Dorothy Must Die Novella #7 by Danielle Paige Page B

don’t you come with me and help get her in the water.” Lanadel heard the emotion thick in her voice, but Melindra didn’t break her stride or look back.
    â€œGo,” Mombi said. “Quickly. Bring Annabel back as soon as you can.” The old witch jabbed a finger into Lanadel’s chest. “And don’t let her die!”
    Lanadel raced after Melindra and found her as she was entering the cavern with the healing pool. Without hesitating, Melindra stepped into the water with the injured girl in her arms, sinking to her chest and letting the girl’s body float in the warm, clear spring. Cradling Annabel in her left arm, she gently pushed the girl underwater with her right.
    â€œCan it—can she—” Lanadel didn’t even know what to ask. Annabel was hurt so badly it was hard to believe that even the pool could heal her.
    Melindra held her underwater with both hands and closed her eyes. “I don’t know,” she said. “Now would be a good time to pray, though.”
    The seconds passed so slowly they felt like minutes and still Annabel didn’t move. Her blood bloomed upward like droplets of ink spreading in a glass of water. If the water didn’t heal her, would it drown her? Melindra’s face was set in grim concentration and Lanadel was too frightened to ask.
    And then, just when Lanadel was certain Annabel was dead, she began to thrash furiously underwater. Melindra pulled her back to the surface. Annabel coughed and hacked, spittingwater. As soon as her mouth was clear, she let out a scream so bloodcurdling that even Melindra flinched. Melindra grabbed her tightly, pulling Annabel in to her chest. “You’re okay,” she said into the girl’s ear over and over again. “You’re okay. You’re in the caverns. You’re safe.” At last the girl’s horrible screams subsided and she leaned into Melindra’s chest, sobbing.
    â€œHelp me get her out of the water,” Melindra ordered Lanadel. Between the two of them, they gently lifted Annabel out of the pool. She curled up on the rocky floor of the cavern, still crying, and covered her eyes with her hands. Melindra squatted next to her, stroking Annabel’s back with one hand, until finally her crying slowed and she pushed herself up into a seated position. Melindra snapped her fingers, and a soft white robe materialized next to her. She gently wrapped Annabel up and offered her a handkerchief she plucked out of thin air.
    Annabel blew her nose and nodded thankfully to Melindra. Her face was pale and drawn, but the pool had healed her injuries—except for a huge, round scar in the middle of her forehead that looked almost like bone. Melindra touched it hesitantly, and Annabel flinched. “Can you walk?” Melindra asked gently.
    Annabel nodded. Melindra shot a look at Lanadel and she hurried forward to offer the girl her arm. By slinging her arms around both their shoulders, she was able to limp her way back to the dining hall, where Mombi, Gert, Glamora, and Nox were waiting anxiously. Holly and Larkin had vanished.
    They helped Annabel sit down at the table, and Gert pulled a steaming bowl of broth out of the air and set it in front of her.
    â€œTell us everything,” Mombi said.
    â€œMombi!” Glamora chastised. “She’s exhausted. Let the poor girl rest first.”
    â€œWe don’t have time for that,” Mombi retorted. Glamora opened her mouth to protest again, but Annabel interrupted her.
    â€œShe’s right,” Annabel said weakly. “There’s not much time. I have to tell you what I’ve seen. It can’t wait until I . . .” Unexpectedly, her eyes filled with tears, and she brought her hand to the scar on her forehead. Glamora and Melindra both flinched visibly.
    â€œTake your time, dearie,” Gert urged, taking one of Annabel’s hands and squeezing it gently. Hypocrite, Lanadel thought,