Aloft by J F Rogers

Author:J F Rogers [Rogers, J. F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YA fantasy, Christian Fantasy, Christian
Publisher: jfrogers
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

◊◊◊

I LAY ON MY bedding inside the tent, shaking with a cold sweat. Kai wiped my forehead, concern lacquering his mahogany eyes. Part of me wanted to get up and ease his burden. Another part wanted to smack the look from his face. I shuddered at whatever prompted such unwarranted thoughts, wishing to push it out of my system. But it persisted.

Aside from the flulike symptoms, something was wrong. Impressions that weren’t my own invaded my thoughts. Like when I dreamed, Alastar’s feelings permeated my mind but a little more distant. But yesterday, with the blindness, something changed. It wasn’t a faraway feeling while I slept. Something lurked under the surface, something evil. I couldn’t shake it, even when I was awake.

Whatever this is, God, please make it go away.

I tried to shift myself, but my limbs weighed a thousand tons. My body ached. “Why is it so cold?”

“It’s not.” Kai wiped hair away from my forehead. “And you have a blanket. This illness gives you a chill.”

I shivered hard enough to make my teeth chatter and clutched the blanket. “Where is everyone?”

“Ji Ah went to fetch a healer. Your mother and Rowan are making plans with the leaders. I’m not sure of Maili’s whereabouts.”

Ji Ah entered the tent and held the flap. A male selkie, presumably the healer, carried a steaming mug. “Lift her,” he commanded Kai.

Kai squeezed himself behind my head to elevate me.

“What is this?” I eyed the man.

“Medicine,” the man said. “It will help.”

“He’s a healer. A good one,” Kai promised.

The man gathered his robe and knelt beside me, then brought the mug to my lips. The crinkles around his brown eyes gave him the appearance of smiling, but his lips pressed into a thin line over the finger-length strands of black-and-white hairs protruding from his chin. “Drink.” He tipped the cup.

Hot liquid sloshed into my mouth. The excess ran down my chin. It tasted like roasted fungus in swamp water thickened with pureed earthworms. I tried to push the mug away, but the healer persisted.

“Just a little more.” He tipped more liquid into my mouth.

The so-called medicine’s boggy scent made it taste worse. I tried not to breathe as the thick liquid slurped down my tongue. A sudden urge to spit the broth into his face overwhelmed me. I swallowed hard to keep from giving in to the impulse.

The healer mercifully removed the mug and placed it on the dirt floor. “Make sure she finishes that.”

I’ll make sure to finish you.

Where did that thought come from?

Kai jostled me as he nodded. “Thank you, uncle.”

The healer patted Kai’s knee. “It’s good to have you back, son.” He stood with a groan, then left the tent with Ji Ah trailing.

“That’s your uncle?” Chattering teeth played castanets to my question. Part of me was curious as another part groaned with disinterest.

“No. He was a close friend of my family. Selkie address people depending on familiarity. Close adults address the younger as son or daughter, even if they’re not a parent.

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