na Aco

n the room wa

nger at me. "She is a fraud! My treatments were finally working, the matron was stabiliz

ward, his expression hardening.

raised, his broad shoulders shielding

t is unresponsive," th

ined, my magical reserves almost completely depleted. I staggered back a step, m

gainst my bare waist where my shirt had ridden up. The skin-to-skin c

have the strength. And hone

nds," I whispered,

red. "Three seconds

counted

r!" Cecile

wo

ip on my wai

hr

three long months, snapped open. She took a deep, shudderi

oom f

but then it focused on Bur

and weak, but unmistakably clea

ad by the Chief Healer of St. Heal's was no

t his grandmother in disbelief, and for the first time, I sa

outh hung open, his wand

ward, his face a mask of pure horror and disbelief. "Impossible..."

ot Cecile a look of pure ice. "Ignorance is not an excuse for yo

e him flinch. His career, his reputation, his entire wor

parchment and a quill from my pocket, quickly sc

is dosage, three times a day. She

as if I were discu

contact sent a tremor through my hand. He looked at me, his expression a c

r tonight's consultation," I said, my voice cool. "The p

or. The Enforcers parted for me like the

ze burning into my back. He wasn't just grateful. He was suspic