At least, the trip proved a success for the BoulderPack.
When I entered the gussied-up barn, I beelined straight for the head of the table where Zack sat surrounded by Liam, Ingrid, andSamuel.
“Mornin’. How’d you sleep?” Zack asked as I took my seat next toLiam.
“Great. Thank you. How’s Poppy?” Iasked.
“She’s recuperating with her mother. I reckon it’ll take both my girls a couple days to recover from the attack.” The crumbs of bread caught in his beard peppered the table as he spoke. “I was telling Liam ’bout the experiment Sam carried out last night—he mixed crushed Sillin into Ingrid’s body lotion and rubbed it into her skin, and then he shifted into fur and licked herarm.”
I grabbed a pitcher of orange juice and poured myself aglass.
“He changed back into skin a couple minuteslater.”
“Which was what happened to Julian,” I saidexcitedly.
“Except I didn’t throw up,” Samsaid.
Julian had thrown up. Alot.
“Andalthough Ingrid was able to shift into fur, she was incapable of keeping her form. When she tried to shift again an hour later, she wasn’t ableto.”
“I tried again this mornin’, and I still can’t shift,” Ingrid said. “So it does penetrate the bloodstream, and perhaps it’s still on my skin, but if Cassandra Morgan could shift from fur to skin and back to fur, then she didn’t slather herself in Sillin-lotion.”
I wondered if we could trust their experimenting or if we should carry out ourown.
Ingrid pushed her thick, waist-length braid behind her shoulder. “I got an email from Avery this morning. He said he didn’t want to get involved, because he’s about to become a father and worries for the safety of his child and mate. He hopes you understand that it isn’t to spite you guys but to protect his loved ones. He wishes Liam luck, though. Says many,manyCreeks are hoping for Liam to win.” She eyed her father. When he nodded, she added, “He did tell us one thing that might help. ’Parently, Morgan’s often bedridden. Word circulating around the Creek Pack is that she’s got a sensitiveconstitution.”
Liam set his half-drunk glass of juice on the thick wooden table. “Werewolves can eat carrion without gettingsick.”
“Exactly,” Sam said, buttering a slice of sourdough. “We think it might be a symptom of whatever she’s doing to keep up heredge.”
I rubbed the satiny finish of the wooden tabletop. “Would taking tiny doses of Sillin for years create a habituation? Meaning, could her body shift in spite of having a minimal amount of the drug in hersystem?”
“I highly doubt it,” Samsaid.
“She doesn’t heal fast,” I interjected. “I forgot to mention that last night, but for a shifter, her wounds bleed longer than they should. You noticed that too, Liam,right?”
“I did, but wounds caused by an Alpha take longer to heal, so I didn’t think it was particularlyodd.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that.” I bit my lip, feeling a little foolish, but then I thought of her lips, and the bluish tinge. “Does extended use of Sillin cause skindiscoloration?”
Samfrowned.
“Her lips are a bit . . .blue.” I grabbed a berry muffin from the basket in front of me and bit into the cakey treat, the tart sweetness of the fruit bursting on mytongue.
“They’ve always been like that,” Zack said. “It’s a birthmark or nevus orsomethin’.”
“Samuel, you mind if I put you in contact with our pack doctor? He’s not a shifter but has been taking care of the Boulders for years now. We trust him completely,” Liamsaid.
“Sure. I’ll communicate myfindings.”
Liam stood up. “I need to get back to my wolves. Are you coming with us to the airport,Zack?”
“No. I need to be with my little girl, but Ingrid and Sam will accompanyyou.”
“And me!” came a chirpy voice: Jane’s. “Sorry I’m late. I was withPoppy.”
“That’s all right, darlin’,” Zack said, getting up. He shook my hand. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ness. We wish you great strength for the coming duel.” Then he shook Liam’s. “We’ll be in touch. And don’t forget about . . .” He flicked his gaze toward Ingrid whose cheeks instantly turnedcrimson.
