Page 82 of Wicked Magik

His shadows continued to hold her while he flipped through the book on human anatomy. He glanced at her several times, his magic turning her head to check her ears.

I tilted my skull in wonder trying to understand what he was looking for.

Veylor cleared his throat. "I have a way to stitch her up, similar to how I did my own. I'm concerned about her scarring." He placed the book on the table filled with supplies. "Vesper hasn't shared her method with me, and I can't leave these wounds exposed, as humans are susceptible to infection."

Lifting my head from where I had nestled my snout close to my pet's belly, I asked with irritation, "So, what have you been doing with her over the last two days?"

Veylor sighed. "I made her life difficult. I asked her to assist me in selecting matching body parts, which probably complicated her job more than necessary."

I growled and pulled Vesper closer to me.

"I promised you honesty, and there you have it." Veylor said as he picked up a cloth to gently clean the dirt off Vesper's arm. He was cautious around her wound, carefully patting around the deep cut. But as soon as he reached for a needle and thread, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her away.

Veylor pressed his lips together. "To heal her, I must proceed with this. The needle will pierce her skin and weave through."

I huffed. “Do you not have magik to seal her skin back together? Why must you damage her further by piercing her skin?”

My tongue slipped out of my mouth to lap at her wounds. I paused. It would be selfish of me to taste her in such a vulnerable state.

"My magik has its limitations. I draw from the Under Shadows. I command these Shadows, yet they lack the power to mend. I'm not a healer for spirits that haven't crossed into the afterlife, Oryx. I could assist you, perhaps restore you, but Vesper belongs to a realm unfamiliar to me."

I hummed and watched him take his needle and pierce it through her skin. My hand wrapped around my pet’s thigh but she was so far gone in her sleep that she didn’t even wince. Once Veylor had completed the first wound he took a step back and looked at his work and shook his head.

“It isn’t as good as the ones Vesper has done to Benedict.” He laid the needle on the metal tray beside him and began cleaning other areas of her arm. “I wish I had made her teach me the first day, now she will suffer because of my mistakes.” His voice was heavy with concern, his mouth in a deep frown.

I experienced a weight in my chest and attempted to soothe the persistent ache. Why was I overwhelmed with guilt and sadness about this situation? It was his mistake, not mine.

Veylor stood up and stared at the stitching once more. “Oryx, were you there when Benedict was sewn together?”

I nodded.

Veylor walked around the bed and positioned himself before me. "Since you met Vesper, it's become difficult for me to access your thoughts with my magik. I'm unsure if this is merely acoincidence or if there's more to it, but I want to delve deeper. I aim to explore your mind and connect with your memories."

I reared my head back. While before I did not fully understand the power he wielded over me when he could see in my skull. I didn’t have anything to hide anyway. Then I wanted to give myself all to him but now?

He could see things I did not want him to.

My private time with Vesper.

“For what purpose?”

Veylor sat next to me on the bed and placed his hand on my furry knee. "It's amazing how she stitches so seamlessly. Maybe it's some kind of technique, or perhaps I'm just rusty, but I want her to regain her flawless skin." He turned away from me with a frown.

That was when I realized the guilt I felt hovering my chest was his. I rubbed my chest once more.

Did he truly care?

“Why? Why help her when you have shown so much distaste toward her? Is it just to get into my mind to change my feelings toward her? I won’t have it.” I pushed his arm away and snarled.

Veylor frowned. "If I can't be with you, Oryx, at least allow me to make amends for the harm I caused her, and you as well. I promise not to manipulate your mind or influence you in any way—I lack the power to do so. You have become more of yourself than ever before. All I seek is to access the memory of Vesper stitching Benedict, nothing more. The decision is yours, and I understand it's a lot to ask. Even if you decline, I will continue to stitch her. I just thought it might leave a smaller scar with her techniques."

Veylor rose from the bed, his shoes clicked against the floor and he fiddled with his tools before he began the next wound.

I had placed my trust in Veylor for many years, and during that period, I remained unharmed. Like me, he was burdened bya lack of connection and haunted by guilt over a past he couldn't alter. He tormented himself for whatever wrong he had done to me.

My tongue licked around my snout. “Do I have your word,” I began.

Veylor paused before he pierced Vesper’s skin.