Two tiny droplets of bblack maka oil were placed under Nurse Polledo's nostrils. The pungent odor filled the infirmary like a wave of rotting wood and burnt almonds. Claire gagged and turned away as Thomas shoved a wad of crushed root pulp into her hands.
"He doesn't know what he's doing, does he?" she muttered, tying the pulp into a small plastic bag and knotting it as tightly as possible.
Thomas ignored her. He was pacing. His fingers drummed against his lip, his breath uneven. Every few seconds, he glanced at Lily—still trapped in her unrelenting sleep.
Nothing was happening. The oil should've worked by now.
Mystic stood frozen, watching. The longer the silence stretched, the tighter her fists clenched.
Nurse Polledo suddenly jerked. A choking cough ripped from her throat. Her eyes fluttered open, glassy and disoriented.
Claire exhaled sharply, almost dropping the bag.
Polledo wiped the excess oil dripping from her nose and blinked blearily at the group. Her eyes landed on Abelle and Elora—who were still pressing the failing relaxation charm against Lily's forehead.
With a sharp inhale, she scrambled to her feet.
"Move."
She shoved the girls aside, stepping between them. Her fingers flicked as words rolled from her tongue in a steady incantation.
The charm reignited and the green light burned hovering over Lily brighter than before. Lily shuddered violently, her body convulsing—then, suddenly, everything went still.
The room held its breath. For the first time in four and a half hours, Lily's body was at rest. But she was still asleep.
Nurse Polledo stepped back, exhaling. "That girl's a fighter," she muttered, shaking out her hands.
She turned to Abelle. "You should be proud. Holding a charm that long isn't easy."
Then, her gaze landed on Thomas. "Where did you get the maka oil?"
Thomas hesitated. For the first time since he ran in here, his fidgeting stilled."I—" He swallowed. "I made it."
Polledo raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Good instincts."
Claire watched Thomas carefully. He hadn't stopped looking at Lily. She was still. Too still.
Mystic noticed it too. She turned her eyes to Thomas, but this time, the anger started creeping back in.
"What's wrong with her?" Mystic demanded.
Thomas flinched. "I—" He turned away. His hands clenched into his hoodie.
Claire narrowed her eyes. He wasn't just avoiding Mystic's gaze—he was avoiding all of theirs. Something clicked into place.
"Oh, hell no." Mystic took a step forward. "You—"
Thomas inhaled sharply. He ran a hand through his hair. His voice came out strained. "It was an intellect spell."
The air dropped. Everyone stared at him.
Mystic's whole body tensed. "What?"
Thomas still wouldn't look at her. "It—it must have—when Lily broke the glass, the spell must have—"
His breath hitched. "Oh my god."
Mystic looked like she was about to hit him. "You poisoned them, Thomas. The faculty. The students. Lily. What the hell did you do?"
YOU ARE READING
VENEFICA
Fantasy(Also posted on Royal Road) Even in a world full of magic and wonder, no one can escape dealing with very human problems. Claire, the outspoken witty new kid mermaid is fearful of being alone and separated, and just wants a group of friends to call...
