Adalwolfa sipped from a glass of water that seemed to magically appear at her elbow.
"The spell doesn't fix anything," she began. "It does exactly what it sounds like – it balances the claim. Once it is cast, all claim influences will be gone for ten days along with the unpleasant side effects of the dysphoria. So, Clint won't have any stronger hold over you than he had before he claimed you." She looked from Trevor to me. "And Trevor's proximity won't affect you any more strongly than it did when you met him. For all intents, purposes, and outside appearances, you will both be unclaimed." Another drink of water. "If another consensual claim bite occurs during the ten-day window, the claim will be restored, and the dysphoria should be permanantly resolved."
"And if he doesn't want me to bite him?" I asked gruffly, afraid I already knew the answer.
"If a consensual claim doesn't occur during the balancing window, the claim will dissolve, and you will both revert to your unclaimed status."
"There is one more detail to be considered," she added. "The claim bite was what changed Trevor to a werewolf. During the course of the spell, that won't change, but his human half will become temporarily dominant. If the claim isn't restored, that change will be reversed.“
"So Trevor would be human again?"
She nodded.
Rafe leaned forward in his chair, but one sharp glance from his former professor made him clench his jaw shut and sit back, breathing deeply. I raised a brow his direction, and he shook his head slowly.
"It has to be yours and Trevor's decision," he forced out between clenched teeth.
"Okay." I glanced at Trevor who seemed to be almost vibrating with tension and then looked back to Adalwolfa. "We'll discuss it later." I looked pointedly at the small book she was again covering with her hand. "Now, what can you tell us about the of the rest of story of the empath?"
"Nothing, I'm afraid." Adalwolfa shook her head sadly as she pushed the book gently across the table.
"Prophecy of the Were Empath," I translated the title and gently parted the ancient covers, brushing away the leather particles that crumbled to dust. I thumbed through the pages of text, my eyes landing on a paragraph at the bottom of a page that seemed to stand out.
"And so the troubled Empath entered the enchanted room where the White Wolf, the Watcher, and the Witch waited, the dilemma weighing heavily on all their minds. A choice would have to be made," I read aloud. I turned the page, then another, and another. Then, gently closing the fragile cover, I forced myself to breathe and focused on keeping the panic out of my voice. "The rest of the pages are blank."
ChapterFive
Trevor
Even though there were only five of us in it, the round room housing the paranormal books seemed hot and cramped, and the old wood chairs were unpadded and uncomfortable. Several times I found myself drifting away from the conversation as I stared out the window, focusing instead on the birds flitting around the ledge outside.
Even after my nap in the truck, I was exhausted. When Clint finished reading from the book, Colby tried and failed to stifle a small gasp, but I wasn't sure why. I was confused and annoyed with myself for having forgotten to bring a box of my diet tea. A cup of it certainly sounded appealing at that moment.
"Trevor?" Clint's voice brought me out of my inner thoughts.
"Hmm?" Unable to stop it, I covered my yawn.
"Were you listening?"
"No," I admitted with another yawn. "I'm exhausted, and it's too hot in here to pay attention. I'm having a hard time focusing."
I saw Adalwolfa's eyes widen in surprise for a split second before her usual calm expression returned.
"I have a room at the inn down the street," she said, looking at Clint. "Maybe he should get some rest?"
Clint nodded his agreement and I sighed in relief. An inn meant a bed and, tired as I was, a bed definitely meant sleep. My mind returned to its woolgathering – centered primarily on whether any of the local stores carried my tea or if I could have someone bring it to me – until Clint finished his conversation and led me out to the truck.
"Clint? Would you stop at the store for a minute?" He was turning the key when I thought to ask.
"Sure. What for?"
"Forgot to pack my tea," I mumbled, letting my eyes drift closed as the truck's vibrations began to soothe me to sleep.
~*~
"Trev?" I could hear Clint calling my name, but I was wrapped in heavenly comfort, so I growled and snuggled deeper into the soft, fluffy clouds.
"C'mon, Trev," Clint sounded amused as he cajoled me. "You need to eat something." A minute later. "I have a cup of tea for you."
