“No staff,” Gin hissed.
“Oh, look, it’s hurt,” Josiah taunted as he tightened his grip on Gin’s shoulders and guided her back from Sath. “My friends will make quick work of you.”
“Your friends. . .are upstairs…in puddles on the floor,” Sath said, beaming a bloody and toothy smile at Josiah. “Release her. NOW.”
Gin stood very still and—after pleading with the All-Mother for Her strength—began reciting ancient words of healing as quietly as she could to send magic toward Sath’s wounds. Sath seemed to know what she was doing and reached down for the dagger in his leg, grimacing slightly as his hand closed around the dead man’s fingers to pull it free before tossing it toward Gin’s boot. The spell landed at just the same time and the wound left by the dagger disappeared. Josiah stared at the wound, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Oh, Josiah?” she said, hoping that he would turn his back to Sath when she spoke. He did. “He said to take your hands off me. Now.” He released her, still staring at her in disbelief. She shouted Elvish words that called up deadly magic and hurled all that power straight at his head, Nothing happened. The healing magic worked—was this the same magical dampening that the Mother Dragon cast over Bellesea? With a strangled cry of frustration, she picked up the knife from the blood-streaked floor and ran at Josiah, plunging it into his arm just above the elbow.
That was the only distraction Sath needed. With his improved mobility, thanks to Gin’s healing spell, he pounced on Josiah and grabbed him by his head, not caring that his deadly claws raked the dragonkind’s scales on both sides of his face. Josiah howled in pain and fear, and Gin looked away, knowing what would come next. The crack of bones breaking silenced Josiah’s wails, and it was followed by the wet thump sound of his body hitting the stone floor. She looked back to see Sath standing there looking at her, panting as he tried to calm the bloodlust still raging through his system. She took a step toward him, but he held up one of his still bloody hands to stop her.
“You…still smell like…him,” he said, each of his words punctuated by a sharp intake of breath. “Stay…over there.”
“You need help, Sath, part of the bedpost is stuck in your back.” Gin ran around behind him, careful to stay out of the swiping distance of his powerful arms. She focused her magic on the wound in his back through their bond.
Speak to me in the bond, Sath—the less noise we make, the better. We need to get out of here, they will send more guards at any minute.
Just leave lots…of space between us because I…I’m sorry…I might hurt you.
You won’t hurt me.But I have an idea.
Gin was utterly unconvinced of her own statement. She swallowed hard and dashed through the doorway, Sath lumbering along behind her as fast as he could. Clearly he could still detect the human’s scent on her, and it stoked his bloodlust like poker to a bonfire that forced him to chase her -- exactly what she wanted him to do. The steps seemed endless, but finally, her feet hit the grass, and he followed.
I will…stay over here…until it passes. Get that human’s scent off your body, Gin, please?
It was only his hands on my shoulders, Sath, I can’t believe that much of his scent rubbed off on me. It’s not like I’m wearing his…Oh…
She froze for a second and raised her hand to her throat. She forgot that when Sath stumbled into the great room, Josiah had pulled his cloak back up around her shoulders and fastened it there. She undid the clasp at the neck and tossed the fabric to Sath, who was sitting on the ground. He immediately took a deep breath and then ripped the cloak to shreds, snarling and hissing. Gin took a step back but did not run away—she kept her gaze on him until he was finished destroying the cloak. The snarling and hissing had stopped, but he was still breathing heavily. Gin fought the urge to back away from him—when the feral side of Sath emerged, it chilled her to her bone. But just like her scars left from the wizard, this was a part of Sath that she had to be able to accept.
Feel better now? Sath?
Sath inhaled deeply. Mmm, sunflowers. Yes, yes, I do.
Gin exhaled. Good, because you’ve probably attracted half of the guard.You have to trust me.
Of course I do, don’t be daft.
No, really trust me. Completely.
Sath struggled to get to his feet. Gin watched him, her hands on her hips. Sath got to his feet and moved slowly toward her, and she was glad to see his burning teal gaze softening as he looked down at her.
Gin…I trust you. Get this board out of my shoulder blade, would you?
She tugged on the stubborn shard of wood. It released from his hide with a sickening wet sound, and he roared in pain. Soon her healing magic was again washing over him, and the hole in his back began to close over with new skin.
Stand still.Oh, andSath?
Yes?
Thank you for saving me.
I told you, I will always come for you.Always.
Gin held up a small bag of coins that she found in Josiah’s cloak before she tossed it to Sath. “Now we need to get moving,” she said. “And no more interference with the locals, understood?”
“As you wish, Nature Walker,” he said, mischief dancing in
