by JF Holland
Elliot stood, tiptoeing over to the other side of the window, chair in hand. He was now on the left-hand side of the window at Lana’s right side; a couple of feet separating them. Lana carefully turned her head, watching as he took his seat once more, slate grey eyes sparkling with interest. She gave him a tentative smile and he nodded as he crossed one leg over the other, then sat back to observe.
Refocusing, on Balin, Lana watched as Agatha's soothingly rubbed infused oil into his temples. Inhaling deeply, she tried to figure out what was in it.
“It’s a mixture of Menthol, and a few of our combined secret herbs,” Sophia explained, as she rubbed some of the same oil into the tops of Balin’s feet. “It’ll help draw out his pain, nothing more. It’s a way to make him more comfortable. We are treating his head as well because he’s going to have one hell of a headache.”
“Dehydration?” Lana queried, softly, and Sophia nodded, before her attention was once again on the task at hand.
Lana watched how gently they massaged the concoction into his skin, clockwise motions, applying very little pressure. After a couple of moments, the other scents became apparent as it began to warm on Balin’s skin. Arnica, Chamomile and Lavender scented the air, the smell pleasant and relaxing, so much so that Lana began blinking, her eyes growing heavy. As Agatha, and Sophia began to chant, each word repeated three times, Lana gave up fighting, her eyes drifting shut. She didn’t understand the words, but they calmed her. They kept up their chanting as they continued to rub more of the mixture into his skin, over his sternum - above the bandage.
Lana’s eyes opened slightly, head turning towards Balin as she heard him sigh, and felt him relax beside her. Once they’d finished anointing him, she tried to connect with him telepathically, but all she got was a hazy static.
Giving in, she watched through her lashes as they continued chanting, while placing small pebble sized stones onto Balin – forehead – shoulders – chest – hips - knees and ankles. Lana watched Sophia run her thumb over each symbol etched into the stones before she placed them. Turning her head, she noticed Agatha doing the same thing, but neither of them stopped their chanting as they worked.
She remembered that her aunt had often used similar stones when they were younger. Something to do with strengthening chakra’s and aiding in the body’s own natural healing abilities.
Once the last stone was in place on Balin the chanting stopped as they stood up and both moved to the bottom of the bed. Their heads were reverently bowed, when as one, they called upon the goddess of light to help aid them in healing Balin.
"With light and love heal from within.
Repair that which was hurt, without further harm.
Cuts be gone, and bruises fade.
Be well again, and leave no trace."
The green candle flames flickered slightly as their voices rose, and they began chanting the words in Latin.
"Cum luce ac amore intra sanitas oritur; esto remedium externum sine iniuriis amplioribus.
Vulnera et livor evanescant; iterum valete sine vestigio!"
Lana heard Elliot’s shocked inhalation as the curtains began swaying behind him - is if a window had opened and a light breeze had entered the room.
Once the curtains settled, Agatha and Sophia lifted their heads and began to build magic in their own hands. Rubbing their own palms together, until the skin on their hands became illuminated; as if holding they cupped light. Then they separated their hands and flung them forward, as if sending the light towards Balin’s sleeping form. Their hair began to move then as if caught up in a breeze, and the rune stones they’d placed on Balin began to glow. The chanting continued, hands still outstretched, and an aura appeared around Balin's prone form.
Lana removed her hand from over his as he was smothered in white, healing light. Looking back towards Agatha and Sophia, she watched as they bent over slightly. It looked as if they were imploring, hands outstretched, closer, but still not touching. The white light intensified, seeming to cover the whole of Balin’s body, pulsating, mimicking the thud of his heartbeat. Then within seconds it diminished in its luminance, before travelling up the length of his body in a wave - from toes – upwards. Then finally, it dissipated in a transparent mist from the top of his head. Lana blinked, because it was as if it vanished into thin air. When she checked him over, she noticed that the stones had stopped glowing and had returned to their normal dull tone, their warmth also gone. It was as if that too had left just as the candle flames extinguished, and the room settled once more.
Sophia and Agatha went quiet, then suddenly dropped to the floor in a graceless heap. Elliot gasped, rising from his seat, and Lana turned to look to him.
“They are okay, just drained. Could you get Douglas please, he’ll know what to do for them.”
“Of course,” Elliot replied, changing course and heading for the bedroom door. Just before he could open it, the handle rattled and he took a step back as Douglas entered; followed by Thomas and Leonard.
“Leonard, could you take Sophia, please. Place her on the sofa in the front room. I’ll bring Aggie along shortly, after I’ve cleared the room.”
Leonard looked towards Balin as he crouched, gently lifting Sophia up and into his arms. Then rising with her secure against his chest, left the room.
“He’ll be okay,” Sophia murmured weakly as her head lolled over his arm.
“I hope so,” Leonard replied tightly, descending the stairs.
“Is Luc still in the garden?”
“Where else would a statue be,” Leonard gritted out.
“I’ll find a way to help him too,” she told him, then sighed as he lowered her to the couch.
“Sophia, I know you mean well, but, please, don’t make promises…”
“I never make one I can’t keep,” she told him, staying him when he would have left, with a hand on his arm.
Looking into her tired, green eyes, his mouth twisting, Leonard replied. “Weirdly enough, I believe that you believe that.”
“I don’t believe, I know,” she told him with conviction.
“Do you have precognition?” he queried, then broodingly waited for her answer.
“No, unfortunately.”
“Then how?”
“Tenacity,” she winked, and he laughed, shaking his head.
“I like you Sophia, I’ll wait and see. Now, is there anything I can get for you?”
“I believe Douglas will see to us, but thank you.”
With an incline of his head, Leonard walked away.
Chapter Five
S ophia, lay drained on the sofa after Leonard had placed her there. Doulas entered, Agatha in his arms. He lay her on the one opposite, before removing her black velvet bag from his shoulder - the one Agatha used to carry her herbs, candles and other paraphernalia around in.
He took out a little black lacquered box, and put it on the coffee table between them. Taking off the lid, he placed it beneath it, and Sophia spotted crystals and sighed. Next came a couple of candles, which he placed on the table also, followed by another lacquered box. After lighting the white candles, he picked up the smaller box and scooped some herbs up that were stored inside it. After sprinkling a pinch onto each candle, he put back what was left over - replacing the lid. Sophia caught the scent of Sage, Sweet-grass, and Palo Santo, each herb wonderful for their cleansing abilities. Settling further back into the cushions, her eyes to closed on a sigh.
Donald entered again a couple of minutes later, and her eyes popped open when she caught he scene of ashwagandha, chamomile, lemon and holy basil.
“Drink this Sophia,” Douglas told her, holding out a cup of steaming tea. Pushing herself up, she took the cup from him, inhaling, before blowing across the surface. She then took a tentative sip, feeling her shoulders relax. Once she was settled and drinking, Douglas then helped Agatha to sit up, plumping a pillow behind her as he handed her a cup also.
“I’ll leave you both to drink, I’ll be back shor
tly to collect your empty cups. Then you both need to sleep for a while, give your body and minds time to strengthen.”
“Thank you love,” Agatha smiled as her mate again left the room.
“He takes very good care of you,” Sophia murmured before taking another sip of the tea. A twinge of jealousy at the love and understanding shared by the two.
“He always has. He’s my strength,” Agatha told her as she sipped her drink. They went silent then as they tiredly finished their drinks.
“I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
“Then rest, Sophia,” Douglas told her as he came back into the room. He removed the now empty cup from her hands and helped her to settle back down before going over to Agatha. “Do you have need of me love?” he asked, tucking her hair behind her left ear after removing her cup.
“Always, but right now I need sleep more,” she told him with a tired smile.
“Okay, love,” he replied, kissing her forehead. “You sleep now, I’ll be in the kitchen with the lads, the cubs should be back soon.”
Agatha nodded, and once again he left them.
“Agatha, have you ever had any dealings with the fea realm?”
“No, it’s not somewhere I’ve ever needed to go. Plus, it’s not somewhere that is open to everybody. Why?”
“That’s where Maisie is now, she was dragged into it by a dream demon, and she took Davion with her. Any ideas on how we’d locate it?”
“None, I’m sorry, I’ll check through my tomes though to see if there is any mention of it.”
“Thank you,” Sophia replied on a yawn, then remembered what else she’d meant to ask. “Have you tried to help Luc?” she asked, eyes closed as she lay back, drained.
“Yes, a time or two. I’ve never been successful though,” Agatha replied.
“Can you let me know what you’ve tried, then I’ll consider some other possibilities.”
“He doesn’t really talk about,” Agatha told her.”
“I’ll see if I can change that too,” Sophia replied with a yawn before her breathing evened out and she fell to sleep.
Agatha turned her head and looked speculative at Sophia. A smile curled her lips as she herself, succumbed to much needed sleep.
Chapter Six
L ana, stretched, her eyes flying open as her arm brushed against a hard, warm body to her right. Disorientated; due to just waking, she tried to figure out where she was. She became aware of deep, even breathing, and turning her head, sighed, after finding she’d fallen asleep beside Balin.
Looking down, she found a plaster on the inside her elbow, and frowned because she couldn’t remember why. Her mind was still foggy from sleep, but then she recalled giving blood to Balin to help him. Turning onto her side, she tried to see if there was any change in him since the transfusion, and healing he’d received from Agatha and her aunt Sophia. His colouring was better, as he’d lost that god-awful sallow grey colour he’d been earlier. He still wasn’t back to his usual healthy tan yet, although his breathing seemed easier.
She watched him sleep for a while, her eyes following the rise and fall of his chest with each inhalation. The ease with which his chest rose and fell, assured her that he was on the road to recovery. Although he was still a mass of bruising, even that seemed to have faded since she’d fallen asleep. Her eyes traced his now relaxed features, thick, sooty lashes resting on his high cheek bones. Every now and again his eyes would flicker under his closed lids, making her wonder what he was dreaming of as she watched their rapid movement. He couldn’t be reliving his torture as his mouth was relaxed, his lips slightly parted as he slept deeply. Curious, she once again tried to reach his thoughts, but found that she still came up against that hazy static. Sighing in disappointment, she turned over, noticing that the curtains were drawn. She then began to wonder what time it was, as the sun had just begun rising when she’d climbed onto the bed with him earlier. Catching a glimpse of a clock on the wall opposite the bed, she was surprised to find that it was nearly six in the evening. She’d been out for a while, but then again, she’d not slept much since Balin had originally been captured.
Her stomach rumbled, loudly. Checking he still sleeping peacefully, she slowly edged sideways off the bed and stood. As she got to the door, she turned, checking on him once again before quietly slipping quietly from the room, pulling the door closed behind her.
She passed the living room and spotted both Agatha and Sophia napping of the sofa’s, so carried on to the kitchen. Stepping inside, she was met with the sight of Helena, putting trays of food on the work surface, Douglas passed her as he came from the large dining room, grabbing the trays and going back out with them.
“Can I help?” Lana asked.
“Hi, baby, go take a seat. Oh, here,” Lara said, coming into the kitchen, she handed her a glass of fresh orange juice from the fridge. “Thomas said you’d need this once you surfaced. It’ll help your body to recover more quickly after giving blood to Balin.” Her mother told her, kissing her cheek and then turning to the kettle, and filling more cups with either tea or coffee.
Lana quickly drank the juice, placing her empty glass on the work surface; as she couldn’t get to the sink.
Walking into the dining room she found a few others sat around the large table.
“Lana, take a seat,” Jaden murmured, stopping mid conversation with one of the Grizzly brothers on his left. She didn’t know if it was Nathan or Adam as she’d never been able to tell them apart. Identical twins through and through, from their wide shoulders, to their shaggy, shoulder length hair which lay across their foreheads. They had dark, arched brows over soulful brown eyes.
Both were stunning looking men, but they also had a reputation for sharing other things also; apart from looks. Namely women, she shook her head at the thought of that one. Curiously, she looked from one brother to the other, when one turned and caught her observing them. His eyes turned speculative, then his mouth split into a wide toothy grin before he winked at her, obviously guessing her thoughts.
“How’s our boy doing?” he asked, and unsure which one he was she frowned. He took a bite of some door stop of a sandwich he held in his shovel of a hand, grinning around it as he again seemed to guess her thoughts. “I’m Adam,” he said, once he’d swallowed. “He’s Nathan,” he pointed to his brother. “You can easily tell us apart by the colour of our shirts,” he informed her good naturedly. “I prefer plain neutral colours,” he informed her, bringing attention to the black T-shirt he wore. It fitted him like a second skin, stretched over the breadth of his wide shoulders and chest. “Where Nathan prefers more earth tones.”
Lana’s eyes travelled to his brother, who wore a tan T-shirt, which pulled tightly across his bicep as lifted an arm to push his hair out of his eyes. He was deep in conversation with Jaden, and seemed to be paying them no attention. “Plus, I’m the better looking one,” Adam continued winking at her playfully. “Also, I’m circumcised. Although, I think your boy would have something to say if you ever got close enough to figure that particular difference out between us out.”
“Leave her alone, moron,” Nathan turned and smacked him on the back of the head. Adam laughed, stuffing the rest of his sandwich into his mouth. “Ignore him Lana,” he turned to face her, shaking his head sadly at his brother as if he was an embarrassment. “He’s eaten. Therefore, his appetites have dropped below the belt,” he told her with a shrug, as if to say, ‘what can I do about him.’ He then turned back, to again respond to something Jaden was saying to him.
“So, how is he?” Adam asked, his gaze turning solemn now as her own eyes once again returned to him.
“He’s still sleeping. Although he’s breathing easier now, and his skin has lost that god-awful grey tinge it had to it.”
“That’s good.”
“Lana, he’ll be back to normal in no time,” Jaden told her, his attention turning to her. His voice brooking no argument; as if he would accept no other outcome. He then pushed a
plate of sandwiches towards her. “Now eat,” he said before again turning his attention to Nathan as they continued talking.
“He’s a strong lad, and it’s not his first brush with this kind of thing, unfortunately,” Sam told her making her jump as he took a seat beside her. These men moved so quietly at times you didn’t realise they were there. An amazing feat for such big men. “My boys had his fair share of pain in his life,” he told her, mouth grim.
“Yes, he has, but he’ll bounce back again,” Helena told him, putting a tray of drinks down on the table. She then took a seat beside him, and leaned her head on his shoulder, as if offering him comfort. Sam placed a couple of sandwiches on a plate and handed them to her aunt who smiled her thanks as she sat back up.
“Did Elliot and Thomas not stick around?” Lana asked not seeing them at the table as she took a ham salad sandwich off the tray.
“Thomas was called back to the hospital for an emergency. He said he’d pop back tomorrow afternoon to see how he’s doing. Elliot went home to get changed, he has a date in Upper Lunaton,” Sam told her, doctoring drinks, before passing her a tea.
“Tea?” Lana asked perplexed, her nose wrinkling in distaste at the cup as she took a small bite of her sandwich.
“You can’t have caffeine,” Sam informed her, handing Helena a coffee. Lana’s eyebrow rose as she swallowed after chewing. “Thomas said you needed the orange to help your body replenish what you’d lost after giving Balin blood. But he also said that caffeine would hinder your bodies absorption of the vitamin C.”
“Oh, okay, thank you,” her nose still wrinkled as she looked down at the tea, then she frowned. “Tea still contains caffeine though.”
“It’s decaf,” Helena explained, as she too picked up a sandwich.
