Chapter 6

Julian heard the empty vial hit the nightstand. He turned around.

Kamari's face had regained a fraction of its color, but the deep, raw gashes on his chest were still bleeding through the cheap infirmary bandages. The potion only fixed internal magic; it didn't close physical wounds.

"Take your shirt off," Julian said. He walked toward the bed. He reached into his spatial ring and pulled out a small jade jar of Emerald Life Salve. It was a potent, dark alchemical mixture notorious for its agonizing application.

Kamari's entire body went rigid.

"Don't touch me!" Kamari snarled. He scrambled backward, hitting the headboard hard.

Panic flared in Kamari's golden eyes. It was a visceral, violent reaction to physical contact. PTSD.

Julian froze, his glowing hands suspended in the air.

"If I don't purge the shadow toxins from those cuts, they will rot," Julian said, trying to keep his voice level.

Kamari didn't care. He reached out and grabbed the empty crystal vial from the nightstand. He smashed it against the wooden bedframe. Glass shattered across the floor.

Kamari gripped the jagged neck of the bottle. He pointed the razor-sharp glass directly at Julian's throat.

"Get away from me," Kamari breathed, his chest heaving.

Julian swallowed hard. The kid was ready to kill him.

Suddenly, the suite doors burst open again.

Gideon stood there, his face red with misplaced righteous fury. He had been listening at the door.

"You filthy half-breed!" Gideon screamed, drawing his wand and pointing it at Kamari. "How dare you threaten the Headmaster! Do you think he actually cares about you? He just doesn't want your dirty blood on his rugs!"

The words hit Kamari like a physical blow. His hand holding the glass shook violently. The jagged edge sliced into his own palm, sending a stream of blood down his wrist.

Julian saw red. This idiot was ruining everything.

Julian didn't even turn around. He threw his right hand backward.

A thick whip of black magic materialized in the air. It cracked like thunder and slammed directly into Gideon's chest.

Gideon screamed as the force lifted him off his feet. He flew backward out the door and slammed into the stone wall of the corridor. He slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"I told you to get out," Julian growled.

He flicked his wrist. The heavy violet doors slammed shut. Three heavy magical deadbolts slid into place with loud, echoing clicks.

The room fell dead silent.

Julian turned back to Kamari. He ignored the jagged glass pointed at his throat. He took a step forward. Then another.

Kamari's eyes widened. He didn't back down, but he didn't thrust the glass forward either.

Julian reached out and grabbed Kamari's wrist.

He didn't grab the arm. He grabbed the hand holding the weapon. The sharp edge of the glass sliced deep into Julian's palm. Warm blood immediately welled up and dripped onto the white sheets.

Kamari froze. His breath caught in his throat. He stared at Julian's bleeding hand in absolute shock.

Julian didn't flinch. He used his other hand to scoop a handful of the glowing green paste. Ignoring the corrosive burn the ointment immediately inflicted on his own bare skin, he pressed his palm flat against Kamari's ruined chest. The potent alchemical magic flooded into Kamari's body, harsh but absolute.

"Whether you believe me or not," Julian said, his voice low and tight with pain. "Shut up and let me heal you."