Page 6 of Blood Weaver
I smirked. “I’d like to see you try.”
Silas started to take a step toward me when Ronan stopped him. “Enough! She didn’t poison me, but I want you to find out who did. It must be one of the girls at the Rose Petal Lounge. Find out which one of them was recently hired.”
Silas bowed with a fist placed over his heart, accepting the mission, and hurried outside. I frowned and wondered what rank Ronan possessed to deserve that much respect.
“What are you, a general?” I questioned as I grinded some herbs together.
Ronan shrugged. “Something like that.”
I snorted. “Such loyalty. I wonder how many people you had to kill to gain it.”
Ronan lazily trailed his red eyes toward me. “As if you’ve never killed anyone.”
“I haven’t,” I answered sincerely.
He rolled his eyes. “I find that hard to believe, considering how easily you took down my men.”
I stopped grinding the herbs for a moment and met his eyes. “Training and self-defense are one thing. Taking a life is another entirely.”
He smirked. “A moral compass. How quaint.”
“Something you obviously lack,” I retorted with a scowl, turning my attention back to the herbs and grinding them with more force than necessary.
He was silent for a moment. “Don't be so quick to judge, Healer. We all do what we must to survive.”
“Yes, well, I survive without spilling innocent blood,” I shot back.
Ronan chuckled. “Innocentis a rather subjective term, don't you think? And just so you know, not every person I’ve killed was innocent. Some were monsters. Worse than you could ever imagine.”
I paused to consider his words. “That doesn’t justify murder. Every life is precious.”
Ronan leaned closer and his crimson eyes drilled into mine. “Not all lives are equal. Some are venomous, waiting to strike when you least expect it.”
Despite myself, a chill wormed down my spine. His eyes held a dark intensity I hadn't seen before. A depth of pain and experience that spoke of countless battles, betrayals, and hard-won victories.
I finished grinding the herbs, then mixed them with a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Carefully, I applied the paste to the rash spreading across Ronan's neck. His steely gaze never left mine.
“Take off your leathers,” I ordered.
Without a second thought, he swiftly took them off and I couldn’t help but scan his bare body. Olive skin covered in crimson tattoos covered his well sculpted body. Every inch of him was hard as my fingers gingerly applied the paste to the infected areas. I gulped loudly at his warm touch. I tried to avert my eyes, but they were glued to his beautiful body. A beautiful body that I truly wanted to hate.
“And what are those blue eyes looking at?” he inquired with a smirk.
I averted my gaze. “Nothing.” I continued to apply the paste, my hand rubbing the warmth of his skin sending shivers through me.
He chuckled. “It’s okay. Look and touch all you want. I don’t mind.”
I rolled my eyes. “Asshole,” I mumbled.
“You should be careful, Healer,” he whispered. “Intriguing as you are, you've already made plenty of enemies tonight.”
I met his gaze head-on. “I’ve survived this long. I can handle a few more threats.”
He smirked. “We’ll see.”
I finished applying the antidote and stepped back. “There. That should stop the spread. But you'll need to rest and avoid any strenuous activities for a few days.”
Ronan nodded and stood slowly. “Thank you,” he said as he reapplied his leathers.
