“How bad is it?” Mishtali asked. “His heart is to a five,” Shunati said. “Lamdi’s keeping it beating for now, but it’s only a matter of time.” “Lamdi?” Mishtali asked. “What about the backlash?” “He’s beyond that.” “What about that potion that helps his heart?” Ann asked. “We’ve given him as much as we dare. It’s not helping. He’s not going to recover this time.” Shunati led the way to a student healer room. Tercala and Shuli sat with Ruzi. Shay and Pisha huddled together for comfort. Lamdi had her hand on Thailyn’s, her eyes closed, breathing deeply and slowly. Her breathing matched the rise and fall of Thailyn’s chest. Andy knelt near the head of the bed, frowning at Cari, who had her hands on Thailyn’s face. She frowned too. Micro-expressions flitted across her face as if she were reasoning out a puzzle. “You fix him,” she finally told Lamdi. “I can’t. He needs emergency healing. He can’t take that.” “I’ll fix that damage,” Cari assured her. “I saw how you fixed Vaila’s ankle. I could do that.” Lamdi looked to Shunati. “Will that work?” Shunati frowned. “I don’t know.” “What’s the harm in trying?” Shay asked. “Right now, he’s as good as dead. As soon as Lamdi stops, he’ll die.” Shunati looked at the others. “I say do it,” Darkham grunted. “The idea seems good,” Raylee agreed. “You normally can’t have two healers working on someone at the same time because of feedback, but Cari doesn’t have that problem.” “Is she’s strong enough?” Tor asked. “I’m an unreadable too. She can use my energy if she needs it,” Darkham offered. “What about feedback shock once he wakes?” Shay asked. “There is a potion we can give him, but it’s kind of harsh,” Darkham suggested. Shunati shook his head. “That would be too hard on him.” “He’s not feeling it now,” Lamdi said. “Nor am I.” “His healing is gone,” Cari said. “He has no healing magic right now,” Andy confirmed. “It’s pure blue in magic.” “Cari, are you draining him like you did Vaila?” Shunati asked. Cari shook her head. “There’s nothing to drain.” “The shock should be minimal,” Darkham decided. “Just do it,” Pisha insisted. “He’s going to die anyhow. Heal him, or end his misery.” Shunati nodded. “Do it, but use the same method we’ve been using for the horn scars.” “That’s the same as Vaila’s ankle,” Lamdi assured him. “This could take a while.” “Let us know what you need,” Shay told her. “Maybe a chair?” Lamdi requested. “And water,” Shunati added. “And we’ll get you food later for both of you.” “Can Vaila keep me company?” Cari asked. “Not yet. I don’t want him to become a distraction.” The girl set out healing Thailyn. Darkham supervised and guided Cari. The others watched for a while and then Shunati ushered them out. Lamdi was a sensitive. She’d be reading at least a little from everyone in the room. He understood what that was like. “Vaila wanted me to talk to you,” Shunati told Ann and Andy. “Oh?” Ann raised an eyebrow. “He wants me to arrange for him to be pledged to Cari.” Ann smiled. “No. Cari mentioned them getting married also. I won’t push them together. When they’re older, if they’re still close we can talk about it then.” Shunati nodded. “That’s what I told Vaila. I explained about bonding a little. I’m not sure how much he understands. But he seems to understand Cari’s different because she’s part dragon.” “Good.” Soon, people from the interrupted celebration started drifting off and they had to help people get home, whether it was through transporting or the guards escorting the locals to make sure they got home safe.