Free Seeing Magic (The Queen of the Night Series Book 1) by Laura Emmons Page B

game. This was a serious situation for the little girl. I wasn’t sure why she wanted to involve me, but I accepted she must have had a reason.
    When Fiona mused out loud, “What kind of poison could it be?”
    I ventured a guess, based on the few poisons I’d covered in my studies. “How about digitalis, you know, from the Foxglove flower?”
    “That’s good thinking,” she answered, “but I’d don’t think we’re dealing with a cardiotoxin here. Has Zoe had any muscle cramping, seizures or uncontrollable movements in her arms or legs?”
    Caroline shook her head to say no.
    I tried again.
    “Has she gone anywhere new since she started feeling sick?”
    “Those are the right kinds of questions.” Fiona encouraged me. “Caroline, what’s changed in the last couple of weeks?”
    Caroline looked like she was thinking really hard, but she shrugged her shoulders and said, “Nothing has changed. The only thing different is that school is over for the summer and Zoe has been playing with her brothers and the neighborhood kids in Warm Springs Run. It flows back behind our property, but no one else has gotten sick. The kids play there every summer. We’ve never had a problem with the stream.”  
    Finally, Fiona finished her exam of Zoe. She hooked the stethoscope around her neck and said, “Here’s the thing. I can’t find any bug bites or open wounds on Zoe’s skin. Her lymph nodes are not swollen. I don’t think it’s the flu, but something is wrong and it may be a poison. You need to have blood tests done. Do you have a doctor?”
    Caroline shook her head. “We really try not to go to doctors. We don’t have a lot of money.”
    Fiona replied, “I understand, but here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to give Zoe a treatment today. I can relieve some of the pressure in her lungs so she will be able to breathe better. However, the treatment will not cure her, and these symptoms will come back. They will probably get worse if we cannot find the cause of her illness. You must take her to a doctor.” 
    Caroline looked relieved when Fiona mentioned the healing hands treatment, but frowned again when Fiona insisted on sending Zoe to a doctor.
    Stalwartly, Fiona continued, “I am going to give you the number of a very good doctor in Hedgesville. He practices Family Medicine and he’s very understanding. He often treats patients for free, but Zoe should be eligible for government assistance. The people in Doctor Fairmont’s office will help you with the necessary paperwork. He’ll know what blood tests to order and help you get the tests done.”
    Caroline took the slip of paper with the doctor’s information and tucked it into her purse.
    Fiona addressed me, “Maggie, you’ve seen me do this procedure on you several times. I’ll need you to help me out.” 
    Finally, I understood why Fiona asked me to participate. I had seen her use the healing hands technique many times. Taking on the role Daisy performed when Fiona worked on me and standing at Zoe’s head, I gently held Zoe’s arms still while Fiona held her hands over Zoe’s chest. Fiona closed her eyes and chanted a prayer as she sought out the obstruction that kept Zoe from breathing normally. Even with my hands down by Zoe’s sides, I could feel the heat radiating from her hands. She stood back. The treatment was complete.
    Fiona pulled a pad of paper out of the pocket of her lab coat, and jotted down some notes. She handed the paper to Caroline.
    “Here is the name of a cola and Beech bark tonic we sell downstairs that should help calm Zoe’s stomach. I’ve also listed a chamomile tea. She should drink as much of it as she wants, especially before bedtime. Take this downstairs. Kimberly will sort you out.”
    Zoe sat up and smiled at her mother. “I feel better, Mommy. I feel a lot better.” 
    A great sigh of relief escaped Caroline’s lips. She thanked Fiona profusely and promised to do as Fiona had requested. She packed