Chapter 26: I Got a Favor

While Reverse-Curse expedites the healing process, there are limitations. Surpassing those limitations makes or breaks a sorcerer. Right now, every muscle fiber, bone fragment, and ligament in my body feels a blaze. Having my cursed energy compete with the pain medication is useless. I jolt up, making the heart monitor blare out of control!

Then I notice Businge. Bandages cover every inch of her face, her left arm dressed in a black cast. I look down at my hands, bound in dressings, protecting the stitches from my fingernails. My eyes dart to the door, meeting a young nurse on the verge of clocking off. Their smile makes me sheepishly wave.

As the last drop of green Jell-O slithers down my throat, I ease back into the bed's headboard. Businge has not moved an inch. My shoulders drop, and a sigh leaves my lips.

"There is no need to worry," Aamina's voice makes me stir in my bed, "she is strong and will pull through."

"I have been out for at least a day?" She nods her head up and down while tossing me a bag.

"And I am glad you are finally up." Aamina and I turn around simultaneously. "Check your phone."

Satoru and Suguru messaged me yesterday, saying Yaga went on a spontaneous trip. They did not say he would be traveling to Quebec. I force a stream of air from my rounded mouth and start tapping my left hand.

"I will see you tomorrow, Blaise" Aamina sees herself out, waving to Yaga while passing him.

"Are you coming inside or not?" I glare at Yaga.

He walks into the room, each step heavier than the first. Once situated, he hunches over, resting his elbows on his lap. The slightest tapping sounds come from his feet. I stop tapping, opting to scratch my neck instead.

"Before you ask," Yaga closes his eyes and rubs his face, "the Higher Ups did not send me here. Madam Lark reached out a few days ago."

I hold my chin with my thumb and forefinger, watching Businge's chest rise and fall.

"Should I expect the Higher Ups to visit too?" I let out a short sigh while swinging my legs off the side of my bed. "What about Satoru and Suguru?"

The IVs and heart monitors get louder as Yaga's presence grows quieter. As the nurse changes Busing's dressings, Yaga's face puckers up, making me grin. He bids me goodnight while following behind the nurse.

Sunday, June 16th, 2007: 3:30 am

I find it hard to sit in my wheelchair, moving my body left and right until I am outside. When the car pulls up, I clutch my bag hard, causing the bandages to brush my stitches. It takes every fiber of my being to keep my breathing steady. The car ride is everything but smooth.

Aamina's face glows under the gentle yellow light. She hands me a small package before darting away. My smile disappears the second I return to my room. I grab my phone and punch Suguru's number.

"Hello?" His groggy voice drowns in the bustling background noise.

"How many Elders are coming to Quebec?"

"What? Hold on a minute.."

My heart rate slowly escalates as the background noise from the phone grows louder and louder. I hang up immediately.

As I readjust my shirt for the third time, I hear someone clearing their throat. Aamina's presence makes it easier to walk inside Madam Lark's office. The smell of freshly brewed coffee makes me perk up.

"As I have shared, Miss Santa-Clara has been nothing short of professional. Her ability to take direction, function in a team, and follow-through are exquisite." I nearly choke on my beverage, making Aamina rub my back in support.

"The only concerns I have, Madam Lark, are the deaths and status of the victim." I bite my lower lip and sink into my chair. "Do you mind explaining your part of the story?"

I clear my throat, "at least one of the vampires involved is dead, and the victim is...alive." I swallow hard, not realizing I am fidgeting with my bandages while talking.

"Thank you for the clarification. Aamina and Blaise, you are dismissed."

"Santa-Clara, pack your things. We are leaving tomorrow." Yaga's attention stays on Madam Lark while he says this. I give him a thumbs-up before leaving. My heart feels heavy.

Monday, June 17th, 2007

After saying goodbye and giving hugs, a small fire builds in my gut. A few drops of water roll down my face as the car door shuts. I start rummaging through my bag when a shift in Yaga's mood catches my attention.

"It's an hour's drive to the airport," I watch Yaga from the corner of my eye, "you have my undivided attention."

"Your father reached out first." He adjusts his glasses, keeping his eyes forward, "he was a year behind your mother and me. The first day I saw you on campus, it felt like time reversed." His eyes cast to the ground.

Silence never felt so lonely or heavy.

I hail a ride to my apartment and bid Yaga a silent goodbye. Once inside my apartment, I grab the package from Aamina. The thumping noises ring in my ears as the paper is slowly torn open. With trembling hands, I read over the letter twice.

Wednesday, June 18th, 2007

"Hi, Miss Ano...I am doing well. I have a favor to ask of you..."

The amount of joy pulsating through my body makes me float onto campus. I throw Satoru and Suguru a wave as we cross paths. My heart skips, and my stomach drops as I enter the classroom. I check my phone; an urgent message from Suguru is undread.

I give a half-wave while approaching my friends, "follow me. We can chat at my place. It is safer than campus."

"What happened to your hands?" Satoru asks while staring at the wall. Suguru raises an eyebrow at him.

I unwrap the bandages, revealing wrinkled skin. Light pink marks dot both my palms. "I took the stitches out last night. But my bones have not completely healed."

"Now, how may I help you two?" I sip from my mug while Suguru gestures for Satoru to talk. Satoru licks his lips and adjusts his glasses.

"We need your help with an upcoming mission."

"What kind of..." a knock on the door makes me snap my mouth shut.

......

"Why has she not....ah! Miss Santa-Clara." I force a smile onto my face. "Do you mind if we come inside?"

I look over my shoulder and back outside, sucking in air through my nose. "Now is not a good time. I have company."

"Daddy, it's the nice lady who helped me!" The child hugs my leg. Their fangs jet out from their tiny mouth. I rub their head before shifting my weight onto my left leg.

"Yes, she is. And I am asking if the nice lady can help us." I stand up straight, making eye contact with Sir Shingo. "Miss Santa-Clara, as you see, my daughter..." he swallows hard, looking his kid in the eyes.

"Is a vampire," I say directly, my arms folded across my chest. He nods. "There is nothing I can do to help you other than direct you to someone else."

I hear Sir Shingo's knuckles crack as he closes his eyes. "I find that hard to believe, Miss Santa-Clara. Given your reputation and experience with vampires, I beg you! Help my kid!"

Satoru and Suguru have their ears to the door. I look down, catching the child's eyes gleaming under the light. I reach into my pocket, handing Sir Shingo the piece of paper.

"Give her a call. She is expecting you." I look over my shoulder and smile at the kid before the door shuts.

Wednesday, June 26th, 2007-5:00 am

"And that is what I expect of you and Geto. Any questions?"Both Geto and Gojo shake their heads from side to side, hurrying out the door once Yaga gives the ok.

I check my phone one last time before leaving the cafe. The jitters have started, and the tea is not to blame. With my hand reaching for the residence, the door yields without effort. I step back before rushing inside.

"Pick-up!" I am walking back and forth, rubbing my head frantically.

"Hello?"

"The place is empty. Where are they?"

"What do you mean..."

"Our target is not at her house. And the door was open when I arrived." I stop pacing and look out the window. My heart jumps from my chest when I see them. "I see you and Satoru. Meet you in a second."

While descending the steps, I notice a fresh pair of footsteps. They were not here on my way up. I hold my knife out just in time to block a direct attack.

"You are after a payday too, eh?" The individual I am fighting flies past me, pulling me into their person while we fall. My back makes contact with the fire exit. A swift kick to their nether region renders them defenseless. I pick my knife up before dashing outside.

"You are late..." Satoru's mouth does not finish his sentence. I point forward, and my friends get the message.

When we get to the crosswalk, I nearly miss getting hit by a car. I feel my heart pounding in my butt and Suguru's eyes on me. As the light turns green, I spot them walking into a store.

"Blaise. What are you doing?" I let go of the door handle when Suguru's question reaches my ears.

"Meeting our target." I blink rapidly, trying to get something out of my eyes.

"You don't have a uniform on," Satoru offers in protest. Both of his palms face the sky.

I close my eyes and rub my forehead with my knuckles. Butterflies form in my stomach, causing me to grit my teeth. After two minutes of bickering, the three of us walk inside. I pick up a skirt and jacket before heading to the dressing room.

While shimming into the forest green skirt, I fix my eyes on my right ankle. The fading rose makes me shake my head at the memories of my thirteenth year of life. I step in front of the full-length mirror.

"The orange makes your hairbow stand out," I say to the young woman next to me. She flashes me a smile that quickly fades away when our eyes meet. Her heart rate picks up as she dashes back to her stall. I shrug a shoulder at my reflection before heading to the register.

I look at Satoru and Suguru, pointing my thumb behind me. They are conversing with a woman around thirty years old. I ruffle my hair before heading outside, the clothes stay in the store. While looking left and right, I shake my head.

"Why are we leaving? I want to stay a bit longer! Why are you still here?" Riko shouts, pointing her finger at me.

"I am the eye candy of the group." I shrug in response. "Shall we be off?"