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"No," I agreed. "It isn't."
The doctor paused as if to consider it before he sighed. "Well, whatever it is, all the blood I took knocked him out again, so it isn’t something we have to worry about right now.”
"Yeah. Guess not."
Dr. Kelly seemed to want to say something else. He hesitated a moment before putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know you didn't want this, but you're both alive, and you're still human. Just try to be thankful for that."
"I am," I said, relieved when he didn't push me on it. I knew I should be.
Part of me just couldn't help fearing he was wrong. That there would be some consequences to the infusion, if not the bite itself, lurking in my veins. Telling myself I was being paranoid didn't offer much consolation, but he was right. I was alive. So was Eddie.
There was still the matter of figuring out where the hell those wolves had come from, but I was around to fight another day, and that had to count for something.
ChapterTwenty-Five
EDDIE
Castor had been back for a full week, and by Dr. Kelly's orders, we had both been taken off active duty. I had only seen him a couple of times since he'd woken up, though, and while he had been warmer toward me than usual, he was still as distant as he ever had been. I would've preferred it if he were pissed, and I certainly would’ve understood it. I still didn't fully understand what happened that night, and much of it was a blur, but I knew it was my fault, no matter what Father Marius said.
Since I wasn't allowed to hunt, and I could only train without a partner for so long, I spent most of my time either at the range, in my room reading up on Church history, or with Father Marius. That morning, I was in his office as usual, sitting in a chair across from him as he stared at me, and I tried to resist the effects of his psychic compulsion with the same lackluster results as usual.
"You're zoning out again," he said, echoing Castor's usual criticism, albeit in a much gentler tone. It was hard to believe I’d once been so afraid of him. He had undoubtedly killed more beasts than anyone else at the Abbey, given his advanced age—even if his appearance was deceptively youthful—but he was also undoubtedly the kindest.
I groaned as he released his hold on my mind and buried my head in my hands. "I'm sorry. I'm trying, I just…"
"Keep thinking about him?" Father Marius offered.
I looked up in surprise, but the knowing smile on his lips made me think better of denying it. "Father de Leon?" I asked warily. "Am I that obvious?"
He just kept smiling. "What's troubling you today? He's recovering well."
"I know," I murmured. "And I'm grateful. I just… Sometimes I wish I knew what he was thinking, that's all."
"Yes, that's a skill I’ve wished I possessed on more than a few occasions as well," he mused. "Although I don't imagine the reality of the ability would quite live up to the expectation.”
"At least then I would know what I did to piss him off."
Father Marius frowned. "What makes you think he's angry with you?"
"Because he hasn't yelled at me in a week," I answered.
He chuckled. "If it were anyone else, I would think that was nonsensical, but with him, I suppose I can see it. But may I offer a word of advice from someone who has known him as long as anyone except for Renata?”
I nodded eagerly. “Please, Father.”
“Castor is frequently engaged in battle with his own demons,” he said. “There's no reason to assume his quarrel is with you, unless he says otherwise. And he is very likely to do so if that’s ever the case.”
"I guess," I said quietly.
"Let's resume. There's still much to be done before the ceremony tonight."
I grimaced. "Is it really necessary?" I asked, dreading the thought of being the center of attention for the entire evening. I got the feeling I hadn't exactly enjoyed similar human rites of passage, either, based on the feeling of dread the mere prospect stirred within me.
"Quite," Father Marius said in a grave tone. "Tradition must be upheld whenever possible."
I sighed. "I was afraid you were going to say that."
He smiled just before a familiar shrill ringing sound began. At first, it sounded distant, but soon, it was all I could hear.
