“They reek of anise, are covered with sweat, and remind me of the kids at King Tohon’s. The ones who didn’t live.”

Tohon had injected Death Lily toxin into young children, hoping a few would survive and become healers.

“Go ahead and touch one. See if you get anything different.”

Reluctance dragged at his feet.

“They’re not contagious to healers,” I assured him.

Biting his lip, Danny pressed two fingertips to the closest man’s temple. “Oh. It’s not the toxin. But it’s similar. He’s going to die. Can I heal him?”

“No!” I batted his hand away. “He has a form of the plague. If you take his sickness, then you’ll die.”

Horror welled in his eyes. “The plague’s back?”

I explained about the new strain. “I think something protected the survivors of the first plague, but they are vulnerable to this one. And I believe this one has to be injected into the body to work.”

“And why am I safe?” Danny asked.

“As a healer, you’re immune to Death Lily toxin, which is at the heart of this plague.” But as I said those words, I wondered if they were true. After all, I had died after I’d assumed the plague from Ryne. There must be something else that protected them from contracting the disease. If I could figure it out, I could cure the plague.

Danny yawned. I told him to wash his hands and go find a place to sleep. “Loren and Quain have their bedrolls set up in the small cavern to the left of the cave’s entrance if you want to join them.”

“But the patients—”

“Are fine for now. Don’t worry. I won’t hesitate to wake you if you’re needed.”

Unhappy, but all out of arguments, Danny scrubbed and then left. I checked on each of the men and made them as comfortable as possible for the evening. My bedroll had been set up near the cavern’s entrance so I’d be close by if needed by my caregivers or the patients.

I considered the problem of the plague as I washed my hands. The water felt colder than normal, causing my finger bones to ache. The sensation crept up my arms. I hugged them to my chest and turned to face the reason for the iciness.

Noak stood a few feet away. Shivers threatened to break out, but I clamped down on my emotions. There was no need to fear this man.

I shooed him out of the cavern, explaining about the danger. When we reached a safe distance, I stopped. “Do you need something?”

“Your hand,” he said, holding out his own.

“Oh.” Not sure how I could refuse without insulting him, I placed my right hand in his, bracing for the blast of ice. He didn’t disappoint. I stiffened as the now-familiar wave of frigid cold raced through me.