“How did you know?” Bryce asks.
Memories fill me of a time so very long ago, and I push them deep down. “I healed someone once, accidentally, really. I had no idea I could; it just sort of happened. The second reason I think my turn was successful is that Rizo was the one who turned me. He's a really powerful vampire.” I force myself to continue. “When things started heating up with the wolves, he took me along with a few other vampires and went underground. He avoided the war and came out after and set up the site in West Virginia.”
“Why didn’t he turn others?”
“Each time a powerful vampire like that turns someone, it takes some of their power. Normally, a powerful master like that would turn someone, and then their sire would turn others. Masters crave power and will do anything not to lose it. So, they don’t sire often. I guess I’m just the lucky one.”
It’s absolutely silent as everybody takes this information in. Ava studies me a moment, like I’m a puzzle she’s trying to figure out. “They don’t know you’re a healer, do they?”
I take a moment to answer. “No.”
It goes quiet in the room. “How do they not know?” she asks softly.
I shrug. “I’ve only ever healed that one time. I’ve never told anyone what I am. I think maybe the vamps finally gave up on me and decided they grabbed the wrong girl. And whatever thehealers give off, I don’t because my vampire side overrides it. I think back then, they probably didn’t even recognize it. Isn’t the healer with the Northwoods the first healer that’s shown up in generations?”
“Sage?” Ava asks.
“Yeah.”
Ava turns to Bryce. “She is, right?” Bryce nods.
“So, you’re telling me that we’re currently housing the only sire of a very powerful master as well as an unmated healer?” Cody asks. There’s no heat in his words, but he’s not wrong. “Are you the last unmated healer?”
“No,” Ava says. When Cody turns to her, she doesn’t give him a whole lot. “We know of at least one more we’re working to track down.”
I take that in, wondering who this healer is. I don’t know of any currently at the facility, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. The vampires are so fixated on the healers for their blood and healing energy. They've always been fixated on them, but now that they’ve been successful with their shifter/vampire super-charged soldiers, they’re even more focused on it. I’ve known all this, but hearing it out loud is like a wake-up call. They’re not going to stop coming after me.
My gaze flicks to Ava and then Bryce. “I’m sorry. I would never have gone out with her if I’d known they’d show up.”
“This is not your fault, Sherese,” Ava says. “Right, Bryce?”
He doesn’t answer, and she turns her head towards him. I know she’s communicating through their link. I’ve seen her do it enough to recognize it. I have a feeling Bryce is getting an Ava lecture right now, but he doesn’t show anything on his face. But when she sits back and pins him with a look, I get that they’re not going to agree on this.
Chapter Seven
Sherese
“I can leave.” My voice sounds loud in the quiet, but I don’t shrink back.
“And go where?”
It’s the first time Hunter has spoken during this meeting. I don’t get a chance to answer. “You’re not leaving,” Bryce says. “But you need to tell us every time they contact you and what they’re saying and planning. I get that you’re my mate’s friend, but I have a pack to protect.”
I nod, shocked they’re not telling me to get out. “Are you sure?” I can’t help but ask.
“Yes, he’s sure,” Ava says with that attitude that is all Ava. “We all are.” The look she levels at everyone at the table backs up her words. I appreciate her friendship more than anything. I haven’t had a friend in...a really long time. I knew the second Ava came into my life that she was going to upend it. I tried to ignore her, but it was impossible. We were stuck in the same awful place together, living in the same house...it was bound to happen.
“All right. Thank you, Sherese. You’re free to go,” Bryce says.
I slide my chair back. “Thank you.”
He watches me carefully, and I wonder what’s up with the alpha. He's more uptight than he usually is. I glance at Ava, wondering if something happened. I remember Rizo’s words, and a terrible thought hits me.Oh no.
“On second thought,” Bryce says. “Sherese, why don’t you stay. Everybody else, that’s all I’ve got for tonight. Let’s meet tomorrow morning, first thing.”
Leo packs up his laptop, and Cody stands next to him. Ryan doesn’t bother moving, and I figure he’s staying for whatever comes next. Leo and Cody leave, but Alicia stays at the table. “Did you need something, Alicia?” Bryce asks.
“Just wondering why the vampire gets to stay, and the rest of us, actual pack members, are excused.”
