Page 216 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

They were taken into the loungeroom instead of an exam room and were laid on top of the table there. Mariella gave Iris and Abby a quick rundown about what she’d seen Paul then Ivy do and how they came to be here, her voice thick with exhaustion.

‘That was quick thinking, girl,’ Iris said. ‘I thank you on behalf of Pack McVale for keeping a calm head. Sam’s report of you is true.’

‘Thank you. But I didn’t do much of anything other than making sure they weren’t separated. I just didn’t know what was going to happen if they did.’

‘From what you said, it was the right thing to do,’ Abby said. ‘But how was he fading? You mention a shade?’

‘Yes.’

‘You have to help Ivy,’ Paul said, frustrated they were concentrating on what had happened to him and not the wolf in his arms.

Iris’ worried gaze met his. ‘I need to look at what you’ve done first. Abby, can you look at Ivy’s wolf and see what’s going on there?’

‘Will do.’

‘Link hands.’ A circle of people surrounded them—Iris, Abby and the McClune witches and warlock—and then a strange humming sounded in the air as power sparked to life around them.

Ivy jerked in his arms a few minutes later, a growl in her throat.

‘There you are, girl,’ Abby said softly. ‘Don’t hide away. Come out and let me see what’s happened to you.’

‘Don’t let her change,’ Iris said.

‘I won’t. Just enough for me to see, gorgeous wolf. There.’ Paul looked down to see Ivy’s wolf in her eyes, the prick of her claws a welcome sting on his skin. Thank the Goddess. Thank the Goddess.

‘What is this?’ Abby said, eyes closed once more. ‘It looks like—’ She gasped, eyes snapping open. ‘Do you see this, Iris?’

‘I do.’

‘How is this possible? When did this happen?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘What happened?’ Stellan asked.

But Iris shook her head. ‘I need to speak to Paul and Ivy first. Thank you everyone for your help here, but Abby and I have this in hand. Jackson and Luke, please take Mariella and her friends to the hall and make sure they are fed and given a place to rest before they flame out. Stellan, perhaps you can go and get your parents. Ivy is going to need their support when we’re finished. But tell them not to come in until we are done.’

Stellan nodded and ran out.

Mariella bent over the table, her fingers brushing his hair from his sweaty forehead, and looked him in the eye. ‘I wish you well.’

‘Mariella—’ Paul began.

She shook her head. ‘We can speak later. For now, you need to concentrate on doing what Iris and Abby say to fix what’s been done.’

He stiffened. ‘That’s impossible.’

‘You have to try.’ Her fingers stilled on his forehead. ‘So much pain. So much guilt. I wish I was the one who could heal you, but—’ her eyes flickered to Ivy, ‘—I don’t think that is destined to be my role in this world.’ She sighed, smiled sadly and then left with the others.

‘Fuck,’ Paul said.

‘Language,’ Iris remonstrated. ‘Now, let me see if I can alleviate this power drain and then we will talk.’

Paul’s arms tightened around Ivy as she made a whimpering sound. ‘Stay with me, Ivy.’

‘This might hurt,’ Iris said.

Ivy screamed.

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