Any hope I had of getting magically healed died right then. I pushed aside my disappointment. This man needed our help.
“Who the fuck are you guys?” He struggled to get to his feet, waving off Rafferty’s outstretched hand. He was thin, and he appeared short next to Rafferty, but he was probably five foot eight inches or so. Maybe mid-twenties. He had dark hair and amber skin, though his face had a gray cast I didn’t like. I also didn't like the way his body listed slightly to the side, as if it didn't know how to balance properly.
The guy made a face at me. “If you're here to see me for that cancer you've got going on in your left nut, I'm sorry but I'm not in any shape to help you. I'm only taking on life or death cases these days.”
His healing abilities were real? I’d kind of thought so when I saw his magic, but still. “Holy shit.” I shook off my astonishment. “Don't worry about me. Why don't we get you inside and find you something to eat? Does your magic always look like that? You said you were in bad shape, but your magic is way too weak to be healthy.” I walked over until I was only a few feet from him.
He shrugged. “I have no idea. It's not like I can see my own magic.” Up close, it wasn't only his magic that was unusual. His fingernails were down to the quick, but they weren’t bitten. It was more like they'd been cut that way. His eyebrows werealmost completely plucked out, but not in a deliberate fashion statement. And what at a distance I’d thought was a short but messy hairstyle actually looked like he—or someone—had cut off his hair in chunks and even pulled some of it out by the root, based on the little bald patches here and there. What the hell was going on with this guy?
Rafferty pointed toward the back door to the house. “Elton's right. Let's get you inside and put some food in you.”
The guy shook his head. “There's no food. I'm having some groceries delivered, but they won't be here for another hour or so.”
I glanced from him to the lawnmower and back. “You have zero energy to spare, you haven't eaten, and you thought now would be a good time to mow the lawn?”
His barely-there eyebrows came down over his nose. Annoyance sparked off of him, thick in the air. Too bad for him I could tell it was masking a fuckton of worry. “I think it's time for y'all to leave.”
Rafferty opened his mouth to respond, but I gave an exaggerated sigh. “We'll go, but only after I finish mowing your lawn while Rafferty goes and picks up a burger for you.” I considered him. “And a milkshake.”
Rafferty nodded. “And double fries.”
The guy narrowed his eyes, glancing back and forth between us. “Why would you do that? It won’t put you at the head of the line to be healed or anything.”
“So suspicious. I’m good. I’ve got surgery scheduled for Monday. One of Rafferty’s pack members told us about you today, so wecame by on the off chance you were real.” I walked over to the lawn mower to make sure I remembered how to work one. “Oh, I'm Elton. He’s Rafferty.” I hooked my thumb over my shoulder.
That got me an aggrieved huff. “Whatever. I'm Manny.”
Rafferty gave him an indulgent smile, like Manny was one of the toddlers at the pack house. “Nice to meet you, Manny. Any place in particular you want me to get your food from?” Once again, I appreciated that Rafferty didn't object or second-guess me. He just rolled with what I wanted to do.
The two of them negotiated a restaurant destination, then Rafferty took off after giving me a significant look that I could tell meant I was to call him if there was a problem. I waited until he’d closed the gate behind him before shaking my head with a smile.
“What's the deal with you two? You seem like friends or maybe more, but you don't even have a connection.”
I grimaced. “We resonated so strongly the first time we touched that we're probably mates. He’s all in, but I've only really known him for two days.”
His face held recognition. “Yeah, you don't want to mess around with that unless you're sure.” He gestured toward my groin. “And don't let him tell you being mated will get rid of your cancer. It'll help, don't get me wrong, but there's no guarantee it'll be completely cured. There are plenty of mated magic carriers out there with advanced cancer.”
“Yeah, he tried that argument out on me right away, but I shut him down. Thanks for validating me.” I was relieved to have someone tell me I’d made the right choice. I trusted my instincts, but it was nice to get a second opinion.
“Anytime. Surgery will absolutely take care of what you've got there. But, regarding your guy, make sure you’re not letting your testicle situation hold you back. He’s a wolf shifter. From what I’ve seen, they’re possessive as fuck. He won’t care about a couple of missing balls.”
“So he says.” My pleasant feelings toward Manny fled, but I refrained from telling him Rafferty’s and my relationship wasn’t any of his business. I gestured toward the house. “Why don't you go inside and rest? I'll take care of this.”
It took some arguing, but after I pointed out how he couldn’t even stand up straight, Manny finally agreed to go inside. I was dead sure he wasn't planning to sit down, but at least he wouldn't be mowing the lawn.
I dredged up memories of mowing our family’s yard when I was in high school, and after a few minutes, muscle memory took over. I’d been glad of the mild Texas temperature when I started out, but by the time I finished the backyard, I was wishing for a good cold wind. I was halfway done with the front when Rafferty returned.
He got out of the truck and jogged around to the passenger side to pull out multiple bags of food. “I don't know if you're ready to eat again so soon, but I got enough for all three of us. Have his groceries been delivered?”
“No, not yet.”
“Okay. I’d like to stick around until they arrive. Plus it’ll give me a chance to check out the locks on his doors and windows.”
My chest warmed at how protective he was. “That's a good idea. I'll be done here in a few minutes.”
He started to walk across the yard to the side of the house, but then he stopped and gave the front door a considering look. He walked up the steps, crossed the porch, and pulled open the screen door. When he turned the handle, the front door opened. He rolled his eyes before going inside. I heard the thunk of the deadbolt before I started the lawn mower up again.
I smiled, wondering how long it would take before Manny found himself living in the packhouse.
