A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

XV

The next time I went back to the apothecary I was met by Simon who informed me that the two of us would once again be working together.

“I hope that’s alright,” he added quickly at my dismayed expression.

“Of course it is,” I perked up, “Simon…is there a reason I’ve not been allowed to work on my own anymore?” I couldn’t help myself, I needed to know.

Simon looked uncomfortable. “No, it’s nothing like that, things have just been slow as of late.” He scratched the back of his neck and smiled. I smiled back but wasn’t buying it.

He knows.

The words rang like bells in my mind, taking me off guard. Something in his demeanor reminded me so much of the way Elder Margul had been the day I was taken into the temple to be purified. I shuddered at the memory. I don’t know how he knew, but I would not make the same mistake twice. Simon kept his tone light as we moved from room to room. It certainly felt as though he were watching me closer than usual, but I also may have just been paranoid. Either way, I refrained from any use of magic. I remembered my conversation with Aris the night before.

“At worst, he has a hunch that your healing abilities are magically enhanced. It doesn’t mean he knows you’re a mage,” he had reassured, “and even if he does, it doesn’t mean your life is in danger like it was back in the village.” He had given my hand a reassuring squeeze. Aris knew better than anyone the deep-rooted fear that lingered in the pit of my stomach from my time in Wren’s Glen. I knew it was not a crime to be a mage in the city, but it still felt as though my life depended on no one knowing. “Besides,” Aris had added, “I’m confident that between the two of us, we could handle anything Simon could possibly try to do to you.” He gave me a sly wink and I laughed. I knew he was right. I could protect myself from Simon. In truth I could protect myself from much worse. I desperately hoped I wouldn’t have to though. With these thoughts in mind, I was able to relax a bit as I continued my day alongside Simon. I still made sure to refrain from using magic, just to be on the safe side. We chatted idly in between patients and everything seemed more or less normal.

“You’ll be back with me tomorrow?” he asked as we left our final patient.

“Um, sure, if you want me to be…” I trailed off. He made it seem as though I had a choice.

“Excellent, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He beamed as he turned to leave.

I walked back to the medicine room in search of Deja. I found her packing up her supplies for the afternoon.

“Hey, Rose, everything okay?” she asked, flipping her curly hair out of her face.

I hesitated, “I think so…”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Want to talk about it?” she asked.

I nodded, surprising myself as I did so. Did I really feel comfortable enough with Deja to talk to her about these matters?

“Come on,” she smiled as she finished cleaning up her workspace, “we can talk in my room.” She waved me on to follow her.

I walked behind her down a hallway I had never been down before. I knew this was the section of the apothecary that housed the healers that worked here. I passed a few familiar faces as we walked. I had finally been here long enough to know the majority of the staff. Deja took me to the end of the hall and opened up the door. Gesturing me in, I entered and smiled at what I saw. Deja decorated her room in the same way she dressed. Colorful tapestries hung on the walls and ceiling. Even the lamp in the corner was draped in scarves. A small bed with silk covers was pushed up against the wall. To the left sat a small table draped with a purple cloth with one chair sitting in front of it. I also noticed a small chest of drawers which I presumed housed the many colorful garments she so loved to wear.

“Would you like some tea?” she asked me.

“Sure,” I answered as I took a seat on her chair.

“Excellent, I’ll run next door and grab us a cup.” She spun around and left me to my own devices for a moment. Not a minute later she returned with two steaming cups of tea. She sat mine down on the table in front of me and then sat on her bed.

“Alright, indulge me, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, just today working with Simon… I don’t know, something seemed off.”

“He has seemed a little fixated on you recently,” Deja narrowed her eyes as she sipped from her cup.

“How so?” I asked.

“I’ve overheard him talking with Evangeline about you on more than one occasion… I never really catch what specifically he is saying, but he never talks about other healers nearly as much.” She grimaced.

“What’s that about?” I asked, seeing her expression.

“Has he ever tried anything with you?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Of course not. He’s never really asked me about anything personal in the time that we’ve been together.”

“Good.” She looked a little relieved.

“Why? Do people think that’s why I’ve been seeing patients so much?”

She shrugged, “eh, people say that about all the healers when they start rising in the ranks. I wouldn’t worry about them though. I am glad that he hasn’t done anything out of line with you. I thought about asking you about it last time we were together, but I didn’t want to get in your head.”

I smiled.

“But there is something about you that’s piqued his interest. If not romantically, then perhaps your abilities.”

I paused at the way she said abilities. Does Deja suspect me too? I needed to calm down, I was letting my fear get the better of me.

“See that’s just it.” I started. “For a week I was running the rounds on my own. Suddenly, I am not needed at all, and now Simon asked me to work with him again tomorrow. As though I outrank him now or something…”

Deja looked thoughtful for a moment. “That’s odd. Normally it is he and Evangeline that give the orders for the day. If he wanted you to work with him he need only tell you.”

“I felt like he was watching me extra carefully today too, I don’t know, maybe I’m just overthinking things…”

“Nonsense!” she snapped, “If a part of you is saying something is off, then you need to listen. Ignoring your intuition will only get you into trouble.”

If only you knew. I thought to myself. It was refreshing for once to have someone encourage me to lean into my suspicions rather than disregard them. I glanced around the room as I sipped my tea and saw a small trunk pressed up against the wall next to the door.

“What’s that?” I asked, intrigued by the little black box.

Deja’s eyes gleamed. “My tools!” she answered, jumping from her bed to retrieve the small box. She undid a few latches and the lid sprang up. I saw a lot of red fabric. She began taking small bundles of red out of the box and slowly unwrapped them for me. I saw all sorts of strangely marked cards, stones, bowls, and the like.

“What is all of this stuff?” I asked her, intrigued.

“My tools for scrying of course!” She was delighted by my curiosity and proceeded to explain each object to me. I had heard of scrying and soothsayers before but had never known one personally. I supposed it wasn’t shocking that Deja dabbled in these arts given everything I had come to know about her.

“This is my favorite,” she said, pulling out a very old looking mirror. Only instead of a clear reflective surface, this one was completely black.

“It’s beautiful,” I admired. “How does it work?”

“It really just depends on your intention,” she explained. “I use it when I am feeling particularly lost and in need of direction.”

“So what, you just ask it a question?”

Deja laughed. “Not exactly. But also, not incorrect either. You have to meditate on what it is your needing guidance with. Once you do that you look into the mirror and begin.”

“Begin what?” I asked, trying to remain as respectful as possible.

“Seeing of course,” she chided. “It’s easy, here, give it a try.” She set the mirror on the table in front of me.

I stared into its reflective surface and saw my face staring back at me.

“Close your eyes and think of something you’re needing guidance in.” I did as she told, feeling a little silly. Of course, the only thing that rang out clearly in my mind was the prophecy. I decided to go with it.

“Now whenever you’re ready, open your eyes,” I heard her direct in a calm soothing voice. I took a few deep breaths and opened my eyes when I had fully relaxed. I saw my reflection once more.

“It may take a moment, just be patient,” she said, I tried to block her out and just focus on the mirror. I stared and stared but all I could see was myself. I was about to look away when I saw something just above my shoulder. I leaned in a little closer so I could get a better look. My heart sank as my gaze was met by a pair of glowing red eyes staring hungrily at me. I jumped and felt the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

“Stay calm, nothing you see in that mirror will hurt you,” Deja soothed. I blinked my eyes in disbelief. I saw a face come into perspective. The shadowy image was now looming over me, I could almost feel it’s breath on my neck. I desperately wanted to turn and look for it in the real world, but knew nothing would be there. In a flash I saw the face grinning and a long boney hand slipped around my shoulder. I felt its hot breath on the back of my neck. I could feel my own breath quickening and my heart pounded in my chest.

“Easy Rose.”

I could barely hear Deja at this point, she sounded far away. I blinked again and the image vanished entirely. Good. I thought to myself. It’s gone. But less than a second later I saw it again, only this time, the red eyes were now my own. I watched as my own face twisted into a sinister smile. I screamed and jumped to my feet.

“Gods Rose! Are you alright?!” Deja jumped up to my aid.

“I-I think I need to go….” I fumbled for a moment as I stood to my feet, my hands shaking beyond my control.

“Rose wait-” Deja was trying to comfort me, but all I wanted to do was run. I turned and left Deja behind, the empty black mirror still resting on the table.