I wanted to argue. I wanted to get up and join the hunt. But my body would not cooperate. The curse had drained me in ways I had not experienced since the soul sacrifice.
"Fine. I will rest. But only because I physically cannot do anything else right now."
"That is the smartest thing you have said in weeks."
Despite everything, I smiled weakly. "Do not get used to it. As soon as I can stand without collapsing, I am back in this fight."
"I would not expect anything less."
Over the next week, I slowly recovered. My healing abilities returned bit by bit. The damage from the curse faded. But I could still feel where the dark magic had invaded me. Like it had left a mark.
"Is this permanent?" I asked Serena when she came to check on me. "This feeling that something is wrong inside me?"
"
