Page 84 of Fight
He watched me for a moment."Do you know of anyone who would want to kidnap you?"
"Not off hand."I replied.
"Have you had any trouble with anyone recently?"He asked.
I turned and looked at Devon, meeting his eyes."You tell him."I said, not wanting to go into it.
"We've both had a bit of trouble at home.We've got some kids who've formed an elitist group.They think that anyone who didn't shift on their own, or at a normal age, is inferior, and straight humans are even worse, with the possible exception of Nickie for some reason.We've both been harassed by the group.Me, because I was a non-shifter, then the way I shifted.Her, because of her association with me."
"I've heard of groups like that, as far I'm aware, we don't have any of them here.Is that all?"
"Unfortunately, no.Her best friend since childhood was a Kitsune, though she didn't know it.For years though, he knew what she was and under our Anikitos' direction, he watched out for her.He was there when she shifted the first time."
"I don't understand why this is a problem."
"Because after I shifted, Brandon suddenly seemed to think I was his.That I was his mate."I spoke up."He changed in ways I wasn't willing to put up with.I asked him over and over to leave me alone.Bill stepped in, and punished him more than once."I fell silent.
"A few weeks ago it got to the point that it couldn't be overlooked any longer and our Anikitos banished him."
"Ahh."The local leader nodded."Do you know where he is now?"
I shook my head."No idea, Bill might or his folks, but I have no clue."I felt Devon shake his head as well.
"Do you think he could be behind this?"
"I'd like to say no, that Brandon wouldn't do this, but honestly?The Brandon I knew seems to be gone and I couldn't begin to predict what this one might do."
"Have you contacted Bill yet?"The local leader wanted to know.
"Not yet."Alexis said."I wanted to speak with you first.Deal with more immediate concerns and get a good idea of Nickie's condition before I contact him.He's not going to be happy, and the more information I can give him, the better it'll be."
The older man nodded, understanding."I'd appreciate it if you'd let Morgan take a look at her, if you don't mind.Anything you need, let me know and I'll see that you get it."
"I don't mind if he looks at her, as long as he can do it without touching her, I don't know how long her skin sensitivity will last, but I know that irritating it will only make her recovery take longer."Alexis said.
Morgan lifted the strap of his bag over his head and sat it to one side before approaching me.I was unconcerned and remained relaxed against Devon, taking comfort in his nearness and his touch.Morgan pushed the sofa table away from the sofa and moved into the gap.He sank down to sit on his heels, his hands hovering barely off my skin as he held them over my hands in my lap.He closed his eyes while he worked.After a moment he tilted his head to one side and a crease formed between his eyes as if he'd found something strange.
He opened his eyes and pulled his hands away slightly as he spoke to Devon."Would you mind moving away from him for a moment?"He asked his voice soft, gentle."I'd like to take a look without the two of you touching."
I glanced at Alexis, saw her nod and turned to Devon, I met his eyes and silently nodded.I got off Devon's lap and moved to sit few inches away.Not far, just so that we were no longer touching.I turned back to the man crouched in front of the sofa.
Morgan again held his hands just over me and closed his eyes.The crease between his eyes deepened.He pulled back again and twisted until he could see Alexis.
"You're a healer too, right?"He asked, when she nodded he continued."Have you ever seen this?"
She looked confused."Seen what?"
"You checked her right?"
"Of course."
"Were they touching?"
"Yeah."She said, thinking just a second."From the time we found her until you asked them not to, I think the only time there hasn't been some contact between the two of them was when she scrambled across the car to throw up."
Morgan looked concerned."She got sick?"
Alexis nodded."In the car on the way back, we barely had time to pull over."
