Page 16 of Wraithwound

Reaching towards the back of a crowded shelf secured high on the wall, she pulled down a small, glass jar.

“We’ll start with this and see what it looks like in the morning,” she said. Thick brown goop was visible inside the jar. “I have to warn you, it smells terrible, but it will combat the infection, reduce some of the swelling, and help the skin, well the healthy skin, to heal more quickly.”

“What is it?” Lena asked, her stomach already churning at the thought of it.

“Crushed khardia seed, mixed with the pulp of vardint leaves.”

Lena took a deep breath in preparation, but no matter what the mixture smelled like, it wouldn’t be as bad at the putrid stench from the wraith’s killing field.

After Ahgrie was finished applying the fetid goop and rebandaging Lena’s wounds, she sat down in front of her, a tight smile on her lips, and grasped Lena’s hand yet again.

“Orvain, the Commander’s healer, has been working on developing treatments for guards who become infected. And he’s had some limited success. Or so he says. I meet with him tomorrow to order more supplies for the organization. Yet another thing they’ve taken control of,” she added, shaking her head. “I can get more information about what those treatments are. Otherwise, looking at the depth and the progression of your injuries . . . ”

Lena knew without her saying so that her chances were slim.

“I’ve never seen injuries as grave as yours, and it’s spreading. It seems like the infection has already established one route towards your heart and the other towards⁠—”

“My brain,” Lena said numbly, realization setting in.

Jessa came to stand behind Ahgrie, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“There is one bit of good news though. Despite your injuries, you’re still you. I don’t know how that is, but I don’t care to question it,” she said.

Lena smiled weakly and squeezed Ahgrie’s hand in return, trying not to think about the two souls she’d taken.

Chapter

Fourteen

Lena found Jessa on the balcony the next morning, staring off into the city, a contemplative look on her gaunt face. She was already dressed, a warm cloak clinging to her shoulders. Seeing her in the morning light, Lena realized that Jessa looked thinner than when she’d last seen her. As she approached, she noticed a distortion around her friend akin to a faint shadow. Lena attributed it to the exhaustion that still clung to her despite the calming bath and the dreamless sleep she’d managed. Clasping her hands before her, she took up the spot next to Jessa. The shadow had disappeared, but there was a sadness that seemed to radiate from her, and she wore a pained expression on her face. Lena felt a pang of guilt creep into her belly.

“I’m sorry,” Lena said. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend.”

Jessa turned to look at her then. Lena wanted to turn away. To avoid that familiar gaze that reminded her of the children they’d been, but she didn’t. Lena held her gaze, willing her to see the genuine apology there.

“I missed you, Lee. I really did, at first. I couldn’t help but think I’d done something wrong. With time I realized it was you. It’s just what you do,” she said.

The words cut through her, but deep down, Lena knew it was true. The distance between them was her fault. She’d done the same thing when she was a child, after her grandfather died. She was good at shutting others out, even her mother. The only exception had been Henry.

“Mom wants you to accompany her to a healer’s gathering tonight. It’s not everyone, just a small group. You can ask her about the details when she wakes up.”

Lena nodded, unable to meet her eyes again.

“Help yourself to whatever sounds good in the kitchen. I have some appointments this morning,” Jessa said, pushing off from the railing, but then she halted. “Keep your distance from the barracks. You know what will happen to us, all of us, if someone recognizes you.”

The rest of the sentence hung in the air between them. After a moment, Jessa slipped inside and headed down the stairs. The truth was Lena had no idea where that version of her had gone. Shame and guilt reared up inside her, another monster ready to consume her, but nothing was worse than the absence of warmth between them.

Coming here had been a risk, but she couldn’t give up hope that Ahgrie might discover something to help her. To help Henry. If not a cure, something to slow the turn or ease the infection heading towards her heart and her brain. If she could only figure that part out, she’d have more time to explore options for helping Henry.

Chapter

Fifteen

Lena found Ahgrie downstairs sometime later poring over some old healer’s journals, a cup of tea sitting abandoned on the worn wooden table. She looked up and smiled at Lena, her greying curls wild around her face. Pushing her silver-rimmed glasses back up her nose, she motioned for Lena to come sit across from her.

“Let’s see it then,” she said. Right down to business as always. A smile tugged on the corner of Lena’s lips as she pushed her hair back and pulled her shirt down to expose the bandages.

“How did you sleep then? The smell keep you up?” Ahgrie asked, reaching for the bandages.