One by one, the rings lighting Loretta’s fingers dimmed into their quiescent form. Shoulders slouching, Loretta’s eyes slidopen 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 ofNikodemus 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.
Twenty-Eight
Hikaru
I was beginning to wonder if witches and warlocks had a weak constitution. I’d left Loretta Cicely hunched over and gripping her stomach. I’d stayed for a few moments, only because I thought it was what Niki would want. The witch finally waved me off and I wasted no time getting back to my warlock. All this dissipating and reforming myself, along with passengers, was taking a toll. I wasn’t nearly as bad off as Niki, but I certainly wasn’t at my best either when I arrived back at the hospital in Nevada. I figured I had enough magical juice to get Niki and me back to California, but just barely. When we got back, Niki was going to thank me for thinking ahead and ordering enough food for a couple more days. Because neither one of us was going to be in a going out to eat mood.
