TheHealers

by Lynsie Buchanan

  “Ten quidado! La comida es muy caliente!” Her voice flowed with the beautiful cadence of the spanish words. Living in Texas, I understood enough to know the food was hot.

  “Gracias, Ana.” Leo spoke without an accent. Interesting. He brought the tray to my lap and proceeded to sit back a bit so I could eat, I guess. I watched Ana leave and contemplated the safeness of the food. He had admitted to drugging me earlier. How would I know that he wasn’t doing just that with the food?

  As I gazed at the food, I knew there was no way I could hold out. The plate overflowed with what I could only guess was Ana’s good cooking. The orange and red colors of the Spanish rice had black beans mixed all through it. Next to the rice was a potato and chicken mixture that glistened with tomato sauce.

  “Please eat. You’ve been out of it for a few days, and I want you to get better fast. You and I have big plans together.” The generic Leo smirk crossed his face and I thought maybe I did know him.

  He grabbed the fork and filled it with chicken and potatoes. The food grazed his lips as he tested the temperature and blew on it. Yeah. I was still attracted to Leo. But, Alexander…where was he?

  “I’ll eat if you answer my questions.” Grinding my mouth shut, I hoped he wouldn’t realize that I had just laid down an empty ultimatum. There was no way I could deny myself this food.

  “Yes. Of course. I would give you anything. Don’t you know that already? You told me you loved me, I know you meant it.” He brought the fork to my mouth and the flavors exploded all over my tongue. I did love Leo. All the years we had spent together colored the development of our friendship. When I told him I loved him I meant it. I just didn’t know if it was enough. Or had I made the right choice in settling? I had not known at the time it was settling. Did I? Then Alexander walked into my life and every part of my body and soul knew him. How would I explain that to Leo? I owed him an explanation. Once he realized how I felt, this kidnapping thing would end. Leo’s values did not sync with his actions right now. Something was off.

  “Where is Alexander?” I took the fork and started to feed myself. Hunger kicked my body into autopilot as I devoured the plate. The scald to my tongue at that first bite hadn’t been any deterrent. I just continued to fill up my mouth and swallow. It also prevented me from engaging in the conversation I knew we had to have. Thoughts of Alexander swept through my senses. I could feel his scent, male and rubbing all over me. So powerful that I could ache for it now, in the presence of another man. Another man that loved me, too.

  “I don’t know.” The gaze in his eyes made me believe him. No matter what, I trusted Leo’s word. It had not led me astray in all of our time together. There must be a reason for me to be here with him now. I just needed to understand it.

  I was going to have to try another angle. “How did I end up with you?”

  “I always knew you were a smart girl. That’s the right question. Alexander gave you to me.” My throat closed up. I opened my mouth to cough and couldn’t get the clog open. Leo reached around to pat my back. It took a moment, but I started to breathe again. Pain from my throat was gone but now I could feel the knife that stabbed me in the back.

  “Gave me…to you?” Surely I had misunderstood. “What did you do to him?” I pushed the food tray away and Leo scooped it off to sit on the night table. I had done everything but lick it clean and now I felt the food try to come back up. They had hurt Alexander. What had they done to him? I didn’t have enough time with him. Panic overcame all other thoughts. I had to get out of here and find him. Rescue him. He was my life…my soul.

  A hearty chuckle came from Leo’s throat. “He didn’t give you to me for free. I offered him something he wanted and he took it. He didn’t really love you, Layna. Did he even tell you what you are?”

  Blackness clouded my vision.

  Air escaped my lungs.

  I brought my hand to my chest—everything hurt. Was I having a heart attack? The pain just increased with each breath. My cheeks were hot and the room stuffy. The analytical part of my mind said this was a panic attack. A large blood-pumping organ in my chest engaged in some heavy palpitations.

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’m never going to let him near you again. It’s over.” Strangely, he looked as though he thought his words would soothe me. He didn’t have a fucking clue! Leo reached an arm around me as I crashed onto his chest. I needed his strength for the moment so I took it. The room felt stuffy before but now shivers raced up and down my limbs. Leo’s fingers stroked over my skin in a futile attempt to warm my body. Every beat of my heart yelled that Leo lied to me, but his words were easier to believe. Rejection had been the underlying theme of my life. Why would I have expected that to change now? Everything made sense. Alexander needed me as a bargaining chip. At least I had served that purpose.

  Betrayal.

  Marissa’s words repeated in my head. A deep red hazed over my vision. Alexander had betrayed me. But for what? Why would he give me to Leo? Unless…no way. Pieces started to come together in my thoughts. My continued presence in the Conservatory had put other lives in danger. I would only cause more pain. Alexander sacrificed me to protect the Healers. The only people he could sacrifice me to, who would stop the onslaught of attacks, were the Hunters.

  “What are you?” The words ripped from my soul.

  “I’m a Hunter.” Calm, quiet words.

  Silence. Neither of us spoke. Everything seemed clear and then all my thoughts scattered into a tornado. Alexander didn’t love me. Leo didn’t love me. They had both used me. All the pieces had been played now. What could be left?

  “Are you going to hurt me?” What else would he want with me? Hunters killed Healers. It had all been lies. A playing piece. This is what I had become. I wouldn’t fight.

  “Is that what he told you? I want you with me for always. You and I have extraordinary gifts, Layna. The Hunters that went after you at home are under my control now. They won’t make that mistake again. Together we can change the world, make it better. I’ve known what you were the first time I met you. I waited for you, though.” His fingers trickled through my hair and rested on the back of my neck. It sickened me to know that his words of keeping me warmed my heart. This must be rock bottom. A man speaks of keeping you for his art collection and your first impulse is to jump with joy.

  “Alexander took advantage of you and used you to further his cause. I’m being honest with you. You know me, Layna.” Leo was safe. He always protected me. Years of friendship flashed through my head.

  Betrayal

  Everything was a ruse. He wanted my power. I had given almost all of myself to these men. I would not give him my power. This playing of games had gone on entirely too long and would end now.

  “What did you give Alexander?” It hurt to even think about it. What had he traded for me? I thought I knew what it was, but I wanted to hear the words. Blood felt like it leaked from my pores and then I regained myself and the blood turned to ice. Cold and calm. That’s what I needed to be. I would figure out how to manipulate him. This game had not ended yet.

  “The rod of Asclepius.” He paused for impact. I knew of the rod, but allowed him to continue since I was certain he liked to feel as though he enlightened me. “Our scientists have studied it for generations and found nothing significant. However, my people still wanted it. The Healers have tried to recover it for as long as I can remember, and they wanted it too. They claim that as the true descendants of Asclepius it belongs to them. I don’t care about the rod. All I care about is you, Layna, and your safety.” Too much emotion threw my mind into chaos. Too much. It hurt too much. Focus. I had to take care of myself because no one could be trusted with that task. I bit down hard on the inside of my mouth and warm blood spilled all over my tongue.

  Every word Leo had uttered made sense. Alexander had always been too good for me. A razor sharp pain cut my heart from my chest. Love was a choice. I knew this and yet I went after the guy that made my heart beat. Not thinking
, I had also given him the power to make it stop. Curling in a ball, I rolled away from Leo. The tears spilled out of my face silently while my body shook.

  Leo held me until I lost consciousness.

  I awoke to his arms still wrapped around me and huge lump in my throat. How could there possibly still be tears left? Blood was dripping from my soul. I had almost given Alexander everything and it had destroyed me. Empty. I had nothing more to give. This would benefit me now. If I had nothing to give then I wouldn’t end up hurt like this again. That promise filled me with temporary hope.

  And then the pain trickled in again. I had tasted the utter abandonment of Alexander’s love and I never wanted to feel anything else again. How would I go on? Stupid, stupid girl. I had really believed in the fairy tales. Fairy tales were for fucking fairies and I was just a Healer.

  Convulsions started to trickle through my body. Leo held me tighter. I lied to my mind, believing that the strength in his grip helped me. Nothing helped. I only wanted the arms of the man that had ripped me apart. Sick. I was sick. What kind of healthy person craves that pain? But, I did. I wanted it until the tears came again and ran out again.

  Darkness crept over the bright room. Leo got up to leave, but stopped to place a kiss on my cheek. He returned with food again, but I couldn’t eat. My stomach writhed and twisted with protest at ever being fed again. I wanted to suffer. Pain felt good. It was better than feeling empty. The emptiness tortured my soul. Was I even capable of having love? Everywhere I went I brought pain and suffering. Even here, I saw the hurt in Leo’s eyes as he tried to comfort me. My rejection reflected all over his face. He came in and out at all hours and I continued not to move.

  “Layna, this has got to stop. Baby, you’re scaring me.” I had no idea how long it had been going on, but it did not feel long enough. Funny, he thought I scared him. Try waking up to this twilight zone. My body shook in fear with my worst nightmares, and they were real.

  I wanted to respond, but the energy needed to do so lay just beyond my grasp.

  Leo attempted to shove the cold glass with a straw in my face. My body protested the nutrients because I wanted to die. It would make the pain go away. Instead, my body protested with every gulp of air.

  “Drink. I’m not leaving until it’s gone.” Authoritative. He needed me to live. The scheme had not been divulged to me yet, but I knew one percolated in his scheming mind. Unsure of what he knew about my magic, I decided to keep my lips closed. Damage control had to be done on some level and the less he knew, the fewer people Leo could hurt.

  The smoothies Ana had made were the only way any nutrition could get to my stomach. Leo forced the straw in my mouth again now. He had not slept in here with me since that first night. Tabitha’s nasty words came back to me as I realized he was probably going to her. Good for him. He wasn’t worth it. Leo had betrayed me, too.

  Betrayal

  That word invaded my thoughts again. Marissa wasn’t that great of a Seer. She had said only one man would betray me. Ha! It was really two. And probably more if I continued to open myself up like this to others. It had to stop. I needed to get up and move again. A haunting thought sat in my mind. How long had Tabitha and Leo been going at it? While he was with me? Oh. It hurt all over again. Not as bad as Alexander, I was already too numb to experience much more of that, but this hurt still.

  “How’s Tabitha?” I watched his face carefully for any reaction. His brows arched in shock at first and then they settled to an unreadable expression on his face. I think that was because I hadn’t spoken in days.

  “I know what you’re thinking. Tabitha is not who I want. Yes, she’s always wanted me, but I choose you, Layna.” All this time she had been my friend and it was a lie. Leo lied, too. They would both use me.

  “Why did you two feel like you had to hide your friendship?” If there was not deception, why hide it?

  Leo put the smoothie on the nightstand and sat on the bed.

  “Tabitha and I always knew what you were. Her family works for us. We didn’t want anyone to hurt you so we kept it a secret. I knew there would be others out to use you. I waited until I was powerful enough to protect you. I am now. No one will hurt you, Layna.”

  They cannot hurt you.

  The words from my dream with Asclepius whispered through my senses. No. No one would hurt me. Not because of Leo or Alexander’s protection, but because I was badass enough to do it. All this magic and blood swirled through me in a fire. The last thing I needed was another stupid, lying man telling me he was going to protect me. I would wait until I was strong enough to let Leo see the power that surged through me now. I could taste it.

  “I want to start training again. I trained to fight at the Conservatory. It would be healing for me.” True. I hadn’t completely lied.

  His eyes lit up like sparklers on the fourth of July.

  “I’ll set up some time for you in the gym right away. You’re a fighter. This is why I want you by my side. You and I together are unstoppable. You’ll get better soon. I can wait for you.” He brought his lips until they hovered just over my ear. “I remember the taste of you, Layna. Do you remember my tongue all over you?” Bright red flushed all over my cheeks. No matter how much I knew I didn’t want him, my body protested. “You do. I know you want more.” Then he touched his lips to mine and turned to leave the room. Magic licked up my spine. I would bide my time and show him. Although, using him could be fun. I wouldn’t be attaching myself to any man, but mindless sex wouldn’t hurt anyone. I would definitely have to scratch the itch soon or it would get unbearable. Aphrodite made sure of that.

  After finishing the real food that Ana brought, I decided to take a shower. I knew I was going to work out but I needed to wash the tears off of my body. There was no good coming from them.

  Hot water shot out everywhere. My skin lapped it in like a kitty with milk. Soapy bubbles lathered up all over my skin and then I washed it off. I shampooed my hair twice and then stood for a while longer. A shower cream of coconut and lilies had been placed in there for me. The creamy white glistened over my skin. The smell gave me warmth and then familiarity. I tore open the shower curtain and heaved into the toilet until I plummeted to my knees in horror. I remembered the last time I wore this smell. The first day I met Alexander. Fever pitched my skin into an unwilling memory.

  His hand caressed my face. No words yet, but the glow in his tourmaline eyes and the firm hold of his jaw spoke of his need. My legs spread and my insides stretched from the push of him inside me. Alexander waited until he knew I was not in pain before he began his takeover of my body. One hand gripped me from behind while the other stroked my cheeks.

  “I lose all control when I’m being squeezed in your tight body.”

  His words licked fire everywhere. His gaze wandered to where we joined bodies and all his restraint dissolved. A catch in his breath and then he gorged on me. His mouth on my breast his hands everywhere else and the constant thrust of our hips and legs slapping against each other.

  Huddled into a ball on the shower floor I hid the wetness of my eyes in the water spraying out of the shower. Not willing to leave the warmth in this shower, I continued to hold myself together with the strength in my own arms.

  I could do this. I had to pull myself off of this cliff. Water still fell everywhere, but I couldn’t move. Why? Why wasn’t I good enough for him? How could he just trade me off like a fucking object? I wanted to be angry. Anger numbed the hurt. The hurt rose up in my throat and I jumped out of the shower. I held my head over the toilet until it was all gone. Nothing was left.

  I showered again and dressed before Leo appeared in my room.

  “Ready?” His excitement induced nausea to my stomach.

  “Let’s go.” I didn’t want to throw up again and the anger seemed to keep that at bay. Fighting would bring the anger out. I breathed it in and out. Embrace it. I prayed to Ares, the God of war. I knew his magic flowed through me. I gripped it now to give me power to
hold myself together.

  I let it loose when we got to the training room. There were others in the room watching me. I didn’t care. Let them see what I could do. Let them fear me.

  Thwack! The sound of my legs and fists hitting the punching bag brought me to life. I kept at it until everything went blurry from the rigorous pace. The muscles in my arms flexed and purred at being put to use. I could heal, but I could also hurt. This power felt good. I leaned on all the magic to hold me up. It took over for me so I could heal myself.

  The next few days passed just as my first few days had. Except this time I was upright and beating the crap out of punching bags. No one would spar with me and I couldn’t blame them. Rage shrieked out of my pores. Tears still continued to fall, but they were invisible next to all the sweat. I also ate more. All the exercise made for a large hole in my stomach that had to be refilled on a constant basis.

  As I replenished my stomach one afternoon in the kitchen, Tabitha walked in.

  I wanted to hate her, but looking at her now I was just reminded me of the friendship we had shared. Was it all fake? She could have only been my friend because of the magic in my blood. There had been chemistry between us. Now that I looked back on the memories, I wondered if it had been orchestrated by her. The thought shadowed loneliness across my heart. Wanting to be a part of something had lured my senses into a false sense of security. Surely, I would have noticed her otherness if I had paid better attention. Blinded by my need to belong, I had accepted her.

  My eyes sharpened at her stare as I decided I would not be making that mistake again. This was not a woman to trust.

  Tabitha crossed the kitchen amid darted glares from the others in the room until she stood in front of me. A smile threatened to tug my lips up at the sight of other people besides me that did not trust her.

  “I’ve heard you’ve been training.” Eyes slit down to me with utter disregard. If she hated me so much, what motivated her to speak to me now?

  “I have to find some way to release all the anger inside of me. It seemed like a safe option.” I picked up and chewed the last bite of my turkey sandwich. Her eyes widened with what I took to be fear. Good. I wanted her to fear me, distrust me. I would not play into her hands as I had before. In fact, it seemed she had always pulled the strings in our friendship. Shock rippled through me in disgust. I had been her pawn, too.