Page 83 of Surviving in Everton

“I don’t know. I just found out it was a possibility. I haven’t exactly had time to sit back and see for myself, now have I?”

“Okay, you two, cut it out. We’ll figure it out together. I’m sure Declan can help us. No need to get so riled up, Ayden.”

His shoulders fall as he lets out a heavy sigh. “Sorry, Doll. I just wasn’t expecting that.”

“I know, Ayd. It’s okay.” I send him a wave of reassurance, hoping it actually gets to him and helps.

His eyes widen to saucers and he looks like he’s going to freak out, so I guess it worked… but definitely had the opposite effect. Damn. Declan chuckles beneath me and I turn to smack him. Unfortunately, he just catches my hand before it can make contact. Damn him and his mind reading powers!

“Oh, hush. My ability can be very beneficial to you, so I don’t wanna hear it.”

“Um, excuse me, but what wasthat?!” Ayden interrupts Declan’s teasing.

“I was trying to reassure you?” I shrug as I bite my lip.

“It didn’t work, Doll,” he retorts with his head tipped to the side and one brow raised.

“Well, I tried, okay.” I throw my hands in the air just as there’s a knock on the door.

It cracks open and Dr. Johnston slowly peeks his head in. “You ready for me?”

I look around and jump off of Dec’s lap so fast I stumble. I would have fallen flat on my face if Hudson hadn’t caught me.

“Easy, Sugar.” He holds me steady as I get my feet back under me.

I manage to compose myself just as Dr. Johnston steps into the room.

“Feeling better, Rowen?”

“Uh… yeah… sorry ‘bout that.” I can feel the flush creeping up my chest and spreading across my cheeks. I can’t believe I did that in front of my doctor!

“Totally fine. A completely acceptable way of dealing with such great news, my dear. I wanted to jump on someone too.” He winks at me. “Now, let’s go over what I found shall we?”

I nod so fast, I look like a bobble head. Hudson picks me up and sets me down on the table, sitting next to me.

“First of all, I found absolutely no trace of any foreign magic anywhere in your body.”

I squeeze Hudson’s hand, restraining myself from jumping and hooting and hollering like a crazy person.

“Further, my scan foundyourmagic is more stable than it was during the last scan. In fact, it seems to be getting even stronger.”

“Stronger? How do you mean?” I tilt my head and furrow my brows waiting for an explanation.

“It seems that combining all of their magic to heal you worked better than expected. There’s really no way to explain it. After the magic dispersed what was sitting on your brain, it must have flowed through your entire body looking for any other ways to heal you, asthatwas its number one job. You’re probably the most healthy person I’ve ever examined.”

I shake my head, mouth hanging open. Their magic really did all that?

“I suspect that’s why you were so tired. Why it was taking so long for you to feel better. The magic had one job. To make you healthy, and it wouldn’t stop until that was guaranteed.”

“So what does that mean for me?”

“There’s really no telling what kind of lasting effects it could have on you. I’d like to keep seeing you to evaluate your magic and document any changes.”

“O-okay. Yeah, I can do that.” I swallow the lump in my throat. This isn’t bad news. I don’t know why it makes me so nervous.

“Anything else, Doc? Or can we get out of here? We’ve got some celebrating to do!” Ayden cheers.

“No, Ayden. That’s all for today. Take it easy though, Rowen. I’m sure you’re feeling great now, but we don’t know how fast that can change. Just be conscientious of your body and what it’s telling you. I’ll see you again in a week. You boys take good care of her.”

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