She opened one eye, then the other, confirming his words. She started crying again.
"Jonny's gonna die!"
"You can save him."
"I can't! I tried! I can't!"
"Listen, Bianca." He took her arms and sat her in a chair, handed her a fistful of tissues, and knelt. She blew her nose loudly and looked at him through blurry eyes. His small smile was kind, his bright eyes unblinking. "You have a very special gift. No one else has one like you."
"But I'm too little to save Jonny."
"Nonsense. You can save Jonny. You hear his body speak of the death in him?"
"It's awful," she whispered.
"If you listen really hard to what his body tells you, you can save him. No one wants to die, and his body will tell you what it needs from you. You need to rest tonight, sleep as much as you can. In the morning, you'll be able to heal him."
"But I've been trying for days!"
He touched her again, his hand cool but the electricity that shot through her warm.
"I've woken your gift completely," he said. "You must promise to keep it a secret and to make Jonny keep it a secret."
She blinked rapidly, startled by the sensations going through her.
"Do you promise?"
"Yes."
"You must also never harm another. It is the way of ancient healers. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Ancient healers?"
"In time you'll learn more. Do you understand what I ask of you?"
"I don't know. I think so," she murmured.
"Can you promise to keep Jonny safe?"
"He's my brother," she said, sniffling again.
"Good. Go to sleep, Bianca. I'll watch over your brother tonight. In the morning, you'll save him."
For the first time, she noticed he wasn't wearing a doctor's white coat. "You're not a doctor, are you?" she ventured.
"No, but I'm a friend here to watch over you and Jonny."
The memory-- fuzzy for fifteen years-- grew crisp, and surprise and hope went through her as she recalled the night that'd changed everything. Her hand went to her phone. She lay back down, hoping they hadn't noticed, then rolled onto her other side.
If he's here, can you come here, too? She texted to the Watcher.
I've broken enough Divine codes for the week. I told you not to leave Sofi, came the chiding reply. Is the Other there?
Yes.
This time, do as I say. When the portal opens, go with Czerno. Warn him about the Other, the Watcher instructed her.
She reread the message, startled. Warn the Black God? A shadow crossed her screen, and she snapped the cell against her body. The Black God shoved her on her belly and pressed his knee in her spine.