’

‘That woman?’

‘Yes, that woman and, if I’m not mistaken, her cat as well,’ I said, finishing the conversation. As soon as I put the phone in my pocket, I headed to my car. It would take me about half an hour to drive to the Anchor in the heavy traffic, and that was the meeting I didn’t want to be late for.

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