“Yes.”
Casimir helped her sit up with an arm around her waist. She dipped a finger in the blood on her leg, wincing as she drew symbols on the stone floor. “Dagger,” she said, holding out her hand.
“You can’t use that blood?”
She shook her head. “I can draw the symbols with anything, but the blood has to flow directly from me to activate it.”
“Strange,” he said, unsheathing a blade, then gently slicing her palm.
Ava pressed her hand on the symbols and closed her eyes. A swirling vortex appeared beside her, the blue glow lighting the space.
Casimir picked her up. “Let’s go,” he said to Raine and Maeryn before stepping into the abyss.
Moments later he emerged beside the main healer’s tent, already a flurry of activity. Raine and Maeryn stepped out behind him, the portal vanishing soon after.
Quinn rushed over the moment she spotted them. “What happened?”
“Gather the leaders,” Casimir said. “We all need to talk. Immediately.”
Quinn disappeared back into the chaos.
“Kai.” Casimir found the healer a few feet away. “Do you have someone who can cover for you? We must have a private meeting and need to be healed while we’re at it.”
“Yes. Go to that tent over there. It’s currently empty. I’ll meet you inside in a minute with my supplies.”
Casimir carried Ava to the tent, pulled back the flaps, andlaid her on a bed of straw. This was to be their backup tent if their main healing quarters filled up and he hoped it was a good sign it was vacant. Perhaps not as many of his men were injured as he’d thought.
Maeryn helped Raine lay on a mat close by, lowering him with care.
Quinn returned a couple minutes later. “Well?”
“Wait until everyone’s here,” Casimir said.
“I’ve spread the word. They’re coming.”
Kai entered the tent. “Who is the worst off?”
“Ava,” everyone said in unison.
He took his place on the ground across from Casimir. When his eyes caught on her leg, he grimaced. “Ava…this is not going to be pleasant…”
“I know.”
“Listen to me,” Kai said. “Both of you. I’m going to have to manipulate your leg and push the bone back into place. And I must be quick before you begin to heal around it. There is no time for numbing balm.”
“Alright,” Ava whimpered.
Casimir stroked her face.
“And Cas,” Kai said, looking at him more seriously than he’d ever seen. “She is going to be in so much pain, it will tug at your bond. You must keep your emotions under control. Please do not attack me. I promise I’ll try to be quick.”
Kai ripped the fabric of Ava’s pants, revealing the sharp bone sticking out several inches.
“That looks horrific. At least those weren’tmypants you were wearing this time,” Raine said.
“Shut up,” Ava said through gritted teeth.
Kai poured on antiseptic, Ava hissing as it met her wound.
