Page 174 of Of Masks and Fury

My stomach turned. I’d seen people die from less.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Kerralyn said, pressing cloth against the wounds. “I don’t think the claws penetrated deep enough to damage anything vital.”

“His shoulder.” I pointed to where that first creature had gotten him, the wound still seeping blood.

“I see it.” She was already moving, her fingers probing the puncture marks. “This one’s worse. The cuts went deep.”

Trew hissed through his teeth but didn’t pull away.

Gavelle padded over and sniffed Trew before turning his body away from us, providing protection. Our friends’ companions roamed the perimeter, growling. Pherin flew overhead.

“You’re going to be fine,” I told Trew. If I said it enough, could I believe it myself? “You’re too stubborn to die.”

“I’m not dying,” Trew said, his voice rough.

“Good.” Derren crouched beside us, his sword still drawn, his gaze scanning the area. “Because we’re exposed here. More might be coming.”

“The dragons and Pherin are circling,” Lexie said. She stood a few paces away, her blades in her hands. “They’ll warn us if anything approaches.”

Kerralyn worked quickly, cleaning the wounds with water before applying a salve that made Trew’s jaw clench. She wrapped his abdomen in fresh strips of cloth, her hands steady despite the blood that kept gushing, gushing, gushing.

“The shoulder needs stitches.” She met his gaze. “It’s going to hurt.”

“Do it.” Trew’s hand found mine, his fingers lacing through my own. “Just do it fast.”

The faint shimmer of his magic swirled across his abdomen and shoulder, but the wounds barely healed.

Had these creatures come from another realm like the one that attacked me in the Rite? If so, his magic may not be enough to heal him fully.

I held his hand as Kerralyn threaded a needle. His grip tightened when the first stitch went through, but he didn’t make a sound.

I wanted to look away, to avoid watching her needle pierce his flesh over and over. But I wouldn’t. If he could endure it, I would witness it.

It took twelve stitches to close the worst of the wounds. By the time Kerralyn tied off the last one, sweat ran down Trew’s face despite the chilly air.

“Done.” She sat back on her heels, wiping her hands on a cloth. “The herbs will help with infection, but you need to rest. No fighting.”

“I will do what I must,” he said through gritted teeth. But his eyes were already drifting closed. “Just need…a moment.”

“He’s lost some blood.” Kerralyn pressed her fingers against his throat, checking his pulse. “His heart rate is elevated but steady. He’s… I think he’ll be alright.”

I looked up at Derren. “We can’t stay here. As you said, we’re exposed.”

“Let’s give him a little time to heal.” Kerralyn’s voice came out gentle but firm. “We can keep watch on him through the night.”

“I’ll scout the perimeter,” Derren said. “Make sure nothing else is lurking out there.”

“I’ll help,” Lexie said. “Levar can cover more area in dragon form.”

They moved off into the darkness, leaving me kneeling beside Trew while Kerralyn gathered her supplies.

Pherin shifted into her firecat form and came over to sniff Trew’s face.King strong. Will heal.

“Please.” I stroked his hair back from his face, finding it damp with sweat.

Gavelle lay down on Trew’s other side, intently studying the area.

“Help me move him closer to where I’d planned a fire,” Kerralyn said. “He’ll need warmth.”