An Immortal Descent

Julian sat beside her. “Didn’t he claim to be some sort of master apothecary?”

 

 

“More like a master charlatan, if you ask me. Our Master Calhoun is just the sort to playact the knowledgeable doctor as he peddles fake remedies onto the most desperate and gullible.”

 

“All the same, we may well have asked about something for seasickness.”

 

He made to stand when I waved him back down.

 

“Let the man keep his cures. I’ll have Mr. Roth sorted out in no time.”

 

“Even better,” Julian said, dropping back to the thin mattress.

 

I removed James’s hat and brushed back the hair that had fallen over the side of his face. Then placing my fingertips above his ear, I located the smooth skin that covered just the right spot on his skull. Brigid’s fire opened a channel between us, revealing the cochlea and several semicircular canals embedded in the temporal bone. Having no need to conceal my gift, I bathed the affected area in a steady stream of warmth.

 

James tensed beneath my touch. “What are you doing?” he asked, his words slurred.

 

“Setting your inner ear to rights, Mr. Roth.” Another stream of power flowed through his skin into the labyrinth of canals necessary for balance.

 

He sighed, and I felt him relax. Half a minute passed when he uncurled from his side to stretch the full length of the mattress. My hand fell away as he opened his eyes and looked at me.

 

“Feeling better?” I asked.

 

His gaze slid to the side, and he appeared to engage in an internal inventory. “Completely restored,” he said after a moment. “Thank you, Miss Kilbrid. You have my most sincere gratitude.”

 

“You’re very welcome.”

 

James pushed up and swung his feet over the side of the bunk to sit next to me. “Tell me, did you do something similar when we sailed from the Colonies?” he asked unexpectedly.

 

“To a lesser degree,” I admitted. “When you couldn’t keep down the ginger long enough to help, I eased your nausea. I had to be careful, though, since you already suspected me of being different.”

 

“And the headaches?” he asked.

 

“I eased those as well.”

 

He nodded. “It makes sense now, as the return voyage was significantly easier than the first. At the time, I assumed either the remedy had worked, or I had finally found my sea legs.”

 

I stifled a laugh. “Don’t waste any time searching for those sea legs. Your inner ear does not take well to sailing.”

 

He studied his knees for a moment. “It’s most curious,” he said softly.

 

“What is?” I asked

 

“There are those who would have left me to suffer as payback for my rude behavior.” He tilted his head to look at me. “But you didn’t.”

 

“I... I don’t like to see people suffer when I’ve the ability to help.”

 

“I misjudged you from the beginning, Miss Kilbrid, and for that I am truly sorry.” He exhaled a slow breath, then smacked his tongue in distaste. “My mouth tastes like the dickens.” Sniffing, he glanced at the lower half of his greatcoat and wrinkled his nose in disgust. “And it appears my clothing is worse for the wear. Any chance we’ve fresh water about?”

 

I shook my head. “Not yet. A lad is supposed to deliver some shortly.”

 

Footsteps scurried overhead from one of the sailors. James stared at the ceiling for several seconds before pushing to his feet. “There’s plenty of water to be had above. Please excuse me while I go clean up.”

 

Justine yawned and moved into a more comfortable position. “Master Calhoun has advised us to remain in the cabin for the duration of the voyage as he believes our presence on deck may upset the captain.”

 

“Bugger that!” James cursed. “I’ll not stay here stinking to high heaven while water showers from the sky up top.”

 

“Do as you will, Mr. Roth. You’ll get no complaint from me.” Justine closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall.

 

I bit my tongue to keep from protesting. Captain Lynch seemed a dangerous man, one I considered unwise to cross, stink or not. James was obviously of a different mind as he grabbed the latch and yanked the door open.

 

Julian shot to his feet, defiance darkening his eyes to near black. “I have a sudden thirst as well, Mr. Roth.” They disappeared in a blink, the door shutting behind them.

 

“Oh, bother,” I muttered darkly. “This is not going to end well.”

 

While I had come to expect defiance from Julian, it surprised me in James as he tended to be more reserved. Then again, his behavior had been far from usual since Nora’s disappearance four days ago, and I was personally thankful for the boldness that had gotten us aboard this ship and one step closer to Wexford.

 

Hold on, Nora. We’re coming...

 

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