Page 57 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

After jumping to the tiled floor from one of his haunches, she slapped a hand on his rump to send him on his way. “I’ll call for you, big guy, when we’re gonna leave. Go chill with your buds in the meadow. And don’t smoke that wolver’s ass.”

Oskar loped down the steps into the yard. A snarling Freki met him, the hair on his neck in stiff peaks. The furry beast circled the gryphon, growling and snapping. Oskar’s response was to snort fire.

“What’d I say?” yelled Indigo to her ride.

Oskar hung his head. Apparently, wolvers were dangerous while gryphons were deadly.

Madeline waved and raced to the kitchen. She returned, carrying a tray with four mugs on it. “Mulled wine, everyone? Indigo, why don’t you go into the bathroom to dry off.”

“No need. Roark. Hit me.”

Her fire-winged assassin swept out flaming wings. Indigo stepped close. Insta-dry. “Thanks.”

“I live to serve.” Ohngel grinned.

Because of the blizzard outside, Dom snapped his fingers to light the fireplace.

Seated on floor pillows, the four crowded around the heat. “Dominion, have you ever considered sofas for this room?” asked Indigo.

“No.”

Indigo swiped a hand across her lips after she sipped mulled wine. “Clear. Concise. Simple. Hardheaded. Stupid. Moving on. Before I forget, your wolver isn’t happy about the gryphons in the meadow.”

Dom frowned at the witch but broke it off when Maddy stroked his thigh. Though Ohngel and Indigo didn’t miss the action, she didn’t care.

Indigo cleared her throat. “The OC said I could get around here on Oskar. His cousins followed. Not my fault. Since big guy gave me a grazing permit in OneWorld, the wolver can just suck it up. Anyhoo. I’m here because of your predicament, Maddy.”

Glancing at Dom, her hand still on his leg, Maddy sighed. “I know. I’m doing things I have no control over, but I have longer bouts of sanity. Then later, my actions or words are pure Syc-think. Today’s a bad day. I have trouble controlling my desire to fall slavishly at Dom’s feet with my tongue lolling out of my mouth while I wait for his orders, tail wagging.”

The black-winged assassin smiled as he patted the back of Maddy’s hand. Their visitors’ gazes tracked the gesture as if they were surprised Dom had a tender side. Maddy knew he could smile without his face cracking.

Her chin angled up as she stared at Dom, open adoration showing through her foggy gaze. Then she shook her head, eyes clear again. Funny how she was more aware of her swings from Syc to Sane. And better able to control them.

Indigo sat yoga style, crossing her legs under her. “My brother, Alarik, is director of the Ministry of Well Being on Scath. In other words, he’s big stuff, a warlock mix with specialized skills that make him a super healer. I’m not just touting him because he’s my bro. He’s that good.”

“So?” said Dom.

Despite Dom’s grumpy caution, Maddy leaned forward, anxious to hear what Indigo had on her mind.

“Hear me out. I was wondering about this Sycophancy shit. If it behaves like a brain injury, perhaps it can be healed.”

He fixed his good eye on Indigo for a moment. “He’s an Aeternal, she’s a human, and Sycophancy is an Immortal problem.” Swinging his gaze toward Maddy, Dom said, “But it’s worth a try.”

Maddy nodded. “Anything. Are we talking pills or under the knife, Indigo?”

“Uh ... neither. Mage healers have the touch. No meds. No scalpels. It’s a hands-on solution.”

“What’s your take, Ohngel?” asked Dom.

“When Indy and I talked it over with her brother, he said he’d bring along another mage who specializes in brain disorders. As an aside, he said that healer skills wouldn’t work on Immortals with a malady. Something about how our brains are wired. But on a human...”

Madeline bristled. “Because our brains are so puny?”

“No,” said Indigo. “Touchy. Touchy. It has to do with the whole eternity and DNA thingy for Immortals. Anyway, he thinks he could have success with you.”

Dom squeezed Maddy’s fingers. “Your mind. Your decision.”

Her shoulders relaxed, comforted by the black-winged assassin’s touch. “Does it hurt?” she asked.

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