Panacea stood at Iliana’s side, her dark curly hair tied back. She wasn’t in her usual white robes, but pale-blue scrubs patterned with cartoon snakes.
She acknowledged his thanks with a nod but didn’t take her eyes off Iliana. “You know that was self-inflicted.” No judgment, just the cool certainty of a diagnosis.
“I know,” Thanatos said.
Her piercing lavender eyes met his. “Then I’d like an explanation. Don’t think a simple ‘thank you’ is going to be enough.” She turned to Hermes. “You all know I don’t leave my patients unless it’s urgent.”
Hermes forced a grin. “Would you have believed me if I said the knife slipped?”
Panacea narrowed her eyes. “You called me away from dying children, Hermes.”
His smile disappeared from his face. “I wouldn’t have if it weren’t serious.”
“Don’t test me.” She turned back to Iliana, softening her tone. “Does she need counseling? I know several excellent therapists.”
Thanatos cleared his throat. “She did not do this willingly.”
She was silent for a beat, as if running through every explanation. “I see.” She looked at Hermes. “Remember your promise. I expect those medicines to be released within the week. Toomany are dying.”
Before she could leave, Thanatos placed a hand on her shoulder, keeping his touch light. “I know we pulled you away from something important, but this place must stay secret—for her sake.”
Panacea scoffed. “You know I won’t say a word. She’s my patient now, and I take her privacy seriously.” After a moment, she asked, “Is there something else wrong with her besides the injury?”
Thanatos hesitated. “Yes. It’s tied to a curse on her bloodline. Not a physical ailment. Tonight, the curse compelled her to pick up Anubis’ dagger and stab herself.”
She absorbed the information, likely cataloging the implications. She didn’t ask for details. No doubt she’d seen stranger things in her centuries of practice.
“We owe you,” Thanatos said.
She grinned and motioned to her outfit. “You’d better. I was in the middle of a shift. Call me if she needs anything, even if it’s just for some girl talk. I imagine she’ll need a break from the lot of you before long.” She winked, the fragrance of herbs lingering as she vanished.
Thanatos barely had time to let out a breath before Anubis spoke. “We need to move her to bed.” His friend’s eyes were locked on Iliana’s still form—bloodied, but breathing.
Thanatos knelt next to her and reached for his brother through their bond.He’d failed her twice now by not being ready for the attacks. Guilt choked him, but beating himself up wouldn’t help her. If he wanted to keep her alive, he needed to anticipate the danger.
With a conjured wet towel, he began cleaning the blood off her face.
Anubis rested his hand on his shoulder. “She is alive. That is what matters.”
For now.
A bitter taste filled his mouth, anxiety driving off the brief relief. Part of him considered finding someone else to protect her, but he wasn’t ready to let her go. And there was still Athena to consider. If he abandoned this task, her wrath would fall upon him and Hypnos.
He shook his head. Despite his doubts, he had to see this through.
Hermes broke into his thoughts. “I think your job will be harder than expected.”
Thanatos huffed. “You think? We have to worry about keeping her alive from a curse, from whoever placed it on her, and now from whatever the Fates believe she’s meant for.”
The messenger god sighed, glancing at Iliana. “I’ll see what I can find out about her family. If we understand why they were cursed, we might find out who did it. In the meantime, you focus on keeping her alive.” His look softened before saying in a puzzled voice, “She’s stronger than I expected.”
Thanatos tensed. “She almost died.”
Hermes didn’t flinch. “Obviously, but she’s still here.” He disappeared.
Anubis gently touched Iliana’s cheek. “I should not have left the dagger near her.”
Thanatos studied his friend, waiting until their eyes met. “If I am not allowed to blame myself, neither are you.”
