Page 8 of Blood Weaver
He nodded. “Thank you, Leila.”
I paused at the door and glanced back at him. There was something about his demeanor that suggested he wasn't simply a ruthless member of the Crimson Clan. Perhaps, somewhere deep down, he had a sense of honor or some fragment of a moral compass. But I couldn't let my guard down.
I fixed him with a stern look. “Don't make me regret this decision, Ronan.”
He met my gaze, his crimson eyes softer than I’d seen them before. “I have no intentions to, Leila.”
With one last wary look, I made my way upstairs. The wooden floorboards creaked underfoot, echoing the uncertainty that filled my mind. As I settled onto my bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that allowing Ronan to stay, even just for one night, would have consequences that reached far beyond this moment.
4
When I woke up the next morning, Ronan was gone and so were his men who had surrounded my clinic all night. On top of the folded blanket and pillow he used, there was a note that simply said,See you soon. I crumpled it up and threw it in the wastebasket. He was the last person I wanted to see again after last night.
I prepared the clinic for my first appointment of the day, then stepped outside to flip the sign around toOpen. At the rap of knuckles on my door, I glanced up to see Anna, the town’s baker. My first client of the day was seven months pregnant and here for a check-up.
“Hello, Anna, how are you feeling?” I asked as I ushered her inside to sit.
“Hello, Leila,” Anna replied, her cheeks rosy from her walk. “Feeling the weight of this little one more and more each day,” she chuckled as she affectionately rubbed her baby bump.
“Any discomfort or unusual feelings?” I questioned as I checked her pulse. Once I confirmed that her’s and her baby’s pulses were steady and strong, I started to prepare a tea that would help with any swelling or cramps.
“A bit of back pain and some swelling in my feet by the end of the day,” Anna admitted with a wry glance at her feet. “But other than that, everything seems normal.”
“That's pretty common,” I said, handing her a warm cup of tea. “This should help. Make sure to elevate your feet when resting and consider wearing more supportive shoes.”
Anna took a sip and smiled. “This is lovely, thank you. Make sure to stop by the bakery today, Leila. I just made a fresh batch of mooncakes. I know those are your favorite.”
I beamed. “Yes, thank you. You certainly know the way to my heart. I’ll stop by later today.”
She nodded as she took another sip of tea, then glanced around the clinic and back at me as she cleared her throat. “I heard there was quite a ruckus last night with those Crimson Clan men.”
I sighed and hesitated for a moment before replying. “It was an eventful evening, to say the least. But everything is fine now.”
Anna's eyes widened slightly in curiosity. “Did one of them stay here? Alberta said she saw one of them leaving your clinic early this morning with a whole army.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Alberta always was observant,” I murmured, a hint of sarcasm in my tone. “Yes, he needed a place to rest for the night, but he's gone now.”
Anna looked concerned. “You must be careful, Leila. You know the stories about them.”
I nodded. “I do, but he wasn't here to cause harm. At least not last night.”
“Very well,” she murmured, not completely convinced. She dug into her purse and pulled out a pouch full of coins. “Fifty gleams,” she said as she handed them over.
Fifty gleams equaled half a glint. Because she often paid me in baked goods, I always gave her a discount for her check-ups.
“Thank you, Anna,” I offered graciously.
“No, thankyou, Leila. I don’t know what this town would do without you.”
I smiled, touched by her words. “Thank you, Anna. And remember, anytime you feel off or need a check-up, come see me.”
She gave a nod with a smile that was both warm and genuine. “I will. Thank you, Leila.”
As the day progressed, a steady stream of patients visited my clinic, each with their unique ailments and stories. Yet, despite the busy hours, the events of the previous night continued to linger in my thoughts. Ronan's cryptic words –See you soon– seemed to echo endlessly, an unsettling reminder of our unexpected encounter.
It was past noon and I was just wrapping up a late lunch when someone barged into my clinic. I looked up from my meal to find the Governor of Lomewood at my doorstep.
“Leila, please, I need your help!” he wailed, sweat beads dripping from his round face.
