I turn to Sage. “No, I don’t think so.”
She studies me a moment, like she’s trying to figure out a puzzle. “Did it disappear when they turned you?”
I appreciate her directness, but that doesn’t make it any easier to have this conversation. “I’m not sure.”
She continues to study me, and I fight the urge to disappear. I really don’t want to have this conversation, but I also don’t want to be rude to the healer. I’m pretty sure if I were, the doctor would not be happy. It doesn’t escape my notice that the second she started talking to me, he stepped closer to her. He’s busying himself with getting his supplies ready, but I’m not fooled. He's on guard. “Have you tried healing since you were turned?”
“No.” My answer is swift and emotionless.
“Do you want to try—”
“No.” I don’t let her finish. I know what she was going to ask, and it’s better to just stop the conversation before it gets out of hand.
“Don’t you want to know, though?”
I have to give it to the tiny healer. She’s persistent. “No.”
I see a stubborn look come over her face and realize I may have underestimated her. “But healing is a powerful gift—”
“That I don’t want,” I interrupt again.
She looks like I slapped her in the face, and I regret my sharp words. I can also practically feel her mate’s gaze raking over me. I realize I’m going to have to give the persistent healer something, so she’ll leave me alone. “I healed once a long time ago, and—” Images suddenly slam into my mind’s eye. The crunch of glass, the screams, the blood, the bus rolling over. And then my mind goes to the aftermath and what happened. Something touches my arm, and I react, jerking my arm back and preparing to fight. Suddenly, the healer is no longer in front of me, but a very ticked-off doctor is. I take a breath and try to calm myself, knowing he can see my vampire through the swirling in my eyes. I drop my eyes. “Sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed,” Sage says in a voice that doesn’t sound like she’s afraid. “I know better. I didn’t mean to bring up something...unpleasant for you, Sherese. I’m sorry.” Shock at the apology rolls through me, but she continues before I can say anything. “But if you ever want to talk, I’d be happy to listen. The girls tell me I'm a good listener. And I think,” she pauses, and I look over at her. “I think you’d find your story isn’t as unusual as you think.” She doesn’t look away but meets my gaze head-on. “At any rate, we healers need to stick together.” She gives me a beautiful smile, and I almost find myself wishing for that, for friends who understand what I’ve been through.
Chapter Nineteen
Sherese
I don’t want to have this conversation, but I also want her to understand. I don’t want her to think I’m just being a jerk. “The first and last time I used my healing power, they found me.” I don’t say anything more. Even that feels like too much, but a look of such understanding crosses her face.
She doesn’t have to ask who; she just knows. “I’m sorry.”
And then it’s like she and I are the only ones in the room. “My friend was hurt in a bus accident. I…” I shrug. “I didn’t even know I had healing power.”
“How old were you?” Sage asks softly.
“Fourteen.”
“That’s really early.”
I don’t really know what to say after that, so I don’t. Thankfully, she lets it drop. Garrett joins us a moment later, and Ava and Bryce walk out behind him, hand in hand. “How’s Emma doing?” Sage asks right away.
“Better. She slept.” Garrett’s words are terse, and I can see he’s already agitated this morning. I haven’t been around wolves long, but what I have seen is that they’re really, really protective of their mates. The front door opens, and Raechel strides inside, followed by Max and Liam. I realize with a start that Leo is sitting at the small table in the kitchen with his laptop open in front of him and a coffee cup beside him. I wonder how long he’s been there.
“Morning, everybody,” Liam says as he joins us. Max and Raechel find a space to stand.
“Where’s Talya?” Ava asks.
Liam smiles. “She’s watching the little ones. Ours and Paul and Sage’s little one.”
“Let me take Paul and Sage back to check on Emma, and then I’ll update you on what we know,” Garrett says to the group and then walks down the hall. Paul and Sage follow him, and it gets quiet for a moment.
“Hey, Chica, you’re looking a little sleepy over there. Did we get you up too early?” Raechel asks, leaning forward on the barstool she’s sitting in and grinning at Ava.
“Hey, I’m as shocked as anybody to see you here. I figured you’d still be in bed,” Ava retorts without missing a beat.
Raechel sighs. “Ah, I’ve missed you.”
