Page 85 of The Study of Magic
His eyelids slammed closed as soon as she released them. He tried to open them. To move. To speak. But he had zero energy to do anything other than breathe.
“Tell me what happened,” she ordered.
“He was fine yesterday morning,” Ari said. “We checked on him at lunch and he was passed out. We couldn’t rouse him. We thought the other team had used sleeping potion on him.”
“Why?”
“We were doing an exercise. It made sense at the time. But they didn’t use it, and we didn’t find out until this morning.”
“Is he allergic to spearmint?” Janco asked worriedly. “Did I kill him?”
Valek summoned a bit of strength. “No. I’m…okay.”
“You don’t look okay,” Channa said.
“Tired. Gave…my all.” And would have given Yelena more if he had it.
“What did he do before yesterday?”
Ari explained about tying him in the tree. “He climbed down on his own.”
“That explains the welts.” She pushed his sleeve up.
Valek couldn’t stop her.
“Holy Snow Cats! Why didn’t he say anything?” Janco cried.
“You had gagged him.”
“Yes, but I asked every hour if he was okay. Two blinks for yes. He always blinked twice. Did I kill him?”
“My fault,” Valek said.
Channa sat back on her heels. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Need sleep.”
“Okay, we’ll make a gurney and carry you.”
“No! I…stay here.” The last thing he needed was for everyone to see him so debilitated. The challenges would never end.
“Are you in pain?”
“No. Need Ari…Janco. Rest…can…go.”
“Nice try, but I’m not leaving you. The three of us will stay here until you’re recovered. Okay?”
“Okay.”
It took him another day to gain enough strength to stand. By day four, he had the energy to hike to the castle with Ari, Janco, and Channa.
On the trip back, Valek asked Ari, “Was I kidnapped?”
“No. The pups never got close.”
“That should help adjust their attitudes toward you.”
“They want a rematch. They claimed you being injured was our fault and it wasn’t a fair exercise.”
