nt reviewing the procedure with Unit 9. She knew the risks. If she pushed too hard, she could

th on the mattress and p

nt leg, exposing the ugly wound. The purple-black discoloration

were cold and trembling. "This is going to hurt," she

he said. "

e intermediate medical gel. It was stored in a s

ghtened. He looked from the impossible container to Karlie, his mind clearly struggling to comprehend the artifacts she kep

aid softly, offering a reass

ng slowly. "I do." He sq

and glowing faintly. It smelled like fresh herbs and ozone. She sc

in, it began to sizzle. A wisp of

ing off the bed. His hand gripped hers so

d, her voice firm.

closed her eyes and reached for her bio-energy core. She pulled,

epulsive, fighting back with a vicious, acidic bite. The medical gel ac

. She could feel the curse-dark, oily, and malevolent-trying to s

. 60%... 40%... Unit

could feel it through their linked hands, but he didn't pull away. He

.. 1

st tendril of the curse snap. The oily presence

rged. Tissue re

nitted the torn muscle and skin back together. It wa

er hands away. She slumped back, her vision gra

diately. He looke

wound was closed, leaving only a few pale, silvery scars a

thly, without pain. He flexed h

d at Karlie, who was lying on the fl

ut. "It's... it's gon

en wrapped his arms around her in a fierce hug. "You did it,"

d to do anything else. "I told you," sh

away the tears she hadn't realized she was shedding. "How?" he a

mile. "Just a special medicine from my h

leg suddenly healed perfectly overnight, people would ask questions.

he had thought of everything. She had pro

he movement was smooth, painless. He took her hand a

me my life back. My strength, my honor, my future. From this day forward, I am yo

burning with an intensity that made her breath catch

holding on tight. "I know, Gavin,"

r every chance to pull away. S

, gentle, and reverent. It was

inst hers. "Rest now," he whispered. "You've do