Page 30 of Hellish Witch

I’d left Rex’s house only an hour ago, with the urge to run straight for the portal, an itch beneath my skin. Killian had stalked me all the way to work, though, as if he could sense something was off. He’d seen me safely over the clinic’s threshold before finally flying away, and I’d rewarded him with a sarcastic little wave.

A nervous titter spilled out. “Oh, um, just trying a new technique. I learned it from the human realm. Very effective.” I nodded sagely, pretending I was gluing a cut closed with the medicinal paste I’d created out of choice, not horrifying necessity.

Dayla’s triple set of horns and spiked shoulder might give her an intimidating look, but she was a sweet, caring pain demon. She was also one of the few purebloods in our kingdom.

She’d been exiled from her village years ago, after refusing to heal their corrupt leader, and had set up the healing clinic when she’d found us. Thankfully, she did all the boring admin needed to run it, giving me a space to work on patients and supporting my magic with her more traditional medical techniques.

I’d been too young to have magic when my mother died, but if I’d known the things Dayla had taught me since, maybe I could have saved her.

“Hmmm, well, as long as your patient is okay with that?” Dayla trailed off in question, eyeing Hubert with a frown. “You must stop going after the most dangerous prey.”

The elderly blood demon seated before me blushed a bright gold against his peachy skin tone. He ducked his horns, chipped and gouged from countless battles. “Aye, you’re right on that one, matron. Sometimes, I just can’t resist a good challenge.”

Dayla shook her horns, spiked tail ball jabbing over her shoulder to point at my patient. “And that’s why we see you in here almost weekly.”

With a good-natured huff, she strode down the corridor, leaving me and my regular patient to share a conspiratory smile.

“Don’t worry, Hughey, I think what you’re doing is brave. Though, maybe take someone with you to watch your wings next time.”

He smiled, almost sheepishly. “I will, Healer Eve.”

“That’s all done now. Try not to get it wet today, and by the morning, it should be fully sealed,” I said, eyeing my work.

It would have been quicker to heal him with magic, but for weeks now, I’d been coming up with excuses for why I’d not been using it.

Hopefully, Hubert would be the last patient I had to treat the old way.

“Thank you.” He patted me on the hand. “Your healing abilities keep this kingdom from falling apart.”

He’d meant it as a compliment, but the words raked claws through my middle.

“I’m going away for a few days, so try not to take on any more shadow boars alone. You’re lucky you got away with a mild maiming,” I replied, curter than I’d intended.

He grinned, showing off a chipped fang.

A sigh escaped me. There was no way he was staying out of trouble.

I saw him out and grabbed my healer kit, complete with all the new pastes and potions I’d created. Between treating a handful of minor injuries from dawn hunts, I’d packed anything I could get my claws on that might help me get to the Sage Coven, and shakily written a note I’d carefully folded and placed into my pocket.

Shanlir had even come to find me, making sure I was okay after I’d disappeared on her last night. Guilt bit me at how frantic she’d seemed, even with the hangover. I’d given her a tonic and broken the news that I’d be gone for a few days on a trip topside for witchy things. The poor demon had been too groggy to ask questions, and I’d promised to bring her back something incredibly human, like cheesy puffs or an adorable devil plushie.

Taking a shaky breath, I eased out of the clinic’s side door, picking my way carefully through the thriving herb garden and hopping the low fence that was more decorative than anything.

The healing clinic was near the middle of the settlement, in an area with most of the other services, right beside the small market. I gave it a wide berth, creeping past the quiet leather tannery instead.

Traders from other kingdoms had only started visiting us a few months ago, and it was still a novelty to get goods we hadn’t made or brought back from dangerous trips to other kingdoms and the human realm.

Hopefully, news of the merchant I’d disappeared didn’t spread.

I stuck to the side paths and offshoots between cabins, sneaking the ten minutes back to my home. The single-storey cabin with neat red log siding sat at the end of a worn stone path, a healthy distance from my neighbours. Unlike me, they preferred not to get too close to the Bloodwood.

Bright sunshine highlighted the bloodbore flowers overflowing two great planters on either side of my carved front door. The dark forest loomed behind. Some people might think it was creepy living next to the most dangerous woods in Hell, but it soothed my witchy side.

Sneaking furtive glances up at the skies, I raced to the backdoor of my house and crept inside. Silence greeted me in the dim interior, punctuated by the rapid thud of my heart.

I had to leave before anyone could follow me to their doom. A journey to the human realm was no joke.

It was safer since Rex had brokered a peace deal with our shadow-walker neighbours last month, but countless other dangers lurked between here and the portal that could get Rex and Zoella killed.

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