“And that’s the gift in action,” Phoebe said. “I learned from an early age how to call my magic.”
“So, what, I focus on it?”
“Why not? I don’t think it’s an instant fix, but with enough focus, we should be able to get you there. Try moving your wings.”
Phoebe took his hands in hers and spread her wings out behind her. Koios watched them move then imagined his wings doing the same. Nothing.
He closed his eyes and focused his memory on the few times they’d moved. He wanted to find that feeling and see if he could repeat it. It took a few tries, especially since he’d not had the ability to move them intentionally for quite a while.
But he had once.
He used to be able to move his wings and wrap them around his siblings. Iris still cuddled up under his wing when she could. When they were younger, he’d been able to cover her shoulders almost as if he had another hand.
“That’s it,” Phoebe whispered. “You’re doing it.”
Koios opened his eyes and found he’d managed to spread his wings about a quarter of the way. His back ached from the movement, but he’d done it.
“Koios!”
Logan’s bellow from downstairs had Koios running for the door. “Something’s happened at the Jerricks. Let’s go.”
Koios ran downstairs and followed Logan to the garage.
Ben.
Koios never believed in praying to the goddess’s who’d forsaken them as children, but for Ben, he’d make an exception.
22
BEN
Ben jerked his fingers out of the way as his pesky Pomeranian patient attempted to turn his tasty digits into her lunch. “Now, Princess, you’ve got to let me check your ears.”
She curled her lip in a frustrated snarl.
“Your mama doesn’t want me to sedate you for a simple ear check, young lady. You’ve gotta let your favorite Dr. Ben take a quick look and not nip my fingers, okay?”
Her snarl didn’t seem to agree. Neither did the evil gleam in her eye. Ben chuckled and went for his secret weapon. The peanut butter dipped popsicle stick also had a bit of powdered beef on the end. It was enough to get Princess’s attention. She shot him another speculative look.
“That’s right, little girl. You get this whole stick of yummy deliciousness while I look at your ears. It’s a win-win.”
And it was indeed a winner. Princess dove for the peanut butter and beef treat, which allowed Ben to get a good look into her ears. They needed a good cleaning, but otherwise everything looked okay.
“Victory is mine.”
Princess snarled again, but it wasn’t as threatening considering she had to lick peanut butter off her mouth at the same time. Ben picked her up but held the popsicle stick in front of her to prevent any catastrophes. She nuzzled into his chest before continuing to lick the tasty treat.
He carried his canine patient into the back. When she wasn’t trying to eat his face off, he and Princess got along just fine. In fact, he enjoyed her sweet cuddles. One day, they’d reach an agreement about her ears. Until that day came, he’d continue to resort to bribery.
“Ben! Hurry!”
The shout from outside had Ben rushing Princess back into her kennel and running for the door. The moment he stepped outside, his heart froze in his chest, but his years of training and muscle memory kicked in.
He’d seen a lot of horrible injuries over the years but this ….
“I need a gurney, stat!”
Ben dropped to his knees next to the bloodied mass in front of him. He could hear gasping breaths, which was a relief. Breaths meant life, and alive was something he could work with.
