Bracken the healer 2

  Warren staggered over to them, hand clutching his shoulder, a sheen of sweat glistening on his haggard face. "Rather . . . be mauled . . . by a pack of rabid dogs. "

  Raxtus stopped shredding his prey and flew off to inspect the one-winged harpy.

  "Let me see," Bracken said.

  Warren removed his hand. Ugly stripes had been slashed into his shoulder, the edges yellow, the blood almost black. Warren bit his lower lip. "I can feel the poison spreading. "

  Bracken placed his palm on the wounds. Flinching slightly, Warren gasped in pain. Bracken bowed his head and closed his eyes. His nose and lips twitched. His hand gave off a pearly glow. When he removed his hand, the edges of the wounds were no longer yellow, and the blood looked less dark.

  "Wow, that felt hot," Warren growled through clenched teeth.

  "I burnt away most of the poison," Bracken said, swaying. He shook his head as if to clear it. "Once upon a time that would have been simple. "

(Additional text cut)

  "I've done what I can," Bracken said. "With my horns gone, I'm a ghost of my former self. Trace amounts of toxin remain. I can't close the wounds any more than I have. "

Chapter 18