Taste of Darkness

“Positive thoughts equals positive healing. The mind plays an important role, and if a patient is convinced he’s going to die, it counteracts his recovery.”

The other three appeared to be improving. Relief made me giddy and lightheaded—either that or the blood loss. I stifled a giggle. After asking one of the caregivers to bring Phelix a tray, I moved on to the stage-two cavern. Breakfast had just been served and those who could stomach the food ate, while the others had placed their bowls on the ground.

I glanced around with dismay. With twenty patients, it was the biggest group. And I’d need a lot of blood. This group also had more time to live. I decided to inject them with half a syringe of blood each and, if it didn’t work, I’d give them another half.

Instead of drawing my blood in plain sight, I led Danny to an empty cavern where he helped me. Soon my arms resembled pin cushions. The cave spun and my hands shook.

“It’s okay, Avry,” Danny said. “I’ll inject the blood. I need to learn anyway.”

I kept a hand on his shoulder as we headed back. “Ask them permission first,” I said, puffing. “And start with Gylon. If he agrees, then his squad will, too.” Although I couldn’t imagine anyone not agreeing.

Danny approached the sergeant. He held up the syringe, its bright red contents unmistakable. “This might save your life. May I inject it?”

Gylon looked at me and then back at Danny. “Hell, yes, son.”

I instructed Danny on the proper way to insert the needle and push down the plunger. “Only halfway. Save the other half for the next person. But make sure to wipe the metal tip with alcohol between patients.”

Within three patients, he had a rhythm. No one refused the chance to live.

After a while, my legs threatened to give out. I sat next to Gylon, watching Danny.

“What changed?” Gylon asked. “Yesterday you said there was nothing you could do. Today it’s ‘this might save your life.’”

“I had an epiphany.”

“And the ‘might’?”

“I don’t want to oversell it. It’s very promising, but...”

“Nothing worse than false hope.”

“Exactly.”

When Danny finished, he escorted me to my bedroll. I collapsed onto it and managed to say, “Wake me if the half dose doesn’t work.”

“They have a few days, Avry. No need to suck yourself dry.” Danny pulled the blanket over me.

I murmured a thanks and passed out. The best thing about the depth of my exhaustion—Tohon didn’t invade my dreams.

However, shouts of alarm and pounding boots intruded way too soon.

Odd barked out orders nearby. “Don’t let her leave the cave. Understand?”

“Yes,” Danny said.

Flinging off my blanket, I stood, then plopped back down as a wave of dizziness flowed up my body. “What’s going on?” I called out.

“We’re under attack,” Danny said, stepping into the cavern with a grim expression.

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“I must go help.” I crawled over to my pack, gathering my knives.

“That’s what Sergeant Odd said you’d do. Avry, you’re the only one who can cure the plague. If you die...”

“But if they get inside, I might die anyway. At least, I can—”

“You’re weak and not thinking clearly.”

I bristled. “And you’re thirteen years old.”

“And I’m acting smarter than you. You can’t just rush off into a situation when you have no idea what’s going on. I did that once and it caused Kerrick a lot of trouble. You’re needed here. We should prepare for casualties.”

Damn. He was right. I staggered to my feet, but still tucked a few knives in my belt just in case. “All right. Food first, or else I’ll be useless.”

Danny smiled. “That was easy. I thought I’d have to sit on you.”

“Then I’d just zap you.”

“Zap? What’s that?” he asked.

“Something you should know and this is the perfect time.” I explained to him how to use his healing powers to defend himself as I grabbed a handful of bread and cheese. “When you heal, your power flows out to the injured, but when you want to hurt someone, you push out the power and zap him. Think of sparks from a fire or lightning striking—a burst of energy. Try it.” I held out my arm.

Danny grabbed it and zapped.

“Ow!”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You’ll learn how much force to use with practice. But it’ll do for now. And if you zap at this spot...” I touched the back of his neck between two vertebra. “You’ll knock a person unconscious. But it has to be right on that spot or it won’t work. It’ll still hurt the person, but everyone has different pain tolerances.” I swept my hair to the side so he could find the location. “That’s it. I’d let you practice, but...”

We both glanced at the cave’s entrance. Two soldiers stood at the mouth. They held their swords ready, but the clangs of metal and shouts didn’t draw them from their position.

Worried for my friends, I asked, “Did the monkeys go out, too?”

“Yeah, everyone except the caregivers. Sergeant Gylon wanted to join them, but I threatened to tie him to his cot.”

“You’ve got good instincts, Danny. If we are invaded, don’t let anyone know you’re a healer. Okay?”