" Heal him , " Cassian said as he gestured towards the unconscious person not too far away from me . From his uniform , I could immediately see that he was one of Cassian's lieutenants . " As fast as you can , " he ordered . I gave a curt nod and moved to the wounded lieutenant , deliberately keeping my back to the physician who stood a few paces away , the same man who had examined me earlier . He was no doubt acting on Cassian's orders . I couldn't help but wonder if he knew what I could do . " Poisoned ... " I muttered as I knelt beside the lieutenant's lifeless form , the lantern light dancing across his ashen features . Rain from my hood dripped faintly onto the floorboards , but I barely felt it . My focus was on the wound just beneath his collarbone , a dark stain in the pale expanse of his chest where the poisoned blade had struck . My fingers brushed away the torn fabric to expose the entry point as though the assassins had practiced their aim . I broke off a corner of my cloak and folded it into a makeshift bowl , dipping it into the pail of water I'd fetched . The cold water hissed as I poured it over the gash , carrying away coagulated blood and revealing the milky white tissue beneath . " Keep it clean ," I murmured , pressing the cloth firmly against the wound until every trace of impurity was gone . Then , I laid my hand flat on his chest . A dull warmth spread from my palm , pooling beneath the surface of his skin , knitting flesh and closing the incision with such speed it looked as though my hand blurred against the lieutenant's sleeping form . When I lifted my palm , not a scar remained , only the gentle rise and fall of his breath . " He's going to wake up soon , " I told the physician as I brushed back my hood , letting the lantern's glow illuminate my face . " He needs to be carried out of here before he stirs . " The doctor glanced at me , respect flickering in his eyes , and together we eased the lieutenant's arms beneath his shoulders . When he stirred , he blinked twice against the dim light and managed a weak nod towards Cassian . " Mendez saved you , " Cassian declared the moment the man opened his eyes . Mendez - yes , that was the old physician's name . I didn't ask why Cassian wanted them to believe it was him . It wasn't that I didn't care . It was because my ability wasn't mine anymore . Not really . It belonged to him now . Just like everything else I signed away in that contract . The Lieutenant looked at the old physician and nodded before he steadied himself . Then his eyes found me standing behind Cassian . " No questions , Rio . Not now . " Cassian pointed toward the corridor . " Bring the next wounded in . " Rio , that was the name of the Lieutenant . I silently took my time remembering their names . 11:04 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 12 81 55 vouchers Cassian didn't have to say it out loud , but I knew that from now on , I would be working with them , especially when we get to the north . " Understood , my lord , " Rio said , rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weariness of near - death . He turned to study me , eyes dark as storm clouds , but offered only a curt nod before disappearing into the shadows to carry in the next casualty . The candle sputtered , and in its flicker I saw Cassian's unreadable expression as he watched me stand , cloak drawn close . " How did you learn to examine wounds like that ? " he asked . " I used to work in the infirmary , " I said , head bowed . " Fetching supplies , assisting the pack doctors . It was the only place I felt ... useful ." " My lord she- " Mendez suddenly said . " Later Mendez ... " Cassian said . " But as you already know , she isn't one of them ." Mendez stared at me before he nodded . It didn't take too long before Rio took in the next wounded person . " Quickly ... " Mendez said as he helped Rio . " This one's about to die ." I stepped forward before Rio could protest , my fingers already brushing aside the blood - soaked cloth to reveal ragged flesh puckered with swollen veins , this poison had eaten deeper than the last , a blackened stain spreading like ink across bone . " This is worse ," I murmured , voice low enough that only Rio and Mendez could hear . " They've laced the blade with wyrmroot extract , potent enough to stop a dragon's heart . " I glanced at Rio , whose jaw had gone slack , and offered him a steadying look . " Fetch me water and clean this , " I instructed , nodding toward the wound as though it were merely a stain on my own sleeve . " Hurry ! " Without a word , Rio dipped the hem of his tunic into the pail I'd left by the door and returned to gently flush the gash, his fingers trembling . As the rancid odor of poison ebbed away with the soapy water , I pressed my palm against the lieutenant's chest once more , feeling the chill of death flash through his veins before my warmth chased it back . Around us , Mendez sucked in a breath so sharp I flinched , yet neither man moved to intervene . Within heartbeats , the skin drew taut , the discoloration faded , and the wound sealed cleanly as though it had never been . I pulled back , allowing the lieutenant's chest to rise in a steady , unlabored breath , and pressed a finger to his neck to count the pulse that fluttered like a wounded bird's . Cassian's voice cut across the quiet : " Before he wakes fully , bring him outside . No questions 11:04 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 12 until later , " he said . " Then bring in the next one . " 81 55 vouchers Rio straightened , eyes still wide with disbelief , then crossed to the lieutenant's shoulders and , with surprising gentleness , lifted him into his arms . I stood back as Rio carried him past Mendez and out into the corridor , the lantern light following their passage like a silent witness . He paused at the threshold , meeting my gaze for a moment that felt heavier than a sentence , then inclined his head and vanished . Mendez exhaled , shaking his head , but said nothing . I watched the last flicker of Rio's lantern recede and felt a strange flutter in my chest , something like relief , or even pride . They hadn't recoiled in fear , hadn't whispered " witch " under their breath or backed away from the miracle I'd performed . Instead , they trusted me to save another life . That simple acceptance warmed me from the inside out . It felt like a tiny spark against the cold dread I'd carried since signing that damned contract . I took a step forward , brushing ash from the tent's threshold , and let the quiet settle around me . For a moment , I allowed myself to believe that maybe , in Cassian's world of blood and steel , there was room for someone like me . Someone who healed instead of killed . Then a voice interrupted my thoughts . " My Lord , Alpha Collin Black ... is asking for an audience . " 田 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!