254

David

There were witch incantations that could send a spirit back to wherever they came from, effectively killing the shifter, and then there were spells that consumed the magic in living spirits. If that place was filled with the remains of spirits, it had to be because something was killing them in a way that they would never recover from, and there was only one curse, one spell, one thing that could spread so quickly and so easily: the werewolf virus.
Selene's ambition was killing them, and while I wasn't sure what would happen in the long term, I knew instinctively that it couldn't be good.
Nature had a way of correcting itself one way or another.
I adjusted my position as Joy explained what I should do. The instructions weren't much different than the exercise that had led me to be able to tap into my blood lineage in the first place. The wound in my shoulder throbbed as the flames coming from within it continued to dance and flicker. I grit my teeth, remembering bits and pieces of the attack.
A burst of fire surged through me, and the feeling of getting bigger, harder, and so different filled me. I heard the explosion and felt the heated air, then the cool winds sweeping through the gorge. My mind was clear with determination and panic.
I couldn't even remember how or when I'd cast a protective spell over Lucy, but I remembered clutching onto her, making sure not to drop her as my skin tingled and my back ached like I had overtrained the muscles there.
Yet, I didn't stop. I couldn't.
Danger was behind us. Death was after us.
I wouldn't be chained again.
I pulled away from the memory and shook it free.
"Dragon fire. Got it. Don't let me burn down the Estate."
Trent chuckled, projecting a shield around me. "I can't promise to let you singe off your own hair, though. "
I chuckled and nodded, trying to center myself. Closing my eyes, I delved deep into the reservoir of my mind and the power in my blood. I felt it thrumming, humming, gently beckoning me forward like a siren song. I could almost hear the waves washing over me as I saw the light of a distant torch in my mind. It felt delicate, like too fast, and I would shift, but too slow, and I would be lost or torn to pieces. I heard the slithering of scales. I could see his eyes glinting in the darkness. As I reached out and drew closer, I felt a surge of heat emanating from the core of my being.
I felt the air warming around me, crackling with energy. Someone gasped and stepped back as I felt the heat growing more intense. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I concentrated, my shoulder throbbed in rhythm with my efforts.
Suddenly, I smelled smoke. I opened my eyes as the edges of the bed flickered with fire. The flames pushed against my skin and burned the mattress, yet they were contained by the barrier. The panic that flared within me eased as I heard Joy speaking again.
"Easy, David. It's alright. Channel the fire internally, specifically on the wound. Imagined it pushing the poison out, devouring it, burning it."
I nodded and took a steadying breath, reining in the fire spilling out of me and focusing it back into my body. The flames subsided slowly, and I felt Joy's eyes on me even as I closed my eyes again.
"You're close, David. The fire is part of you. Now, focus it on closing the wound. Imagine the poison being pushed out and burned away."
I nodded, determination settled in me. Maybe the anger I had woken up with was fueling it as well.
I clench my jaw, trying to focus my anger on the task. They tried to murder me, to bind me.
I won't be chained again.
I heard the deep, rumbling voice roaring from the back of my mind. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I directed the residual fire toward my wounded shoulder. My shoulder throbbed, then that throbbing turned to burning. I could almost smell my flesh burning. The pain intensified to a searing agony that threatened to overwhelm me, but I kept pushing, digging my fingers into the mattress, and pushing it. Scales rippled over my skin, surfacing and gleaming with dark light and iridescence before fading again. The wound slowly closed, leaving behind the faint impression and shimmering iridescent scales that shimmer in the subdued light. I exhaled, the tension draining from my body. As the adrenaline receded, a profound weariness settled over me. The room blurred for a moment, and I found myself reclining on the bed. I could feel my bones aching as my body was searching for something to fuel itself. I grimaced.
"Great."
"What?"
"There was a healer in my ancestry," I said, grimacing. "Like I already don't have a carnivore to feed in me."
Trent laughed as Joy smiled with approval.
"Well done, David. You'll probably be exhausted... Or starving."
My stomach grumbled, and I gave him a wry smile. "Both."
Though, I considered it. "Is it possible that's where most healers, not witches, get their healing from? Dragon fire?"
Joy blinked. "I could... see the connection." He frowned. "That would explain some of the tendency toward self-destruction. I'll have to ask my colleagues. Be sure to eat something hearty, hm?"
I nodded, closing my eyes as Trent told me that he'd get me a feast. I heard them leave and focused on keeping the magic in me from trying to eat through my body as healing magic was known to do. It was starting to slip through my control. My stomach grumbled again, and my chest ached.
Then, I smelled a familiar scent, like fresh flowers and clear air in the dead of the night.
I opened my eyes as she leaned into the room.
"Lucy?"
She smiled at me. Her presence pushed out all thoughts of anger. Her scent soothed me, easing my mind as she entered, pulling a small cart covered in food behind her.
"Duke told me what happened," she said. "How are you feeling?"
I sighed and reached out to her, taking her hand as she drew closer.
"Infinitely better and exceedingly hungry. Tell me some of that is for me?"
"Most of it, if Blue has anything to say about it."
I chuckled. "She can have all the say she wants at this point."
She pulled the cart closer to my bed as I struggled to sit back up. She put the tray on the top level in my lap and pulled off the cover, revealing a heaping stack of meat. The scent made my mouth water.
"Thank you for coming. How were classes?"
She sighed and pulled a chair closer to the bed, balancing her own meal on her lap.
"Why don't you join me on the bed? There's plenty of space."
I shifted over so she could sit beside me. The soft light caught in her eyes, making them sparkle. We shared a quiet moment just eating together, and it was such a comfort to have her here, to have something else to think about. The food was hearty, more meat than anything, but I was charmed that Lucy thought she was being sneaky in stealing bites of my mashed potatoes.
I pushed the plate closer to her, and she turned bright red.
"Easier reach."
She bit her lip. "They're really good."
"I noticed. You want the rest?"
"I couldn't, you need to eat."
"I'm sure there's a whole pot either being made as we speak or already made. Have them if you want."
She smiled shyly. "Thanks."
We didn't speak much as we ate. The food, while not extravagant, tasted like a feast. I could feel my body settling, relaxing, and leaning into her, enjoying the warmth of her presence.
"You're looking better," she said, her gaze drifting to the smooth skin where the wound had been. "Less on fire... but what happened to the bed?"
"Accident," I said. "I'll fix it later, and it's all thanks to you," I said, gratitude coloring my voice. "Your support means a lot."
Lucy chuckled. The sound filled the room. "I haven't done much, but I'm glad that you're better... Though you look sort of... troubled?"
My lips twitched as I cut another rib off. "You've heard of trances?"
She nodded.
"I wasn't in a healing trance. I was in... something else. I'm not entirely sure, but it was... troubling."
"Troubling how?"
I hummed. "Like I'm not sure what happens next.... and there's so much that could happen next."
Lucy hummed. "Well... I learned how to make... very bad shapes out of light today."
"Light magic, hm?" I smiled. "Can I see?"
She bit her lip. "I'd rather not... It was really bad. My square barely had one side to it."
"That's better than no sides."
She blinked and smiled. "I guess so."

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