Page 131 of Balance

Kathleen continued to move over the potion, and I watched, heart in my throat, as the beginnings of the moon began to peek around the edge of the window. Darkness came on quickly these days—or maybe that was my anxiety.

“Um…” I began—it was so hot in here now, and I began to pull at the neck of my shirt. I returned my attention to her, trying to bury the growing sense of dread. Had it really become that late? Why had she made Miles leave then? “Can I—”

Kathleen tossed a handful of herbs into the pot with a flourish. The reaction was instantons, turning the purple into red, and the smoke cleared.

“What are you making?” I couldn’t help but ask, even though she’s ignored Miles’s same questions. “What was that?”

“Mandrake,” she replied, stepping back with a heavy breath and leaning on the table. “It’s ready. That wouldn’t work for just anyone, you know. But we share a connection.”

This time I didn’t stop myself from standing. I moved toward her hesitantly. “What is it?”

She heaved a sigh. “I need to lie down now.” She slumped forward, and I moved to her, bracing her weight over my shoulder.

She was surprisingly heavy despite her size, and with every one of her shaky inhales, I wished that, for once, Miles’s laziness had overridden his desire to help others.

Why couldn’t he have chosen to milk his injury? He should be here right now. Now I was alone with an ailing woman with an apparent medical emergency.

We lumbered toward her small, tidy bed, and my labored breathing had nothing to do with her weight.

“Are you okay?” I asked, forcing myself forward with every heavy step.

“No,” she answered, and my stomach turned to lead. “But that’s expected.”

“It is?” My voice squeaked as she crawled into the bed and pulled the covers over her lap.

What did she mean bythat?

She laid down, grimacing, and the action transformed her from the small, but fiery, personality to someone frail and delicate. “I’d been putting this off for a while.”

So help me, this had better not be something life-threatening. That would just be my luck.

“I’m dying, Bianca,” she almost whispered, and my heart turned to stone.

Goddamn it.

She’d spoken the dreaded words with a sigh, glancing out toward the sinking sun. “I’ve been holding on, waiting for a sign. Your arrival only validated what I already knew.”

No, no, no… This couldn’t happen right now. Not while we were alone. And if she knew this was coming, why in the world would she send Miles away?

I hadn’t realized I’d spoken out loud until she turned her attention back to me.

“Miles isn’t meant to be here,” she answered, reaching for my hand. “It’s supposed to beyou. Your magic is proof enough of that.”

“Because I’m a medium?” My voice squeaked. What in the world was I supposed to do? I was no good with dying people.

I glanced toward the door, straining my ears and eyes, but there was no indication that Miles was stomping his way back to the house. “Do you need anything? Do you want me to get—”

“No,” she interrupted, leaning her weight on her arm as she turned slightly to me. The lines of pain on her face had softened, replaced with smooth tranquility. “Everything is fine, and my work is completed.”

“W-what?” I stuttered as one of my worst nightmares came to life. If she wasn’t being dramatic, which I highly doubted due to her graying complexion, then she really was going to die. Alone with me, and no one else to help.

How could this happen? I’d promised myself I would never be in this position again.

Yet, here we were.

“Are you sure…” My words trailed as the room grew darker, lit only by the dimming light of the hearth. But this time, it wasn’t fear that had silenced my words, but, rather, the look in her eyes.

She had turned toward the window, and the air was thick with the weight of heavy longing.