The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (53 page)

Callum did as he was told, a half-smile curling the edges of his mouth at Uttae’s words. Aiva couldn’t help but laugh silently to herself. Uttae knew nothing about them. While Callum argued her stubbornness, he ignored the truth of his own. They were both hardheaded. Inexorable. A terrible pair to be stranded together. If they made it to Luquarr without pulling each other’s hair out, it would be nothing short of a miracle. “That is easier said than done, Sir,” Callum nodded, taking Aiva’s hand in his once again. “Though honestly, her strong will is part of her beauty. I would not venture to change it.”

“Then you will endure far more bumps to your head before your time has ended,” Uttae stated flatly. He let his long fingers trace over Callum’s bandages, checking their tightness. Satisfied, he nodded to Enokih, making his way around the table toward the door. “Observe her for a while before you come to dinner,” he stated, stern in his mannerisms. “If the fever returns, we will have to take more severe measures.”

Aiva watched Uttae exit the room, suddenly uncomfortable around the woman who had been at her side since being brought there. It was different when she believed her unable to understand the words spoken between her and Callum. She would have to be more on guard. Cautious to discuss anything too personal while in her presence.

“Is there anything I can do to assist?” Callum asked, gazing hopefully at Enokih from his seat.

Enokih looked thoughtful. Pondering his request. At her silence, Aiva began to worry that Enokih hadn’t understood Callum’s question. “I am not sure,” she replied distractedly. “Your people… her energy fights the magic bestowed upon me by the spirits. This makes it… difficult. I cannot grasp the poison as with my people. It lingers. Her body holds it firm.”

An expression of understanding flashed in Callum’s eyes to hear Enokih’s concerns. “I can help,” he smiled, lightly resting his hand on Aiva’s forehead. “The internal energy of a Vor’shai is not used to being manipulated by forces outside of those among our people, or those familiar and possessing similar skill. If you wish to try your medicine again, I can assist in coaxing her body to work with you, rather than against you. I need only know what your intentions are, and I can determine the best means of doing so.”

Removing the talisman figurine from around her neck, Enokih placed it over Aiva’s chest, nodding to Callum, seeming to recognize what he was saying. “When I call to the spirits, they reach into her veins to draw forth the venom. It is there that she must… cooperate.” She visibly struggled to find her words in the unfamiliar language. “The… magic cannot work if she does not let it. It is not only her mind that is… stubborn. Her spirit is strong. It fights my own. I cannot help her this way.”

“I don’t understand,” Aiva whispered to Callum, uneasy by the discussion. What was it Enokih spoke of? She didn’t feel comfortable thinking of any spirit reaching into her veins. It sounded frightening. Unsafe. Why did Callum so willingly offer to help with such a thing? “What is it she intends to do?”

“Something similar to our own ability in flushing poisons,” he nodded to her comfortingly. “It seems their people have acquired a means of manipulating the energy of nature, though I cannot say how. I was unaware anyone outside of a Vor’shai or Ovatai lineage could do so. But when she attempts to draw the venom out through the wounds you sustained, your energy counteracts hers. A natural defense mechanism, I’m sure. Your body instinctively tries to keep itself in tune, and therefore is not allowing the poison out of your system. If I can link myself to your energy, I can guide its flow along with Enokih to help push the poison to the surface and cleanse your veins.”

“Could you not simply rid me of the substance yourself?”

“I’m not strong enough to undertake the entire process on my own,” Callum frowned. “Guidance of the energy is all I can offer until my body begins to recover itself.”

Reluctantly she conceded. If she wanted to get better, there was no other option. At least Callum would be there. He would have the ability to stop things if anything went wrong. Her concern was in the process utilized by the Tunirons. How did they control the energy? It was not something easily done by those outside of a race so inclined to the ability. Humans weren’t known for being adept with any form of magic beyond simple tricks. The energy was too complex. Beyond their usual knowledge and comprehension. It frightened Aiva to think of allowing one of them to have such control over her body while she was powerless to do anything.

“I will get herbs,” Enokih nodded, rising to her feet fluidly. “She should sleep.”

“No,” Aiva said, her tone louder than she intended. She didn’t care. She was adamant not to let them put her to sleep again. “I want to know everything that is done to me. Tell her, Callum. Tell her not to make me sleep.”

“Aiva, maybe you should listen to her…”

“I will not drink the herbs. It is my body. I have a right to know what is done to it.” Aiva let her chin jut out defiantly. She refused to back down. Her body had slept enough over the past few days. If she was awake, it would help promote the flow of energy through her system. “You know as well as I that it will be easier with me awake,” she stated, holding Callum’s gaze steadily. “I will endure whatever is required.”

With a sigh Callum nodded. He didn’t have the heart to fight with her. “Very well,” he said quietly. “We shall keep her awake until such a time when she realizes it best to do what we ask of her.”

“It will be painful. Agarul venom will burn when dispersed through the veins in this way, much like when it first struck.” Enokih’s expression was solemn. Serious. She gave no indication of her words being a mere presumption. She had seen this ritual completed successfully in the past. There was no doubt in her eyes in regards to her warnings. “You must tell your wife sleep is best.”

“I will not listen to him if he tells me,” Aiva looked to Callum apologetically. “I’m sorry. This is one decision I must insist upon. If it is successful, and the venom is removed, then I will recover quickly. We don’t have time to wait for the herbs to wear off again to rouse me.”

Nodding her head, Enokih gave no further argument. It mattered little to her whether Aiva agreed. She’d given her warning. Whatever happened to Aiva because of her unwillingness to listen would not be on Enokih’s head.

Her hands reached to something atop a small table at the far side of the room. In a graceful motion she lifted a dagger, pulling it from its sheath to examine the blade, torchlight reflected in the sharpened metal. “We must make sure the venom is able to exit the body. The original wound has begun to heal. It must be reopened.”

At her side Aiva felt Callum tense. “Are you sure that is necessary?” he asked. “I’m sure the wound is open enough for what needs to be done.”

“Must be deeper,” Enokih stated candidly. “Too much poison in too small a woman.”

Aiva watched in horrified silence as Enokih returned to her side. Her fingers ripped at the fabric of Aiva’s dress, widening the already present tear at the shoulder, pulling it down to reveal the skin. Callum’s presence made her feel somewhat uncomfortable, to think of him seeing too much of her body if Enokih found it necessary to expose any more. To her relief, the material remained over most of her breast, far enough from the laceration to make further exposure unnecessary. Enokih stood tall and rigid. Her lips moved in a mumbled chant before lowering the blade of the dagger to Aiva’s skin, drawing it carefully along the reddened cut, already in the beginning stages of healing. Aiva gasped at the pain. Reflexively she squeezed Callum’s hand. But she’d been given the chance to escape the torture through the herbs. It was her decision to remain awake, and she stood by it.

Once the laceration was widened, Enokih offered the dagger to Callum, gesturing toward Aiva’s neck. He stared at her, seemingly mortified at the thought of what was being asked of him. “I cannot,” he breathed. “The opening on her chest should be enough.”

“The location of the bite must be opened. Will you not do so?”

“I will not. There is no reason to risk further injury.”

“You know not the ways of the ritual,” Enokih said harshly. “Keep her still. If you do not cut, I will.”

Aiva’s heart pounded wildly. Maybe sleep was a better choice. She feared what would happen if she moved while Enokih held the dagger to her throat. She drew in a sharp breath at the feeling of Enokih’s hand pressing her head to one side, revealing the mark on her neck where the creature initially struck. A soft cry escaped her lips at the pressure, fear holding her still as the metal cut through flesh, warmth trickling along her skin where the blood began to flow.

Setting the dagger aside, Enokih pulled forth a small vial from around her neck, sprinkling the contents over Aiva’s midsection, chanting quietly. Aiva couldn’t hear anything through her pain and confusion. She wanted it to be over. Whatever this woman intended to do, she suspected it was going to get far worse than a few small cuts along her skin.

Enokih clasped the talisman between her hands, the chant growing louder. More intense. She released the small lapis figurine onto Aiva’s chest, positioning her palms atop her abdomen and breastbone, directing Callum to do the same. “Do what you must,” she stated. “The spirits are here. They wait for you.”

Begrudgingly Callum removed his hand from Aiva’s. Patting her gently, he brought his palm to rest slightly below her naval while the other sat directly upon her chest. Aiva could feel him. The presence of his energy mingling with her own, as if bringing it to life within her body. Every inch of her pulsed. Charged. It was a strange sensation. One that she hadn’t experienced since her time at Faustine’s, though during her healing lessons, it had never been so strong.

The incantation continued, stronger and louder, Enokih’s hands waving in a fluid motion over Aiva’s body. She felt nothing at first, believing the ritual to be a waste of time. Her lips had barely parted in preparation to speak in protest when she found herself racked with an unbearable pain, like fire coursing through her veins. It started at her toes to spread rapidly along her legs, centralizing in her abdomen where it lingered, building its intensity. She couldn’t help but cry out. It was getting worse, reaching her arms and to her fingertips. The wounds at her neck and shoulder seared with heat. Her cries quickly grew into agonized screams, tears streaming down her cheeks, Enokih’s chant growing louder to be heard above the noise. A sensation like spectral fingers ran along the lacerations, tugging, pulling at some unseen force. Through her tear-filled eyes Aiva could see a clear substance mingled with the blood that had begun to flow more freely. It was working! If her head wasn’t so clouded from the pain, she would have been impressed by the strange magic Enokih possessed. But she couldn’t focus on it. The only thing that kept her from leaping to her feet was Callum’s continued hold on her body, preventing her from moving.

Gradually the water-like substance seemed to disappear, the final droplets soaking into the fabric of her dress along with the blood. The burning slowly began to subside, Enokih’s chant becoming quieter, returning to a soft mumble, the motion of her hands halted to rest over the lapis talisman at Aiva’s chest. With a smile she removed it, replacing the figurine around her neck with a definitive nod. “The spirits have cleansed you,” she stated calmly. “Your body will now begin to heal.”

Callum carefully relaxed his arms to ease the tingling Aiva still felt between his hands where they lay against her body. As it finally ceased, he let his palms slide away, staring down at Aiva sympathetically. “The wounds will need sutures,” he said softly. “If you provide me with a needle and some form of thread, I will find a way to make it work.”

“You will bind her wounds with a needle, yet you could not bear the sight of blood to create the incision?”

“It was not the blood which made me hesitate,” Callum huffed, irritation evident in his tone at the insult. “I will not speak my opinion regarding your ritual if you will not question my reasons for choosing not to take part in the entirety of it.”

Saying nothing, Enokih stepped across the room to the table where she had retrieved the dagger, lifting something from the surface. She moved with confident strides to Callum’s side, taking his hand to place the items on his palm. “You can bind with these. I will return after dinner to examine her. Food will be brought for you. She must not eat yet.”

“She hasn’t eaten in days. Her body will not heal efficiently without – ”

“She will be allowed to eat when it is safe for her to do so. Here in Iachoor, the treatment of patients is my duty. Do not question my methods. Poison is just as easily restored to the system as it is removed.”

Callum gazed at Enokih, taken aback by her words. Aiva swallowed hard, wanting to speak, her mind too exhausted to register what was going on. Had Enokih threatened her? Was she going to poison her? “Callum?”

“Hush, Aiva,” Callum whispered, lightly resting his free hand over her forehead with a stern glance at Enokih, the strain in his voice revealing barely controlled contempt. “You have been too kind, Miss Enokih. I believe we have held you from your dinner long enough. We’ll remain here until you direct us otherwise upon your return, if it suits you.”

Turning away, Enokih moved out of the room, closing the door behind her. Under his breath Callum cursed, grumbling to himself in obvious frustration. “Callum, what is it?” Aiva peered at him with concern. He was acting oddly. Something about Enokih had gotten under his skin. She just wasn’t sure exactly what.

“Nothing,” he shook his head, holding out his hand to stare at the items Enokih had placed there. To Aiva it appeared nothing more than a needle and some string. “Just a minor disagreement regarding medical procedure. Unfortunately, etiquette while in her home denies me the right to say anything. I should simply be thankful they have offered to assist at all when they are under no obligation to do so.”

“But it worked. The poison is gone.”

“Yes, but some of the steps taken were not necessary, while others were overlooked.” Callum stood, setting the needle and thread on the table beside Aiva, slowly moving around the room in search of something. “I understand that their medicine is different from ours, however, in my presence, she could have taken advantage of the help I was capable of offering. Alone, her control over the energy is minimal. When working on her own people, extra incisions might be required to guarantee a successful procedure. They provide another escape for the venom while it is being pulled from the veins, since directing it to a specific point requires a great deal of skill. I was more than capable of strengthening that control and accuracy. She is simply unwilling to accept the fact that someone else might know something about medical practices and refuses to accommodate for the differences between our bodies and theirs.”