Page 32 of Magic and Medicine

I sat on the bed, the disappointment I was feeling utterly baffling. I got what I wanted: a safe space and freedom from Leszek’s interest, and yet the sense of losing something precious was crushing my heart, and it had nothing to do with the destruction of my apartment.

‘I will fix this Scarface, whatever this is.’

‘Yes, you will. Whilst I’m all for bringing him down a peg or two, Sara, that was less than ideal. I should have died back there, but Leshy saved me because he knew you loved me, and then he brought us to his home after you screamed how much you hated him. Do you really hate him?’

Trust the arsehole cat to make a guilt trip worse. ‘No, and that is part of the problem. We made a deal to act as lovers and live together, and I’m the one refusing to cooperate because I can’t help but like him. It’s just… I feel like I’m losing control over my life, which terrifies me. So when he said… when he gave permission for me to feel anger like he had control over my feelings too, I exploded.’

‘He is an immortal spirit of the forest, the mighty Leshy, Master of Beasts, and you threw a tantrum because he stopped your petty revenge. Oh, Sara. He didn’t save my attacker. He prevented a healer, who couldn’t abandon a dying kitten, from becoming wracked by guilt and self-hatred because that is what killing a defenceless man would have caused. Once the Leshy interrogates him, that bastard will beg for an easy death.’

‘Fine, but what do you suggest I do?’ I asked, falling back onto the surprisingly soft bed while Scarface carefully walked over and sat on my chest.

‘What do you want to do?’

‘I want to make him smile. I want to lay my head on his and gently stroke his cheek until his worries disappear, even for a moment.’ I trailed off as my thoughts wandered aimlessly till they caught on a remembered image, and I startled, nearly unseating a now hissing cat from my chest. ‘Oh Fuck, I’m so sorry, sweetie. I just remembered the burns victim and my vision. Leszek needs to know what I saw.’

After gently settling Scarface on a pillow, I rushed into the corridor, stumbling to a halt, unsure where to go. Following my instincts, I ended up in a lounge or sitting room full of thick rugs and soft, inviting sofas, the atmosphere one of relaxed sophistication. Unfortunately, it was empty of people, and I silently cursed my instincts until the shadow of a large man filled the doorway.

‘Leszek!’ I shouted, relieved at finding him so quickly.

‘Sorry, madam, but no. My name is Michal. The boss went to question your attacker, and I wouldn’t count on him returning today. He was rather angry and may need time to cool off. I’m the housekeeper here, so if you need something, let me know. I am authorised to cater to your every whim.’

‘How can I get hold of him? I have important information he needs to know.’ I was back to my rational self. He might be right about the age gap and all those impossible cravings that made our interactions so fiery, but it didn’t mean we couldn’t be partners in solving the current problem, and if this wasn’t the best way to gain his trust, nothing was.

Michal looked at me, assessing my importance. Finally, he shook his head. ‘We can’t reach him now, but I will tell him when he arrives. Rest now. You look like you need it.’

My anxiety spiked, and I called his number a few times, but as he didn’t pick up, I gave up. I didn’t know how to contact Leszek, leaving me with no option but to follow Michal’s advice. Besides, he was right. I needed the rest, so I admitted defeat and returned to myroomtosleep.

Chapter nineteen

I paused on the threshold of the manor, letting its magic surround me, the slumbering house quiet in the early hours of the morning. I could already feel Sara’s presence, the spirit accepting her more thoroughly than I’d expected; not even Jurata had been this welcome, the memory reminding me that the Council of Gedania needed an update on the situation here, but I found my motivation to call them sadly lacking. My subconscious clearly agreed as I stood looking at the door to Sara’s bedroom and not my office. Despite Sara telling me she hated me and that I’d ruined her life, I could not walk away from her. I felt tethered to her, enthralled by this fierce woman. If I could only fix how she felt about me. If I could make her love me. Her magic enhanced mine, but it was her radiant smile that made me sneak like a thief into my own home just to see her face.

I’d opened the door before I realised and was standing over her like some creep from a horror movie, watching as she slept, her hair luminous in the moonlight, one hand beneath her spirit guide’s paw, adorable. Less adorable, however, was the suspicious glare the protective cat was aiming in my direction, and if I hadn’t spent half the night torturing and burying his attacker, I would have felt intimidated.

Sara looked so innocent, lying there, lips parted, a faint smile highlighting the dimple on her cheek. My rational mind knew she wasn’t some naïve, inexperienced maiden. If her work didn’t tell me that, the kisses we shared would place all doubt to rest, but there was more to it. This woman was a paradox I struggled to understand. One moment, calm and composed despite her world falling apart, the other a sobbing, emotional mess begging for her cat’s life.

It was her tears that had doused my ardour and made me realise what I was doing. I wanted her more than anything I could remember. Not just her body but her unyielding spirit, and that caused me to lose sight of our reality. An immortal being wanting a human so much that she was now in danger. She was right to hate me for this; even if part of her enjoyed my company, the resentment expressed during her outburst was enough to wake me up to the realisation there was more setting us apart than connecting us.

We both needed space to think, to make the right choices, and likely to part ways when the contract expired. I watched Sara frown in her sleep as if she sensed my mood, and despite the cat’s focused stare, I gently brushed my fingers over her cheek, letting my magic soothe her. The frown eased, and her breathing deepened as she drifted into more pleasant dreams. My Firefly, shining with an inner light that never burns your eyes, so beautiful, so ephemeral, her life too short for what I wanted to give her.

‘I won’t hurt her. I will protect her with my life, and when it is safe, if she wishes to leave, I won’t stop her, I promise,’ I said to the cat, who blinked once and curled up beside her, closing his yellow eyes.

‘Sleep well, my Firefly.’ I said, resisting the urge to kiss her.

This attraction, these unrequited feelings I imposed on her, were wrong, so before my desire got the better of me, I went to my office and closed the door. Sara’s presence, the faint scent somehow suffusing my home, was enough to give me peace of mind, but it was time to think about my next move. The thug that attacked her home was nothing special, but the information we extracted through some not-so-civilised means might prove valuable.

I wasn’t proud that my anger had gotten the better of me. His death had been too easy even if we’d extracted the information. Someone had placed him under a powerful geas, rendering the man almost mute, but Veronica had provided a witch skilled in removing such magic, and the fact it wasn’t painless helped the interrogation run much smoother. Still, he was loyal to his master; unfortunately, his shouted pleas to be taken by Czernobog fell on deaf ears.

I smirked, pouring myself a glass of cider, the sharp apple taste washing my tiredness away. I hope you like the afterlife I’ve given you, I thought, recalling the yew tree saplings thrust through his soft flesh, new branches spreading in his veins, gorging on blood, while a black lilac wrapped around his neck, siphoning his soul’s essence. The desire for immortality swiftly disappeared as his soul was torn asunder, and it only took moments for the zealot to confess with the promise of a quick death.

‘How long will our guest be staying?’ Michal stood in the doorway, surprising me with his presence.

Forever if it was my choice, I thought before answering him.

‘Why? Has she given you trouble already?’

‘No, but I’m not used to having a woman around the house. What do you want me to do with her?’ He asked, and I laughed ruefully.

‘Nothing. Ensure she is safe and, if possible, happy during her stay. Find a reliable driver and some discrete security. A Warlock of Czernobog is after her. They’ve identified her as a Soul Shepherd, and although this island is warded, I don’t want to leave anything to chance,’ I said, rubbing the bridge of my nose as I finished.

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