Page 50 of Magic and Medicine

‘I’m not giving you up. Even if they demand it.’ After a deep, calming breath, he continued. ‘Your magic… it is a temptation for us. Veronica’s suggestions were misplaced. Even if you are a Soul Shepherd with enough magic to tie a god’s soul to a living being, you still belong here with me. I found you, Sara. Even disregarding how I feel about you, this alone makes you mine. You may say our Lady Fate, Dola, put you in my path.’ He was calmer but so fixated on this one issue I couldn’t get a coherent answer. I sent a pleading look to Veronica.

‘Well… about that. Rostov said he came here to find the Soul Shepherd, that his associate was searching for me here. Maybe if I leave…’

Leszek didn’t let me finish. His eyes glowed yellow while a menacing growl rumbled in his throat. ‘You’re going nowhere.’ Before he wrapped his arms around me as tight as he could without hurting me.

‘Please explain this to me in simple language. A few weeks ago, I didn’t know magic existed. Now I’m being chased by a psycho, and this one seems to have gained an overprotective trait and turned it up to eleven. On top of that, something called Gedania wants me?’ I asked.

My words brought a hint of a smile to Veronica’s face. ‘You triggered Leszek’s transformation into a wolf when you fainted, and it’s left him a little unstable, or so I’m told. Balancing this energy will take the Forest Lord some time, but he will calm down. Still, I don’t envy you having to deal with an Alpha wolf in a mating frenzy.’ She answered, and I sighed slightly, turning back to look at my lover.

Looking slightly abashed and agitated, Leszek mumbled. ‘I thought you’d died. When you collapsed, I thought I’d lost you. That triggered the shift.’

‘And the appearance of the Great Wolf triggered the entire pack, escalating an already tense situation, but on the plus side, having the supreme Alpha with his divine power show up accelerated the healing process. The wolves were as good as new within a few hours. So except for our Lord being slightly unhinged, you did a great job.’

‘Are my friends alright?’

‘Yes, darling. They even became a part of the pack somehow.’ Leszek said, smiling for the first time, and I exhaled, relieved that the worst-case scenario I had in my head was avoided. Still, I had more questions, and I looked at Veronica.

‘Tell me about Gedania?’ I asked the witch before patting Leszek’s hand. ‘I’m here, Wolfie. In your arms, safe and sound, but I need a drink, and I’m starving. Could you please let me go so I can make some food while Veronica answers my question?’

‘No, you sit here, and I will do it.’ He said, lifting me onto a stool and marching toward the fridge.

‘Wolfie?’ Veronica mouthed silently, trying to restrain budding laughter while I shrugged, sharing her merriment and mouthing back, ‘It fits.’

While Leszek valiantly fought with the coffee machine and prepared sandwiches, she told me about the creation of the Nether and its separation from the mortal realm, creating an alternate plane of existence. The place called Gedania was, in essence, a magical Gdansk existing in the Nether with three Gates that allowed the magical races passage back and forth, but because of the very nature of the magic, the old races and augmented humans could visit and meet but couldn’t live in each other’s world.

Leszek placed a coffee and a plate of colourful sandwiches before me, and I stroked his forearm. ‘How come you are here? You are part of the old races, yes?’

‘I’m more than that, my Firefly. I am the Lord of the Forest. I was worshipped as the Leshy by those who lived in harmony with nature. To stay here, I had to give up almost all of my power and live as a magically talented human, stronger than most, but nothing extraordinary. A few of us stayed behind, but many could not endure the loss of power and ultimately left to live in the Nether. I could claim that my intentions were noble, that I chose to protect those touched by magic, but it would be a lie. I stayed because I couldn’t live apart from my forest, and I like this life.’

‘That’s… well, enlightening, but what does it have to do with me and the attacks? Oh, and before I forget, I have the pieces of that amber orb in my bag. You grabbed my bag, didn’t you?’ I asked, turning toward Leszek, who shook his head.

‘I had something more important to carry, but Jarek delivered it earlier. You’ve acquired a loyal Guardian who also claims he wants to become a paramedic now.’ The more time he spent in my company, the more relaxed Leszek became, and I was grateful for this small mercy because I wasn’t sure how long I could put up with his Alpha-male-wolf craziness.

‘The man who attacked you serves Czernobog, who always was against separating the worlds. I thought he chose Gdansk because of the abundance of amber and because this land is much closer to the Nether, but it looks like he came here to find one of your kind. If what he told you was the truth. The sphere you saw probably created something called null-time, which does exactly what you think. A room built of amber with that spell embedded could house a god safely in this world, allowing them to use the full might of their magic. That room isn’t the only means for a god to live in the mortal realm… a Soul Shepherd can also provide that.’ Leszek said, and I felt a sense of uneasiness grow.

‘So you say I am the means of bringing a god to the human realm, and that’s why this man attacked me? What about the woman he mentioned?’ I said before realising, overwhelmed by the recent events, I hadn’t told him about this part yet. ‘Rostov said she was tasked to find me, and that attack was her own doing,’ I asked, and Leszek shrugged.

‘You are powerful, Sara. Even if your power is not active, the fact that your presence allows a god to exist in the mortal realm makes you a target of any god. Any; even I couldn’t resist the temptation, although it was only partially about your magic and mostly about this wonderful, amazing woman coming into my life,’ he said, stroking my cheek before his lips tilted in a mischievous grin, and he continued.

‘You must have heard the legends of maidens seduced and kidnapped by the gods of old. They all have one thing in common: your abilities. With the stag and wolf’s energy coursing through my body, I feel more like my old self than ever before. However, you are the only one of your kind, and the Nether is full of those who would like to taste the mortal world again while walking in their full glory.’ He bent, kissing my temple, while I listened, stunned by this information. Veronica told me some of those, but having Leszek disclose it all was a revelation.

‘Having your spirit tethered to mortal flesh is dangerous, but many would take this risk. What I’m feeling, it’s amazing, and you did it. Czernobog wants you because you can release him from the Nether. The Council of Gedania will want to keep you within their grasp for the same reason, and I just want you safe, here with me, because I’m a selfish bastard.’

Leszek said it all with a hint of sadness, and I felt cracks appear in the facade of my new life. ‘Well, I’m tired. I will go to my room and have a nap. If you need the remains of the sphere, it is in my bag. Wherever my bag is. Veronica, can we continue my lessons as soon as we can? I need to learn some offensive magic and how to defend myself. I was left weak as a baby with a nosebleed fighting the null-time spell.’ I asked, and she grabbed her bag from the table.

‘Just call me when you’re ready, Sara. I know we didn’t get off to a good start, but you have potential, and if you are to remain here, we must ensure you can look after yourself, not just others.’ She said, giving Leszek a pointed look before heading toward the door. Leszek escorted her, and I used the moment to escape to my room, locking the door behind me.

You are sad. Why are you sad? Are you injured? Scarface’s voice in my head was as concerned as a cat could be. I picked him up, burying my face in his soft fur.

‘That’s what happens when you realise you are but a pawn in a game of chess.’ I said, sitting at the edge of the bed.

We all are, but why is this making you sad?

‘Because I fell for Leszek. I thought there was a spark between us. Something real. I wanted nothing to do with him when I met him, but I learned he’s funny, smart, and cares for his people and this place. I thought he had some feelings for me, and I’m sure he has, just not the kind I want.’

And what feelings do you want?

‘I want him to love me. Me, Sara Wilska. Not the Soul Shepherd and gateway to his powers. Just me. But I am who I am, and he can’t help that my magic has drawn him like a moth to the flame. Now I’ll never know if he’d even look at me twice if not for my god-binding power. So I have to decide if being his pocket battery and booty call is enough for me.’ I felt tears pooling in my eyes, but how could I explain to my cat that it hurt to know Leszek wouldn’t love or even notice me if not for my gift?

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