Page 52 of Last Wish
I paid him no attention. His skills lay in first aid, not mortal wounds; he didn’t know everything. I yanked off my jacket then pulled my T-shirt over my head, before bending over to dab at the wound and clear some of the blood so I could get a better look. Maybe the blade wasn’t that long. It was possible that none of Morna’s vital organs had been hit.
She moaned in response. ‘Stop,’ she gasped.
I ignored her. ‘Blood loss,’ I muttered. ‘We need to stop her from losing more blood.’
Taylor tried again. ‘Integrity…’
I growled at him and pressed down, trying to staunch the flow. Tipsania reached round me to help. A heartbeat later Angus was with us. ‘What the hell happened?’
‘We need to get her to a hospital.’
He nodded. ‘There’s already an ambulance on the way.’
‘Is there anyone here with the Gift of Healing?’ I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
‘No.’ His was face was pale. ‘Why would Fomori demons come here? Why would they do this?’
‘Integrity,’ Morna whispered again. ‘Take it.’
I stared at her face. ‘What?’
‘Take it,’ she repeated. Her pupils were unfocused. A tear rolled from the corner of eye, trickling down her lined cheek.
‘I told you to be quiet,’ I choked.
‘It doesn’t hurt any more.’
‘Morna…’
‘Take it.’
‘No.’
Angus shook his head. ‘I don’t understand. What is she talking about?’
Morna’s lips moved again. Tipsania’s face was bloodless as she looked at me. ‘She says it’s her time.’
Morna blinked. ‘Do it.’
I couldn’t begin to imagine where she got the strength to speak. I clenched my teeth. ‘Don’t you dare give up, Morna Carnegie. It isnotyour time. The ambulance is on its way and this time tomorrow you’re going to be scolding us all from a comfy hospital bed.’
She smiled sadly. ‘No, I’m not. Take it, Integrity. You’ll need it.’
I heaved in a ragged breath. ‘You’re too weak. It will kill you.’
‘I’m…’ Her chest rattled as she struggled to speak. ‘Already dead.’ She clutched at me. ‘Take it now.’
I glanced at Taylor. Sorrowfully, he gave me the tiniest shake of his head and rocked back on his haunches. Tears flowed freely from Tipsania’s eyes and Angus had to glance away. Only Morna was calm. She fixed me with a serene gaze. ‘Do it.’
My tongue darted out, wetting my dry lips. I rubbed furiously at my own eyes and then focused. I could see the swirl of magic within her. She was right – it was already leaking away, dissipating into the ether. She had only seconds left. My body was racked with uncontrollable shivers while Morna’s skin seemed to grow paler by the second.
I released the breath I was holding and did what she asked, pulling her magic inside me. The force of her Gift almost overwhelmed me as it flooded my system. I fell back, dizzy and sick and gulping for air, just as Morna’s hand dropped and she went completely still.
Tipsania gave a choked sob. Through blurred vision, I saw Angus reach down and close Morna’s eyelids. No. It wasn’t going to happen like this. I wasn’t going to let it. I threw back my head and screamed. ‘Bob!’ Then Angus was by my side and hauling me up to my feet and away from Morna’s body.
Taylor rushed round and grabbed my shoulders. ‘Don’t do it, Tegs.’
‘Bob can get here. I still have a wish left. I can…’
