Silver Master

Chapter 43

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, CELINDA AND DAVIS SAT on the veranda of the Glenfield Institute. Araminta, perched on the arm of Celinda’s chair, was eating a lemon square that Dr. Phillips had given her. There were several more lemon squares arranged on a plate on a nearby table. Max had scampered off to investigate the gardens.

“You say these ruby amber relics might actually be able to counteract the effects of serious psi trauma?” Dr. Phillips studied the one he was holding in his hands.

Araminta had raised no objection when the relic that had been in Hollings’s possession had been turned over to Phillips. Celinda was still uncertain how she would react when the second one was handed to him.

“To be perfectly honest, I have no idea how effective they’ll be,” Celinda said. “All I know is that I was able to strengthen Davis’s psi waves the other night to keep him from sliding into a coma after he pulled ghost silver. I was also able to manipulate the waves of two of the men he fought underground.”

“I told you what Hollings did with that thing when he and I faced off underground,” Davis said.

“A double-edged sword,” Phillips said quietly. “Historically that has often been the case with many of the most significant advances in medicine. Antibiotics and drugs, surgical procedures, instruments, machines, and all the rest. They must be treated with the utmost respect because they can kill or cure.”

“Which is why we’re giving you the relics,” Celinda said. “I’ll do what I can to help you research the appropriate uses of the devices, but I think in the long run you’ll be better off if you can find some people in the medical profession who possess my kind of psi talent.”

Phillips continued to examine the relic. “We will begin a search immediately. I can’t tell you how excited I am by the possibilities. We have had so few effective treatments for psi trauma. Ultimately, as in Davis’s case, it generally comes down to whether or not the patient has the psychic strength to fight his or her way back to recovery. Sadly, too many don’t make it. These relics offer great hope.”

“Here goes,” Celinda said.

She reached into the tote and removed the relic that Araminta had insisted she purchase. Araminta went very still and alert on the arm of the chair, watching intently.

Celinda put the relic down and picked her up. She held her in both hands and looked straight into her baby-blue eyes. “I know you don’t understand what I’m saying, but I’m hoping you can sense that I really want Dr. Phillips to have the relic. It’s very important to me, Araminta. He’s a good man, a fine doctor. He’ll put this thing to good use. Okay?”

Araminta blinked a couple of times. Celinda put her back down on the arm of the chair. Then she picked up the relic and handed it slowly to Dr. Phillips.

Araminta followed the action with close attention. Then she gave what was evidently the equivalent of a dust bunny shrug and scampered up onto the table to help herself to a third lemon square.

“There you have it,” Davis said. “Another great moment in medical history made possible by a dust bunny and a plate of lemon squares.”