rough the underbrush. Curt's stride was steady, jarring Areli

urt set her down gently on a flat, sun-warmed bou

er, his back to them, scanning the tre

ng dramatically. She looked at Curt

voice steadier now. "To stop the bleeding. I can't ju

th a mixture of surprise and r

nging her legs over the edge of the

d through his hair. "Fine.

re a patch of weeds grew near the water. Curt fol

ere, but that wasn't the point. She spotted a thic

breath. This i

twist sideways. She let out a sharp yelp,

her inches before her face hit the ground. He pulled h

ou," he

-real ones this time, from the pain-welled up instantly. "It's my fault,"

ened. "Who

the part. She clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes darting around

d of firewood nearby. His ears

"She mentioned someone named

d over, crouching in front of Areli.

wisting the hem of Curt's jacket. "I should

rdered, his voice

That I'll never be a real healer." She paused, letting a fresh wave of tears fall. "She takes my work and c

off, huggi

uckles were white. "That's abuse. That cla

, brave smile touched her lips. "It's fine. As long as

ion-hit both men like a punch to the gut. Brown looked away, a muscl

ve anything to scum li

ly brushing Curt's sleeve. "Thank yo

is throat, looking away, but his body shifted

cion replaced by a gruff sympathy

a shadow fell over her face. In the darkness, away from

. Hook, line

angling from his grip. He stopped, his sharp eyes taking in the

miss?" he

shrank back against the rock, the pi