Page 23 of Healer's Call

“Where are you going?” I manage to ask.

“To get the blonde healer,” he says or more like growls at me.

That makes me wake up instantly. I stand up, closing my eyes to let the dizziness pass. I feel a hand at my elbow, and I look up into Maverick's eyes. “No.”

“No what?” he repeats.

“Don’t get Ava.”

“Why?”

“Because she can’t get sick; I can’t expose her.” And then it hits me, and I gasp. “Oh my goodness.” Tears come to my eyes, and I take a step back. “I’ve exposed you. I’m so sorry. You'll get it again.” I take a step backward but only manage to stumble into the bed. I look up and meet his dark eyes. I cock my head to the side. “Aren’t your eyes slate gray?” What we’re talking about suddenly hits me again, and I stare up at him. “I’m so sorry I exposed you again.”

“It’s fine,” he says in a low voice.

“No, it’s not fine.” I start toward the door. “I can’t believe I came here. I don’t know what I was thinking. Cade told me to come talk to you after I called him. I don’t know why. I should have never come here.” I turn to face him and nearly lose my balance as dizziness overtakes me. He grabs my elbow and steadies me. “I’m so sorry, Maverick.” He leads me back to the bed.

“Sit down before you fall down.”

I look up at him as his face swims in and out of view. “I’m so sorry, Maverick.”

“I’m fine,” he growls. “You just need to focus on yourself.” With that, he leaves, slamming the door behind him. I stare at the closed door before curling into a ball. After shivering for a few minutes, I finally cave and climb under the covers. Warmth settles around me as does the scent of Maverick’s cologne. It wraps around me and makes me feel safe and secure, which is dumb, I know. But right now, I just need it...just for a little bit. I just want to sleep for a little bit, and then I’ll wake up and get back to healing. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

I’m on a table. A cold table. I feel the chill of it soak into the clothes on my body, leaving me colder than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I try to look around the room, but I’m strapped down. I can only turn my head a few degrees either way. Panic races through me as reality slams into me.

I’m with the vampires.The thought hits me, and I feel like I’m going to be sick. I hear screams all around me, and I struggle against my bands. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t get free. Then I hear Kimberly scream for me, and I fight against my bonds. I struggle and struggle but can’t get free. “Rose!!!” She screams over and over. I fight with everything I can, but it makes no difference. The tears stream down my cheeks in silence. Inside, I scream in anguish at the fact I can’t save my young friend; but I don’t make a sound. She screams and screams, and then suddenly it goes silent. A chill runs through my body that has nothing to do with the table I’m strapped to. It hits me why she’s suddenly silent, and the tears come in earnest. Still, I make no sound. I don’t know that I will survive this terror.

Chapter 14

Maverick

I slam the door behind me and take a breath so I don’t shift right here in the hall. I'm not sure when I’ve ever been so furious. I stride down the hallway. Pack members scramble to get out of my way, but I don’t really care.Where are you?I send to Cade.

Hello to you too.

Seriously, Cade. Where the--”

I’m in my apartment,he sends, cutting off my tirade. He doesn’t say anything else, and I don’t either. Moments later, I knock on his door. Cade opens the door almost immediately. “Not here. Amber and Paige are in there; I’m not subjecting them to this.” I follow him across the hall to one of our meeting rooms. He turns and faces me.

I rip into him, cussing him out. “What were you thinking, making her do all these healings?” I finish.

“Calm down,” Cade orders. “So, we can fix it,” he adds.

“How?” I demand.

“We’ll just get the other healer.”

Even though that’s what I’ve been thinking, his words give me pause. I’m still going to get the blonde healer and make her heal Rose, but I mentally make a plan for how to deal with Bryce if he comes here and finds out I’m the reason his mate came in contact with the terrible disease.

“What’s that look on your face?” Cade asks.

“Nothing.”

“No, you looked uncertain for a moment. Why?” he asks.

I answer him honestly. “I was just thinking how best to deal with her mate when he finds out that she got exposed.”

“The blonde healer is mated?” he asks in surprise. “To whom?”

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