These Cages We Build for Ourselves

Chapter 10

Nash expects Aster to take a disinterested backseat as they step into the clinic, but instead he marches up to the front desk and slams the dagger down. "I've got a werewolf who's been cut with a sacrificial demonic dagger."

The receptionist opens her mouth, but Aster silences her with a raised hand. "I know. You're healers. This isn't your thing. I just need supplies and a room to work in. I know it's probably against protocol, but sometimes you've got to bend the rules, right? You might not be able to help him yourselves, but I'm sure you understand how bad this is."

The receptionist hesitates, her eyes flicking between Aster and the dagger. Finally, she stands and beckons them to follow. "What supplies do you need?"

Aster's been trying to sound confident, but Nash catches the uncertainty in his eyes. "I'm still deciding on an approach. Just get me a fully stocked room, and I'll let you know if I need anything else."

The receptionist eyes Aster warily, but the grim look she gives the dagger keeps her from questioning him.

"So how bad is this, exactly?" Nash murmurs as they follow her.

Aster shakes his head, lips pressed in a thin line. "I'll tell you after I fix it."

Nash wants to press for answers, but Aster's face is pinched and focussed as the receptionist waves them into a room. Aster goes straight to a shelf stacked with all kinds of bottles and jars and starts rifling through them.

Nash turns to the receptionist, but she only offers a tight smile before quickly leaving.

The room is unlike any Nash has seen at the clinic before. A worn wooden table with matching chairs sits in the centre, surrounded by shelves and heavy bookcases crammed with supplies. It's clearly a workspace for healers to mix potions and store ingredients.

Not sure what else to do, Nash lowers himself into one of the chairs. His phone buzzes, and relief washes over him at the sight of Niko's name. Before he can even say hello, Niko's voice cuts through:

"What the fuck, Nash?"

Nash winces. He's not sure he's ever heard Niko swear before. "That bad, huh?"

"It's—yes, Nash, it's that bad. I'm not there. I don't know..."

"I'm at the clinic and I have Aster with me," Nash says. "He's, uh. Remember the guy who exploded his hand with that cursed ring?"

"Distinctly," Niko says. "That... could be good. He seemed competent, in an erratic sort of way."

"Is that Niko?" Aster asks, approaching the table. He sets down the dagger and a jar of what looks like salt.

"Yeah. Do you want to...?" Nash offers, holding out the phone.

"Put him on speakerphone," Aster says, turning back to the shelves.

"I'm putting you on speakerphone," Nash relays before doing just that.

"Niko, hi," Aster greets with surprising warmth, and Nash feels a flash of very inappropriately timed jealousy. He can't imagine Aster talking to him like that. "Nash said he sent you some pictures of the dagger, so I assume you understand the situation."

"Well enough," Niko says. "Any chance of suppressing it?"

Aster returns to the table with a glass bottle full of clear liquid and an empty bowl. "On an arm or leg? Sure. But it arcs across his chest. Right over his heart." He barely glances at Nash as he orders, "Shirt and jacket off."

"Fuck," Niko breathes. "So amputation is out too."

Nash's eyes widen as he peels off his shirt, wincing as the fabric sticks to the wound. "Wait, it's that bad?"