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“I wasn’t sure if it would happen.”
“How did you know it would at all?”
“As I told you, I’ve studied the Cold Tether. Black veins are always a symptom.”
“You seem to know a lot,” I grumble.
“Years and years of studying, my boy.”
I look out the window again. I don’t know what I’m looking for, but I don’t feel safe in Whisper Grove anymore, despite the security rules.
“If it helps, the perimeters of Whisper Grove were canvassed. There was one Ripple Hills member hanging around the border,” Manx says, carrying a tray of tea to the table. He places the tray on the center of the table and disperses the teacups. I move away from the window and stand by the table while Manxpours tea into Willow’s cup first. She smiles and thanks him, and then he pours some for me.
“What was he doing there?” I ask.
“He wasn’t really doing anything. He had a fire going, and we told him to leave.”
“Well? Did he?”
“Yes. Without hesitation.”
Willow helps herself to a few cubes of sugar, plopping them into the hot liquid.
“However,” Manx says, sitting at the head of the table. “He did leave a message before he went.”
I slide my eyes to Manx’s, and he pushes a folded sheet of paper across the table to me. There’s blood on the paper, and I avoid a grimace as I pick it up and open it. When I read the message, I clench my jaw and crumple the paper in my hand.
“How long ago did he leave?” I ask.
“Two hours ago.”
“What does it say?” Willow inquires, eyeing me.
I control my breathing. No use in getting angry here, plus I don’t want to trigger any alarms with hostility. I walk toward the window, peering out, and the sun is spilling over the rooftops.
“Can you help us with the problem at hand?” I glance over my shoulder.
“You mean the black veins?” Manx stands, making his way toward a shelf and pulling down an amber vial. “I can.” Approaching, he offers me the vial, and I take it.
“What does it do?”
“It’ll slow the spread,” he says. “People have come to me with many infections and diseases, and I remember reading once that calla flora and green herbs help Tethers.” He turns his attention to Willow. “As for you, I can offer a protection morsel, so those nightmares you’ve had don’t happen again. Unfortunately, I onlyhave one more, and it lasts for two days. That should be enough time for you to get back home, yes?”
“More than enough,” I tell him, popping the lid off the vial. I chug down the liquid, and the bitter taste swims around my mouth before I gulp it down. I gasp a breath as Manx returns to his shelf of elixirs and pulls down a small purple bottle. He pops something into his hand and carries it to Willow.
“Take it with your tea,” he says. “It’s quite disgusting.”
She accepts what he offers, and I step closer to see what it is. It’s a silvery chunk, looks like metal. She presses her lips, studying the chunk before asking, “Do you have a remedy for everything?”
“Almost,” he says, sliding the teacup on the saucer closer to her. “There’s one thing I’ll never have a remedy for though.”
“What’s that?” She pops the chunk into her mouth. Her nose scrunches as she chews, and she picks up the tea quickly, chugging down several hot gulps. I’m surprised she doesn’t burn her tongue.
“A broken heart.” Manx takes his seat again. “That’s the one thing all people must live with, no matter what world they’re from.” He raises a brow at her. “I’m sure you know a thing or two about that.”
She brings the teacup to her mouth and sips before asking, “Are you reading me?”
“I can read your energy and I can tell something has broken you before. A few things, actually.”
