Page 31 of Magic and Medicine

‘Michal, send a clean-up crew to Sara’s apartment. Yes, now, and make sure everything is ready for our arrival.’ He said, and a moment later, I was engulfed in his embrace.

‘I wasn’t done with… Where’s Scarface?’ I shouted, suddenly frantic, but Leszek turned, and there he was, my little warrior, safe and sound in a pile of my torn clothing.

‘No, my Firefly. You are done. I allowed you a moment of anger, but I won’t let you walk this path. My people will be here soon, and we will take this filth away for proper questioning.’ He said, and I couldn’t believe my own ears.

‘You… allowed me?’ I said through clenched teeth, pulling myself from his embrace. Did he think I was a silly little woman to be allowed to feel anger? The voice in the back of my mind whispered that Leszek was right, that he healed Scarface, but I was too far gone for any of this to matter. It felt like I’d lost everything.

‘Sara, you are not a killer. I promise he will get what he deserves, but I can’t let you rage. Believe me, it’s for the best.’

‘Best for whom?’ I said, looking at him, completely astounded. ‘Look around you. Can’t you see what he did?’

Leszek frowned, holding me even tighter. ‘Sara, please, let me handle this; everything will be all right. You are not yourself, and I can’t let you do something you’d regret.’

‘Let me… Those words again. How I hate you right now. My house is trashed, my cat was almost killed, and some fucker I don’t know is after me. All because of you and that idiot bloodsucker who barged into my ER with a knife in his chest. You don’t know me, and you don’t own me, and nothing gives you the power to let me do anything. This thing between us is just a contract. A good one, and it has its perks, I admit, but none of this is real. Wasn’t this supposed to be a three-month fixed contract? You come into my life, fuck everything up, and assume you have the right to think for me?’

I was lashing out, senselessly beating up the person who helped me because his choice of words focused my fear and anger. Since I met him, I’d been as tense as piano wire, and facing Scarface’s death broke me. I needed a target for my pain, and if he insisted on stopping me from punishing the culprit, he would bear the brunt of it. I saw Leszek’s face pale, his arms falling away as if scalded like he could feel each hateful word burning his flesh. Part of me wondered how someone so powerful could look so vulnerable, brought to the brink by whatever the hell it was I was spouting in my rage.

‘Sara, stop. He is right. You would have regretted it later.’ Scarface’s voice was a sobering slap to my conscience, adding to the rising guilt at seeing Leszek hurt, but when I tried to apologise, he turned away, lifting his phone up to make a call.

‘Adam, come with the witch and set wards around the apartment and let me know if you find anything suspicious, then take the scum I incapacitated to our warehouse. I will question him later.’ Leszek said, a sharp affirmation loud in the sudden, heavy silence. I swallowed hard when he walked back to me.

‘I’m sorry, Sara. You are right, and if we hadn’t stumbled upon you in the hospital, our opponent might never have discovered your talent, but with you working as a doctor, he might have found out, anyway. I know you don’t like my arrangements, but it is better than being at his mercy, so please accept my apology for my behaviour and the help I will offer without the desire for repayment.’ His voice was emotionless but courteous, the icy mask back in place. Gone was the teasing twinkle, replaced by this no-nonsense warrior. I felt my heart twist as I saw the damage my anger caused to his budding feelings.

‘Please, I’m sorry, I didn’t…’ A scarred man strode through the open door, freezing the words in my throat, but Leszek simply nodded, pointing at my suitcase beneath the shattered door. My shoulders slumped at the dismissal implied by his actions, and I gathered Scarface into my arms, silently walking to the car.

Leszek drove carefully, maintaining his silence as I struggled to find the right words to apologise, embarrassed and terrified by my outburst. I made it more difficult by the truth of my accusations. He’d come into my life and changed everything, but while it had become more dangerous, hectic, and insane, he had opened my eyes to magic and a whole new world of knowledge to learn, ripping away the sense of hopelessness slowly eroding my sanity.

The sound of tyres crunching over the gravel of the driveway surprised me from my introspection, the shame at my cowardice for not apologising almost forgotten as I saw a manor house shimmer into life before me. I’d thought we were still on the highway, but looking around, there were only trees as far as my eyes could see.

‘What the hell? How did we get here? Weren’t we just on the road a moment ago?’

‘The route here is bespelled. I can’t let anyone wander in here. Don’t worry; as soon as I introduce you to the house, you can come and go as you please.’ I stared at Leszek’s profile, positive I’d misheard. Introduced to the house? No, he must mean the staff, surely? However, my host’s features were still emotionless, with no hint of a smile, and I realised this must be more of the magic I had yet to learn about.

I turned away, embarrassed and studied the manor house, its hard edges softened by ivy and an old, wizened wisteria, their foliage seeming to highlight the Eighteenth-century stonework. It charmed me utterly, and the sigh I released was envious as I imagined life here, complete with a modern-day, magical gangster.

‘It is so beautiful. I wouldn’t have resisted so much if I’d known you lived like this. Thank you for bringing me here,’ I said, putting as much contrition into my voice as possible, and for the first time since the incident, I saw the corner of Leszek’s mouth curl upwards before he straightened his posture and turned to face me.

‘You will be safe here. The area is warded, so you may wander as you please. I will set up patrols as an added measure. You can go anywhere in the house, but if you need anything, ask Michal, and he will provide it,’ he said before exiting the car. Before I could move Scarface to safely climb from my seat, the door opened, and Leszek held out his hand.

‘Come, Sara, we need to be in contact when you enter the house for the wards and spells to recognise you.’ He said, and I reached out without hesitation, but instead of his firm, reassuring grip, Leszek simply supported my weight as I eased from the vehicle and walked toward his exquisite home. When I stepped across the threshold, a tingling sensation ran up my spine, and the image of a majestic stag flashed before my eyes, disappearing before it properly registered, but as I turned to ask my host about the vision, Leszek dropped my hand like it burned.

‘I will escort you to your room.’ As we moved toward the stunning main staircase, Leszek stole a glance before speaking again. ‘I know you value your independence, but please let my driver take you wherever you need. I will also have a few men observing the hospital. If you can give Michal your shift roster, it will be easier for him to plan meals that way. Also, I requested help from the local Coven to train you, and they need to schedule lessons. If you have any questions, ask Michal. He will be able to help,’ he said as I followed meekly behind. When we reached a spacious room with an ensuite bathroom and an impressive balcony that sported a staircase to the garden, I put Scarface on the bed and turned toward Leszek, who placed my bag on the floor before turning to leave.

‘Stay, please, at least for a moment.’ I said quietly, and he stilled, one hand on the door handle.

‘I’m sorry. I was scared and angry and shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. Not after you saved my friend.’ I saw his shoulders tighten before they sagged, and Leszek approached me.

‘There is nothing to forgive, my Firefly. You may have been angry, but that doesn’t make it less true. My disruption of your life has stirred up our emotions, but you’re right; we don’t know each other, and my running rough-shod over your choices was unforgivable. I’ve existed for millennia and should know better than to let feelings override common sense. I apologise for the danger I have brought into your life, but I request you allow me to keep you safe, for both our sakes. Once the danger has passed, I will release you from any obligation you may feel toward me. I would also like to assist with your magical training if you have no objection.’ I had tears in my eyes by the time he’d finished. Leszek’s voice, so stoic and determined, held a depth of sorrow that made me want to gather him into my arms until this shadow disappeared. Instead, I stood there, utterly lost.

I’d wanted this distance, but now that I had it, I found my heart aching, reaching for his. Unable to bear the feeling, I placed my hand on Leszek’s chest, his heart beating against my palm.

‘Thank you for saving Scarface. As for the rest, I’m sorry, I was overwhelmed, it… doesn’t have to be this way.’

I stopped and shook my head. He was being reasonable, holding to our bargain. I was the one overstepping boundaries now, reaching for feelings that would end with heartache. I wanted to lose myself in his embrace, consumed by his devouring kisses, but that would lead to me depending on someone to whom my life was less than the blink of an eye. Was I falling for him? I thought, suddenly terrified. These emotions weren’t real. They couldn’t be. I repeated, my mind going into overdrive. I couldn’t deny that he wanted me and spoiled me with those little trinkets of affection, but I promised myself to be careful. Because if I let myself believe this thing between us could be real, where would it take me, and how much would it hurt?

Leszek waited, giving me time to gather my thoughts, but when I lowered my head, he hooked his finger under my chin, tilting my head up.

‘I know my Firefly. I am sorry, too. Have a rest, I won’t disturb you.’ He lowered his head, and I stretched upward, expecting another earth-shattering kiss. Instead, I felt a chaste, brief peck on my forehead, and he left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

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