Eyden put on a smile again. This time, it looked genuine and softened his features. “It’s Saturday. You always come here to sober up after a night out.”
At that, Sahalie’s teasing smile returned in full force. “You should’ve joined me. We could’ve had some fun.”
Eyden broke their eye contact. “Another time, maybe.”
“How about tonight?” Sahalie shifted her gaze towards Lora, taking in her full appearance, blatantly unimpressed. “Or are you otherwise occupied?” she asked, but it sounded as if she was joking.
“I’m afraid I have to take care of this trading deal first. If you can help us with this, it’d speed up the process.”
Sahalie took a sip of her drink, making them wait for her reply. “All right, tell me more, then. What is this mysterious virus, exactly? How does it kill these fragile humans?”
Eyden turned to Lora, silently signalling that it was time to leap into her explanation. She hesitantly said, “The virus leads to blood clots that eventually multiply so rapidly, doctors—healers—can’t stop them from reaching their patients’ lungs and ultimately killing them.”
“What an inconvenience that must be.” Sahalie’s words were utterly emotionless. “I can try to mix something up but I’m not sure how much help I can be without a test subject.”
Lora had prepared herself for this moment, yet she still had to force out the words. “You’ll keep this conversation secret?” she asked.
“For Eyden? Yes.”
“I can’t give you a test subject but I have the next best thing.” She took out the vial filled with her mother’s blood from her jacket pocket. She could feel Eyden’s eyes on her. Lora remained focused on Sahalie as she held up the vial. “Infected blood. You can try it out with this, right?”
Lora sneaked a glance at Eyden. She could tell he was trying to hide his shock. He put on a mask of disinterest but she had seen that flicker of surprise.
Sahalie examined the blood and reached for the vial to get a closer look. Lora handed it over reluctantly, never letting it out of her sight.
“This will help, yes.” Sahalie opened the vial and let a drop fall on the palm of her hand. Lora was taken aback by Sahalie’s actions but quickly returned her expression to neutral. In her world, no one would dare touch infected blood like this. But Sahalie wasn’t human, she had no reason to be afraid of being infected. Lora supposed she didn’t have to be either. She had never even gotten the flu.
Sahalie closed her eyes in concentration. “I can feel it’s a persistent virus. My magic isn’t strong enough to separate the virus from the blood and heal it. It seems to me that this virus is infecting the blood much like a poison. It’s fascinating, actually.” She opened her eyes, meeting Lora’s expectant ones, but then shifted her gaze to Eyden as she said, “I’ve worked on poisons before with the help of a healing crystal that channels power. It’s called green aventurine. It’s quite rare, but not impossible to get.”
“The name sounds familiar,” Eyden said.
“Ilario gave me the one I used last time. I don’t have it anymore.”
Eyden seemed to ponder Sahalie’s words as a sense of realisation came over him. “I must have seen it at the market, then.”
“If I had that and some arentae, it might be sufficient to mix a cure. Assuming you’ll cut me in on the reward?”
“I’ll make it worth your while, don’t worry,” Eyden replied, a lazy grin taking over his face.
Sahalie smiled in answer, her bright emerald eyes blazing. But the smile faded quickly as she focused on Lora again. She must have felt Lora’s stare. “How did you get this blood anyway?” Sahalie asked, light suspicion reflecting in her eyes.
“I have my sources,” Lora replied, masking the nervous feeling settling over her.
“Mhm, interesting.” This was the longest Sahalie had looked at her and although Lora hated to break first, she lowered her gaze and pretended to be unbothered.
“Well, we better go. The sooner this deal is done, the better,” Eyden said, giving Sahalie a wink before downing the last of his caftee.
Lora held out her hand, palm up. “I’ll take that back now.” She pointed her chin up as she gestured to the vial in Sahalie’s grip.
Sahalie made no move. “I could study it more in the meantime. While you’re off getting my supplies.”
“No, thank you.” When Sahalie remained still, her slender fingers wrapped around the vial, Lora added, “It’s not yours to keep.”
Sahalie looked as if she was about to argue but then Eyden said, “Halie, give her the vial. We’ll meet again once we have everything, okay?”
“All right. You know how to reach me,” she replied, grinning at him before giving Lora one last sceptical look as she handed over the vial.
Eyden returned the smile and that was the extent of his goodbye. The two of them stood up and made for the door in a quick exit.
