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“They’re spelled to amplify the effect of the iron—you can feel it when you touch them. I’m sure they’re not fun to wear if one is sensitive to iron. Since I’m not, I picked the locks easily. I assume there’s also another component that affects those who are fae, probably messes with their minds so they can’t figure out how to break the lock or something along those lines. Don’t know. Don’t care. Here …”Clink. “Second one’s off. Do your thing, doc.”
‡ ‡ ‡
Once Hugo finished his initial exam, he allowed Kree to heal Raven only enough to stop the internal bleeding, which was beyond extensive. While our resident doctor had the magic to do the same kind of healing, it didn’t work quite as fast. Also, Kree’s healing magic never seemed to wipe her out the way Hugo’s sometimes did.
If she expended too much, she simply called forth her wings. The ornaments that would appear upon her back were made of pure energy and acted like a battery that could recharge her body.
Apparently, it didn't work that way for Lyric because she lacked the experience and control that Kree had. She hadn’t grown up knowing she had such powers and living in Earth Realm had suppressed them. Her sister had been the one to help her realize her potential, but Lyric was years behind in training to regulate what she expended.
While her wings could still recharge her, the amount of healing magic necessary in this case would risk taking energy from the fetus. No one, especially Lyric and her mate, would allow that to happen. Briefly, I wondered how my cousin-in-law was faring.
Watching Hugo break and reset Raven’s bones was one of the worst experiences of my life. Every cell in my body had rattled with fury while my soul wept, demanding I make it better for Raven. I held no such power and could only stand by and watch. Luckily, Hugo’s sedatives and calming magics had worked. She'd not regained consciousness during any of the ordeal.
“What about the lines?” I asked, still standing close, as I’d promised her father I would. I’d scarcely moved an inch other than to get out of Hugo or Kree’s way.
“Lines?” Hugo replied.
“These.” I pointed to the thin scars visible above the sheet, starting at the sides of her face, continuing down her throat and under the white material.
“Those are scars. A scar means the wound is healed. I can’t heal something that’s already been mended. Kree’s powermighthave an effect, but I highly doubt it.”
“She’s fae. Or half-fae at the very least. Even halflings don’t get scarred like that.”
“No, they don’t. Not unless they’ve been packed with salt.”
Revulsion punched me square in the solar plexus. “Someone intentionally scarred her? After torturing her?”
“It would appear so.”
“Fucking hell,” Phalen murmured from the foot of the table giving voice to all of our thoughts. I hated that she was still on this slab, but there was nothing to be done until it was safe to move her to a proper bed.
“Kree, I think we can try going with more power now. Cas and Phalen, be ready in case she wakes. She’ll be startled, I’m sure.”
I frowned. “What do you mean? She’s sedated.”
“Yes, and it allowed us to repair soft tissue and reset her bones without pain. But what Kree is getting ready to do will send an enormous jolt through Raven’s system. We’re opening up the tap. It’s the most expedient way to get Raven completely stable. Think of it like administering a hundred-thousand-volt dose of electricity at once. Possibly greater. Kree’s full power doesn’t have to creep like mine. It can fire like lightning when needed.”
“Then maybe we should do multiple sessions, a little at a time,” I worriedly suggested.
“Oh, it’s going to have to be multiple sessions. This won’t be the cure-all, but it will be close. Raven’s lifeforce has been drained. While Kree and I can repair the bulk of internal damage to tissue and bones, lifeforce is tougher to repair. And wipe that look off your face. It’s healing magic, not actual electricity. We didn’t do all this work just to fry her organs.”
“What about the external damage?” Phalen asked. “While scars don’t normally bother me, I’m not sure I’d want the reminders staring back at me in the mirror if I were her.”
Hugo inhaled deeply through his nose and back out. “That’s a conversation I’ll be having with Raven in private.” He held up his hand when I started to speak. “We’re not discussing it right now. Kree, where do you want to place your hands?”
Kree’s mouth thinned as she looked at the lines I’d pointed out. “Her head. I’m not inclined to touch anywhere the psychic marks from a blade or whip still live in her flesh. Her scalp seems to be the only place without injury.”
Raven had been chained and tortured and I couldn’t stop picturing it. I forced my fists to relax. There was no one within reach to kill. Brokk would surely seek vengeance though my soul was insisting it was ours to deliver.Soon, I promised myself. All would be made right soon. Even if she wasn’t my mate, someone needed to answer for such malefaction.
“Understood. Phalen, stay by her feet. Cas, get close enough to grab her arms should she flail. I’d use the restraints on her but Ireallydon’t want to, not after what she’s been through. The last thing she needs is to wake up fettered like some prisoner.”
Everyone stood at the ready. Kree and Phalen at opposite ends and Hugo across from me, removing the IV. Once it was out, Kree lifted her palms to the top of Raven’s head.
“Here we go, dearling,” she whispered compassionately.
Kree’s body slowly took on a soft glow. Harmless sparks jumped from her hands, byproducts of pushing out curative energies. Time slowed as I watched the golden flares dance along Raven’s form. Her back bowed once, then twice. Suddenly, her eyes shot open, limbs thrashed, and I hesitated, reliving the moment from my nightmare.
“Cas!” Hugo shouted. “Grab her arms, damnit!”
