A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

I was reeling. Completely outraged by the display I had just witnessed. I watched the two of them locked in a sickening embrace and felt my blood run cold. Not only is it unnatural, but completely unconscionable. I stormed back to the apothecary, paying no mind to the crowds that were gathering around market street. I cursed myself for losing sight of who this girl really is. Sure, on the outside, she is sweet and innocent. That smile of hers had certainly worked its magic on me. But seeing her with that...that monster, I was reminded of the grim reality of her situation. At best, Rose is a victim, seduced by the wicked charm of that demon race. At worst, she is an ally of the dark one himself who had managed to work her way right into the heart of my apothecary. I was nearly seething at the idea. How could we have been so blind? Allowing such an agent of evil to charm her way up the ranks. You’re rushing to conclusions again. I slowed my pace and collected myself. I began to consider alternatives. A young girl shows up at the apothecary wishing to study healing. I had heard talk that she heralds from a small village west of Windsle. I, like many others, had never heard of such a place. Nevertheless, she had come a very long way to get to the royal city. Perhaps she had sought the shadow walker’s help to see her through such a treacherous journey. No one seemed to know what her plan was. She hadn’t sought refuge with us, preferring instead to cohabitate with him, and she had not told a soul what her intentions here were. Is she staying in the city indefinitely? Is she planning on returning to her village? Or is she involved in something far more sinister? Evangeline had long admired Rose’s talents. “She’s a natural!” She had exclaimed after working alongside her. I too had noticed her talents for the art of healing but I felt they were far from natural. While Evangeline had been content to sit back and sing her praises, I had remained vigilant, keeping a close eye on her work with the patients. But watching her, seeing her interact with and care for her patients, I had faltered. I had allowed myself to get too close and lose sight of my prior skepticisms of her. But seeing her with him today made it all come flooding right back.

I opened the door and entered the apothecary. Luckily, she was already there, as if waiting on me.

“Simon? What’s wrong? Are you alright?” Evangeline looked concerned.

“I need to talk to you,” I spoke under my breath, wary of the two women working on the other side of the room, “privately,” I added.

“Of course, right away,” she insisted, ushering me into an empty patient room. We had a lot more of those these days. Once inside she secured the door and turned calmly to face me. “What is it?”

“It’s Rose,” I started, then faltered as she raised an inquisitive brow at me.

“What about her?” she asked.

“I-I saw her, just now. She was with that shadow walker-”

“I am well aware that Rose spends time in the company of shadow walkers.” Did she just say walkers? Are there more?

“It’s not just that. You and I both know that she has talents. Talents that border on the unnatural.”

“And you think that is due to the company she keeps?”

“I know we have agreed to keep a close eye on her in hopes of another magic wielder but-”

“And we shall continue to monitor for such. But if you are insisting she is allied with some-”

“I think we would be fools to not even consider it,” I implored.

“Rose is a fine young woman. I have spent many hours in her company and she has never given me a single reason to doubt her intentions.”

“Have you ever stopped to consider the kind of person she would have to be in order to willingly-”

She placed her hand in front of her to cut me off. “Let me stop you, right there.” Her words were slow and deliberate. “I don’t pretend to understand what our dear Rose has been through that would put her and a shadow walker together. Your concerns are valid, and I have noted them. But this girl may be the first healer we’ve had in nearly a century with the ability to use magic. Do you not see what an opportunity this is for us? Word of a magical healer gets out and we will have people coming from all over the world to see us!”

I sighed as the realization hit me. She didn’t care in slightest about Rose’s intentions. Rose was just a means to an end.

“I just want what’s best for this place.” I vied for her sympathy. “I’d hate for us to be blindsided by our hopes for Rose.”

“I appreciate your concern for us all,” she smiled kindly, “we will continue keeping a close eye on Rose. If you hear anything else of concern, please let me know immediately.”

I nodded. As I turned to go, she stopped me.

“And Simon,” I paused and turned to face her again, “you needn’t worry, mage or not, Rose will not be replacing you.”

I smiled despite myself. Perhaps Evangeline had considered the potential threats after all. I gave her a curt nod before taking my leave.