Page 24 of Bones
When Juck had brought me back to his gang and introduced me as the new healer, the startled outrage on everyone’s faces wasn’t unexpected. Ididexpect him to give them an explanation, but instead, he just walked away, pulling me with him. The angry murmurs followed us, and I didn't understand why he wasn't telling them that I wasn't just a kid, that I had healing powers. I was trying to gather the courage to ask when he dragged me into his tent and told me I could only use my healing powers onhim.
“You’re my lil’ Angel,”he had saidsoftly, stroking my hair. “Don’t tell anybody else what you can do. If they knew, they’d hurt you an’ use you up, but I’ll protect you, alright, Angel?”
He seemed kind at that moment, and I peered up at him, wondering if my earlier assessment of him had been wrong. He smiled as I met his eyes, but the coldness there made my skin prickle.
His hand stroking my hair seized a fistful, holding my head still in a painful grip that made me gasp. “You don’t touch anyone ‘less I say so. You hear me?”
I heard him loud and clear.
I wasn’t sure why I kept talking, but I did. “One of Juck’s men brought me any medical textbooks he could find, and I read them over and over until I memorized them. The rest I learned from experience.” I took a deep breath and rubbed the dampness out of my eyes. “I need some supplies. Soap for starters. Some alcohol for sterilizing?—”
I turned around as I listed, and faltered when I realized Trey stood next to Griz. I wasn’t sure how much he heard. I looked away and forced myself to continue like I didn’t care.
“Blankets, a flashlight if you have ’em, some cots, and a change of clothes.”
Griz nodded but then glanced at Trey. I followed his gaze, feeling my stomach drop at the unease on Trey's face.
“Griz can work on getting those supplies,” Trey said quietly. “But Madame wants to talk to you.”
The hair on the back of my neck rose and I fought the urge to shudder. I tried to keep my face blank, but I inwardly panicked. I couldn’t torture someone again. Gods, Icouldn’t.
Trey held something out to me. “Here. Found you a different shirt.”
I took it, unfolding it to see a simple sleeveless black shirt with a high neckline. I turned my back to them and unbuttoned my flannel shirt, the cool air a relief on my sweaty skin, and pulled the new shirt over top of Clarity’s thin tank top. It covered the brand on my chest perfectly. I didn’t thank him as I turned back and followed him outside, but gratitude clogged my throat. I didn’t want anyone to see the brand, but I especially didn’t want Madame to see it. The less ammo she had against me the better.
“She just wants to ask you some questions this time,” Trey said as we walked like he wanted to reassure me.
I didn’t reply, focusing on steeling myself.
You can survive this,Wolf ordered in my head.Do what you gotta do to survive.
* * *
Madame sat at a table, her fingers drumming on the surface. On her left sat a woman with a shaved head. Beside that woman sat Sax, the man who’d dragged Hojo out for Madame to play with last night. On Madame’s right sat an older man with an ugly scar on his cheek. It looked like some creature had taken a large bite out of the side of his face. Next to the older man sat Mac. I avoided his gaze.
“Take a seat, Bones,” Madame commanded. “We have some questions for you.”
Trey strode up to the table and pulled out a wooden chair across from Madame. Reluctantly, I followed and sat. Trey stood behind my chair, hands clasped behind his back. I tried to ignore the panicky feeling of being trapped.
“Hello, Bones,” the older man started, his voice warm. “I’m Nemo and over there is Zana. We’re a part of Madame’s council. Zana oversees the guards and law enforcement, and I oversee agriculture and manufacturing.”
Based on the look on Madame’s face, she either disliked Nemo or Zana or both. It surprised me to hear she had a council, especially after she’d met us at the gate with armed men like a warlord. She didn’t seem like the type to share power.
“So you were Juck’s healer.”
It wasn’t really a question, but I answered him anyway, “Yes.”
“What happened to The Reapers?” Madame asked.
I swallowed hard. “There was a rebellion.”
“No shit,” Madame said. “I want to know why.”
I hesitated, squeezing my hands together in my lap under the table. “Most of the Reapers didn’t know about my powers. Juck only let me heal himself and the couple men who knew. One of his men was trying to stage a coup, so he told the Reapers about my powers, and they turned on Juck.”
“Vulture tried to take over, didn’t he?” Madame pressed and I had to force myself not to react that she knew his name.
“Yes.”
