Dragonlands(29)

“Let’s go.” Bastian cocked two fingers at Tressa, urging her to follow.

Between jostled elbows and tiny, brown furry animals on rope leashes with eyes as wide as saucers, he and Tressa slowly made their way back to the infirmary. He paused outside the heavy wooden door.

Tressa grabbed the knocker, letting it thud against the dark wood. They waited moments before the door opened only a crack, a bloodshot eye peeking out at them.

“Oh, it’s you two again. He’s not awake yet. Come back in a few days.”

The door slammed shut.

Bastian balled his hand into a fist, pounding on the door. “Let us in. We want to see our friend.”

The door opened again, but before the man could slam it on them, Bastian stuck his foot between the door and the frame. He pushed it open, sending the physic sprawling backward into the room.

Tressa strode in ahead of him. “Where’s Connor?” Her head whipped around as she searched the room for him.

Bastian grabbed the man by his collar. Then he noticed the bed Connor had been on when they left was empty. The sheets were changed and tucked in so tight and cleanly it was obvious no one had lain on them.

“Connor? Who’s that?” the man asked, his voice practically a squeal.

“Our friend. The one you just said wasn’t awake yet.” Tressa closed in on him, her nose only inches from his.

It was never a good idea to annoy Tressa, particularly where Connor was concerned. Bastian gripped the man a little tighter, letting the collar of his shirt dig a little bit more into his neck.

“He’s been moved. Temporarily.”

“Why?” Tressa bared her teeth at the man. She couldn’t hurt a fly; Bastian knew that. Still, she put on a good show.

The other man didn’t. He trembled in Bastian’s grip like a scared kitten.

“Tell us where he is and we’ll let you live.” Bastian said it matter-of-fact. Tressa wouldn’t kill him, but Bastian had no qualms about ripping his head off. His muscles quivered and his blood rushed at the thought of finally unleashing the anger he’d tempered most of his life.

It was hard being born a warrior in a town where peace was paramount. Tressa understood that about him. Her hand found its way onto his bicep, calming him. She knew the effect she had and had exercised it many times throughout their lives. Not since they’d been uncoupled. Those were the three hardest years of his life.

The man sputtered, a tiny trail of spittle leaked from the side of his pursed lips. “I don’t know.”

Bastian squeezed his collar tighter.

“I don’t. The soldiers came back right after you left and took him. I have no say in the matter. I would have saved him if it were up to me. I don’t kill!” Tears slipped out of his eyes and down his cheeks.

Tressa nodded at Bastian. So she believed him. Bastian wasn’t sure he did, but he couldn’t kill the man for no reason. Slowly he let go of the man’s collar.

He scrambled backward, putting two arm’s lengths between him and Bastian’s unclenched fist.

“Can you tell us who took him?”

“Doesn’t matter.” The man shook his head from side to side, his grey hair falling in stringy strands over his eyes.

“Why not?” Bastian asked.

“He’ll never be the same. Not after they’ve taken him.”

Bastian’s heart thundered in his chest. “What will they do?”

The man shrank farther away from Bastian.

He could feel his cheeks taking on a red glow as his anger swept through him. “What will they do?” he repeated.

“I don’t know,” the man stuttered. His eyelids snapped shut, squeezing so tight his face turned into a melted of wrinkles. His fingers pawed at his eyelids, trying to force them open.

“What’s happening to him?” The panic in Tressa’s voice rose with each word.

The physic’s mouth wrenched to the side. Garbled words mixed with vomit spewing from his lips. Bastian put an arm in front of Tressa, holding her back. She ducked, slipping out from underneath it before he could stop her.

“You don’t know what’s wrong with him,” Bastian yelled at her.

She glared at him over his shoulder. “I don’t care. He’s the only one who knows where Connor might be. I’m risking it.”

Tressa slid into to a crouch, avoiding the growing pile of vomit on the floor.

“Help me.”

“I don’t know how.” Tressa placed a hand on his shoulder. Bastian shuddered, wanting desperately to yank her away from the man. “Tell us where they took Connor. Please.” The desperation in her voice got to the physic. Either that or he knew his time left was short.