Galen Vesa

“Breathe. It’ll make things much easier if you try to breath. Make your lungs remember what they were supposed to do.”

Between the shock, the blood loss, and the pain, Nahira’s life hanged on a silver hair, anchored to this world by my water ring. And I was sweating profusely, heavy beads of blood dripping off my chin and bursting out in flames to evaporate before they could hit the ground or the seer’s face.

For goodness sake, it was one thing to heal someone a bit or make Water put people back together but whatever the odd one did to the serpent her wounds would not close no matter how much mana I’ve put into the ring. So I did the next best thing and pumped my mana into that damn snake while at the same time I kept on stitching her flesh.

I had no idea I would be ever using this to make an actual sutures when Rooth had spent no less than a year, beating me senseless until I could materialize a thin mana thread and make a perfect seam in whatever materials he tossed at me. I’ve been sewing together linen, leather, wood or even bricks. He made me spin a thread out of my own power and use it to join whatever he gave me. I had no idea this could have any other purpose aside from learning how to control my mana or fix my undies.

Life proved me wrong about it.

With the snake haplessly bleeding out before my very own eyes, I grabbed her filigree wrist in my left hand and dumping ocean loads of mana into the ring, I held her anchored to this world while hair thin blue thread formed in my right palm. When I had a considerable length at my disposal, I began to sew together each and every cut that damn interloper made on her flesh.

“Breathe and stop tossing around because If I mess this up, you'll get even more ugly than you already are.”

Her eyes, or at least the black holes in her face where her eyes should be, seemed to focus on me. She blinked as if unable to believe what she saw and finally calmed, her chest moving up and down. Almost at the same time the drag on my power lessened and I felt mana rushing into me when my recovery overtook what I spent.

I had a considerable trouble with the bloody rune cut in her forehead. My focus seemed too loose to handle it but now that her heart restarted, I could steady myself and patch that one up.

Whatever made those marks, dug deep enough to reveal the bone and I had to close it layer by layer or it would not hold.

Or so I thought. Or perhaps I knew? Something sat at the edge of my mind directing each step I took. All the while I sweat blood and burning tears.

“Thank you.”

“You should wait until I'm done. No refunds accepted.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Her heart still had some doubts whether or not it should keep on beating

“You… have peculiar sense of humor.”

“Never been too proficient with this social fluff. Anyway, I think I got everything patched up enough for your healers to handle the rest. “

I let my arms drop and just hang beside me. I could feel no pain but even I know that holding an odd position for far too long is not good for one’s body. Half a day is far too long, I think.

The serpent did not move though and kept on resting on my lap. Alive and, not exactly well but still alive. That counts, does it? I haven’t done anything outrageous so the wolf shouldn’t complain when I get back. Will she?

“You hate me.”

Nahira's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Not asking but, more like stating a fact.

“Not really. My body does sometime have an urge to rip your guts out or bash in your head, but these are not originating from hate. At least I do not think so. These sensations come and go regardless of whom I speak with but that’s all they are, sensations. Like carving for candy. “

What else should I call them, feelings? Hmm, I don’t think so. Hate still ran around inside my inner forest, screaming at random people. And trees. And at herself. It should be safe to say I don’t hate anyone at the moment. Hate was too busy with hating herself.

“It comes with the job I believe.”

I shrug my arms and let her think whatever she wished. At this point anyone in this city could hardly have any qualms as to what my actual occupation was. However, misguided that was, I gave up on rectifying such beliefs. Whether people saw me as a freak, a monster, a cold-blooded assassin, a plaything or a holy maiden blessed by spirits, I just shrugged my arms to that and went with the flow. Less hassle. As long as I set the expectations low, nobody complained.

“The job you say… I had the dubious pleasure of meeting many children of the night, none were as peculiar as you.”

“I have retired.”

Another shrug and even more lies.

“Had you told me what I asked the moment we met, none of it would take place.”

“All the more reasons to remain silent. Sometimes silence bears grater fruits than thousands of words.”

Well, a certain lizard would have something to say about that. I did not.

“How does one get to retire in your profession?”

“With a dagger in one’s back or by fading into obscurity.”

“Then it is not so different from mine.”

She rolled over onto her side, her palm sliding up and down my tight.

“I am cold. Would you stay the night?”

Her cheeks were flushed. Oh…

“Not interested, besides, that’s just my charms. It will wear off in a moment.”

“What if I don’t want them to wear off?”

“Then I must leave for I am still not interested.”

Her hand went where no hand has gone before.

“Even if we negotiate a price?”

“I don’t think there is a price I would agree to. You are not my type.”

I freed myself from her body and went for the open arc and climbed over the edge when her voice stopped me.

“I would appreciate it if you could use the entrance like a normal person. It bothers my guards when people disregard their presence. Or maybe you would stay if I tell you a story about a shit stick?”

How?

“Another one of your tricks?”

Slowly she slithered up to me and hugged me from behind.

“No. No more tricks. Just truth in exchange for this one night. I fear to be alone. I had not lived a single day without knowing what next dawn may bring.”

Her hands did tremble.

“Please.”

My body heaved. I think I have sighed for real for the first time. She smiled.

It was a strange night.