I left my team in Franklin Tower, ostensibly carrying on with their individual research projects. We “forgot” our ID badges in my office, just to be safe.

I borrowed a rat carrier from Vince’s work area and clipped the shoulder strap from an old laptop case to either side. It was like carrying a light, metal purse for Smudge. It would do for now.

We walked to the hospital tower without incident. Once there, we signed in at the front desk and took the elevator to the third floor.

A new sign had appeared on the door to room 318.

VISITORS: PLEASE REPORT TO THE NURSES’ STATION

NO SICK VISITORS OR STAFF
WASH HANDS BEFORE DONNING MASK
MASKS MUST BE WORN BEYOND THIS POINT

Countless nightmares flickered through my thoughts in the time it took me to open the door and step inside. My attention went first to Lex, who was curled beneath several blankets in bed. A nurse was placing a blood pressure cuff around Lex’s arm. At the foot of the bed, Russell Potts stood talking to Toby and Angie in low tones.

“Sir, you can’t be in here without mask and gloves,” said the nurse.

“Isaac?” Toby’s eyes were shadowed. His surgical mask muffled his words. “She’s right. You can’t—”

“What’s going on?”

He frowned. “You didn’t hear?”

“Alexis has contracted an infection of some kind,” said Potts. “It seems to resist libriomantic healing.” He pointed to the black pearl strung around Lex’s neck. “The doctors believe it’s magical in nature, and were hoping this would suppress it.”

“Will she be all right?” asked Lena.

Potts shrugged. “Unfortunately, it’s too early to tell.”

The nurse stepped toward me, keeping herself between me and Lex. “Both of you need to step through that door, use the hand sanitizer outside, then go directly to the nurses’ station for mask and gloves. Otherwise, I will call security.”

‹Talulah, we may have a problem over here.› There was no response. Either I was out of range, or else the damned pearl was blocking me.

I stared at Potts. “What have they tried so far? If I could see a copy of her chart—”

“Her doctors say the best thing for her right now is rest,” Potts said firmly. “Give it time to see if the magic-damper helps.”

“I’m surprised to see you here, Mr. Potts. Medical isn’t really your area.”

Toby frowned. He’d picked up on the edge in my voice.

“With Thérèse and Nicola unavailable, I have broader responsibilities now,” said Potts. “The most important of which is the health and safety of our patients. Wouldn’t you agree?”

A soft click told me Lena had shut the door behind us.