Page 14 of Destiny of the Witch

‘Meredith?’ I interrupted impatiently.

‘We found her hanging,’ Cain said grimly. ‘We cut her down as quickly as we could and resuscitated her. Although she’s breathing on her own now, she hasn’t come round.’

Ria let out a soft choking noise and her familiar, a mouse named Fido, nuzzled into her neck.

The hospital was out as an option for Meredith. Hospitals have crossover staff, people that work both as doctorsandhealers. Cain couldn’t risk the paperwork that might end up sliding across the Connection’s desk. It was me or Common medicine grabbed from a pharmacy, and the latter would be wholly inadequate. Without magical intervention, Meredith would need to be carefully monitored in a hospital, particularly for brain damage.

‘In your bedroom?’ I asked briskly, already moving that way.

‘Yes,’ Cain confirmed.

I opened the door and went in with Bastion on my heels. Meredith’s hair was spread out on the pillow like a pale halo. Her face was ashen and the skin around her throat was already darkening with bruises. Her brain had been deprived of oxygen for Goddess knew how long.

Luckily, I had brewed a brain-swelling potion for Oscar not long before, the main treatment for cerebral oedema and hypoxic brain damage. Despite its short shelf life, it would still do the trick for Meredith. The small amount of innate magic she had in the Common realm would be enough to spark the potion into working. Thank goodness I’d had it to hand; it was rare for me to brew it let alone carry it with me. I gave thanks that Oscar had been struck on the head when the fire elemental had attacked me; it would probably save Meredith’s life.

I opened my bag and pulled out the yellow vial. Bastion carefully searched the room; once he had ascertained that it was safe, he stepped out to speak with Cain. He left the door ajar so that he could hear if I needed him.

I opened Meredith’s mouth and poured a little of the yellow potion into it. As I had with Oscar, I closed her mouth and stroked her throat so that she swallowed reflexively. Unlike Oscar, she did exactly that. I repeated the process until the vial was empty.

Her eyes fluttered and she awoke with a strangled gasp. She shot upright, hands moving to her throat, eyes wide in panic.

‘You’re okay,’ I assured. ‘You’re safe.’

‘Mother!’ she croaked in relief when she saw me. She fell into my arms and started to sob.

I patted her awkwardly. ‘Everything’s okay. You’re safe now,’ I repeated.

The door pushed open. ‘Mum!’ When Ria ran in, Meredith left the comfort of my arms and instead offered comfort to her daughter.

‘I’m okay.’ She smiled bravely through her tears, then wiped at them, not wanting her daughter to see her cry. Her voice was hoarse and croaky; there was no doubt she was in pain from the damage her neck had endured.

I opened my tote bag, found potions for muscle damage and bruises and pulled out a small paintbrush. ‘Let’s heal that throat.’

Ria moved off her mother’s lap so I had some more space to work in, but she clung fiercely to Meredith’s hand. ‘Ouch!’ Meredith murmured. ‘I still have bones in that hand,’ she joked. ‘I’m glad to see you too, baby.’

Ria snorted. ‘I’m not a baby.’

‘You’ll always be my baby,’ Meredith replied, kissing her lightly.

Meredith had always been well-groomed, so it was odd to see her now with her hair wild, face naked of makeup and nails with the remains of last month’s manicure half-grown out and picked at. She’d been through some truly difficult times, and I suspected that they weren’t over yet.

I painted onhagalazfor injury andsowilofor health, first using the muscle damage potion then the one for bruises. I examined her with a critical eye then painted on two more runes for good measure. The more runes you use, the more ofyourmagic you use to activate them, but even so I have never been one to skimp on magic. Results matter.

I drew my magic forward and traced it through the runes. They lit up and I watched with satisfaction as the bruises faded before they could get truly established.

Meredith smiled at me. ‘Thank you, Coven Mother. That is so much better.’ She touched her neck self-consciously.

‘No problem. I’m glad you’re okay.’

I studied her. Her colour was up andshe looked steadier. Her tears had stopped when her daughter arrived. ‘Good,’ I said abruptly. ‘I have some questions for you.’

Meredith’s smile faded. ‘No doubt.’

‘Did you see your attacker?’

Meredith looked down and away as she squeezed her daughter’s fingers. ‘No,’ she said softly. ‘I’m sorry.’

I shook my head. ‘Whatever they said to you, I need to know the truth.’

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