“I’m well aware of the dangers in the Dark Forest,” Bas’s muffled voice carried the usual note of annoyance laced with arrogance. “I have no desire to die out there.”
“Good.” She patted him on the back. “Zeus is going with you apparently.”
The cat was standing right behind Bas, waiting with a more than bored expression of annoyance on his majestic face. Mina hadn’t bothered to lock the animal up since he’d claimed Bas as his witch… They would be no point. Now that Zeus had chosen Bas, he’d be glued to the man whether he liked it or not, bypassing any barriers, with magic or without.
“I probably have more to worry about with him than the Dark Forest anyway,” Bas said, throwing an annoyed look over his shoulder at the cat. “Come on you mangy beast, let’s get this over with.”
Bas walked out the double barn doors to the lawn, headed for the Dark Forest with the cat trailing behind him. Mina watched them go. She and Bas had been working for the past few days on the sanctuary, just the two of them, and it hadn’t been the worst thing in the world. Just as Mina suspected, the witch had skills. Damn powerful skills. Perhaps enough skill to justify the ego, if Mina was going to be honest. But she was going take advantage of his outing today to get some much needed treatment done.
Angel was on her way down, which in and of itself would have resulted in Bas’s usual cold looks and attitude, but she was bringing with her the witch who owned the dog familiar and Mina knew that would send Bas into a spitting rage. So, best to get him on a job that would keep him out of the Dungeon and busy a while so she and Angel could do what needed to be done. If he hadn’t volunteered to go into the Dark Forest, then she would have enlisted the help of Mother Stone to get him busy somewhere else for a few hours.
Mina watched as Bas moved into the forest, Zeus already jumping ahead of him into the foliage. Satisfied once he disappeared, she closed one of the doors while leaving the other partially opened, then began her preparations for the spell work to come.
Ms. Walker, the horrid witch who had enslaved her familiar, was being released as a patient, having fully recovered from the curse that had afflicted her when she’d been admitted. Ms. Walker knew that she had to use her blood to help her dog but she didn’t know that that was going to be the end of it. Once they had her there, the plan was to force the witch to relinquish her bond with the animal as well.
Bas technically wasn’t allowed within fifty feet of Ms. Walker, considering he had attacked her with a counter spell, so yet another reason to get him out of the Dungeon for a while. Not that Mina really blamed him for the attack. What Ms. Walker had done to the poor dog was disgusting—forcing a familiar bond was beyond anything Mina could stomach. Seeing what the bond had done, and the separation anxiety that was now afflicting the dog, Mina was ready to launch on the woman was well. But that wasn’t her style and Mother Stone had insisted that they take an educational approach with the human witch rather than a punitive one.
“Where is my animal?” Ms. Walker’s nasally voice echoed down the hall.
“Just through this door,” Angel said.
The two women came into Mina’s workspace, Ms. Walker’s gaze darting, looking like she was sizing things up and ready for an attack at any moment and Angel sweeping in with her usual grace. She was fully cloaked, only her hands visible as she motioned for the human witch to keep moving.
“What is this place?” Ms. Walker had an expression of wonder, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape as she took everything in. If there had been any outward signs of magical illness before, none were present now. The woman looked to be about mid-thirties, her skin was free of any boils or pussing wounds that would be common with a witch afflicted by a curse. Considering the state her dog was in, Mina could imagine what she’d looked like before treatment. But as expected, the Healers of White Willow had done an exemplary job and Ms. Walker was glowing and the picture of health and likely looking years younger than she was.
“This is a hospice for familiars,” Angel said.
“You keep familiars here?” Ms. Walker continued to look around, her gaze landing on the door that would take her to the cages where the animals were housed. “Is my dog back there?” She started toward the door but Angel stopped her.
“Only Healers are allowed back there, Ms. Walker. Please allow Healer Knox to bring your familiar out.”
“Healer Knox?” Ms. Walker’s eyes narrowed on Mina. “Do you have any relation to the Knoxes of New York?”
“Yes,” Mina said curtly, only mildly surprised that this human witch would recognize her surname. Her father’s family was affluent, and had their hands in many industries, witch and human alike. She didn’t know any of them personally since they’d disowned her father and refused to acknowledge his Pagan wife or her half-breed child.
“What’s your familiar’s name?” Mina asked as she started toward the backroom, not at all liking the vibe she was getting from the human. Her darting gaze was too keen, her energy too jumpy, the recognition of Mina’s family name made her skin crawl just a bit as well.
“My beast? Oh, that devil doesn’t have a name,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I just call it It.”
Mina gasped, couldn’t help it. No name?
“We do things differently out in the real world, Miss. Knox,” Ms. Walker said. “Familiars such as my dog don’t need an identity apart from their master. So, if you need to call it something, to assuage your bleeding heart, then call it Walker.”
Mina shook her head as she quickly moved to the back room. Bleeding heart my ass! How about burning heart? She could probably channel Bas’s rage at the audacity of such a witch. Mina took a moment to shake it off though. She had more control than the intern. She would tackle this issue with her wits rather than her fists…or spells. Besides, she needed to be calm so that her healing magic didn’t go all wonky.
Deep breaths, Mina.
“Okay, I’ll call him Star.” Because that’s what she’d been calling the poor creature in the absence of a real name. “Let’s get you some help.” It bothered Mina more than before to know that the only way she could save this animal was if she had cooperation from the hateful witch in the other room. Without her blood, Star would die, and sadly, all the animal wanted was to be back with his master. The trauma bond was so strong that Star likely felt his master’s presence, because he was standing on shaking legs in his cage, pawing at the latch and showing more energy than he had in days, when Mina entered the back room. “You poor thing. I wish I could help you without her.”
But the dog didn’t care about Mina’s sentiments. He wanted his master and being a Savior, his sole purpose was to serve his witch. Mina wasn’t even sure the animal would survive the second part of their agreed upon mandate. After the witch blooded her dog, alleviating the worst of the curse, Mina and Angel were going to request she then release her claim on the dog altogether. That way they could treat him and then house him in the sanctuary for the rest of his likely short life.
Star nearly jumped into Mina’s arms when she opened the cage. He was trembling as usual, whimpering too when the jerky movements caused his wounds to stretch and rub against her arm. It broke her heart more to know that the poor thing was excited to see his tormentor. The pulse of its dying magic was enough to tell her that Star not only knew his owner was near but craved her touch.
“It doesn’t look any different,” Ms. Walker scoffed when Mina brought the dog out. “I thought you said this place was a treatment centre. Why isn’t it healed?”
“This is a hospice.” Mina put Star on the examination table and he immediately stumbled his way toward his witch.
She, however, made no move to touch him. She just looked down her nose with disgust.
“We’ve done what we can but he needs your blood to ignite the spells we’ve started. There appears to be some kind of protective barrier that’s preventing our healing magic from taking hold.”
“Oh, yeah,” Ms. Walker scoffed. �
��He’s warded but my blood isn’t going to do much to help with that.”
The dog pawed her hand and she flinched, snapping her arm back. The dog whimpered, pleading with his eyes and pathetic sounds for the comforting touch of his master.
“Your blood would do this animal a great deal of good, Ms. Walker,” Mina argued. “To ease his suffering even a little would go a long way.”
“So what you’re saying is that this animal is finished. I paid a fortune for the damn thing and now you’re telling me that it’s as good as dead?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all.” Mina picked the dog up and attempted to soothe him. “If you give us some of your blood, we can break the protection spell and then rehabilitate this animal. He’ll be able to have some peace then.”
“Rehabilitate? Like without me?” She laughed. “I’d rather see it die. In fact, that’s what I wish. Euthanize it, right here, right now. I want to watch it take its last.” She reached out to take the dog from Mina.
“Are you insane?” Mina snapped, pulling the dog closer into her chest to shield him from the witch.
Angel moved to Mina’s side, her hand on Mina’s arm. A pulse of calm spread through Mina’s body, defusing her anger in that instant.
“We do not euthanize familiars here, Ms. Walker,” Angel said. “And we are not asking for your blood as a favor. You are unable to pay for your hospital treatment and have no insurance to cover the costs.”
Ms. Walker narrowed her eyes. “Mother Stone said there was no payment necessary. It’s not my fault that you witches don’t allow humans to pay with the normal insurance plans.”
“There is no payment necessary, true. However, if you wish to remain welcome at White Willow, then you will donate some of you blood to our cause. In this case, to free this animal who is suffering as a result of a curse meant for you. Once the animal is free of your bond, then you will be allowed to leave, and if necessary return in the future for treatment yourself if the need arises. If you refuse…well…then I’m afraid you will be barred from entering the premises ever again.” Angel’s voice was level and calm but her words were powerful.
Ms. Walker opened her mouth.
“You did sign the waver,” Angel said.
Mina had no idea what was going on. She’d never heard of such a thing and didn’t know if it was true but Ms. Walker appeared to be buying it.
“How much blood are we talking about?”
“A thimbleful at most,” Angel said with a wave of her hand. “And an oath to release the beast from your bond.”
“It will die without me.” Ms. Walker sneered. “That’s what the Breeders told me when I got him. Without my bond, it will die.”
The dog was trembling again in Mina’s arms. “Not with my magic to bolster him.” Her special brand of power, the thing that uniquely suited her to this job, was her natural ability to be a surrogate witch for any familiar. She was able to form attachment without needing a bond—it allowed her to care for the ferals in a way that others couldn’t. With a witch’s permission, she could treat a bonded familiar as well, but that required the cooperation of the witch or a relinquishment of the bond.
“Ah…yes, so the rumors are true. You’re the half-breed. Mina Knox is it? The one gifted as a Whisperer.” Her eyes sparkled. “It’s a unique talent to be sure. You’d make an excellent Breeder. You’d know just how to get the wild ones tame and cooperating.”
Mina shuddered. “Only those who are corrupt would willingly breed Saviors.”
“Says you,” Ms. Walker scoffed. “They make a fortune.” She craned her head to the side. “It’s an odd protest from the likes of you, what with your family’s legacy.”
It was true. Her estranged family had their hands in many witch-related enterprises, including several laboratories overseas that, at one time, had exploited familiars in horrendous ways as test animals. Yet another reason not to mourn the lack of connection with any of them.
Mina raised her hand. “Ms. Walker, if you please.” She pointed to the trembling animal.
Ms. Walker narrowed her eyes again, this time in a way that seemed calculating. Her eyes flickered to the door behind Mina. “You want me to give up my beast and get nothing in return?” She pointed to the backroom. “Now I know you have other beasts back there. I’ve heard of other Whisperers, hoarders of magical beasts. You gotta be around them right? You need the animals, don’t ya? They bolster your magic. Must have some animals in the back…I know, I know.” She pointed at Mina. “I’ll make you a deal. How about you give me one of the ones back there and we’ll call it even? I give you something, you give me something.”
“You will not be leaving here with another familiar,” Mina growled. “None of the animals here are for sale.”
“But there are some here, aren’t there?” She nodded. “I bet you’ve got some powerful ones back there, don’t ya?”
“Ms. Walker, your blood as your payment or you’ll be banished from White Willow for the rest of your life.” Angel stepped forward, her tone stern. “And what a pity that would be as you seem to be the type who will likely get herself into trouble down the road. Imagine, after finally gaining access to the witch hospital, only to be banned—”
“Enough,” Ms. Walker snapped. “I’m hearing you, Sin Eater.” She held her wrist out. “Take your thimbleful and be done with it.”
12
Ms. Walker was gone. Escorted up to the waiting area by Angel, giving Mina a chance to deflate. She’d contained her anger the entire time that awful woman was there. She wasn’t giving Bas a pass on his shitty beliefs and prejudices, but after dealing with that terrible woman, she felt maybe she should congratulate him on the action he’d taken.
So he had a temper… He’d lashed out impulsively at a patient who had cursed him with her spit. That spoke to his lack of training, not necessarily lack of control. And Ms. Walker was vile. What she’d done to that dog and what she condoned by supporting the Savior Breeders painted her as a villain, not Bas. Bas was just trying to help the animal.
And now Mina was making excuses for the man. She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. Her muscles were bundles of cords, pulled taut with no hope of relief.
She blew out a long breath that fanned her bangs.
Mina wasn’t blind to his faults or falling over herself because of his looks, but she was willing to admit that maybe she’d approached him with prejudices herself. She’d judged him based on what she’d heard about him. And what she was learning about Bas was that the rivers ran deep.
He had baggage… Welcome to the club.
“What to do,” Mina sighed as she set up to work on the potion to break Star’s bond. The poor thing was sleeping thanks to the sedative she’d given him moments before, but this concoction needed to be prepped and administered while the blood was fresh. Ms. Walker wasn’t happy with her, and she hadn’t wanted to leave her animal but she had no right to take him away—not if she was going to continue to abuse him. There should have been laws in place for this kind of cruelty. The fact that there weren’t only showed Mina how much work she had to do to bring awareness and then justice for the magical creatures. Working at White Willow would give her access to that kind of voice; getting Healers like Bas Frank on board and willing to vouch for her would give her credibility that would go a long way.
She sighed, her thoughts heavy, her stomach churning. She’d always felt the weight of troubling thoughts in her stomach. Like butterflies that were on speed. She’d read her medical reports, her genetic write up and lab reports from her parents’ files and had learned that she was dealing with an over active flight response. Her brain thinking it was in danger constantly made her nerves a little frayed, her heightened anxiety a semi-permanent state. And when that happened, her magic fluttered too, like it knew it wasn’t supposed to be working properly in the first place.
According to the pure witch world, Mina was an abomination. She shouldn’t exist. Her mixed heritage meant that
her powers were unpredictable and tainted by bouts of weakness. Her body benefited from all of the health protections that a pure witch’s DNA offered. She never got the flu or had to deal with the itchy bumps of chickenpox. She would never die of cancer or develop any number of human-related terminal illnesses. Her mind was threaded with insecurities that stemmed from never fitting in, never knowing her place in the witch world. With her father’s constant rants about how careful she needed to be, she carried a feeling of impending doom no matter what she was doing.
She had to study really hard to learn spells and work her blood magic, understanding that the state of her mind impacted how well her magic behaved and knowing that if she were a pure witch, she wouldn’t have to worry about it. Blood magic was supposed to be the most powerful, and more true. For Mina, it was hit or miss depending on what was going on in her mind. As she got older, the anxiety had gotten worse, which meant she had to work even harder to make the spells do what they were supposed to do. Pure witches were born with it…a witch like her, well, she had to continually practice, rely on her mother’s grimoire, and usually pray to the goddess that her powers would work when she needed them.
She drank a lot of peppermint tea and ginger, did a ton of meditating and practiced her spells when things got bad. Keeping busy always worked best for her. If her mind was occupied, all the things that made her worry became background noise and her stomach didn’t bear the brunt of her fears.
“Your aura is in turmoil.” Angel’s voice caught her off-guard and she lost her hold on the spell she was using, causing some of the blood to spill. “Here, let me help you.”
Angel had already taken her cloak off, her face was strained and her mouth pulled into a grimace. She used a cloth to soak up the spill, then brushed her fingers over Mina’s hand. A slight touch, a gentle sweep but Mina instantly felt at ease. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out again.
Feral Heart: A Witch Hospital Romance (The Witches of White Willow Book 2) Page 10
