Page 69 of Healer's Call

“Great,” he says smoothly.

I can’t help the grin that stretches across my face, because I think he’s got my friend’s number. A presence at my back causes me to tense for a moment until I see Maverick step up next to me. “Cade wants to discuss a few things.”

Bryce nods and glances at Ava. “I’ll call you later.”

“Oh goody,” she mutters before leaving the room. I watch her go and am ready to follow, but Maverick is still standing beside me.

“How are you feeling?” he asks quietly.

“I’m okay,” I tell him honestly. “Thank you for...everything last night.” I feel my face heating as I remember the fact that I fell asleep in his bed.

“You’re welcome.”

“Oh, and thanks for the tea.”

“Mav,” Cade says, waving him over.

Mav nods before looking back down at me. I shift on my feet, but he walks over to Cade and Bryce, leaving me alone. Out in the hall, I place a quick call to Amber and then head out to see the first of three shifters who need my help today.

It’s not until later that night that I finally return to my room, after running into Jacob of course. That man seems to be everywhere I am lately. I shake my head wearily, but instead of going inside my room, I divert and make my way to Ava’s room. She lets me in after a moment. “Rough day?” she asks as I drop into a chair in her small living room.

“Yeah.” I sigh. “This sickness or whatever it is, is spreading again. We really need to get to the bottom of it. Speaking of, did Bryce’s team figure anything out?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know.”

I sit back in my chair, weary. I don’t say anything else about Bryce because I’m not in the mood to argue or fight with her. She stands up and walks over to her small kitchen. I close my eyes to rest them a few minutes. Between the attack last night and the healing sessions I did today, I’m feeling completely depleted. I feel something on my leg a few minutes later, and I pop my eyes open.

“You need to eat something,” Ava says, nodding at the Ramen bowl in my lap.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell her, but she just shrugs. I'm too tired to eat, but I take a few bites so as not to risk her anger. After eating a little bit, I actually do feel better. Within minutes, the bowl’s gone. “Thanks. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“That’s because you never stop to eat when you’re healing,” she points out.

We sit in silence a few minutes before I finally make myself stand up. “I’m going to head to my room. Thanks, Ava.”

She’s quiet as I leave, but I don’t let it bother me as I make my way back to my room. Within minutes, I’m in my pajamas and in bed. I really am thankful to Ava; it feels good to have food in my belly. Just as I’m about to fall asleep, my phone buzzes. A glance at the screen shows it’s Amber. My stomach tenses, and I sit up to answer.

“Rose.” Her voice is panicky. “It’s Paige. Again.”

Chapter 33

Rose

I rush out of my room and nearly run into Maverick. He doesn't say anything as we walk to Cade and Amber’s. Cade opens the door before I even knock and ushers us inside. “Rose, thanks for coming so quickly,” Amber says, worry pouring out of her. She sits in a chair with Paige draped across her chest.

I walk right to the two of them and feel my healing power begin to flare. “Hey, Little One,” I say as I reach out and stroke her cheek gently. Her eyes open, but she doesn’t look alert. My heart goes out to her, and I take a deep breath, cleansing myself of negative energy and focusing on the task at hand.Hopefully, I have energy still left to do this. I quickly push that thought away; I will do this. “You know the drill,” I say softly as I reach out and carefully lift her little jammy top. I close my eyes and reach out and touch her stomach. My healing power flows through me and into the little girl. It takes more out of me than last time, and I hate that because that means the poison gained more ground in her little body the second time around. This is getting worse. After sending a last healing wave of energy through her, I pull back and drop my connection with her. It takes me a moment to gain my equilibrium, and I stumble back a moment. A strong body prevents me from falling, and I know without being totally alert that it’s Maverick. A moment later, my eyes clear, and my surroundings come back into focus clearly.

“Are you good?” Mav asks quietly, his voice sending a chill through me.

“Yes.” My voice is breathless. He moves away, and I miss the warmth and solidness of him almost immediately. “She’s good now,” I tell Amber, pushing away thoughts of Maverick.

Amber and Cade both breathe a sigh of relief. A tear drips down her cheek. She kisses Paige and then reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Thank you, Rose.” Her words are incredibly soft, but I hear them anyway. I lean forward and give the two of them a hug.

“I’m glad I could help.”

I turn away to let them get rest and move toward the door. Cade steps into my path, effectively blocking my exit. “Thank you.” His voice is gruff with emotion, and it makes me want to cry. Somehow, I keep from doing so.

“You’re welcome.” I step around him and walk to the door. I step out into the hall, and Mav follows me. He doesn’t say anything as we walk through the building.

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