CHAPTER 10 #3
“Is there somewhere I can stay at the clinic? I don’t think I’ll be able to complete all of my practicum hours and take care of S’samph while trying to keep up with farm work in the mornings.
I don’t have very many things. I’ll stay out of the way.
But if I could just stay here it would make things much easier.
” She was rambling like she did when she felt like she was asking for something unreasonable.
The words spilled inelegantly, but at least she’d gotten them out.
Now she just had to hold her breath as she awaited a response.
Aglao shimmered in the way they did when they found something amusing. “Is that all? There is a furnished apartment above the clinic floor. I only sleep once every three standard years, so I have no need of it.”
Eleri stared at Aglao, taking a moment to process this information. “There is? Are you sure it’s fine for me to stay here?”
All this time there’d been somewhere else to stay. Why had no one ever told her? She knew the answer without asking. She’d never asked. She never asked for what she wanted or needed. And when you didn’t ask, nothing happened. “I don’t have any credits to pay rent.”
“You are my assistant until you complete your certifications. You have already done plenty of work unpaid. The apartment is unused. There is no reason not to use it.” Aglao pressed a button to shuttle S’samph’s cot from the treatment area to the recovery room on the other side of the clinic along the magnetic track built into the flooring.
“Thank you.” This would resolve the housing problem. In terms of food, she wasn’t sure exactly what to do yet, but she’d find a solution. She was keen to have her own space and to get some distance from whatever plan Myla was brewing.
“You are welcome. If you are here you can also spend more time monitoring our patients. I would like for you to take your certification exam before the floods come to Laurus.” Aglao produced a high-pitched pinging sound.
“Sanitize the treatment station and yourself then you may be finished for the day. I assume you will need time to gather your things from Pyo’s home. ”
Eleri stared down at herself, realizing her jumpsuit was covered with splatters of S’samph’s green blood mixed with puffs of blue dust from outside.
The grime was the least of her concerns.
Although the new place to stay was a victory, it came at a steep cost. Pyo would be understanding no doubt, but Myla’s intentions to keep her in close proximity to Minio were obvious enough for anyone to notice.
She took the walk back to Pyo and Myla’s home slowly.
If she was graced with any sort of luck, she’d be able to gather her things before anyone was home and give her apologies for the abrupt exit later.
As it turned out, luck was very much not on her side.
The second sun was well and set by the time she arrived back at the familiar house, so everyone, including Minio, was gathered around the table for the evening meal.
“Eleri, there you are!” Myla exclaimed with false cheer. “We were wondering why you were so late.” She paused to examine the mess walking through her immaculate doorway. “Has something happened?”
Eleri glanced at Minio. He had been there.
He knew what happened, and there was no doubt in her mind he had already told his sister.
She wasn’t sure if this was some sort of test, but it placed an odd weight on her chest. “Didn’t Minio tell you about the ravik attack on our way back from Indras? ” she asked.
“Well, of course he did, but he’s so sparse with the details.
I was hoping you could fill in some gaps.
It must have been such a traumatic experience.
Are you sure you want to keep working at the clinic?
There’s no need for you to push yourself.
I’m sure you can find other ways to contribute in Laurus.
” Myla’s wingtip brushed against her brother in an unreadable gesture.
Minio took the cue to jump into the conversation. “It is dangerous for someone so fragile to be working in such a demanding career. There’s a reason most healers are from hardier stock.” He glanced back at his sister as if waiting for her approval. Myla’s smile widened.
The door was still open behind her, so Eleri paused for a moment to close it and gather her thoughts.
She instantly regretted the closed-in feeling that followed, but if she didn’t have this conversation, nothing was going to change.
And as much as she loathed the effort involved, she was ready for things to start changing.
“I appreciate your concern. But I think this afternoon just showed me how important my work is. I spoke with Aglao, and they said I could come live at the clinic. I won’t need to impose on your hospitality any longer. ”
The room was silent for a long moment, long enough for perspiration to begin prickling the back of Eleri’s neck until finally Myla’s wings snapped open and shut in a crackling blast.
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Now Myla,” Pyo chimed in, finally looking up from the plate of food he’d been poking at, “Eleri was never meant to stay here long term. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed her company, but it was just until she could find her own footing here in Laurus.”
“Was I asking you?” Myla rounded on her mate, silencing him with a single glare before returning her attention to Eleri and Minio.
“Have we not provided a good home for you? Minio and I will be devastated if you leave. Minio especially.” She nudged her brother again with a clawed wingtip and he nodded in unimpressed agreement.
“My sister’s quite right. Working on the farm won’t be the same without you.”
“So, you’ll continue to stay with us of course.” Her tone was expectant, and Eleri wanted to melt into the floor rather than continue to push the issue. But if she caved like she always did, everything she’d clawed back for herself would be meaningless.
“I’ve really appreciated you letting me stay here, but it’s time for me to move into the clinic apartment.”
“You’re making a mistake.” Myla’s voice was flat as she looked to Minio for support. Her brother glanced away, clearly uncomfortable with being further dragged into the conversation. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” she finally asked him.
“It sounds like she’s made her decision, Myla,” Pyo spoke in Eleri’s defense before Minio had a chance to add his own rejoinder, but it did little to diffuse the obvious fury percolating on the other side of the table.
“I’ll get my things and be on my way.” She walked past the table and hurried to the small spare room before she lost her nerve entirely.
In the background, she heard Myla’s whisper screeching at both Pyo and Minio.
Eleri grabbed her meager belongings and shoved them haphazardly into her decrepit suitcase before anyone could physically get in her way.
Myla gawked at her on the way out as if she expected her to come to her senses and return to the spare room if she just looked at her hard enough. She emerged into the heat and was surprised to see Pyo had followed her out.
“You’ll have to forgive my mate. She has… certain ideas about the way things should be. Moving here from Brasnia Prime has been hard on her.”
“I’m sorry for any trouble I caused.” Eleri paused to shove a wad of clothing deeper into the suitcase so she could zip it properly. She half expected Myla to come blazing out of the house after her, but so far the door remained closed.
Myo bowed his head to her. “No trouble at all. I’m glad you’ve found a place here, and we certainly can use a good healer.
I’m sure your talents will be better used there than on my farm.
” He too started to glance at the door. “I had better get back inside, and you probably don’t want to be standing out here in the suns for too long. ”
“Thank you, Pyo.” Eleri bowed her head at him, returning the gesture.
She waited until he was back inside before beginning her trek to the clinic.
It was worse with a suitcase as the stubborn wheels stuck in the dust and snagged against the paving stones of the road, but she was grateful it was still holding together.
When she reached the welcome coolness of the clinic, the tightness in her chest finally released.