Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
Nikodemus
Gaia, I was tired. Beyond tired. I could barely keep my eyes open as I sat in that uncomfortable hospital chair, waiting for Hikaru to return with Loretta Cicely.
She’d been understandably confused by my request but accommodating all the same.
I hadn’t had time to explain everything over the phone.
No doubt Hikaru had regaled Loretta with all the unseemly details when he arrived at the precinct.
My eyes slipped closed as I leaned back in the chair. I would force myself to stand when Hikaru returned. I would not allow a witch to see me so depleted.
“I don’t know a lot about warlocks, but you don’t look so good.” Belle wasn’t wrong.
“I am merely tired.”
“Yah, I don’t think that’s the whole story.” She’d moved back to the opposite side of her sister’s bed. “I overheard what that…tailed thing said.”
“Hikaru,” I growled. Despite my exhausted form, I would not allow this human to reduce Hikaru to a thing. “He is a kitsune.”
“I have no idea what that is.”
“But you do. You saw one but moments ago. They are rare, but just as sentient as you or I.”
“Sorry.” Belle didn’t sound particularly contrite. “Anyway, I overheard what…Hikaru said, and what you said too. You said you overextended yourself. What does that mean and why was he trying to give you one of his tails?”
I managed enough strength to pinch the bridge of my nose.
I did not have the patience for this. “Dismantling the tampering that was done to your sister’s charm expended more energy on my part and used more magic than was strictly ideal.
As for why Hikaru offered one of his tails, that is none of your business. ”
Belle stared for a few moments before shrugging. “Fair enough.” She quieted before asking, “It really took that much out of you? Fixing the charm?”
I heavily sighed. “It did and I would do it again.”
“I don’t understand. Why was there a problem with it to begin with? You seem like a capable warlock and Martha told me you were the best. She researched the hell out of those charms, saving enough to get what she thought might actually be a cure. What the hell happened?”
“It’s a long story, one that you are probably better off knowing little about.” Would Danzig come after Belle if she knew the whole story? I didn’t know, but thought the human safer thinking it was my incompetence rather than the machinations of a morally bankrupt warlock.
Belle stiffened. “Are you trying to protect me?”
I barked out a laugh. “Attempting, yes. Fair warning, I have no idea if my efforts will be effective.”
Her eyes narrowed before she gave a single nod. “Just answer me this, was Martha a specific target for a reason?”
“No. Your sister is an unfortunate, random victim. It has nothing to do with her individually.”
“Shit. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.”
I had no idea either and kept my silence.
I felt Hikaru’s reassuring presence before I saw my kitsune.
I’d felt off since he left, as if a part of me were missing.
Pushing out of my chair, I stood on unsteady legs as I turned and faced the witch he’d brought with him. “Captain Cicely, thank you for coming.”
Loretta’s large, brown eyes blinked rapidly as she ran her hands up and down her body, patting here and there. “Seems I arrived in one piece.”
Hikaru’s eyes widened with offense. “Of course you did. I’m not some one-tailed kitsune.” Crossing his arms, Hikaru huffed. “Honestly, what are they teaching witches and warlocks these days?”
“Very little regarding kitsune,” Loretta answered as she headed for me. Leaning in, she conspiratorially whispered, “Thanks for the heads up about the antinausea charm. My insides feel scrambled up like an egg.”
“You are welcome. Please don’t mention it to Hikaru.”
“I won’t.” Loretta pulled back, looking me up and down. A frown pulled her lips and her eyes narrowed in either concentration or concern. “You look like hell, Holland. You’re dangerously magically spent. You should know better.”
I bristled at the scolding. “You would have done the same if the positions were reversed.”
Loretta cocked her head to the side, her pierced ears glinting in the low lights.
“Hikaru gave me an abbreviated version of what’s going on and you’re right.
I would.” Turning, Loretta’s attention settled on Martha’s unconscious body.
Belle stood next to her sister on the opposite side, holding her sister’s limp hand.
Looking at Belle, Loretta moved closer to Martha’s bed and said, “I’m Loretta. I’m a witch with a penchant for healing. I’m going to assess your sister’s condition and see what I can do to help.”
Belle’s voice held that niggle of hope again. “You can fix her? Tell me you can fix her.” That voice also held a note of desperation.
“I can’t tell you anything yet. Give me a minute to evaluate the situation.
” This time, when Loretta raised her arm, Belle didn’t reach across and grab it.
Much like I had done, Loretta sent a wave of intentional seeking magic into Martha’s body.
And just as the magic I’d sent had reacted, so did Loretta’s.
Congregating in Martha’s brain, the magic focused there before returning to Loretta. Upon its return, Loretta sucked in a harsh breath. “Gaia, that’s…the damage is extensive.” She swallowed hard.
“Is it beyond you?” I asked. “I mean no judgment.”
Loretta gave me a skeptical look before she inhaled again, eyes narrowed and focused on the woman wasting away below.
“It’s a lot, but I believe I can manage, or at least give her a fighting chance.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I can get the healing started, but at the end of the day, it will be up to Martha’s own body to build on what I do.
” Shoulders back, Loretta focused on Belle, making certain she had the human’s attention before adding, “Just so you’re prepared, your sister’s recovery will be a marathon, not a sprint. ”
Belle’s blotchy skin paled. The human appeared momentarily lost before her fingers tightened on Martha’s. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Martha’s…we’re all each other has. I’ll get her back to her former self, even if I have to drag her kicking and screaming.”
I thought Belle’s response a bit dramatic but didn’t comment. She’d need a spine of steel to get through the rough patches. Martha was lucky to have her.
Loretta sucked in a deep, chest expanding breath. “Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this healing party started.”
Hikaru clapped. “Oh, I looove parties.”
“I don’t think it’s that kind of—”
“Hush, Niki. Don’t be such a Debbie Downer,” Hikaru scolded. “You just sit back and let the pretty, petite witch do her thing.”
Loretta’s eye twitched. Unfortunately, I knew how she felt. Choosing to ignore Hikaru’s silliness, I said, “Please, proceed.”
“It’ll take some time,” Loretta answered.
I checked my watch, noting the late time. “Then we better get started.”
Moving toward Martha’s head, Loretta stretched out her arm, fingers splayed.
Three rings flared to life as Loretta called on the magic, guiding it into Martha’s brain, manipulating its healing properties.
Eyes closed, Loretta focused on the task at hand, leaving me little more to do than sit back down and attempt a few moments of rest.
Ass precariously perched on the armrest, Hikaru stayed close. His claw-tipped fingers slid to my shoulders, kneading my cramped muscles and lulling me into a sense of serene calm.
By force of sheer will, I managed to remain awake while Loretta Cicely worked her healing magic.
The minutes ticked by until over eighty-seven of them had passed.
All the while, Loretta guided her magic.
It was a delicate process—one my warlock eyes could not follow. It was the way of warlocks and witches.
Belle silently sat, worrying her sister’s bedsheet as she anxiously waited for word from Loretta. The witch had made it perfectly clear that there were no guarantees. Even well-woven witch magic could not perform miracles.
One by one, the rings lighting Loretta’s fingers dimmed into their quiescent form. Shoulders slouching, Loretta’s eyes slid open as she took a slightly unsteady step backwards. Hikaru was quicker than me and placed a steadying hand on Loretta’s elbow.
“T-thank you,” Loretta managed. Belle immediately began peppering Loretta with questions. “Give me a minute,” Loretta didn’t so much scold, but did insist. “I promise to answer your questions, but I need a few moments to recenter myself.”
It was a perfectly reasonable request and one that I understood well. Belle wouldn’t but regardless, she snapped her mouth closed, lips thin and pinched with the need to speak. I’ll give the human credit, she somehow remained silent until Loretta’s tense muscles relaxed and she opened her eyes.
“Okay. That’s better,” Loretta said. “Now, as to your most immediate question…I believe my efforts were successful. There was a lot of damage.” Loretta flinched with memory.
“I was able to kickstart neural pathway regrowth.” Turning her attention to me, Loretta continued.
“I believe I managed to leave your work intact.”
“What?” Belle gasped with obvious distress. “But that’s what caused all of this. How could you—”
“Hush.” Loretta held up a halting hand. “What I left intact isn’t what harmed you sister. I simply attempted to make certain that when your sister does recover, she is no longer plagued by the same migraines that made her seek intervention. That is all I meant.”
Belle didn’t exactly appear abashed. She did appear skeptical. And really, how could I blame her?
“I owe you a debt, Captain Loretta Cicely.” It was no small thing and not a statement I took lightly.
The edge of Loretta’s mouth ticked up in amusement. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell if you don’t.”
I appreciated the captain’s levity. “I doubt others would believe such a statement anyway.”
Loretta’s scoff and its accompanying grin lightened my mood, if only by a small degree. “No, they wouldn’t,” Loretta agreed.
“Regardless, you and I will know the truth,” I answered on a more somber note.
“And me,” Hikaru chimed in. “I know all of Niki’s secrets.” He offered a ridiculous wink. Given Loretta’s confused countenance, I suspected she didn’t know what to make of Hikaru. She was hardly alone.
In the end, Loretta settled on a simple, “You’ve got your hands full with this one, Holland,” as she made a gesture in Hikaru’s direction. “I’m not sure if I envy what I suspect you’ve found or if I feel sorry for you.”
My bark of unexpected laughter surprised us both. “Envy, captain. That is the emotion you should feel.”
This time, Loretta’s smile was gentle. “I’m glad to hear it. May Gaia’s blessings be upon you.”
“I believe they already are,” I answered, earning me an even wider smile.
That smile wavered as a yawn took its place.
“I’m not as drained as you, Holland. But I still feel like shit.
Were I a younger witch, I’d be face down on the floor by now.
” Before I had time to respond, Loretta turned her attention to Belle.
“I’m sorry for what’s happened to your sister.
Like I said before, it will most likely be rough going, but I believe that—eventually—Martha will make a full recovery. ”
Belle’s quivering body collapsed into the closest chair. “T-that’s…I have no idea what to even say to that.” Hand on her chest, Belle’s shaking intensified. “I feel like I can breathe again for the first time in days. Thank you isn’t nearly enough.”
“It is more than sufficient,” Loretta answered graciously.
“Besides, it’s not every day a warlock is indebted to a witch.
” Loretta hooked a thumb my direction. “Especially one of Nikodemus Holland’s status.
I wasn’t kidding when I said no one would believe me.
” Loretta rubbed her temples, her eyes taking on a pinched appearance.
“Hikaru, would you mind—”
“I’ll have her back in Mississippi before you can spell the word.” Hikaru said.
“Wait, I need to activate—” Loretta’s words cut off as she vanished from the room. I grimaced. Hikaru hadn’t given Loretta the opportunity to activate another antinausea charm. Regretfully, I knew how she would soon feel and placed a hand on my abdomen in mental support.
“She’s really going to improve?” Belle’s question softly fell into the room, as if she were afraid speaking the words might negate them.
“As Loretta Cicely said, it will take time. I have never known her to be untruthful.”
Forehead resting against the edge of Martha’s bed, Belle let loose a heartfelt sob.
I knew that feeling as well. I’d experienced similar grief and gratitude while standing next to my son’s hospital bed.
It would take time for Belle’s body and mind to fully accept the relief Loretta’s healing had offered.
The adrenaline high Belle had been running on would crash soon, finally allowing her the rest she so desperately required. Now, if only I were so fortunate.