Page 12 of From the Edge

“Do you believe her?” the healer asked.

“Yes, but it is a different hurt that I can’t explain. It doesn’t bruise her, but her face shows pain.”

The healer frowned for a minute, and then his eyes opened wide. He gestured, and a book appeared in his hands. He flipped and looked, and one long, dark finger tapped something. “This seems like it matches a few of the symptoms. Miss, what does she do for her heats?”

Mell pinked. “What?”

“When she goes into heat, what happens?”

“Uh. I don’t know. I haven’t ever heard her say anything about it.”

He smiled and closed the book. “Well, that is very interesting.”

Mell asked, “What?”

“It is just a suspicion. I need to run some tests before I make a diagnosis.”

“She’s not going to like that.” Mell was grim. “The last time she saw a doctor, they reported her to the Omega Centre, and then they started watching her for a heat.”

“When was that?”

“She said she was seventeen.”

“How old is she now?”

Mell paused, “Uh, twenty-eight?”

He cursed. “That would explain the pain. She still needs testing.”

“What, are you a doctor or something?”

He looked at her with a slight smile. “Yes. OBGYN, but I can do first aid when necessary.”

Lucia cocked her head. “How are you with stone?”

Yorwell walked up behind her and leaned to whisper in her ear. “There is no way you are going to my cousin for gynecological checks.”

“Cousin?”

“Third cousin. Father’s side.” Yorwell smiled. “We have families, too.”

Mell looked at the couple standing close. She blinked and turned back to the healer or, rather, the doctor. “Do you have a card?”

He grinned, his tusks bright, and as she looked at them, there were silver bands and marks engraved in them. He produced a card and handed it to her. “There you go. I am one of the partners at the practice. She can call at any time.”

“She won’t be calling, but I will. Do you make house calls?”

He grinned, and the tusks and fangs were terrifying. “I definitely can.”

“Give me a few days. Who can I call about some scans? I have had zero prenatal care.” She tapped her belly.

“Call the same number. There are three specialists at the practice aside from myself. Since Norec is growling, I am guessing one of the females might be a better choice.”

Mell looked at her mate and elbowed him in the ribs, and then she winced. “Ow.”

He reached out and gently rubbed her elbow. “Don’t do that. You are not equipped for it.”

She snorted.