“Like onions?”
“Exactly. Smelled like one, too.” He closed the lid to the box and shifted it under his arm. “Now will you let me take you home?”
“What about Nala?”
Ace glanced out the window at the darkening sky. “We’ll stop by Onion’s place first, but we should be quick, and we should stay in the shadows. I don’t like the idea of walking around anymore than we already have. We’ve just returned to Perga, and we’ve already visited three cabins. We’re going to get spotted. We need to figure out when the hunters left and how our presence will be received.”
I nodded. “I should’ve asked Sley more questions.”
“Let’s go.” He held out his hand. “We need to save your familiar from the inevitable boredom she’s suffering in Onion’s presence.”
20
As the town healer, Orion had an open-door policy. When he didn’t respond to our knocking, we let ourselves in.
“I’ll be right there.” Orion strode out of the hallway, wiping his hands with a towel. He halted a few feet away, his gaze flicking between the two of us before tossing the towel in a bin by the door. “I take it you don’t need the healing balm.”
I shook my head. “I told you I’d be okay.”
“I tried to find you later.” He pressed his lips together. “I guess it’s a good thing I couldn’t pick up your trail. It means the others couldn’t follow you either.”
“Did you find Nala?”
He hesitated. “I did.”
“Will she be okay?” I asked.
Orion grimaced and waved at the couch in the living room. I didn’t want to be stuck in a vulnerable position if he had bad news to share. I wanted the ability to bolt, run, or leap into action.
Which was probably why he wanted me to sit.
Ace stood quietly beside me, the old man’s lock box under his arm. He made no move to sit, which meant he waited for me to decide. My world was crumbling down all around me, and he stood by my side.
“What’s in the box?” Orion asked.
“Would you believe we found a treasure map and buried treasure?” Ace lifted an eyebrow.
“I can believe you’re a dick and won’t give me a straight answer.” Orion turned to me expectantly.
“It’s a long story and we’ll fill you in later. I’m more concerned about Nala. Just tell me how she’s doing, Rye,” I said. “Please.”
“The short answer is I don’t know. I haven’t treated a lot of familiars because they’re simply not that many of them. I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this. Your bond should’ve healed her by now, but it’s getting weaker. She’s weaker. It’s as if the poison or maybe something else is draining her.”
Rain started to pitter patter on the roof outside. The sounds echoed inside Orion’s cabin.
“What can I do?” I asked.
“I don’t…” He squeezed his eyes shut for a second. “I don’t know.”
“But?” There had to be a but. There had to be something I could do.
He shook his head. “I have nothing for you at the moment. If you leave her here, I can keep trying. Maybe more consistent healing sessions will help.” He hesitated. “But I’m worried about the implications.”
“Implications?”
“You,” he said. “I’m worried about you. You’re a bonded galeon. If Nala… If the worst happens and Nala doesn’t make it…”
If I was a bonded galeon and my familiar died, I’d face the death of my soul. I wouldn’t survive.
