Page 25 of Discovered Magic
With a dark chuckle, Damian nodded. “That sounds like the deity we all know and love. I’ll reach out to her, the Council, and the Authority. Perhaps I might gain answers where you could not.”
“Can you heal her?” Jonas asked, reluctant to let him leave without trying.
“Not without a nasty shock. She’s holding her own for now. If she takes a turn for the worse, send Draven to me.” He turned to go, but paused. “Is Shadow still hanging about?”
“Yes. He’s keeping watch over Gus Green.”
“I’m not familiar with the name.”
“No, you wouldn’t be.” Jonas gave a single-shoulder shrug. “He’s a mortal with the devil for a father. Poor kid.”
“Well, we weren’t all as blessed as the Thornes.”
“Thorne,” their patient mumbled in her delirium. “Wilder.”
Damian stilled, and a dangerous expression settled on his face. “She recognized the name. She’s definitely more than she seems.”
“Should we be concerned? Is it possible she’s a Death Dealer seeking one of our extended family?” Uncle Nate asked.
“I don’t believe so,” he said slowly. “In my experience, they regenerate faster than a standard witch.” Damian turned to Jonas. “Nate said she was like this for five days?”
“Yes.”
“Then, no, she’s not a Dealer.”
Aunt Evie waved them off. “You’re distressing her with your morbid talk. Go on with you boys.”
“Evie, my love?—”
“You, too, Nathanial. The woman needs rest and care at the moment.” She gave him a pointed look. “Go investigate the name Wilder. Ask Isis about future generations. I have a sneaking suspicion it’s attached to our family.”
“You think she somehow tumbled through time to find other Thornes, Aunt Evie?” Hopping about time was difficult for Jonas to wrap his head around, but based on the female’s manly clothing and tools, she certainly didn’t belong in their century.
“Perhaps.” His aunt gave her a considering look. “I doubt it was by design. More likely, it was accidental. If Stands-in-Shadow is correct and she is a Traveler’s child, she may not be in control.”
Damian shifted closer.
“You make a great point, Evie. If she was injured first, she might be falling through time, instinctively searching for her people.”
Uncle Nate grunted. “Bloody fantastic.”
“The only thing we can do is nurse her to the best of a mortal’s ability. If, at a future juncture, she allows the use of my gifts, I can restore her mind and heal her more serious injuries,” Damian said. “Continue to ply her with willow bark tea. It should control the fever. Slippery elm and honey might soothe her throat as well.”
“You’re able to remove her power,” Jonas said, hating himself for suggesting it. “Why not do it?”
“It’s a painful process, and some don’t survive. Separating a witch from their magic requires a directive from the Authority or Isis. I’ll not take it upon myself to destroy her life.”
“You may not have a choice, son,” Uncle Nate added.
“Certainly, it may come to that, Nate, but I’d rather exhaust all other possibilities first.”
“I agree. In her weakened condition, it’s doubtful she’d make it.” Jonas pressed the back of his wrist to her forehead and cheeks. With a grimace, he retrieved the empty bucket by the dresser. “She’s flushed. I’ll retrieve another block of ice.”
Aunt Evie protested. “It’s a simple matter to conjure more.”
“I need to stretch my legs and find Draven. I’m still required to fulfill my duties as sheriff of this godforsaken town, and he’s likely the one stirring up trouble.”
“He’s a young man with the weighted expectations of the Fates. Let him enjoy his freedom for a while longer,” Uncle Nate suggested.
