A gasp leaves her as her lungs draw in a huge expanse of air. Her body bows as the power moves through her. When her eyes do eventually open, they take me in, and they're remarkably changed.
As if woken from a nightmare, she bolts upright and begins to inspect herself. Her left hand first, then her right. Her gaze falls to me, my face, and then the empty vial between my fingers.
The knowledge of what I’ve discovered must hit her all at once, because she snatches the vial from my hand and snarls, “What did you do?”
I sit up, affronted by the heat in her tone. “Saved your life.”
She looks down, frowns at the state she finds herself in, and struggles to get to her feet while righting her clothing. “And how did you know about the elixir?”
“Find your stash, you mean? I sensed it in you. Which begs the question, where in the everloving heavens did you acquire it?”
“That’s… none of your business.”
She glares down at me. I take my time standing, watching the fire settle into her eyes. Not unwelcome. At least it means she’s alive.
“You could say thank you.”
She huffs. “I could. But I won’t.” She rubs one arm, then shudders. “How much did you give me?”
I gesture to the empty vials scattered on the ground.
Her eyes widen. “That’s too much.”
“You were dying. I wasn’t inclined to be conservative and risk your life.”
She bends down and grabs the other vials, quickly shoving them into her pocket.
“Where did it come from?”
She freezes. “I’m not answering that.”
“Then at least tell me that you know what it is, yes?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she grumbles, “Of course I do.”
I’m not convinced.
Arching a brow, I query, “But do you know it’s tainted?”
Tone cold, she snaps, “It’s not tainted.
“It is.”
“And how would you know that?”
I retrieve my cloak and drape it over my shoulders. When I step toward her, she retreats a pace. It’s as if this discovery shifted something between us, and I’m once again her enemy.
Exhaling, I sigh, “I could see it.” Motioning to her, I add, “Sense it. In you… and in the vial.”
She doesn’t believe me. That much is clear from her set expression.
“Do you have more?”
She doesn’t answer right away. When she does, suspicion infuses her tone. “And if I did?”
“Bring it out,” I say evenly. “And I’ll show you.”
It takes a moment for her defiance to fall away. When she finally complies, she searches through her clothing before reaching into her boot and pulling free another small vial.
