The Phoenix Medallion

By Genevieve Hensel

Kiska Thatcher thought she could be a normal Travel-Healer, despite the fact that she was half phoenix. She was wrong.

Shortly after finishing her Master Healer's License test, she witne

• Language: English
• Publisher: Genevieve Hensel
• Release date: Dec 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737759010

Book preview

This book is dedicated to:

My parents for always believing in me,

Jeff, Zakk, Shannon and Ken for giving me your genuine honest opinions,

And Tyson, the best husband in the Universe,

Thank you for your patience through all this…

Content Warning: References to sexual and mental abuse, Scenes where characters experience mental health issues, some graphic battle and death scenes.

Reader Discretion is advised.

The Phoenix Medallion

By Genevieve Hensel

Prologue

        Crack! Stone hit against stone as Hades banged an obsidian gavel against the arm of his black tourmaline throne. The sound echoed off of the polished turquoise walls of the impressive councilroom.

 Yen-Lo-Wang, Imperial Chinese Council member of the Underworld Council. You are charged with leniency, allowing certain people who have corrupt souls into the Fields of Asphodel. You have even allowed people that didn’t deserve it into Elysium. How do you plead? He glared down at what appeared to be an older Asian man. The man, however, was anything but human.

He was short for a god. His smoke colored robes stretched over his expansive stomach. A halo of thin black hair ringed his large crimson head, giving him an almost saint-like look. As he studied the Underworld Council with his dark almond shaped eyes, he twirled a wispy black beard that hung from his chin.

I plead not guilty.

His voice rang out cold and sharp.

Anubis shifted and growled, baring his jackal fangs.

Hela narrowed her mismatched eyes. So you mean to say that that band of mercenaries just waltzed through the gates of Elysium all on their own? And that corrupt pedophile priest just happened in Asphodel Fields of his own accord? Her voice hissed like water in hot oil.

Yen-Lo-Wang sighed. Those mercenaries had worked for good organizations and good governments as well as bad ones. They deserved a chance. And as for the priest, he’s a priest. I mean how could you condemn him for his one fault when he has done so many charitable things? He smiled jauntily, feeling that he had this trial in the bag.

Hades rubbed his temples. He had a headache brewing and no one to massage it out because it was Spring and his wife, Persephone, had gone topside, visiting her mother. He glanced around at his fellow council members.

Hela had started arguing with Yen-Lo-Wang about the technicalities of mercenaries and both Osiris and Anubis were backing Hela in the argument.

The rest of the council seemed to be watching the argument apprehensively, as if this was the most stressful tennis match of the season.

Hades sighed. This was taking much longer than he had hoped it would. He knew that Yen-Lo-Wang wouldn’t go quietly or without a fight. Despite all of the gods agreeing on this, convicting and punishing another god was still a new practice. One that Hades didn’t feel comfortable with. The gods shouldn’t need to be held accountable like this. However, Yen-Lo-Wang gave him no alternative. No choice.  

He banged his gavel on the arm of his throne again to instill order and to attract everyone’s attention.

The room grew silent again and everyone turned their attention back to Hades.

The dichotomy of mercenaries is not relevant, most of them just end up in Asphodel Fields because their good and evil deeds tend to cancel each other out. The topic of our conversation is Yen-Lo-Wang and his particular judgment of good and evil. You have pleaded ‘Not guilty’. However, all of the evidence that stands before us proves otherwise. Hades gestured to his left, where a large mist projection screen was showing all of Yen-Lo-Wang’s judgments on loop.

So you're telling me that one good deed done cannot expunge all of the bad deeds that the soul in question has done? Yen-Lo-Wang asked, looking accusingly at each of the Underworld Council Members individually.

Osiris clicked his beak menacingly. IT DEPENDS ON THE ONE GOOD DEED AND EXACTLY HOW MANY BAD DEEDS THE SOUL IN QUESTION HAD COMMITTED. AND IF ONLY ONE BAD DEED WAS COMMITTED, THE SEVERITY OF THAT ONE BAD DEED NEEDS TO BE COUNTED. YOU ARE NOT USING YOUR JUDGEMENT OF THESE FACTS WISELY.   He pointed out, glaring at Yen-Lo-Wang.

Yen-Lo-Wang sighed again. This is true. However, I feel that we should also look at the person as a whole. We are in a different age. There are things that would have been labeled good and things that would have been labeled bad hundreds of years ago that do not exist anymore, and therefore are obsolete.  Perhaps we should re-evaluate our labels of ‘good’ and ‘bad’. he offered slyly.

Hades knew that the impish old god was trying to bait the council, make them squabble, and get them to take sides, all to fool them into giving him a soft sentence. He wasn’t going to let Yen-Lo-Wang control the room. He couldn’t.

ENOUGH!

Hades had stood up, growing a little in size and magnifying his voice until it shook the entire room. He did this on purpose to remind the other gods why they had appointed him as leader of the Underworld Council. It worked.

The other underworld council gods flinched and shrunk a little in their thrones.

Hades sighed again and sat down, returning to his original size. Yen-Lo-Wang, we have done our research and have adapted to the times that have changed. We have been given little choice in that matter. However, that is NOT why we are here today. We are here to deliberate the decisions that you, individually, have made. he growled coldly. The council will take an anonymous vote and then I will decide your fate once the council has decided whether or not you are guilty. He concluded, his voice at a more reasonable decibel.

The voting took twenty minutes, each god writing their decision on a slip of paper and put it into a basket.

Hades summoned two underworld spirits, Plato and Abraham Lincoln, to count the votes.

Abraham Lincoln stepped forward from the table where the votes were counted. In a vote of six for conviction and four against, we have found the defendant, Yen-Lo-Wang, guilty. He replied, his clear voice echoing through the room.

All of the color drained from Yen-Lo-Wang’s face. He lost the case.

Both Hela and Osiris looked satisfied, then the two gods left the throne room deep in conversation. The other gods looked impassive as they too departed, leaving Yen-Lo-Wang alone with Hades.

Hades sighed with relief. Since you have been convicted, I have decided to demote you. You are hereby stripped of your status as an underworld councilmember, along with all of the extra celestial powers that are included therein. You will be serving one thousand years as the Officer in Chief of the Fields of Punishment, starting immediately. He commanded as he saw the different expressions of despair and anger shift across Yen-Lo-Wang’s face. Your shifts will be twenty four hours long with an eight hour break in between each shift. And I think you should feel grateful for my generosity because there are some of my generals that receive no break at all. Take him to his duties. he finished, waving his hand at Yen-Lo-Wang in a nonchalant manner.

Yen-Lo-Wang glowed bright gold for a moment before he was seized by strong but bony fingers and dragged from the throne room.        

Chapter 1

        It was the end of my shift at the Aura Healing Clinic. I was only an intern, which meant that I got the later shifts. The consolation was that the people were nice and I had made a few friends. My master, Benjamin Porter, had given me a better recommendation than I felt that I deserved, which set the bar kind of high for me. Despite that, the clinic didn’t expect too much from me. I think they had a rough time with a couple of interns before they received me.  

My name is Kiska Thatcher and I am a phoenix witch. I'm one of the Travel-Healers, licensed by the government to help people who have magical ailments and illnesses. I have been an apprentice Healer for almost ten years, and an intern for about three of those years. I was the last apprentice that Master Porter took on. I had about two weeks left of my internship before I could take the governmental exam and become a Master Travel-Healer.

I was covered in a combination of potions, tinctures, vomit and, for some reason, fish eggs. I decided to stop at my dorm to clean up before meeting a few of my fellow interns for drinks at the new local  bar.

As I made my way down the halls to my dorm, I passed witches, white elves, dwarves, a couple of halflings, and a centaur. My neighbor, a satyr named Margaret, stopped me in the hall just as I had my hand on the knob of my door.  

Oh, Kiska, I’m so glad I caught you before I left. She shuffled a little nervously on her hooves. A woman was looking for you.

What did she look like?

She twirled her caramel colored braid as she thought for a moment, a concentrated expression on her face. I think she was a witch, cause she was a normal human like you……... she recalled.

I nodded. Do you know what she wanted me for? I asked, the grimy sensation of my clothing starting to make me a little uncomfortable.

She shook her head. Just said it was important. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Though she did say that she was headed to the dean’s office and if I saw you within the hour to direct you there. That was at about three this afternoon, ‘bout an hour after you left for the clinic. she explained.

I nodded again and yawned. Thank you, Margaret. Give Donnie my best, ok? I replied.

She flashed me the biggest grin. Will do. and she was off down the hall as fast as her hooves could take her.

I sighed, unlocked my dorm room and went inside. Flicking on the light revealed a small studio apartment, the only extra room in the entire place being the bathroom.

Trevirsa University of Magic was the school that funded the apprentice program that I studied in. They were one of the best and most expensive schools of magic in the state of Michigan, located in Traverse City. Because they were internationally known, being one of the top ten best magical universities in the world, they offered a proper living experience for their students.

I could have lived with my mother at the beginning of my schooling since, up until Master Porter took me on as his apprentice, she lived in Traverse City too. However we agreed it was best for me not to. I was mildly grateful considering my apprenticeship would be hard on her, especially since Master Porter was one of the more travel savvy healers and left town for weeks on end.

She decided to move to Seattle, Washington.  I was happy for her to find a new adventure but was sad that she now lived so far away. That made my living in the dorms even more of a necessity. I was glad I didn’t have to pay for it since it was included in the tuition.

I looked around the room wearily, considering cancelling my drinks date with my fellow interns, then I remembered that one of them was going to be taking his test in the next day or two. That meant that going to the bar with them might be the last time I got to see him.

I sighed and dragged myself to the shower.

An hour later I was sitting on a red velvet couch in one of the swankiest rooms that I had ever been in. The entire bar had that roaring twenties feel to it, with a slight prohibition twist. I was in heaven. The 1920’s is one of my absolute favorite time periods in history.

There were about five of us all sitting in a corner of the bar, enjoying drinks and food that the bar served. Our group included two identical twin halflings, a white elf and a  human wizard in addition to me. The white elf was the one graduating.

So, Albaric, what will you be doing once you’ve taken the test and have your license? the wizard asked, swirling his drink with his straw casually.

Albaric grinned nervously. I’m not quite sure. I’ve considered contributing to either alchemaic research or perhaps the education of Quoties on recognizing magical illnesses. He replied slowly, taking a sip of his drink.

The twins chittered a little. That’s kinda anticlimactic for you, isn’t it Albie? I mean the only one that's ever beaten you both in the apprenticeship program and in the internship is Kiska  the twin on the left teased, wiggling her dangling feet back and forth.

I felt my face burn a little in embarrassment.

Albaric’s face also flushed, his milky skin taking on a glowing pink hue. Yes, Well….. I’m not….. I couldn’t……. Oh Tabatha, you know that I don’t actually like travelling and you still have a year left for your internship. I just wouldn’t dream of leaving you high and dry when you need my help so desperately. He sputtered.

Tabatha’s twin, Isolde, rolled her eyes. That’s rich. She doesn’t need any help. She’s just faking to give you an excuse to come to our dorm three nights a week. Honestly, as if seeing you at the clinic every day wasn’t enough. She scoffed, making her sister blush as fiercely as Albaric.

The wizard, who was named Sebastian, and I laughed at their antics.

Albaric, Isolde’s not wrong. I know she’s not a Sentinel but you two should finally just admit it and become a couple already! I teased, handing Tabatha a stack of napkins. She had accidentally upset her drink in trying to get her twin back for her comment.

Albaric cleared his throat and gave me a knowing look, his face still vibrant with embarrassment. You should talk, Kiska. How many times has Aiden Lemieux visited our clinic, with you as his nurse no less? I mean it’s almost like he gets injured or sick on purpose just to see you. And it’s not like you and Sebastian here are strangers. he replied, taking a sip of his drink.

Sebastian and I looked at each other, slightly in shock. I could feel my face burning again.

I think you’ve got the wrong idea, old man, nice try though. I’ve never been to Kiska’s dorm.

I took a sip of my drink then cleared my throat, trying to ignore my embarrassment. Despite how often we have lunch together, Sebastian and I are just friends. And as far as Aiden Lemieux, by the time I get to his room, there’s never anything wrong with him, except his attitude. Never have I met such a sarcastic……… I mean does he take anything seriously? I corrected, shaking my head.

My companions laughed at my reply.

You’re just fooling yourself, Kiska. Tabatha threw at me. She gave me the same knowing look that Albaric had, which annoyed me, but not enough to ruin my good mood.

I rolled my eyes. I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tabatha. I stuck my tongue out at the halfling rebelliously.

She giggled and took a drink of her drink.

What about that cute satyr neighbor of yours, Margaret, I’ve heard that you have her over quite a bit. Sebastian interrupted slyly.

I shook my head. I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m not against interspecies relationships at all, however they are not for me. It doesn’t matter which gender, I’d just like for them to be human. I explained lightheartedly. I invite  her over because she’s the only satyr on my floor and when she moved in, she didn’t have anyone to help make her comfortable. Besides Margaret is seeing Donnie Baker over in the politics  program. She says he’s not as stuffy as the rest of them and he lets her eat the speeches that don’t do very well.

My companions nodded.

Hey, do any of you guys know anything about the strange woman who came into the clinic this morning? She was looking for you Kiska. Isolde asked, struggling to shift her sitting position on the couch next to me.

I hesitated, a slice of pita bread with artichoke dip on it halfway to my mouth.

My companions all shook their heads.

Do you know what she looked like? I asked before shoving the whole appetizer in my mouth.

She cocked her head to the side. Hmmmm…….. I think she had dark skin, short gray hair and violet eyes. she mused before taking a drink.

I swallowed as quickly as I could. Do you know what she wanted? I asked thickly around the food still left in my mouth.

Isolde shook her head. She wouldn’t say. She just said it was important. She did say she was hoping to catch you before she left town this evening.  

I nodded my response and swallowed. Margaret told me that there was a strange woman who had come to my dorm, although I had already left for my shift at Aura. I wonder if they’re the same person. Margaret said she wanted me to meet her at the dean's office, although I don’t think she would have been there at eight o’clock at night though. Plus I was covered in a number of things that I’m sure that Dean Atwater wouldn’t have wanted on his furniture. I replied once my mouth was clearer.

Tabatha gave me a sympathetic look. They’ve got you serving Madam Edorta, don’t they. Honestly, I know it’s harsh but the woman is insane, on top of being very sick. They really need to move her to a clinic that's not a school. She toyed with the straw of her drink a little.

Albaric looked at her shocked. Tabatha! How could you say that? Not only is she good practice for us students, but it's not part of our beings to just give up on someone. He scolded gently.

Sebastian sighed and came to Tabatha’s rescue. You’ve never been scheduled to serve Madam Edorta. I mean if I didn’t know better, I would have called in an exorcism. he sighed.

Albaric looked affronted by Sebastian’s remarks.

I sighed. Albaric, I’m not sure it’s something you can understand without experiencing it yourself. Some clients are like that, and sometimes it’s more merciful to end their suffering instead of helping them continue on. I replied gently.

I know it’s morbid to think about but that’s life, Albie. Tabatha chimed in, patting Albaric on the arm gently.

He sighed. I guess that's the best explanation as to why I’m most suited for alchemy or education. he retorted miserably.

Isolde bounced an olive off of his nose. Cheer up, Albaric, it’ll all turn out the way it’s supposed to. And tomorrow, your test! she finished triumphantly, lifting her glass in a cheersing motion.

Albaric returned our smiles weakly. Don’t remind me. he mumbled, finishing his drink and ordering another.

A couple hours later, I was making my way back to my dorm, feeling happy about how the night had gone and that I had forced myself to go. The hallways of the building I was in were a lot emptier as I strode down them, my flats making soft tapping noises on the polished wood floor.

My mind wandered over the conversations of the night. I sighed as I was reminded of Albaric’s comments about Aiden Lemieux. It did seem like every other week he was injured or sick in some way shape or form and ended up in our clinic. I also thought about the strange woman who seemed rather desperate to find me.

Where was she from? What were her motives for finding me? What did Dean Atwater have to do with it all? Why was I so important?

I unlocked my dorm room door and slouched in, kicking my shoes off just behind the door as I closed it.

I yawned and thoughts of the night and the mysterious woman slid lazily from my head. I had the next day off and felt exhausted. I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed.

Chapter 2

The next two weeks of my internship seemed to fly by so quickly until finally it was my turn for the test.

I had agreed to go to my graduation celebration with one of my oldest friends, Simon Whitland.  

Simon was a pale, waifish looking young man with dark brown hair that was cut into a short business cut and cool gray eyes. He didn’t exactly embody the aesthetic of a vampire, though few vampires these days did. That wasn’t the only reason he was one of my oldest friends either.

He opened the door with an air of surprise. Kiska, you’re early. he sighed uncomfortably.

I gave him one look and knew that he hadn’t fed yet. Despite how much he tried to cover it up, the look in his eyes was too hungry, too leering.

Should I come back? I mean I’ve known you long enough to trust you won’t eat me, but if you feel uncomfortable with feeding while I’m here, I can go. I offered.

He shook his head like a dog trying to dry off. No, Kiska, it’s fine. I’ve been a vampire for a couple hundred years now, I can control myself now. I do apologize if my initial look made you nervous, I wasn’t expecting you for another hour. He replied slowly.

I smiled. Like I said, Simon, I trust you. And I finished whatever errands I had today a little earlier than I had expected, which meant that I thought it’d just save energy coming here instead of going all the way home then coming back out. If that makes any sense. I explained.

He nodded as he swiftly went back into the kitchen where he had been pouring blood from a larger container into a glass.

Who’s blood is that? Anyone I know? I joked.

He shot me a dark look and shook his head. No. it’s cadaver blood. A young lady that died in childbirth. I had to sign several wavers and pay a hefty sum to receive this. I’m not happy nor am I proud of it, but it’s quite delicious. He sighed mournfully.

Now before anyone gets up in arms, I should explain.

When a person is eligible to operate a vehicle, be it a car, truck, motorcycle, broomstick, magic carpet, or evanescing port for magical creatures of semi-human species, you have the option to be a donor. That means that should you perish for whatever reason, any of your still working organs can be used for people that need them. That donor option also applies to your blood for safe vampiric consumption. It means that there are less random vampire attacks on living people, plus living blood donated at blood banks can be used to save lives when needed.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any vampire attacks, they’re just extremely rare. Also the vampire only bars in existence still need to get their supplies from somewhere. Fortunately, though, they tend to go to prisons to get their blood.

The cadaver blood that Simon mentioned, is the donor blood. Vampires receive it for a fee, price depending on the donor in question. Sometimes wavers are needed because of the condition of the cadaver and to keep a certain level of sensitivity for the deceased’s family and friends. The system as a whole gives vampires like Simon the opportunity to integrate safely into society.

I shrugged. You know I don’t judge, Simon. I’m not a vampire, I don’t understand your ways and therefore have no ground to stand upon to say who you eat is wrong. I explained.

He nodded. I understand, however people like you have been few and far between. The family of this donor wasn’t happy when they found that her vehicle license had the donor sticker. I think this was the most expensive blood that I’ve ever purchased. He sighed again and took a large gulp of blood, before putting the glass container back into the refrigerator next to the counter.

They must have been Quotidians.

He shook his head. No, they were a magical family, visiting from Brussels, when the wife unexpectedly went into labor six weeks early. The baby somehow survived but the mother was dead within an hour of delivery. Healers examined her body for three weeks to try to find the cause. They even ran tests on the baby. Nothing. Just a strange fluke. he replied, taking another sip.

That's unfortunate. Can we talk about something else though…… ….I’d  rather not talk shop after the week I’ve had. They had me taking care of Madame Edorta this month. I tried not to grimace too much.

Simon gave me a look of sympathy over the rim of his glass. I’m sorry, I knew Osane back when she was in her prime. The health condition she’s in is of no one’s fault but her own. He scoffed.

I snorted. That may be but that shouldn’t mean that she needs to punish us Healers for it. I replied coarsely.

He chuckled. Kiska, that is just the way it is with that woman. In her mind, misery loves company and so company she shall have. He finished with a relish.

That’s all fine and dandy, Simon, but every time I went  into that harpy’s room, I left it feeling like I need to take three showers in a row, using a full body scrub and a power washer. I moaned, making him laugh even harder.

You were on the bottom rung of the ladder, what were you going to expect?

I crossed my arms huffily. Master Porter didn’t even push me this hard. I grumbled.

He finished drinking his blood, smacking his lips heartily, and sighed. Kiska, Benjamin Porter didn’t get to know the true talent he had when he was your master. I’m sorry, and with all due respect to the man, he was jealous of what you came to him as and therefore never tested you to your full capacity. he scoffed.

I sighed. Oh yeah, it’s so fun being half phoenix and half human. I mean, yeah, my healing powers are 10 times what a normal human’s would  be but the cost was too high and not being able to die when everyone else around you that you care about has an expiration date is just sooo much fun. I snapped grumpily.

Simon shook his head, scooted closer to me on the couch and put an arm around my shoulder. I habitually repressed the recoil that instinctually rose whenever Simon touched me.

Kiska, relax, I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable or upset. I do know a little of how you feel and I was genuinely trying to give you a compliment. he gave me a gentle smile.

I returned his smile reluctantly. I’m sorry Simon, It’s just been a stressful  last month. I’ve been ready for this for ten years. I sighed with a shutter.

He chuckled. Let's go then, to celebrate your crowning achievement. Kiska Thatcher, Master Travel-Healer. He stood up, and held out his hand to help me to my feet.

I took his hand and we left his apartment.

Simon and I were joined by my four intern friends, taking me out to dinner and drinks the night before my test, just as we had done for Albaric. Albaric actually surprised me by showing up.

 We all sat at a booth table at the restaurant. I however needed to use the restroom as soon as we arrived.  

 Not genuinely paying attention as I was coming out of the restroom, I nearly collided with someone going towards the restrooms. It was Aiden Lemieux.

He was tall and athletically slender with thick, shoulder-length, wavy, dark hair, lightly tanned skin and deep brown eyes. His narrow face had the makings of a beard and mustache, as if he hadn’t shaved in a few days. Despite the fact that his left arm was cybernetic, the overall effect of his appearance quite often reminded me of a wolf.

Now I see why Healers are assigned Sentinels. They’re way too focused on what's in front of them to pay attention to everything else around them. He teased in his smooth British baritone, his eyes twinkling.

I looked at him first in surprise then in mild indignation. For your information, MR Lemieux, we Healers have excellent reflexes when they are needed. I retorted, rolling my eyes.

He chuckled. Right. And when they’re not needed……. You’re as oblivious as a five year old eating a biscuit. He jabbed again.

I sighed and crossed my arms across my chest. Well the same can be said about Sentinels. You’re so preoccupied with everything around you that you don’t know that what  you’re looking for is right under your nose. I shot back.

He looked mildly but genuinely hurt for a fraction of a second, then grinned. I suppose that’s why Sentinels are assigned Healers then. The perfect balance. He replied silkily.

I’m sorry, Mr. Lemieux, you wouldn’t know balance if Themis came up and hit you upside the head with a set of scales. I pushed past him to get back to my table.

So do you think you’re ready for this, Kiska? Sebastian asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I gave him a level stare as I sat back down. Of course. Why wouldn’t I be? I mean if I can survive a year of written classes, six years of Master Porter pushing me to only half potential then three years of being pushed to the max potential, including Madam Edorta for a whole month? I got this. I replied with more confidence than I felt.

Albaric, who had successfully passed the test two weeks earlier, chimed in after taking a sip of the water that the waitress had placed before him. It’s a lot easier than everyone says it is. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, you’re quite a bit smarter than I am so I think you’re going to do just fine. he assured me before turning to the waitress and placing his food order.

We all followed his example by placing food and drink orders.

The waitress swept away to relay the orders to the kitchen and to the bartender.

Albaric, thank you for the compliment but everyone takes tests differently. I’m confident I’ll be fine in the practical but I’m pretty sure the written is going to trip me up. I replied, squeezing some lemon into my water glass.

He shook his head. It’s multiple choice, you seriously will be fine. he assured me as the waitress returned with our drinks.  

I glanced at Simon, who gave me a reassuring look over the rim of his blood martini. He then gave me an uncomfortable smile.

I felt the air of the whole table rapidly become slightly awkward. They were all staring at me apprehensively. I opened my mouth to ask them what they were all staring at when I felt the presence of someone behind me.

Who’s the lucky test victim? a smooth british baritone asked behind me.

I closed my mouth and my eyes, saying a silent prayer for patience. I twisted in my seat to find Aiden standing behind me, holding a frosty glass, a little less than half full of beer.

How would you know that someone is taking the test tomorrow? We could all just be out to have some fun…. I asked slowly, trying to keep my tone level.

He glanced around the table. I can tell from everyone’s clothes that you’re celebrating something, there’s even a slight festive air to the table. You’ve probably all bought entrees, that you’d normally wouldn’t buy on any day that wasn’t a special occasion. Also you’re all being loud enough in a loud restaurant to be overheard by people walking past your table. And since I was walking past………… he finished with a relish, drinking the last of his beer.

I sighed, unable to counter his observations. I am. I take it tomorrow at 10:30. I replied with a little resentment in my voice.

A look of surprised sadness danced across his face for a fraction of a second, to be replaced with a charming smile. My favorite Healer’s all grown up and ready for the big bad world. I guess I’m going to have to find a different healer in the Aura Clinic to take care of me.