Page 30 of Kin of the Wolf

“She is… not in the best of conditions,” Rosaria admitted quietly. “She is a somewhat surly patient herself, refusing the human treatments and medication and rarely accepting even the tinctures and potions I offer to ease her pain.”

“I don’t want my pain eased,” came Mom’s voice from the kitchen. “Ilikemy pain. It tells me I’m still alive.”

“Surly,” Rosaria said again.

“She’s proud,” I offered. “She always was.”

Rosaria sniffed. “Proudly surly.”

I spread my arms, unable to argue with that. “Is there anythingIcan do? I’ve wondered…” I looked at Duncan. “Is it possible a magical potion might be able to help her? We know an alchemist.”

“One who specializes in werewolf pharmacology?”

“Uhm.” I’d had no idea there was such a thing as werewolf pharmacology. “She has a lot of books on a variety of topics.”

Rosaria pressed her lips together in a thin line. I decided it wouldn’t be a point in Rue’s favor if I mentioned that she could make potions thatsublimatedwerewolf powers.

“She’s human with some magical blood,” I said, “but I don’t know what her background is.”

“I do not think it likely a potion would have the power to stop the spread of the Taint and destroy the corrupted cells.”

“The Taint? Is that your term for cancer? That’s what Mom has, right?”

“That is what the human doctors call it, yes.”

“And there’s no cure that she would accept?” A thought came to me. “Do you know about her medallion? That couldn’t help heal her, could it?”

To be a treasured family heirloom handed down from mother to daughter over the centuries, it surely had to do something more than glow brightly.

“I do know about it, yes. Your mother never disclosed its powers to me, but I had the same thought and asked her to wear it when she rests. It hasn’t yet healed her, unfortunately, but it does seem to soothe her somewhat. From what Ihavelearned of its power, it’s meant more to protect the pack and our territory than heal illnesses or injuries. And its power is diminished currently since the matching medallion disappeared.”

“There’s another one?” I asked before remembering the history Mom had given when she’d first shown her artifact to me. She’d mentioned that hers was for female werewolves and one that had been designed for males had been lost.

“There was once, one that the alpha male usually wore. It disappeared long ago. It may not even have made it to the New World with the pack. I am uncertain. Your mother may know more, but, either way, I fear the medallion won’t cure the Taint. We can only do what we can to ease her pain.” Rosaria looked over her shoulder into the cabin, her voice growing louder and sterner when she added, “Inasmuch as a dreadful patient such as she will allow a wise wolf to ease her pain.”

“Let my daughter in, Rosaria,” Mom called. “I sense that the lone wolf is with her, and I wish to meet him.”

“You need rest, Umbra.”

“If I rest any more, I’ll get bedsores, and you’ll have to rub one of your creams all over me. The one that smells like dying skunks, perhaps.”

“Dreadful patient,” Rosaria repeated, shaking her head as she descended the stairs from the porch.

“It sounds like Mom’s in a good mood and wants to see you.” I waved for Duncan to follow me.

“That’s a good mood?” he asked, though he sounded more amused than concerned or reluctant at meeting my mother.

“I didn’t hear her throw anything across the room.”

“My diminished state makes throwing heavy objects more difficult these days.” In her room, Mom sat propped up in bed with a book, her long white hair loose about her shoulders and what looked like a whiskey tumbler on the table next to her. A twist of lemon floated on the ice cubes, and the amber liquid inside did have the sharp smell of alcohol.

“Aren’t sick people supposed to drink orange juice?” I stepped inside, not sure if she wanted Duncan to come into her bedroom or to meet him in the living area.

“Juice is cloyingly sweet.” Mom made a face. “I like a drink that kicks you in the throat a few times on the way down.”

“She is a tough lady,” Duncan remarked from the doorway.

Mom squinted at him.

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