Page 16 of A Healer's Wrath

“Stop being dramatic, Gareth,” Tasha snapped. “Flaying is so last century. I would settle for banishment.”

“Banishment?” Gareth sputtered.

Half a dozen of the others began shouting over one another, while Tasha screeched and Gareth shouted.

I stood before my chair, chin high and shoulders back, amazed at the stupidity of it all.

“Peace, please,” Johann tried to calm the assembly.

When sugar failed, he chose the bitter approach, slamming his staff onto the marble so hard sparks flew and the circle flared to life, bathing everyone in a frightening golden glow. Startled eyes darted from the Grand Mage to the circle and back. Johann had not used his powers in their Chamber in centuries, perhaps longer. No one used magic there.

“Everyone, sit!” Johann’s command was inviolate. In that Chamber, we were his. Every ass found a cushion, and every tongue stilled. “We will not bicker like children. We are this world’s guiding Light. I expect each of you to act like it. Do you understand me?”

His words punched into my gut like a fighter’s knuckles, and I knew his power compelled obedience.

“Yes, Grand Mage,” nine voices mumbled.

“Good. There will be no banishment . . . or flaying . . . or punishment of any kind. There is no prohibition against what Kelså did. We are barred from affecting the flow of history, not Healing a single person. Some among us would do well to remember that when placing old grudges above current challenges.”

Tasha crossed her arms across her ample bosom and refused to meet Johann’s gaze. Elric’s icy glare would have cowed most.

Johann ignored his spite and turned back toward me. “You say she is prepared? That she will accept us now?”

“I did not say that. Gareth expressed hope based on the Healing. Irina is strong willed and intelligent. We will need to handle her carefully,” I said, still on my feet by my chair. “She has served as an apprentice for the past four years. All she knows is compliance with strict instructions of a Master. Rist is renowned among his community, both for his skill and his ability to train others. I believe she will devour any instruction we offer, as long as we win her trust first.”

Tasha sat back and crossed her arms. “What do you mean, ‘win her trust’? Did your little demonstration not entice her to learn?”

Tasha’s head remained facing away from me, despite her addressing my remarks. I locked eyes with Johann instead. “The girl is sixteen years old. She has never known anyone with magic and has never wielded it herself. She was still in shock from what she experienced, from what she did. Surely, each of us remembers magic’s first touch, yes? Some of us were much younger than Irina. I recall the terror in more than a few of your eyes.”

Tasha shifted in her seat, her gaze landing on the center of the circle, but she did not argue. Her own manifestation had been among the most difficult I could remember.

“How did you leave things with her?” Johann asked.

“She is frightened but was willing to speak privately for several hours. That was an important first step. I should return and offer to teach her basic control. Once she views me as an ally rather than some mythical creature, you can approach her about her full potential.”

A few of the Mages snarked in hushed tones, but Johann held up a hand to silence them. “Fine, but she needs you now, not days from now. Return to Fontaine. Do what you can. We will meet again in one week to determine next steps.”

Johann banged his staff again, signaling the end of the discussion, then rose and exited the Chamber before the others could react.

I didn’t wait to hear the eruption from Tasha and her cadre. I glanced toward Gareth, receiving a quick nod, then vanished from the Chamber.

Chapter eight

Irina

“Ididn’t expect to see you back so soon,” I said, crossing my arms.

Kelså sat in one of the comfortable chairs in the waiting area and smiled up at me. “I had not planned to return so quickly, but we were concerned about you.”

“About me? Master Rist was injured, not me.”

Kelså stood and stepped toward me, gripping my shoulders. I had to resist the urge to stumble backward. “I’m not talking about any injury of yours. I’m referring to how you Healed his.”

I startled.

“You touched your magic for the first time, didn’t you?”

It had been years since I allowed someone to intimidate me. Living and working with Master Rist and the ever-pleasant Siena had stiffened my already rigid spine. Still, staring into the infinite eyes of a Mage, I had the sudden urge to run down the hallway and hide.