Page 34 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

I shut my mouth with a clack of my teeth. How did he freakin’ know I was about to say that?

“You are nearly as scarred as our Shen, here,” the person with spectacles said absent-mindedly and almost to himself as he glanced at the many scars along my arms and the few on my neck. The one on my neck was a jagged, rope-like scar that had nearly taken my life; it was a training accident from when I was younger.

“You know better than to ask questions like that here, Doc,” Shen said with a casual, nearly blasé air that still rose the hair on the back of my neck.

“And you know anyone who comes into my house is my patient. Scars such as those leave imprints not just on the body but on the soul,” Doc said.

Embarrassment filtered through me, and I glanced at the window. Shen casually moved so he was leaning against the bed frame—between me and said window. I scowled at him. His eyes burned with mischief. He knew exactly what he was doing, the cur.

The doc’s face softened. “I know the look of a fighter. Treated many in my time. I am mostly retired now, taking care of the grandbabes and their pets. Those I treat for Shen are much alike: battered and bruised and ready to jump back in the fight. But I feel many of you are running from a different battle entirely. Feel free to tell me should I be wrong, but most are running from their feelings, and that is a very hard place to be, young one.”

I stared at the healer, my mouth opening and closing with the uncertainty of how to answer the guy. His hair was a steely gray, his skin was weathered and tanned from working in the sun and his arms were still well-defined for a man of his age, even if hisgut was a little tubby. He had a calm air about him, and his eyes displayed compassion.

“No need to answer now. Just know that ol’ Tom will be here. Should you have need of my services, you know where I live. Come and speak with me. You would be amazed how a few words can help ease the burdens of the soul.” He gave a succinct nod, then ran a hand over his hair. “Your fever broke this past night. I recommend another day of rest and a few more days of light work, but I imagine you will not take to such orders kindly. So merely take it easy so you do not land back on my doorstep, hmm? Take these. One is for morning and evening; it is a mixture of honey, yarrow, chamomile, and fermented garlic. The other is Heper Sulph for the lung infection, Spongia for breathing, and Arnica for the cuts and bruises. Take each of these up to five times per day, for they are low doses.”

I was surprised by his knowledge. Many of the new healers were going into new and improved—nearly experimental—things which nearly made people lose their lives instead of healing them. These were old, well-tested remedies that had survived the trial of time. I had personally seen them work much better than blood-letting.

“Six or thirty shake doses?” I finally asked.

His eyebrow lifted in surprise, reminding me of Shen when surprised. Were they related? He exchanged a glance with Shen, who shrugged. “I am impressed. The Spongia is a six, the other two are thirty. Are there any others you feel you may need?”

I glanced up at him. There was one I had trouble sourcing, as it didn’t grow in our area for me to create a remedy of. And my sister needed it. “Ledum two hundred?”

His other eyebrow rose to reach the first one, then scrunched with concern. “Do you have another ailment I do not know of?”

I clenched my teeth. Do I lie or tell him the truth?

I’m a Red. I’m certain that if he knew, he would be giving me belladonna. And it wouldn’t be the remedy—but maybe he could help. It was worth the risk.

“My sister's sick.”

He nodded, the surprise dropping from his face as concern replaced it. “Would you care to list her symptoms? Perhaps two minds may be better than one?”

My hand clenched around my blade and my shoulders slumped a hair. These were two werewolves. Could I trust the doc and Shen with even further information about myself when I knew absolutely nothing about them?

A tiny whimper drew my eye to a little bundle of curled fur. I smiled as Fenbutt’s little paws jumped in the air and the ripple of passed gas erupted as he ran.

“My sister's anemic. She’s highly prone to lilac disease and dark circles and has little to no will to rise in morning. Lately, she has experienced… episodes. Seizures. The only thing which will bring her back are mage stones, but even they have become less effective.”

His brows furrowed. “Quite right, that. Mage stones are illegal for good purpose, as the ones who use them are less and less able to connect to their natural healing pathways. How many have you used?”

My shoulders slumped. I had been aware of the risks when I’d used the mage stones, but I couldn’t just let her die. “Four. The last one I nearly got to her too late.”

He nodded. “Do not feel bad, young one. You must do what you must do, and your situation was dire indeed. Dark circles are consistent with a liver or lymphatic function issue. What have you done so far?”

I bit my lip to hide the quiver. This was someone outside of our family who wasn’t just saying, “Why doesn’t she just get up and walk?” or “She’s just faking it to get attention” or theabsolute worst “If she were a better person, this never would’ve happened to her.”

“We have attempted to replenish her stomach with high nutrient broth made from the joints and bones with marrow. I personally found and potentized the remedies of Belladonna, Apis Mel, and Chelidonium Majus but could not source Ledum. And, of course, the mage stones when nothing else works.”

Shen stirred, his dark eyes heavy on me. I chose not to look at him.

Doc’s lips pursed. He took the glasses from his face and polished the lenses. “What I am about to say goes no further than us, yes?” he finally said.

I narrowed my eyes, but nodded.

“I have known of a similar case. No remedies nor more modern versions of healing could cure this person, who eventually succumbed to his stresses.” His eyes were on me, but from the corner of my vision, I saw Shen’s eyebrow twitch. “This is not a physical problem.” I clenched my teeth, nearly grinding them. This started out so well, but now he’s just going to tell me she’s crazy or not all there or seeking attention?—

“It is a stress-borne illness.”

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