His posture was so like Kerrick’s, I stifled a smile. “Flea, you of all people should know that I decide who I heal and who I won’t.”

“Yeah, well... You’ll have to get through me first.” He stepped between me and Yuri, who stared at us both as if we had lost our minds.

I waggled my fingers at him. “One touch, Flea, and you’ll be down.”

He waved his in the air, as well. “Me, too.”

“Really? Did you learn something new when I was gone?”

“No, but I’m sure if I’m mad enough...” He dropped his hands in defeat. His heart wasn’t on board with the threat.

But his boast gave me an idea. “You can touch me and see if the plague kills me for good or if I survive again. Then—”

“No. I’m not seeing when you’re going to die, Avry. I can’t.” Flea hunched his shoulders as if I’d force him.

“That’s okay. It wouldn’t have changed my mind anyway. I’m going to heal him.” I pushed Flea to the side and grabbed Yuri’s arm.

My magic grew, pushing from my core and flowing toward Yuri where it died as if hitting a wall. I tried again and nothing happened. My healing magic refused to inundate Yuri’s body and bring the sickness back into me.

“Did you cure him?” Flea asked, sounding peevish.

“No.” I explained about the wall.

Flea glanced at Yuri. The young patient squeezed his eyes shut. Tears leaked from the corners and ran down his temples.

“The Peace Lily serum must still be in your blood, too,” Flea said.

“Must be. Although I didn’t think it would affect my healing abilities.” So what had the Peace Lily wished for me to learn?

“Now what?” Flea asked.

“We’ll try my original plan. If that’s okay with you, Yuri?”

Without saying a word or even opening his eyes, he held out his arm. Flea returned to the other side of the cot and once again took Yuri’s left hand in his. I picked up the syringe, found a vein and injected the serum into him.

“So cold, it burns,” Yuri said.

Flea moved to get a blanket, but Yuri wouldn’t let go.

I grasped Yuri’s right hand. “It’s going to hurt like nothing you’ve ever felt before. But don’t despair, it will end.”

Yuri peeked at me. “Now you tell me.”

“Would it have changed your mind?” I asked.

“No.”

Yuri’s grip tightened and every muscle in his body tensed as the serum traveled throughout his body. It didn’t take long for him to start screaming. He let go of our hands and curled into a tight ball, rocking and yelling.

I kept my fingers on his arm. My magic sensed the oily blackness of the plague fighting the cold whiteness of the serum.