Page 29 of Magic and Medicine

I knew why Adam was so upset; the organisation was our family, and he was determined to defend it at all costs, but my overzealous protégé still struggled to listen. My hand tightened on his collarbone until it gave a satisfying crunch, and Adam’s face contorted in pain. My magic seeped into his skin, immobilising him.

‘When I said he had nothing to do with it, it was because his warehouse, full of alcohol worth thousands of dollars, burned to the ground. Also, you forget about our newest enemy. Remember the attackers who captured the merfolk, shot Jarek and most likely coerced a woman to stick Czernobog’s dagger in your chest, or maybe you’ve forgotten the last few weeks? If your brain isn’t rotting from the tainted blood you’re drinking, you would see someone is trying to set us up, and you’re helping them by contradicting me in public.’ After releasing my hold, Adam instantly clasped the damaged shoulder, pressing the displaced collarbone back.

‘That was fucking unnecessary, and who the hell is Jarek?’ He said, using vulgarity to cover the pain.

‘And that’s the only part you picked up on out of all that? Once again, I had to prevent you from making a reckless decision. Jarek is the wolf pup you saved, and probably have a very complete file on him back at your office. He is Sara’s new shadow, as your people weren’t keeping a close enough eye on her, letting a stranger leave a package for her that contained a bespelled item. That young man was the only reason I even knew about it.’

The frown Adam gave me when I criticised his team was protective and made me proud, even if his attitude didn’t.

‘I will look into it, but are we hiring kids now? Leszek, what’s going on? Why are you treating this woman so differently?’ I didn’t blame him for the questions, so I answered his question despite the surge of anger.

‘She is a Soul Shepherd.’

‘I don’t care if she suckles from… she’s what?’

‘A Soul Shepherd, Soul Stealer, God Killer, whatever you want to call her. Now you know why I have to keep her close.’ If I’d been on the ship with Sara acting against me, her magic could easily have tethered my soul to this body, and I would have died a true death, with no escape to the Nether and no afterlife in Nawia. Worse still, it was clear Czernobog’s servant knew this and had tried to capture her.

‘You could kill her, end of problem.’ Adam, it seemed, was back to his pragmatic self as he stepped out of reach, knowing my reaction. ‘Fine, you want her by your side? Not your wisest decision, but fine.’

‘Don’t make me break any more bones,’ I said because I couldn’t explain my reasoning behind this decision, only knowing that if something happened to her, a part of me would die too.

Even with thoughts of Sara teasing my soul, there was work to be done. After she was safe in my home, I needed to take Czernobog’s dagger to the local Coven. Now that we had a tentative understanding, their artefact master might tell me where it came from or at least tell me whether the curse that forced the user to target non-humans was aimed at Adam. The crunching of bone distracted me, and looking over, I watched as the vampire repaired the damage I’d caused.

‘I wish you’d find another way to make your point. I may heal easily, but it still hurts. We should ask the paramedics and firefighters if there’s any new information. The hold was empty, so with such an intense fire, if it wasn’t Nadolny, it was likely caused by someone magical. Your power would be useful for that.’

‘Not this time. Use your artefact to check for spells. I have to pick up Sara from the hospital.’ I realised my mistake when Adam cursed, shaking his head.

‘Of course. I should have known. Since you met Sara, I feel I don’t know you anymore. I understand you like her, but do you know what it looks like when you keep running at her beck and call?’

‘What is so hard to understand? I protect what is mine, and if she’s the only woman to make me feel alive since Jurata, then so much better. You are still young, but after several millennia, you will learn to cherish anyone who brings colours back to your life. Now, please excuse me. I need to pick up my woman before she talks herself out of going with me. I will meet you in a couple of hours. Find out what you can about this incident, and come over later, and you might get some of that whisky I mentioned earlier.’ With that last remark, I headed back to the car.

Adam was trustworthy, even if he could barely tame his impetuous nature, but something else made me rush to pick up Sara. The faint charred smell I detected on her. I’d ignored it when we met today, but knowing my luck, she’d encountered a victim from the ship fire, and I was curious if she’d discovered anything.

My finger lifting from the call button, I barked out. ‘Buy the best cat food you can find,’ I said, hearing my assistant choke in reply.

‘Wha…?’ I didn’t wait to hear his questions, knowing he would fulfil my order. If Sara was anything like the local witches, her ball of fur was as close to her as a child, and I intended to buy myself into itsgoodgraces.

Chapter eighteen

For bribery in the ER, money just won’t cut it, so with baked goods, coffee and the promise to return the favour, I persuaded my colleague to come in an hour early so I could sneak out and return home with plenty of time to discuss today’s events with Scarface.

A guide. That term still felt weird, even after being confronted by the reality, but thinking it over, even before he talked, Scarface had always been there for me. His grizzled muzzle pushed its way into my hand every time I needed comfort from the stresses of work, especially when the shadowy monsters refused to leave me alone.

After handing over the department to my colleague, it took moments to change and run for the exit, but my sigh of relief was short-lived as a tall figure stepped into my path.

‘Sara? Where are you going?’ At the sound of Leszek’s voice, a curse escaped my lips as I slid to a stop on the polished hospital floor.

‘Fuck.’

‘Possibly, but not here, my Firefly.’ A mischievous smile teased the corner of his lips, but his eyes remained wary. ‘You haven’t changed your mind, have you?’

Shoulders sagging as he took my bag, and placing the strap over his shoulder, I sighed, taking the arm he proffered, giving him what my nurses called my strong side-eye when he put his hand over mine. Possessive much? I thought, but clearly, my look wasn’t as strong as my team pretended, his expression remaining one of patient expectation while he awaited my answer.

‘No, I’m even willing to admit you might be right that it’s the best solution if only to prevent you from fattening up my co-workers.’ I said, feeling this awkward need to explain myself before he thought I wanted to run away. ‘Alright, as silly as it sounds, I wanted to talk with my cat about the move. Scarface deserves a say in his living arrangements, and I’m no one’s anything.’ As I spoke, I felt the blush warm my cheeks, silently cursing my pale complexion that broadcast my feelings to the world.

‘You’re being considerate, not silly, and I must say, it’s simply adorable. However, having bonded with you, Scarface will only be happy living beside you, so the consideration is unnecessary; most witches wouldn’t even think to ask. Now that you’re free let us go so I may greet his illustrious personage.’

Leszek was a handsome man, even if his expression was often stern and unforgiving, but when he smiled, he transformed into a work of art, the mischievous glint in his eyes melting more of the wall around my heart, as I imagined sharing a glass of wine, cuddled against his chest in front of a roaring fire. Sneaking a look at his classic profile, I allowed myself to hope a little. Maybe we’ll do that one day, the idea making my blush worse. The longer I knew the Lord of the Forest, the more he made me feel at ease, and despite my protests, I was tentatively looking forward to spending some time in his company.

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