Hidden Nature by S. M. Savoy

Author:S. M. Savoy [Savoy, S. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ace Lyon Books LLC
Published: 2021-08-10T22:00:00+00:00

- 15 -

A Major Disagreement

“What are you doing?” Liz asked as she entered the lab.

Major Nelson glanced up from the boxes on the counter but continued to tape them closed.

“This is the only magic we’ll ever have and they’re wasting it.”

“It’s hardly a waste.”

Nelson rested a hip on the table and gestured at the empty shelves behind him. “How many times do you suppose they’ve cast Call-for-Help? They’re dead. The Scouts can cast a million more times—”

“We don’t know that!”

“Charlie hasn’t felt a glimmer from her in a month. Not one glimmer. She’s dead. I’m sorry, Liz. I really am but he felt her die. You saw him…”

“He felt pain and fear.”

“Followed by nothing.”

“If her m-nerve was removed…” Contemplating that made Liz nauseous and she had to stop speaking, afraid she’d vomit.

Nelson shook his head. “Even if they were alive, which I highly doubt because no one has even tried for the other three, but let’s assume they are. There are thousands of zones. We don’t have enough magic to keep calling randomly. Not in the spell-bracelets anyway. Brenda can continue her search. The bracelets need to be reserved for healing, for emergencies that we can actually do something about.”

“Charlie will be furious.”

Nelson snorted softly. “He’s already furious, and besides, he won’t know. He has no idea how much magic she had stored. I’m not planning to take the bracelets they have on them. When they run out, there won’t be more, that’s all. It’ll just happen sooner than they thought.”

“Did the general order this?”

Nelson sighed deeply and turned away to gather the last rods of stored magic.

“Did the general order this!” she repeated, angrily.

“No. But I could ask for the orders if you try to go over my head.”

“I outrank you.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re a nurse.” He cleared his throat and offered her an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, ma’am, but this is my sphere, combat.”

“I have to disagree. This is my lab and you’re confiscating my supplies.”

“Fine. I’ll submit a request. And I know exactly how many are in here, Major Harris.”

Liz said nothing as he stalked from the room but as soon as the door closed she called General Campbell.

“Major Nelson was just in my lab, trying to remove the remaining magic Sara had stored,” she said without preamble. “I agree it needs to be rationed but removing it is a horrible idea. Charlie needs it. I’ve been weaning him off but it’s going to take time and patience and his cooperation. If he comes here and I have none of her magic to offer him, I can’t predict his response, but I can guarantee it’ll be hostile if he knows Major Nelson has her magic and won’t give it to him.”

“I agree,” Campbell said. He tapped his wristcomp. “I just sent you a copy of the letter John received this morning. The commandant is concerned and asking John to get Charlie to withdraw.”

“I’m not certain it’s Charlie causing the problem. It might be the lack of Hawk’s aura, I’m sure the commandant won’t expel Charlie with a month to go.

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