Page 36 of Magic and Medicine

‘Tell him yourself. You know what he’s doing better than I, as he’s spent all this month avoiding me.’ I said, realising too late to bite my tongue.

‘Has he?’ Veronica finally sat down, and I poured her a glass of water. ‘Leszek is not as blind as I thought if he withdrew as soon as he brought home such a threat.’

‘Threat? The only thing he’s brought here is….Wait, do you mean me?’ Veronica’s look of irritation baffled me. How could seeing the future or pointing souls to the afterlife harm anyone, let alone Leszek, with his impressive magic?

‘Were you not paying attention to your lessons at all, young lady? You are a Soul Shepherd, able to control and tie a spirit to its physical form. Can you imagine what happens to an immortal spirit if it is tied to the physical world when its body is destroyed? Do I need to spell it out for you?’

‘Why would I do that? How? I have no bloody idea what I’m doing, and you think I could kill someone I care for?’ I stopped as soon as the words escaped my lips, shocked to realise I meant them, and looked away, embarrassed at my outburst, but Veronica took advantage of my silence to drive her point home.

‘Why? To kill him, of course, to free yourself from his attention. Your kind has been used to kill gods before. The Leshy is showing a lot of restraint regarding your arrangement. Sara, not all relationships between spirits and Soul Shepherds were voluntary and welcomed by the women. It is all conjecture and guesses as to their reasons for such an act. Only the Leshy might know, but I value my life too much to ask such a question.’

‘Veronica, that’s fucked up. I wouldn’t hurt him. He knows that, right?’ The pain I’d felt when I told Leszek I hated him was nothing compared to this feeling. No surprise that after my outburst, he may think I’ll try to kill him. Guilt nearly overwhelmed me, but one thought kept it at bay. He hadn’t killed me, choosing not to remove the threat to his existence. Instead, he protected and educated me in the magic that could destroy him. Well, I’ll take it as a sign.

It’s time I put my big girl panties on and apologise for my outburst properly, even if I have to flirt with every man in the Anchor to get his attention. It was an extreme solution, but only by using his rivalry with Nadolny could I overcome the cool detachment that was his way of avoiding conversation. It was a miracle he’d listened to my vision of the burn victim, but even then, I’d barely finished before he left for work. No, this was my only chance, and I would do whatever was needed.

Veronica studied me for several moments, then gestured for me to take her hand. ‘Today, you’ll be learning how to ward your mind from outside influence, not that anyone couldn’t see what you’re thinking from your expression, but at least this way, I’ll be saved the lurid images.’

After two hours, she walked out of the office with a self-satisfied smile, hopefully at everything I’d learned and not that I now looked like I’d been ridden hard and put away wet. I’d been through some tough lessons in my life. The medical university was not a kind mistress, but even manual resuscitation paled into insignificance to having a witch rifle through my most embarrassing memories as I tried to eject her from my mind.

Shattered, I looked at the clock. I needed a shower to restore myself before my little adventure, but all I wanted was to collapse and sleep. Still, no pain, no gain, as they say, and if I desired Leszek’s attention, I needed to show off in public.

For this visit, there would be nothing understated about my outfit. I’d picked out a formfitting, provocatively short skirt and a bra designed to defy gravity. A hesitant knock interrupted the last of my preparations, and after I gave permission, Jarek sidled inside, looking dapper but incredibly uncomfortable in a dark blue suit.

‘I’m going with you, ma… Sara. I can’t stop you, but I’m determined to keep you safe.’ Even as Jarek’s voice trembled, he still looked me in the eye to prove his sincerity.

‘I would be delighted to be your escort for the evening.’ I addressed him formally instead of asking how he intended to protect me. His boyish face blushed, but he stood taller and offered me his arm. However, before I accepted, I needed to clarify one thing.

‘Jarek, I appreciate you wanting to keep me safe, but tonight’s about having fun and living a little. We’ll be meeting my friend there, and it will look weird if you’re acting like a bodyguard, so just have fun, kiddo, and everyone will enjoy themselves.’ With that said, I took my escort’s arm, and we headed out.

Chapter twenty-one

Nina was already waiting when we arrived. Her cropped dark hair, faux leather trousers, a Metallica tank top and metal studded jacket made her stand out from the crowd, especially as she was pacing outside the Anchor, which was as busy as every other Saturday evening. The queue stretched around the corner as bouncers filtered through those wishing to gain entry, but at least there was no private party this time.

‘Sara! What on earth made you choose this shithole for a night out? It’s packed to the brim, and… Are you hoping to get closer to our patients before they start bleeding and cursing?’ She said, giving me a hug before checking out Jarek. ‘Family?’

‘Nope. Meet Jarek, the big bad wolf, come to gobble you up.’ I answered. ‘He’s my bodyguard.’ Nina snorted before she could contain herself. I didn’t blame her; he looked like a country cousin visiting his cosmopolitan relative in the big city, but she gave him another look when she realised I wasn’t joking.

‘Come on, Biker Butch, let’s go,’ I said, heading for the bouncer.

‘That’s good coming from Slutty Barbie,’ Nina muttered as she grabbed my arm.

‘It’s full.’ The bouncer’s scowl expressed his thoughts about us jumping the queue, but I wasn’t so easily intimidated.

‘That may be true, but if you tell Zbyszek that Sara is here, space will miraculously become available.’ The nonchalant manner in which I used Nadolny’s first name surprised the muscled guardian, but I added a little encouragement to help things along, infusing my voice with magic and compelling him to listen. ‘Leszek is always grateful to those that help his Lady.’

After blinking a few times, the bouncer disappeared inside, only to reappear earlier than expected to remove the symbolic rope and let us in, much to the crowd’s frustration.

We strolled down the short corridor to the entrance to the dancefloor, but before I could open it, Nina pulled me to one side, hissing in my ear.

‘Care to tell me why we were treated as VIPs back there? Sara, what have you gotten involved in?’

The worry in her voice warmed my heart, and I smiled, but Jarek interrupted, growling under his voice as he whispered, ‘I don’t like it here.’

‘I won’t keep you in the dark much longer, but let’s grab a drink first,’ I told her before turning to Jarek. ‘You can go home. I told you not to spoil my fun.’

My companions looked at me like two surprised owls, then both muttered their apologies and followed me to the bar. I tried to get the bartender’s attention, nearly punching the person who grabbed my elbow, expecting someone’s overly amorous advances. When I turned, I had to bite back the curse when I recognised the doorman from my last visit.

‘Boss wants to see you, Missy,’ he shouted, trying to make himself heard over the music, snapping his fingers at a passing waiter before yelling again. ‘Get the alcove ready and escort the Lady’s friends there. Make sure they are well looked after, Boss’s treat.’ The man nodded, approaching Nina, all smiles and hands, to direct her to the VIP corner, but my friend held him back with a straight-armed push to the chest.

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