Page 100 of The Healer

“Uncle Rhys.” A little girl burst through the open front door and threw herself at him.

He laughed and picked her up, tossing her into the air as another man hovered at the door. His black attire was stark against his pale skin. “Lona-love, this is George.”

So, this was the polymorph? Brown hair and eyes and with the cutest nose, the girl blinked at Ilona.

She beamed, tugging and yanking on the girl’s pink skirt. “I want one just like this, but Uncle Rhys won’t let me.” She added an exaggerated pout. “He’s a meanie.”

“Uncle Rhys.” George wagged a little finger at him. “Pink’s bootiful. Gabe says so.”

“Be-you-tee-full,” Madison said, but her gaze lingered on the man at the door.

George pouted. “That’s what I said.”

Rhys chuckled. “Are you going home now, cupcake?”

“Yup.” She grabbed his beard and yanked him down for a kiss on the cheek. “See you tomorrow.” Wiggling, she forced him to release her. With a wave, she slid her hand into the stranger’s and out they went.

“Um…that man?” Ilona gestured with her thumb. “Suckblood?”

“Not you too.” Madison threw her hands into the air.

Rhys laughed and grabbed Ilona’s hand. “Call if you need anything, Maddy.” He ushered Ilona to the car and lifted her in. “She’s in love with him. Maybe. And yes, he’s a suckblood. One of Dimi’s men.”

“At some point, you have to break down the packs and holds for me,” Ilona said when Rhys settled into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“It’s not that complicated. Each city has a pack and, therefore, an alpha.” He smirked. “Now vamps are little more arbitrary. The holds report to the Drimari Council which metes out justice, or so I’m told. And any number of holds can exist in a city. Inner City has five, governed by a king, and in this case, Syl of the de Winter hold. Got it?”

She frowned. “Coedwig has vamps?”

“Nope. The town’s too small for their liking.” His blue eyes turned molten. “I want to test out our couch and the TV.”

She studied his eagerness, the way his gaze lingered on her lips. “Maybe the couch first,” she rasped. “Who knows how long it will take you to master the TV.”

He grinned. “Good point.”

“I’ve never seen him like this.”

Ilona shrieked, startled awake to find a woman in her bedroom. “Who…?” Fear choked her, and she sliced a glance at the closed bedroom door, then at the sealed windows. “How did you—?”

“Callista de Winter.” The woman beamed, and with a flick of her fingers, light engulfed the room. “Well, to be fair, I’m ex-human, now a suckblood.” One moment she sat in the leather cub chair, the next she gripped Ilona by the shoulders. “Let me have a look at you.” With a familiar emerald gaze, she studied Ilona’s face, humming at intervals. “I can see Aunt Mona in you.”

Ilona gasped. “You know my gran?”

“I used to when my parents were alive. I must have been about six when I last saw her, though.” Callie chuckled. “Kind of makes us cousins.”

“Wait, what did you mean when you said you’ve never seen him like this? Who?” Ilona’s mind was reeling, what with Callie confirming they were related as Rhys suspected.

“Why, Rhys, of course. The last time I saw him, he didn’t hear a word I said, then chewed me out. I liked that about him, the big old teddy bear.” Callie flicked a dismissive hand. “Since we met, he’s been uber polite, like I might rip his head off. Then he returned from Coedwig with fire.”

“He did?” Ilona squeaked.

“Sure thing.” Callie grinned. “I can see why. You’re gorgeous.”

Ilona cupped the side of her face, trying to hide the scar.

Callie brushed her hand away. “The idiot loves you. What does it matter what you look like? Besides, it’s faded. Dimi said he had to lick you.” With a curt nod, she settled on the edge of the bed. “Vampire saliva works wonders.”

Ilona blinked. So it is in their saliva? “Where’s Rhys?” She patted the bed beside her, finding a lingering warmth.

---