Taste of Darkness

“What if the serum doesn’t work?” Flea dropped Yuri’s hand and moved around to my side of the cot. “You can’t die. We need you.”

“We can travel to the Peace Lily before the third stage so you won’t have to inject the serum in me.”

“That is if the Peace Lily takes you. A big if.” He crossed his arms. “No.”

His posture was so like Kerrick’s, I stifled a smile. “Flea, you of all people should know that I decide who I heal and who I won’t.”

“Yeah, well... You’ll have to get through me first.” He stepped between me and Yuri, who stared at us both as if we had lost our minds.

I waggled my fingers at him. “One touch, Flea, and you’ll be down.”

He waved his in the air, as well. “Me, too.”

“Really? Did you learn something new when I was gone?”

“No, but I’m sure if I’m mad enough...” He dropped his hands in defeat. His heart wasn’t on board with the threat.

But his boast gave me an idea. “You can touch me and see if the plague kills me for good or if I survive again. Then—”

“No. I’m not seeing when you’re going to die, Avry. I can’t.” Flea hunched his shoulders as if I’d force him.

“That’s okay. It wouldn’t have changed my mind anyway. I’m going to heal him.” I pushed Flea to the side and grabbed Yuri’s arm.

My magic grew, pushing from my core and flowing toward Yuri where it died as if hitting a wall. I tried again and nothing happened. My healing magic refused to inundate Yuri’s body and bring the sickness back into me.

“Did you cure him?” Flea asked, sounding peevish.

“No.” I explained about the wall.

Flea glanced at Yuri. The young patient squeezed his eyes shut. Tears leaked from the corners and ran down his temples.

“The Peace Lily serum must still be in your blood, too,” Flea said.

“Must be. Although I didn’t think it would affect my healing abilities.” So what had the Peace Lily wished for me to learn?

“Now what?” Flea asked.

“We’ll try my original plan. If that’s okay with you, Yuri?”

Without saying a word or even opening his eyes, he held out his arm. Flea returned to the other side of the cot and once again took Yuri’s left hand in his. I picked up the syringe, found a vein and injected the serum into him.

“So cold, it burns,” Yuri said.

Flea moved to get a blanket, but Yuri wouldn’t let go.

I grasped Yuri’s right hand. “It’s going to hurt like nothing you’ve ever felt before. But don’t despair, it will end.”

Yuri peeked at me. “Now you tell me.”

“Would it have changed your mind?” I asked.

“No.”

Yuri’s grip tightened and every muscle in his body tensed as the serum traveled throughout his body. It didn’t take long for him to start screaming. He let go of our hands and curled into a tight ball, rocking and yelling.

I kept my fingers on his arm. My magic sensed the oily blackness of the plague fighting the cold whiteness of the serum.

Loren and Quain skidded into the doorway. They had their swords in hand. Odd wasn’t far behind. They shouted questions at us.

“Go explain it to them,” I said to Flea. “Wash your hands first.”

“Will he be okay?” Flea asked.

“I’ve no idea. Come back when he’s quiet.”

“Okay.” Flea shooed the monkeys and Odd into the hallway, then dunked his hands into the water bucket before scrubbing his skin.

“Up to the elbows,” I instructed before returning my attention to Yuri.

His cries remained loud and strong. Having been in his position, I empathized with him. I’d never forget the raw agony. It had felt like acid dissolving my insides. The only thing I didn’t know was how long it would take.

Each of his screams lasted for hours, or so it seemed. Helpless, I placed my hand on his shoulder to let him know I was there. Now I understood why Kerrick had attacked the Peace Lily when I’d been inside yelling myself hoarse. Right now I’d do anything to help alleviate Yuri’s pain.

The volume and duration of his shrieks eventually dwindled. Then, in the space of a heartbeat, he died.

I gasped, frozen for a moment. Drawing in a deep breath, I touched his forehead. No spark of magic. Nothing at all. I closed his eyes as the ever-present grief inside my heart expanded, washing over me.

It hadn’t worked. Was that what the Peace Lily meant? Should I give up trying to use the Lily to save people? Were Flea and I the only possible survivors?

Yuri’s eyes opened. Probably a reflex. But then he turned his head and his gaze met mine.

I stepped back. No life shone in his blue eyes. Pure terror gripped me. I’d created one of Tohon’s dead.

Tohon’s voice sounded in my mind. Not one of mine, my dear. Yours. He’s the first of Avry’s dead.

* * *

“Avry, stop yelling.” Odd shook my shoulders.

I focused on him. His face was inches from mine. He seemed concerned. Did I have another nightmare? Yes, I remembered Tohon’s sleek voice.

“What’s wrong?” he asked me.

“I...”

“Oh, no,” Flea said with his voice full of horror.

Odd turned. Flea stood next to Yuri, who had his dead gaze trained on me.

“Did she heal him?” Quain asked. He stood in the doorway with Loren.