Chapter Twenty
Leaving the Shadewolf home, she circled back around to her dorm, grabbed her bags, and walked to the library. Too miserable to eat, she decided to study until class started. She hoped it would help keep her mind off what happened. She didn’t want to remember the utter devastation on Max’s face.
This early in the morning, few people lingered in the library. Most students were still in bed or rolling out and heading to one of the dining halls. Evie chose a table at the back of the room to avoid being bothered by the noise of students coming and going. Dumping out her bag, Evie snatched up the switchblade that spun across the table and shoved it back into her bag before anyone could see it. She’d taken to carrying it with her since the attack, afraid her father’s spies would find her at the guild and attempt to kidnap her again.
With it safely hidden back in her bag, she settled in and opened her book.
“Good afternoon, Evie.” Selja Inian stood before her, his bright eyes taking in everything around him.
“Hello, Inian.” Evie tried to smile at the aging Surmata, but it came out as more of a grimace.
“You’ve been sitting there studying for several hours without moving. As it’s past lunchtime, I believe you’ve missed your morning classes. Would you care to join me for lunch, young miss?”
Shocked, Evie glanced at her watch. “I really need to…”
“You wouldn’t leave an old man like me to eat on his own, would you? Besides, I’m the best person to give you an excuse for your lack of attendance.” Inian’s eyes danced as he backed her into a corner. The Surmata might be old, but he was sharp.
Evie didn’t stand a chance against him.
She packed away her books and sighed, “Of course. I would love to join you for lunch.”
Inian led them to the second campus coffee shop situated beside the library. Evie had seen it on the map, but hadn’t had the opportunity to check it out. It was surprisingly spacious with plenty of tables and chairs, inside and out, for the patrons to sit down and enjoy a cup of the specialty coffee they served. The menu also consisted of a variety of breakfast and lunch offerings. Evie chose a sandwich and a carton of orange juice. Inian followed suit, but ordered tea instead.
They sat in a corner that overlooked the courtyard.
From across their small table, Inian studied her. “It’s Monday. What’s a young girl like you doing studying so hard that you missed your morning classes? I mean, we have students who skip class time to time, but you should be out with your friends if that were the case.”
Evie shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. He leaned forward in his seat, placing his napkin beside his plate, and took a bite of his sandwich while he patiently waited on her answer.
Evie played with her food, not wanting to voice her misery.
Inian arched a silver eyebrow. “If you don’t share, I can’t help. You want to make an old man feel useful, don’t you?”
Evie snorted. There he went again, trying to use guilt to manipulate her into revealing her troubles. Her father would do the same, but for different reasons. He’d guilt her into doing things. Inian, though, seemed truly interested in her problems. Did she really want to shut him out? She messed up her friendship with Max and Caleb. Who knew what the Shadewolf team thought of her. Surely, she was a pariah now. Anger burned at the memory of Jaoel’s accusations. She was not that kind of girl, and it hurt Max hadn’t stood up for her.
“Max is upset with me. So is Caleb and the Shadewolf team. I think. I don’t know anymore. I told them something, but they didn’t believe me. Why would I lie?” The last sentence Evie practically yelled as anger replaced her guilt.
“What did you say to upset them? I’ve known those boys a long time. They’re not quick to anger, especially Max and Cyne.”
Evie picked at her sandwich, her appetite totally gone. If she took a bite, she wasn’t sure she could hold it down. At Inian’s question, she shrugged, not able to force the condemning words past her dry throat.
“Now, I’m dying of curiosity. Put this old man out of his misery.”
Avoiding eye contact, Evie stared about the coffee shop, watching the people in line who waited for their turn. “I know what’s wrong with Cammie.”
“I see. And what is your diagnosis, if I may ask?” Elbows on the table, hands steepled, the elder waited for her to speak.
Evie took a deep breath and forced the words out once more. “She carries a demon’s mark.”
Inian exhaled loudly and leaned back in his seat, the rest of his meal forgotten. He stared out the window, lost in thought. “That’s a pretty serious assertion. Our best healers have looked her over and found nothing. Please don’t allow my next few questions to aggravate you, they must be asked. How do you know? What did you find that Mestari Ardon and the rest of his staff, including Jaoel, one of our most talented healers, missed?”
Evie didn’t answer right away. She wasn’t sure what to share. Should she lay all her cards on the table, exposing herself even more? Inian hadn’t immediately accuse her of lying, though.
“I can sense a stain on a person’s aura, soul, whatever you want to call it. Even ones not visible to others.” Evie peeked at him, then forged on when he didn’t dismiss her claim. “I’ve seen the stain like the one Cammie carries before. On people I’ve come across. Those marked individuals were spies for the camp who interacted with the Surmata on a regular basis. I know all Surmata warriors can sense a demon’s mark, and that those humans who carried the stain were identified and detained. But since I came here, I realize there are others that are marked walking around freely.”
“Interesting. You believe there are contaminated humans we can’t identify with our normal protocols? And also Surmata?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I am saying.” Evie stared at him hard, conviction in her every word. She knew she sounded crazy, but she also knew she was right. She had this ability, and she was tired of hiding it from those she called friend.
“Alright. Let’s go talk to Ardon.” Inian pushed away from the table, picking up his plate and cup. Evie scurried out of her seat, collected her own items, and threw her trash away in the bin located next to the entrance. Inian held open the door for her, and they walked side by side toward the medical building.
“Just like that? You believe me?” Evie huffed, a little winded at the fast pace he set. Almost at a run to keep up, the backpack she carried grew heavier with each step.
“You’re special, Evie. Something I discovered upon meeting you. You’ve done nothing to make me doubt you. If you say you have this ability, then I believe you. It won’t hurt to investigate your claim and have another look.”
The students they passed gave them a wide berth as they made their way up the stone stairs and down the long hallway to the administration offices and clinic. The healers conducted routine visits out of this walk-in office. A secondary hospital existed for more serious cases elsewhere on campus.
Inian didn’t slow down when they entered. He walked up to the front desk and asked for Mestari Ardon. The human nurse, dressed in pink scrubs, snapped to attention. “I’ll call him right away, Selja Inian, sir. Please wait here.”
The master healer arrived quickly. He walked into the waiting room with a big smile on his face. Upon spotting the elder, he bowed and lowered his eyes in respect. “Selja Inian, it’s an honor. Is something wrong? Are you in need of a healer?”
“Today is not my day to meet the goddess, Kuuri. Please be at peace. And for shits sake, how many times do I have to ask you to call me Inian?”
“Of course, Selj— I mean Inian.” Mestari Ardon stumbled over the familiarity. “Whatever you wish. If you are not ill or injured, what has brought you to my doorstep?”
“Is there somewhere we can talk privately, Ardon?”
“Yes, yes. Of course. Follow me to my office.” Mestari Ardon led them down a hallway past the closed doors of the patient rooms. After a sharp left, they entered a large, spacious office. Inian took a seat in front of the desk, and Evie followed suit. Mestari Ardon closed the door, then sat down in his chair, forearms lying flat on the desk with his hands cupped.
Without preamble, Inian launched into Evie’s tale. When he finished, Mestari Ardon grilled her, questioning every detail she revealed until satisfied.
“Remarkable, young lady. If what you say is true, then this is a serious situation. We can’t fight an enemy we can’t see.” Mestari Ardon frowned in thought. “However, I think we need to tread carefully. If Evie is correct, there’s no telling what influence this stain has on Cammie. We need to bring her in without her knowing we suspect something.”
A knock sounded at the door, and before anyone could speak, it swung open. “Mestari Kuu… What the fuck are you doing here, Evie?” Jaoel’s large body moved through the doorway as he glared at her.
“Kuuri Jaoel! That is quite enough. Please step outside. I will deal with you in a minute.”
Hatred filled eyes met her own before Jaoel turned and stormed from the room. The glare he cast back promised retribution.
“I don’t know what has gotten into that young man lately, but rest assured Miss Saunders, his attitude will not be tolerated.”
Evie scratched an imaginary piece of lint on the thigh of her jeans. “He’s infected as well,” she admitted, almost whispering the confession.
Her quiet statement sent a shockwave around the room. No one spoke for a good minute.
Finally, the master healer slumped back in his seat. “Well fuck.”
Inian nodded. “Couldn’t have said it better myself, Ardon.”
“Alright. This may make things easier.” Mestari Ardon tapped the arms of his chair. “We’ll examine Kuuri Jaoel. If what Evie claims is true, maybe, I can find some evidence. At this point, I’m desperate enough to figure out the cause of Cammie’s personality change, that I’m willing try just about anything. “
Mestari Ardon picked up the phone and barked into it, “Jaxon, we have a situation. I need you and another Soturi in my office, stat.” He slammed the phone down, cutting Jaxon off before he could ask any questions.
They didn’t wait long for Jaxon. He, along with a Surmata Evie didn’t recognize, appeared within minutes, practically standing at attention in the small office. When Jaxon noticed Evie sitting beside Inian, the head of security quirked an eyebrow in silent question. Unable to say anything, she pretended not to notice.
Bowing at Inian, Jaxon said reverently, “Selja. It’s an honor.” Turning his head toward Mestari Ardon, he continued, “How may we be of service to you?”
“Was Kuuri Jaoel still in the hallway when you arrived?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Please call him in.”
Jaxon did as asked. Jaoel came in, confused and still angry. “Yes, Masteri Ardon?”
“Jaoel, Selja Inian wants me to demonstrate a noninvasive procedure for him.” The master healer rose from his desk. “For your earlier outburst, you will assist me by being my guinea pig.”
“But…”
“Enough.” Inian stood to his full height. “You heard the order, son. Do not embarrass yourself further.”
“Yes, Selja.” Jaoel tempered his anger and bowed his head in submission.
The group relocated to a large examination room.
Masteri Ardon ordered Jaoel to lie on the table while Inian talked quietly in the corner with Jaxon and the other large man. Jaxon looked pissed, but he nodded his head in defeat at whatever Inian told him.
As the four men surrounded the bed, Evie hung back, wanting to stay out of the way.
Jaoel’s head turned to focus on the master healer. “What now, Masteri Ardon? And why is Jaxon here?”
Without answering, Jaxon and the other warrior grasped Jaoel’s arms and legs, holding him securely to the bed. The master healer lifted a syringe filled with clear liquid and plunged it into Jaoel’s neck.
“What the fuck is going on?” Jaoel fought against the warriors who held him down. The drug acted fast, and he fell unconscious within seconds. As a safety precaution, in case he woke up prematurely, straps located on the underside of the frame were used. One across his chest, and a second one across his thighs.
The man who arrived with Jaxon moved to the side of the room to stand sentry. Evie expected Jaxon to follow suit, but the male surprised her by coming up behind her, his arms encircling her waist. He pulled her tight into his body. When she glanced behind herself, haunted eyes met hers. It hurt him to see his brother helpless, strapped unconscious to the table. That he sought comfort from her caused her heart to skip a beat.
Evie placed her arms on top of his in a parody of his hug, grasping his hands in hers. “He’ll be fine, Jaxon. They won’t hurt him.”
With a heavy sigh, his arms tightened a little more. “I know. I just hate seeing him like this.”
Masteri Ardon walked over. “This should only take a few minutes. Evie, Inian has a unique ability. He’s able to see through another’s eyes. As I do my exam, my aura will envelope Jaoel. At that time, Inian will touch my arm or shoulder every few minutes, allowing him to see exactly what I do. Jaxon, this will not harm Jaoel in the slightest.”
Jaxon nodded, but kept Evie within his embrace.
Beginning the exam, Masteri Ardon placed his hands on Jaoel’s arm, and a soft blue light encompassed the unconscious man’s body. Evie, surprised to witness the magical exam so vividly, watched Masteri Ardon in fascination as he closed his eyes to concentrate. Every few minutes, after Inian touched him for the briefest of moments, he would open his eyes and stand at a different angle, then follow the same procedure. Jaoel never twitched.
Ten minutes passed before the healer released his power and opened his eyes fully. He regarded Evie sadly. “I do not sense a stain anywhere.”
“What? What stain? Evie claimed Cammie was marked.” Jaxon thrust Evie away, the rage in his voice making her cringe. “When I questioned you, you said it was a standard exam. You lied to me!”
A calm reply came from Inian. “No, Soturi Jaxon. We did not lie. You saw the exam. There was nothing different about it.”
Inspiration struck Evie. Carefully, she analyzed it, searching for weaknesses or flaws. Critiquing it before she gave it a voice.
“Inian?” Evie interrupted. “Does your skill work on humans? Could you see what I see?”
“It’s possible in theory.” The elder nodded in thought. “Not something I have really tried before with a human. It might feel a little invasive to you. Are you sure you want to do it?”
Evie nodded before she lost her nerve. “It’s the only way to be sure.”
Inian came over to her and placed his hand lightly on her arm. “When you are ready, begin your exam. When you see the mark, say something, and I will try to see through your eyes.”
Evie took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Concentrating on Jaoel, she dismissed the others from her thoughts. Her ability must be getting stronger. It took hardly any effort on her part to focus it. The luminescent light of his aura shone brightly, a deep blue color except for one small area. A dark spot, like a watermark, marred the brilliance. Constantly in motion, it never settled in one place. “Now.”
Inian’s grip on her arm tightened as power tickled her skin. “Well, I’ll be damned. I see it. Ardon, come over here. I’ll try to extend my power to you.”
Excited, Masteri Ardon hurried over without argument, allowing Inian to place a hand on his shoulder. When the healer’s face lit up, Evie knew Inian succeeded. Together, they examined Jaoel, discussing plans on how to best deal with the new discovery.
An hour passed, and the two men noticed Evie’s flagging energy. She never used her ability for such a long period of time. The healer ordered her back to her room to rest. They would need her at full strength the following day to run more tests.