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“I guess it will be a while before you’ve recovered enough strength to go back,” I said.
“We will absolutely not be going back!” Luna shuddered dramatically. “You weren’t out there in that storm, just one tiny boat among all those rocks. Even with the power of both Amara and Costas, I thought we weren’t going to make it. No one is getting back to the mainland any time soon.”
“What do you mean?” My eyes flew from her to Amara. “Why can’t we get back?”
“That was the first of the winter storms,” Costas said grimly. “We had two very strong elements mages for only one small boat, and we still barely made it through. It was a dangerous undertaking and not one worth attempting except under dire necessity. And besides, what about the islanders? You were the one who said you couldn’t abandon them. I might have run once, but I don’t intend to do so again.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking stubborn.
“Actually, we already discussed it on the way over and reached an agreement,” Amara said to me. “Costas said none of the fishing boats are big enough to transport everyone, so the plants mages are going to need to work together and build us something bigger. With their power to aid the process, they should be able to have something serviceable by the time the season turns and the storms abate. We don’t need something fancy like Grey’s ship, since we don’t care about creating an impression. Just something sturdy and seaworthy.”
Nik looked warily at the flotsam floating nearby. I could easily read the concern behind his expression. Had that boat once been sturdy as well?
But my thoughts were focused elsewhere.
“You’re saying we can’t get back until the end of winter?” My dismay was evident, and everyone turned their eyes on me, their gazes reflecting varying degrees of worry. “So that means we’re not getting any more help from the mainland before then, either. Not for the whole winter.”
“Why?” Amara asked sharply. “Do we need more help?”
Tears sprang back into my eyes as the enormity of the situation hit me all over again.
“There’s an epidemic on the island,” I said. “I’m a terrible healer because I only just discovered it, and it’s already spread through the whole town.” My voice rose, assuming a hysterical edge. “And I can’t even recognize what disease it is!” I swayed on my feet, the effect of all my power expenditure hitting me hard now that the initial shock and excitement had worn off.
Nik started toward me, but Amara was already at my side. She steadied me with an arm around my shoulders, her concerned gaze flicking to Hayes. “An epidemic?”
I tried to pull myself together to give them a proper report on the situation. “I’ve only examined the patients on one street so far, but I found multiple people in a dire situation. I had to heal them on the spot or they might not have lasted until I got the chance to return.”
“It’s that bad?” Hayes asked, clearly alarmed.
“I don’t have much experience yet, so maybe you’ll recognize it?” I quickly outlined the symptoms for him along with my limited understanding of the disease’s progression.
Hayes and Clay exchanged a long look, both of their brows furrowed.
I leaned into Amara, guiltily relieved to no longer be the most senior healer present. I didn’t have to be in charge anymore, and I’d never been happier to lack authority.
“It sounds like typhoid,” Luna said hesitantly.
I tried to remember what I’d read about typhoid and failed. I’d certainly never encountered it in an actual person.
Hayes grimaced. “I’ll have to examine a patient before I can say for sure. But it sounds like it has some similarities at least.”
“Our mother is sick,” Lumi piped up suddenly, making me start. I’d entirely forgotten the two children were still lurking nearby. “We could take you to her.”
Hayes glanced at me, and I nodded. “Their mother kept them away from the Constantines. They’re not like the rest of the town.”
A shadow crossed Hayes’s face, but he merely nodded and turned to the children with a smile.
“If you could do that, I would appreciate it.” He glanced at Clay and Luna, and they both nodded, moving toward him.
I reluctantly pulled away from Amara, already missing her support. “I can take you to Ida’s host family as well. They’re the first ones I examined, and they have someone in every stage of the illness.”
“No,” Amara said firmly, making me frown. “Absolutely not.”
“What do you mean?” I tried to work out what she was talking about. “No one else can—”
“I can take them there,” Nik said. “I know this town as well as you, and I was at the house earlier. I’m also not exhausted from over-extending my power.”
His eyes met Amara’s, and for once they appeared to be in perfect agreement.
“I didn’t overextend myself,” I argued. “I’m still awake, aren’t I?”
