Chapter Fifty-Six
“He must have caught a stray bullet,” Miller exclaimed, as both he and Merek immediately rushed to Simon’s prone form. Barric and Tybalt assumed defensive positions, facing outwards, protecting them as they attended to Simon.
Lily was shushing the children, who had stirred briefly at the sound of her scream. At the sound of her calm, reassuring noises, the two relaxed back into soft snoring.
She gently settled them into place so she could get up, and see what help she could offer with Simon.
Merek and Miller were on their knees by Simon, whose eyes were now shut. The older man was already slashing away at Simon’s bloody tee shirt, spreading it open just as Lily came up. Light hit the medallion that was revealed at Simon’s sternum, just above where blood was pumping out of a small, round hole.
Miller swore, and was about to push his hands on top of the wound to compress it when Merek suddenly made an unintelligible sound, pushing Miller’s hands away.
“What the—” Miller began, but Merek interjected.
“The healing energy of theWar-Packis being activated by an outside force.”
Tybalt had come up, and added his voice. “Give Merek leave to do as needs must.”
Miller and Lily exchanged looks, easing back warily. Merek had already closed his eyes, his hand reaching out over the medallion on Simon’s chest.
And Lily felt the same sensation before, although even more concentrated, perhaps because she was closer to it.
It swept over her, and her eyes widened. A dark shape crested from the hole in Simon’s chest, before springing out to hit the gravel. It was the bullet.
But Lily’s eyes remained glued to the bullet hole. The blood around it seemed to be drawn back in, and the edges slowly pulled together, knitting seamlessly into unbroken skin.
Next to it, the medallion shone. Simon’s eyes blinked open, and Miller exhaled loudly in relief.
“It’s a fucking miracle. How are you feeling, son?”
“Like I just woke up from a bad dream.” Simon said. His fingers sought his medallion, found it, and started tapping it.
Tybalt’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you get this medallion?”
Simon looked down, as his fingers stopped tapping. They wrapped around the piece of metal, as if seeking their comfort in a different way.
“I’ve had it since I was a child,” he said in a defensive tone. “I was wearing it the night that my parents were killed. I’ve been wearing it ever since, under my clothes the way Miller wears his ID tags.”
Miller looked apologetic. “It may have saved your life, son. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel ashamed to wear it.”
“Please, may I see it?” Tybalt asked.
“I as well,” Merek said. “It summoned the healing energy, and I must needs know how it came to do so.”
Simon unclasped his hand, and lay the medallion bare on his chest. All three wolves in human form crouched closer—
Lily did not know which one shouted, but a wave of energy, a shock of recognition shot through them. And the three sprang back.
“It is the symbol of The Shining One!”
“The living avatar of the Goddess!”
“She Who Grants Abundance.”
Tybalt’s tone was hushed. “Aurelia…”
All three sank down onto their knees in reverence.
“Y-you don’t have to bow down, guys,” Simon stammered. He had resumed tapping on the medallion once more.
