Page 12 of The Heir
Narrowing my eyes, I asked the obvious question. “Why do you even care? It’s not like I’ve ever been nice to you.”
“You haven’t?” She made a mock expression of surprise. “And here I thought we were best friends.”
Again, her use of sarcasm threw me off. I was used to Motlanders being kind and innocent, but Linea was playing games with me and I didn’t like it. With a groan, I stood up and carried the little monkey with me. Linea followed me and the moment we turned the corner Dee-dee and three other workers came rushing as if they had waited for us.
“Kevin, why didn’t you tell us that you knew Linea MacCumhail?”
I gave a sideways glance to Linea, who smiled and taunted me.
“Yes,Kevin, why didn’t you tell them how close we are?”
Surely, I didn’t have to explain or defend why I’d used a fake name when Linea knew I was here to get away from my fame.
I ignored Linea’s attempt at irking me and handed Dee-dee the monkey. “He took almost the entire bottle, but I have to go now.”
Her face fell. “Oh, but we were hoping that maybe Linea could answer some questions.”
I had zero interest in Linea telling them who I was or why I was here, so I barked out, “She’s not telling you shit.”
This wasn’t my first time swearing in front of them. It was easy to forget that proper speech was important to Motlanders and that swearing wasn’t allowed. This was a rural part of the Motherlands and so far, the four women here had treated me with patience and compassion, as if I was one of the wounded animals they healed. “Sorry,” I quickly added.
“I would be happy to answer your questions,” Linea assured them.
My scowl was deep, and I was just about to tell her off when Dee-dee said, “I should have told you when you first arrived, but we were all a bit star-struck. We’re big fans and we participate in the weekly sessions you and your mom teach. I’ve been practicing energy healing for years but I’m nowhere near your level, of course.”
With both hands to her collarbone, Linea dipped her chin and smiled. “I’m honored. Thank you for your kind words. I’ll be happy to help any way I can.”
Dee-dee lit up. “If you have time, we have a horse that refuses to eat. Maybe you can help us figure out what’s ailing him. You see we’ve tried everything but he’s wasting away and won’t eat or drink much. The other horses avoid him, and the vet says there’s no reason for him not to eat and drink, but he just won’t.”
“I would be happy to pay him a visit.” Linea smiled warmly and walked off with Dee-dee, who showed her to a group of trees where the sick horse lay resting in the shade.
I stood back with the three other workers and listened to them expressing their admiration for Linea and Athena. Huginn and Muninn spotted Linea and although I whistled for them to come to me, they ran to her and almost knocked her over from sheer glee. I could tell from her gestures that she told my dogs to go to me, so I kept calling until they got the message and ran in my direction.
“How long have you known Linea?” Olivia asked me.
“Since she was born. Our parents are close friends.”
“Wow, you’re lucky. She and her mother are incredible.”
I crossed my arms. “Why? Because of that energy work they do?”
“Yes. And because of their wisdom. They have taught millions of people everything from energy healing to conflict resolution.”
“Hmm.” I petted my dogs thinking of the irony of knowing people who taught conflict resolution when I couldn’t remember them ever offering me any tools on how to deal with my father. “Yeah, well, conflict resolution is probably different here than where I’m from.”
Olivia and the other two women nodded in agreement and then we fell silent as we watched Linea and Dee-dee kneel down beside the sick horse.
Except for running her hands over the horse, I didn’t see Linea physically do anything. But when Dee-dee came back she was excited. “I need a carrot or an apple.”
Olivia fetched both while Dee-dee explained. “Linea says that Mr. Mane isn’t so much sick as he’s scared. He was close to his last caregiver and when that man died and no one was there to feed him, Mr. Mane ate things he shouldn’t have. It resulted in him getting violently sick and now he’s scared of getting ill again.”
“But if the horse doesn’t start eating something, he’ll die,” I pointed out.
Dee-dee held up the apple and carrot that Olivia had handed her. “I know. That’s why I’m excited to see if Linea can convince him that he can trust us. Cross your fingers.”
Dee-dee’s limp stood out more than usual when she hurried back to the horse and Linea.
Again, we watched, and the women commented with admiration in their voices as the horse lifted his head and ate first the carrot and then the apple.
