Five minutes later,we were crowded around the map of the town that Carter had pinned to the wall.
We agreed to split into three groups. Chloe, Finn, and I would be together. Sophia, Carter, Shane, and Nicholas would enter the town from the opposite side. Calder, Mason, and the two wolves that Sophia brought, Paul and Greg, would make up the final group.
Surprisingly, there was very little arguing over strategy, especially when Finn detailed how he intended to help us.
“I can mask your scent with a spell,” he explained. “And another that will make you difficult to see. It’s not invisibility exactly and it only works when you aren’t moving quickly, but it should be enough to get us into town undetected.”
I was beginning to see the variety of advantages that came with having a vampire warlock as a friend.
Chloe and I dressed quickly once the general plan was in place. I shot a look at Carter, concerned about his pale appearance. I worried he wouldn’t have the strength to continue.
Finn must have shared my thoughts because he approached the wolf cautiously. “You’re too weak to fight in your current state.” When Carter bristled, he lifted a hand. “I’m offering to help you. I can heal most of your injuries if you’ll allow me.”
“Will that affect your ability to cast the spell to hide us?” Carter asked, obviously surprising Finn with his knowledge.
“Normally, yes, but Kerry is sharing her power with me. I will have plenty left if I heal you.”
Carter eyed him for a prolonged moment before nodding. “I would appreciate your help then.”
“I’ll need you to stand completely still for me until I’m done,” Finn directed. “And the deeper the injury, the more this will…sting.”
“Great,” Carter exhaled. I knew that many of his internal injuries were already better, but they weren’t fully healed.
“Maybe he should sit down,” I suggested to Finn.
Carter didn’t even argue. He moved to the couch and lowered himself onto it, leaning back against the cushions. I moved to stand behind him in case he tried to move or stop Finn when the pain intensified. Finn nodded in approval of my position and knelt in front of Carter. Using both hands and starting at Carter’s ankles, Finn seemed to stroke the air around the wolf.
A pale glow spilled from Finn’s palms and echoing light appeared on different areas of Carter’s body. Finn’s eyebrows lifted as he took in the size and number of pulsing lights. I realized I was looking at Carter’s wounds, both internal and external, and I couldn’t believe the wolf was still standing, much less preparing to go into battle.
As Finn moved his palms to cover two areas, he closed his eyes. Carter sucked in a deep breath, his hands fisting at his sides, but he didn’t move. He didn’t even make a sound.
Until Finn reached the largest area on his abdomen. It was the place where I’d seen the deep bruising and known Carter had internal bleeding. When the light brightened, I squinted.
Carter grunted, his shoulders jerking, but the rest of his body remained completely still. I could hear his teeth grinding together as he endured the pain, but he never moved again.
When it was finally over, Carter relaxed against the back of the couch, breathing hard.
“I don’t know if you’re a fool or the most valiant wolf I’ve ever met,” Finn muttered, staring at Carter with glowing purple eyes.
“I’d go with the first one,” Carter panted, squeezing his eyes shut as the residual pain wracked his body. However, his color was much better, his cheeks no longer white and the fine lines around his eyes vanishing.
“Me too,” I agreed.
One of his eyes popped open. “Oh, hey there. You gonna kiss my booboos better?”
“He’s definitely healed if he’s hitting on me,” I stated, rolling my eyes. “Be careful, Carter, or I’ll ask Sophia to do it.”
His eyes shot to the she-wolf, who bared her teeth. “Uh, I appreciate that, but I’m feeling much better now.”
Chloe came forward with a bottle of water. “Drink this. We need to get on the road.”
Carter’s eyes moved to Finn. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“You’re welcome.”
Carter drained the water bottle and got to his feet, rolling his shoulders and straightening his spine as if to test his muscles.
Then he smiled, but it was thin and vicious.
