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“It was nothing.”
Kerrigan doubted that very much, but Helly was already turning to Clover. “Fetch Fordham. He’ll want to know her condition.”
“How did I end up here?” Kerrigan asked as Clover ducked out.
While Helly checked Kerrigan’s vitals, she explained that Fordham had the sense to fly her to Helly immediately after her collapse. She made a noise of relief. “You’re renewing your own magic again. That’s a good step. I’d feared the magic sickness was too severe.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem anymore.”
“I’d like to be that optimistic, but if this last episode was any indication…”
“I found a spiritcaster teacher.”
Helly’s eyes widened with barely suppressed disbelief. “How in the world did that happen?”
“It was an accident really. I was on the spiritual plane during all of… this,” she said, gesturing around her, “and I was trying to figure out how to get back into my body. I guess it was noisy and irritating her.”
Helly laughed softly. “She sounds like someone I’d like. Where does she live? We’ll go there at once.”
“Well, that’s sort of the problem.”
“Oh?”
“She’s not from Alandria.”
Helly sighed. “Should I prepare a way for you to use the portal to get you to Eleysia? I’m certain Cyrene would welcome you back.”
Kerrigan shook her head. “As much as I’d like that, it wouldn’t help. She doesn’t live on this… world.”
“This world,” Helly repeated. “She’s from a different world?”
“I’m really unclear, and she was spouting explanations for how we could have crossed dimensions on the plane.” Kerrigan shrugged. “I didn’t follow. Regardless, she agreed to teach me so that I don’t die.”
Helly looked skeptical. “That’s awfully convenient. Are you sure that you can trust her?”
“Not particularly, but what other choice do I have? There hasn’t been a spiritcaster here in a thousand years, Helly. Zina disappeared as soon as we got started, and she isn’t her mother. I’m not progressing, and my magic is poisoning me. If this teacher can help, then it’s worth a try.”
Helly sighed. “Let’s try for a controlled environment at least. Allow me to be there when you go under, so I can keep you stable.”
Kerrigan glanced down and back up. “There’s only one problem. I’m no longer welcome here.”
Helly sank onto the bed next to her. “That trial was a sham. It was circus performers bellowing out fears and propaganda. Before you fled, I was planning to appeal the decision. Nothing is ever final unless the vote is unanimous, and it was far from that.”
“Oh,” Kerrigan said sheepishly. “I didn’t know that.”
“I gathered that by your quick escape. How did you even get out?” Helly asked.
Kerrigan buttoned her lips. “I’ll never tell.”
“Well, Lorian is furious. I filed the appeal, but the council left for spring holiday. Lorian was lucky that no one had left yet or else I could have called for a mistrial. They likely won’t all be back until the spring Season event. The mountain is shockingly empty. Which is to our benefit. No one wondered where I was the last couple days, except Lorian when he found out about the appeal.” She shook her head. “Regardless, we need to work together from now on. If you want to get back in the council’s good graces and back into the Society, we need a plan. There’s no guarantee, but…”
She was cut off by a sudden rush of feet at the door. Fordham and Clover dashed inside. Fordham took one look at Kerrigan, crossed the room, and fell to his knees before her. He took her hands carefully in his own and looked up at her as if she were a vision.
“You made it.”
“Thanks to you.”
He pressed a kiss to her hand. “I feared we were going to lose you.”
Clover cleared her throat. “Not to interrupt, but there’s someone else at the door.”
Helly’s brows furrowed, and she stepped out of the bedroom. “Zina!”
Kerrigan tossed the covers off of her.
“What are you doing?” Fordham demanded.
“I haven’t seen Zina since the Night of the Dead. No news whatsoever. I need to speak with her.” She straightened up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Fordham asked.
“Has that ever mattered?”
She rose to her feet, spinning slightly. She was weak after three days of being unconscious. But she had waited this long to hear from her. She wouldn’t wait another moment. Fordham put his hand out to steady her, and she was grateful for his support. Clover darted to her other side. Though she looked worse for wear as well. Kerrigan wondered when she’d last had a smoke.
As if reading her mind, Clover said, “Helly lets me use her balcony. She doesn’t approve, but I wanted her to focus on you, not me.”
Kerrigan nodded, and then the trio was in the sitting room. Zina was gesticulating wildly, and Helly had her arms crossed. She looked alarmed.
