Page 19 of Visions in Blood
She continued mixing herbs with familiar liquids, the faded lilac color similar to Lyra’s sleeping aid.The old woman shrugged.“I sensed a residual energy.Something I would typically detect in a telepath.”She sucked on her teeth before her eyes once more glazed over.“But the essence isn’t quite the same.”She lifted her face toward the ceiling, her eyes rolling to the back of her head, and she swayed as if buffeted by a light wind.For a split-second, her face pinched before quickly returning to normal.
“Yes.Definitely telepathic tendrils, but not from her.I believe someone, somehow, has linked with her, and the power of this person was just too great.Our minds are fragile, yet very strong.For some, it’s a tightrope of balance.Fortunately, the brain protects itself when it can.In this case, I believe the force became too strong, or perhaps she sensed the intrusion and tried to fight it.Either way, the mind shut down to evade whoever was meddling.”
She packed up her bag, leaving two vials on the nightstand.“Does she know any telepaths?”
“Not that I know of.”
She stood and glanced back down at her patient, sucking her teeth once more, her brows screwed up in thought.“As you know, vampires have the ability to adjust a human’s thinking for a limited time.For long term impact, they must physically connect with that person through touch.Through blood exchange, vampires can sometimes share thoughts, though it requires a well-trained mind for all involved.And while these vampire traits are closely linked with telepathy, it’s far from the same thing.It’s rare to find a telepath with enough power to override another’s mind, be it vampire or human, but they are out there.”She shrugged.“Most keep their skills secret, and without knowing more, all I can suggest is that this child appears to have an enemy of some sort.Have you seen anything strange while she’s awake?”
“No.”
She sighed.“It’s possible that this attack, if that’s truly what this was, only comes when she sleeps, when her subconscious is the most vulnerable.I’m leaving two potions.The pink one is for the headache she’ll have when she wakes.I expect it might be quite debilitating.If it is, she should stay in bed for at least a day.Otherwise, just make sure she’s stable on her feet before doing anything strenuous.The second is the same drought I give Lyra.It will force her into a deeper sleep that will prevent dreaming.That should block a telepath.”
“When will she wake?”
“No idea.But based on the remaining residue I was able to catch, I would think not before noon.”
Devon stood and clasped the healer’s hand.“Thank you, Madame Saldano.Your assistance was valuable as always.”
She squinted up at him.“How’s Lyra?”
He smiled.“She’s been well.”
“Excellent.I worry for that child.”She turned to take a last look at Cressa, releasing Devon’s hands.“Their maladies aren’t the same, yet…” She trailed off, and Devon was thankful the two of them weren’t touching anymore.The healer was sure to pick up emotions he could mask from others.
“I’ll have Sergi see you out.”
The healer’s broad smile showed her missing tooth, and she cackled like a witch.“Excellent.I just received a message from the old country I think he’d be interested in hearing.”
Sergi gave the woman one of his rare smiles.“I always look forward to your news, Madame Saldano.”
“How many times must I ask you to call me Laxana?”
“Many more, Madame Saldano.”
Her gruff laugh trailed behind her as Sergi led her down the hall.
Lucas picked up the tray.“Shall I bring you a fresh pot of coffee and your tablet?”He stood next to the bed and looked down at Cressa.“Was it a shared dream?”
“Yes.”Devon rubbed his face.He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so tired.“I knew something was wrong.She didn’t seem like herself.”
“What could the telepathic residue mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“You need blood, sir.It’s been well over a month.”
His inner circle never had to remind him of such matters, but Lucas was only performing his duty as guard, and it had been more than two months since he’d last fed.“I don’t want to leave her.Can you have someone brought over from Oasis?”
Lucas’s shoulders eased.He’d been expecting a fight.“I’ll see to it.”Devon reached for his arm as he passed.
“Thank you for watching over me.”
Lucas grinned.“If I waited for Sergi to suggest it, you’d look like Nosferatu.”
Devon couldn’t hold back a laugh, and all the tension he’d been holding released in one burst.“And we can’t have Cressa waking up to that.”
“No.I’d think not.”Then Lucas disappeared.
