“It was an illusion, but…” Maggie gestured to her throat. “I still bled.”
The doctor held out a tiny jar of teal goop. Unlabeled, obviously homemade, the stuff wouldn’t have been put through any sort of FDA analysis. No scrutiny.Who knows what’s in it, what carcinogens or—
“It’s a cream with white willow bark and arnica, otherwise known as wolfsbane.” The doctor smiled in a reassuring way. “Arnica is used in your world for bruising, as is willow bark’s primary ingredient, salicin. There’s some magic in it, too, but the base is familiar.”
“How…?” Maggie shook her head and rephrased her faltering question. “Did you read my mind?”
The doctor laughed. “Just your expressions. I’ve been handling the new students for over a decade, so it was an informed guess. A very,verywell-informed guess gleaned from the questions of the students who came before you.”
Maggie offered her a sheepish smile. “It’s all so weird, you know? I don’t know what’s make-believe and what’s real here. Are potions even a thing?”
“Yes. Herbal remedy has been recorded for literally hundreds ofyears, but in Crenshaw I can add magic as a stabilizer or booster.” Dr. Jemison gestured to a wall that was filled with what looked like ancient glass bottles and vials. “We reuse the containers, so when you run out, please return the pot.”
Maggie nodded.
“How are you breathing?” the doctor asked.
It was an odd question, but Maggie took a deep breath. “Fine. The sulfur stench is a bit much still, but it’s not as bad.”
“Good. Good. If you experience any breathing issues, come see me at once. If you notice anyone with breathing struggles, I expect to know that same day.” The doctor seemed less kindly and more intense for a moment.
“Sure. Any reason why that—?”
“Other health concerns?” the doctor interrupted.
For a moment Maggie hesitated.I’m too damn old to feel self-conscious about sexual health.She squared her shoulders. “Are there any STIs I need to worry about?”
The doctor sighed. “No. It’s not wise to have relations with your peers, though. I know this is a time of heightened emotions and—”
“I arrived early. He wasn’t a student.”
“May I ask?”
“No.” Maggie shook her head. “I escaped, went to the village.…” She shrugged. It was better that than point the finger at the man she actually had sex with. They likely all watched out for one another. “It was consensual. My idea, in fact.”
“Doctor-patient confidentiality is a thing here, Maggie. You don’t need to lie,” the doctor said gently. “If you escaped, Sondre is failing in his responsibilities, but he’s taken other students to the tavern, so… you don’t need to lie if he took you into the village, too.”
He took others?
Maggie felt extra stupid for trusting him. Was this a thing for him? Did he just go around sleeping with all the remedial witches? She had plenty more questions, but suddenly, the doctor called, “Next.”
So Maggie exited the cubicle on the opposite side from where she’d entered. Outside, Dan was waiting for her.
He practically bounced, rocking forward onto his toes and then back to flat feet. He paused, looked around, and then asked, “Do you know anything about the witch that Ellie left with? Or about Ellie?”
“Why?”
“Because that was intense,” he said, and while Maggie knew he was omitting things, he wasn’t completely lying.
“Her magic changed whenyoutouched her arm. Just like with me. You touched my back that day,” she said bluntly. No one else might be calling it out, but Maggie wanted to be clear that something weird had happened—and it was Dan’s fault. Her job as an attorney was to see the details, and this one was as clear a clue as any that had opened a case for her.
“Nah,” he said. “Probably just spells take time to build up, or she hit her groove.”
“Or you scared her, and she lashed out magically.” Maggie crossed her arms and glared at him. She wasn’t old enough to be his mother, but she certainly felt like it as she ordered, “Don’t touch people when they’re doing magic. Definitely don’t touch her, orme,ever again. She didn’t seem to be as connected to the room we were in, and people got hurt as a result.”
“Whoa! That’s on her, not me! I’m not the problem here!” He stared at her like he was insulted by her words.
“Touch her or me or, hell,anyoneelse whose magic goes sideways after you touch them, and I’ll make you regret it.” Maggie could do without yet another man who couldn’t take responsibility for his own damn messes. She mentally washed her hands of him and walked away.
