AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bit by bit, organ by organ, web by web, I cleared it out. It was exhausting, and for a little while it felt like I’d never be able to clear away every spindly line crisscrossing him, wrapping around his bones and muscle, but somehow I managed.
“It’s done,” I gasped, stumbling backward. At that, I realized Mad Dog never spoke to me one way or the other, despite my instructions and the terror lancing through me. Was he already dead?
I stumbled backward again, my legs weak and trembling, but Kai caught me. I was grateful for it, but I didn’t have the presence of mind to say so, because Mad Dog’s eyes were fluttering open.
I’d hoped he’d be lucid and smile at me while equally weak, and say he felt better. Instead, his eyes glowed with the distinctive light blue color of my healing magic, and he looked to me with alarm.
“Everton,” he rasped, sounding quite concerned. “Since when have you had all those markings?”
“All those what?” I said, thoroughly confused.
But his eyelids fluttered as my magic light faded and he went back under. Must have been an aftereffect of being so chock full of my energy for so long and so deeply. I’d had my metal fingers all over a majority of his organs, and I hadn’t exactly been quick about it.
“Are you all right, Healer Everton?” one of the medics nearby spoke, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I’d been concentrating on Mad Dog so much I’d forgotten we had an audience.
“I’m fine, but I wouldn’t say no if you had any regeneration potions or even an energy drink,” I said, letting Kai guide me into a nearby chair and flopping into it.
“Of course. We can have it sent to your quarters.”
“No need,” I said, sighing in exhaustion. Gods, I needed a shower. “I’m sitting right here until Maddox wakes up.”
“Are you certain? We could notify you—”
I gave the healer a sharp look, and they swallowed the rest of the stupid sentence.
“Of course, Healer Everton. We’ll bring it all here.”
A couple of them rushed off, but thankfully, they seemed to be pretty considerate and focused all of their attention on Mad Dog, taking vitals, refilling his IV bag, and changing out his catheter bag at our feet. I watched, hoping that, despite my curse’s best intentions, I’d managed to save my friend.
“Healer Everton?”
I jolted, my fists raised, lips pulled back from my teeth in a snarl. I calmed quickly, however, when I realized one of the healers had gently shaken me awake.
“Awe, let the lass sleep. Clearly, she’s been through it, saving my ass.”
Wait. I knew that voice. Head snapping to the side, I saw Mad Dog sitting up in bed, looking fit as a fiddle as he shoved food into his mouth.
“Maddox,” I blurted, using his given name for once. It surprised the both of us, but I didn’t miss the small little bump of pleased pheromones drifting from him. “How are you feeling?”
“Right as rain, to be honest. Apparently, my recovery did an about-face while you were dozing there. I hear you pulled an impressive show in here.”
I flushed, so incredibly happy he was all right. “Only to others in the medical field,” I said, placing my hand on his forehead and doing my own magical diagnostic. It was a simple enough spell, but I was surprised at how much effort it took. I was more drained than I thought. But I was rejuvenated by my magical scan coming back with a clear report. I’d done it. Thank the gods.
“How long was I asleep?”
“Only a couple of hours. Just enough for our dear captain to get called away. Didn’t want to look suspicious and all if he stayed.”
I wanted to chide him for being too loud, but then there wasn’t enough context for the few other healers around to pick up on, and they all seemed more concerned with their work.
Honestly, hanging out in the infirmary was a welcome relief from the pressure I always felt in the rest of the castle. I was constantly aware of just how many eyes were on me anytime I was out of Kai’s wing of the palace. But here, the workers around me were much more interested in their patients and sterilizing everything contaminated by all of us entering Mad Dog’s little quarantined bed.
“I’m sure he didn’t,” I said.
“But he did make me promise to make you go to your quarters. Get some real sleep in a real bed, and eat.”
“I’m a shifter,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I can run for days on only a couple of hours of sleep.”
It was how I picked up so much slack at Fort Canid. Neither of the other healers on staff were shifters, meaning they usually needed at least eight hours to fully rest. They’d both marveled at how I managed, but they were also grateful I could cover longer shifts when they needed emergency naps.
