Page 58 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Indigo bit her lower lip, puzzling the question. “Not usually. When a healer places hands on you to cast a spell, you’ll feel a chill, the shivers. Course, that’s with normal injuries. No Aeternal has tried to heal a raging case of Sycophancy. If the process hurts too much, shout out. He’ll stop.”

Madeline shifted on her cushion, curling denim-clad legs under her. She didn’t appreciate waiting for the Sycophancy to cure itself. If it ever did. This idea of Indigo’s was proactive. On the other hand, could it make the situation worse? Her struggle with indecision was only momentary. Action was better than acceptance. “I’m willing to try. I need to have me back full-time. It’s like some stranger takes over my body, making me do things I’d never dream of doing myself.” She grinned at Dom. “Except for some things.”

Indigo downed what was left of her mulled wine, set her glass on the floor, and sprang to her feet. “Okay. It’s a date. Dom can pick up my bro and the healer from Scath.”

The witch blinked. Oskar materialized in the middle of the room with a small rodent in his mouth. Startled he dropped the critter on the floor, a puff of smoke snorting from his nostrils.

Indigo took off after the creature with Ohngel on her six. They zigged. They zagged, but the little beastie was fast. A growling Dom cast a capture net over the rodent.Overkill. Scooping up the critter, he released him outside.

The startled wolver on the lawn took advantage of the situation, outrunning the rat, swallowing him whole, and licking his lips. “Thanks,” he called out to the gryphon. Freki was the only one pleased by Oskar’s catch.

Madeline stifled a laugh. She enjoyed the gryphon with a bling upgrade and the talking wolver.How ordinary life will seem back in St. Louis.Still, that was where she belonged.

When Dom jammed his fists onto his hips, the tension in the room made Oskar a bit nervous. Indigo jumped on his back and grabbed the reins. “Time for our exit, bud. Dom, Roark will let you know when Alarik is ready for the pick-up. Until then.”

“Can’t wait,” said the black-winged assassin, his arms folded over his chest, a frown plastered on his face. Smiles for Maddy. Grimaces for Indigo. Situation normal.

Yep. Maddy was having a great time. Now, if she could just get rid of this Syc shit. She deserved a worry-free moment with Dom before she returned home.

She’d settle down again with her job at the library, meet up with her sisters for some fun, and re-acquaint herself with her routine. When that grew boring, she could dream about the dangerous but handsome black-winged assassin who had been hers for a brief time.

****

On bad days, Madelinescrubbed Dom’s already-clean floor, dusted the dust-free house, laundered his already-laundered underwear, and fought her compulsion to fuck him nonstop. She prepped dinner and cleaned up. The hard way. Without the Immortal warrior snapping his fingers.

On good days, she recited the Dewey Decimal Classification System’s major categories, read books, relaxed on the sofa with Dom, made love, and played with Freki when he stopped by for a visit.

Now she chewed her thumbnail, worried but determined to go through with this thing. The Aeternal healer, recommended by Indigo, was on his way to cure her with his brand of surgery. If possible.

At the sound of shushing wings, she glanced toward the sky where the roof should be.

Finally.

Dom flew into the salon with a guy under each arm. Since a monsoon was pounding Angor today, all three were soaked. With a waggle of his fingers, Dom dried himself and then the visitors.

Handy.

With the fireplace crackling, the guests took places in front of it, squirming on pillows to get comfortable, trying to figure out what to do with their legs.

Madeline shook her head. Indigo was right. Couches were a must. If she stayed any longer, she’d find some magazines and point out furniture to Dom so that he could snap more comfortable stuff into existence.

Passing around hot mulled wine, Dom said, “Maddy, this is Alarik, Indigo’s brother. He brought along Rath, a mage who specializes in diseases of the mind. Uh ... neurological disorders.” The men nodded when Dom mentioned their names.

While all three stared at Maddy, she busied herself by settling on a pillow. “Okay. What’s gonna happen here?”

With all eyes still on her, she said, “Jeez. Stop looking at me as if I’ll explode when you explain the process to me. I’m not that breakable.”

At that moment, Freki prowled inside, shaking and splattering the walls and guests with rainwater. He strutted up to Dom. “I’m hungry.”

“I’m busy.”

“Don’t care.” The wolver’s ears flattened.

Rising with a huff, Dom lumbered into the kitchen, the creature following.

He returned without Freki while Alarik was acquainting her with his associate. “Rath is the healer who will examine you. If he deems he can help, he will begin the procedure.”

Maddy clasped a palm to her chest where her heart thumped wildly. “You haven’t worked on Sycophants before, have you, Rath?”

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