Hail to the Queen (Witch For Hire 2)

“Teamwork. Because there’s no I in team.”

His sarcasm makes me snicker. Before, I never got to see the humorous side of his personality.

Inside the elevator, I employ a glamour that makes me look like another nurse in scrubs before we step out onto the fourth floor.

“I’ll keep the staff enthralled with my whit.” He winks.

I follow the room numbers down the hall and slip into a dimly lit room. I let the glamour slip, conserving my energy as I place a ward on the door. It’ll alert me if anyone gets close. I walk over to the side of the bed. Swathed in bandages, the victim looks like a mummy. He’s tall with gangly limbs. Miles was correct in his deductions. An IV bag full of what I assume is medicine and antibiotics run into his arms. Who skins a man alive? It’s the same thought I return to over and over again. The thought of skin sliced carefully an inch at a time is one of the most disturbing I’ve ever had to consider.

A low moan shocks me. I peer down and find a set of bloodshot pale blue eyes studying me. I can feel the dark magic pouring off him. It’s a nasty hex, meant to prevent him from resting. No amount of medication will put him under. They meant to make him feel every ounce of pain until he expires. His pain filled whimpers lacerate my heart.

“I’m Lou, and I’m here to help you if I can. The people who did this are very dangerous. We want to catch them before they do this to another person. I know you’re in an insane amount of pain, but if you’ll allow me to, I believe I can help.” He studies me warily. “Blink once for yes, and twice for no. Do you want me to help?”

He blinks once. I place my hands over his heart and concentrate. I can’t remove the spell?it’s blood magic shared between him and the Djinn. Tampering with it will only make things worse. What I can do is dull the pain. I cast a spell to block his pain receptors. The relief is visible. His eyes clear. He focuses on my face.

“Can you talk?” I ask gently.

“Yes.” His voice is raw and rusted like metal left out in the rain.

“I know about the genie and the puzzle box. Is there anything you want to share with me?”

“I couldn’t do it. Destroy the city again. Not even to save my wife from cancer.”

My heart races. “Were you working with the Djinn?”

Tears spill from his eyes and onto his bandages. “It started small. Gathering information, stealing.” He breathes heavily. “I got in over my head. I couldn’t do it. Harvest the skin of a betrayer while they were alive.” He chokes up.

“So they took yours instead.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Storm.” He’s beginning to fade.

“How?”

“Seven skins to complete the box.”

His body trembles. “Can you tell me their names?”

“Ernest Pattan. Wallace Brown.”

“And your name?”

“Harold T-Tyler.”

“You did a good thing today, Harold. I’m going to make sure the nurses know your name so they can contact your family.”

His eyes turn up slightly at the corners.

“The pain blocking spell is my gift to you.”

His eyes close. He may not be able to find true sleep, but now at least he can rest.

This entire time I’ve been picturing greedy monsters. He’s human like the rest of us. Who’s to say what we’d do to save the one we loved from such a painful death? What would a person risk to see all their dreams come true?

Too much. I’ll make sure his family is contacted. He did the right thing in the end, and he’s suffered greatly for it. He deserves respect.