Page 56 of Shadow Caster
I turned away from the door. “What could cause this?”
“I don’t know,” Madam Mariana said. “Her temperature was elevated when she was brought in—a slight fever—which leads me to postulate that this could be the result of some kind of virus.”
“Supernaturals don’t get sick,” Harmon said shortly.
“Not unless the sickness is supernatural in nature,” Mariana added.
“A supernatural sickness?” I raised both brows. “Do we even have any? I’ve never heard of them.”
Madam Mariana looked uncomfortable. “It may not be from our world.”
Wait, was she suggesting … “An Otherworld sickness?” Oh, shit. “You think it’s fomorian?”
“An attack?” Harmon was on high alert now, his huge body bristling with the need to act.
I touched his wrist lightly, and he exhaled sharply. “Tell me about this virus?”
The weaver held up her hands. “It’s just one theory. We can’t say anything for sure. Unfortunately, there is no trace of antigen in Lottie’s blood. Nothing for us to go on aside from speculation.” She sighed. “She could be infectious, but then again, she may not be. My tests have picked up nothing conclusive. We have her in quarantine as a precaution. Master Payne is running more bloodwork as we speak. If all the tests are clear, she’ll be able to go back to classes at the end of the week.”
“My father … Did you call him?” Harmon asked.
“I believe he was informed,” Mariana said softly. “I’m sorry. He said he was too busy to come.”
Harmon nodded. “Figures.” He tucked in his chin. “Can I see her? Once the quarantine is over?”
“Of course.” Mariana placed a hand on Harmon’s shoulder, her expression flooded with sympathy. “She understands what’s happened. She knows she has a brother here, family. She’s much calmer now, and who knows, maybe seeing you will jog something.”
The door to the lab opposite the reception area opened, and Master Payne strode in. “Everything okay?” His attention was on me before he glanced to the quarantine room. “How is the patient?”
“She’s fine,” Madam Mariana said. “We didn’t mean to interrupt your work.”
He shook his head. “No, that’s fine. I’m coming up empty.” He frowned. “I’m sorry this happened, Harmon. If there is a way to fix it, we will.”
“Thank you,” Harmon said.
Payne gave me a tight smile. “Are you settling in with the shadow cadets all right?”
“It’s fine.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat, and there was an awkward silence.
Madam Mariana broke it with a deep sigh. She steered us from the room and closed the door on us.
Time was up, I guess.
“How can this happen?” Harmon said softly. “How can they not know anything?”
Shit happened, though. It happened all the time, and sometimes there was no rhyme or reason to it, and the only thing that kept us going was hope.
“You heard what Madam said. Maybe seeing you will jog something. Just because she can’t remember now doesn’t mean she won’t.”
“Yeah.” Harmon smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes. “I never thought I’d say this, but you’re right.”
I snorted. “I never thought you’d stand up for me, but you did.”
He ducked his head. “Yeah, well, Mal’s a wanker.”
Nah, it was more than that. It was about Harmon being a decent guy, despite his dickhead player façade.
