“Hey.” As clever responses went, it was terribly lame, but per usual when Tate was close or touching her, her brain refused to function at anything more than the most basic level.
Behind them, Katy cleared her throat, effectively rattling reality back into focus. “I guess the tattoo wasn’t enough to make a statement.”
“It was either that or beat his chest like a caveman,” Priest said moving into sight just to one side of Tate. He clasped Tate on the shoulder and leaned in enough to murmur, “You might want to slow your roll a bit, killer. Maybe let her get her bearings.”
His words brought the gorge’s utter silence into laser sharp focus. No chatter. No laughter. No grunts or shouts from the warriors beyond.
Just utter, fixated silence.
The anxiousness that fired through her must have shown on her face, because her mom bit her lip in an effort to curb her smile.
Elise frowned up at Tate, thankful his body mostly blocked them from view. “Everyone’s looking at us, aren’t they?”
He grinned, utterly unrepentant. “God, I hope so.”
“Yep. Total caveman.” This time Priest used the hand at his shoulder to urge Tate away. “Hands off and let me get her settled. You can preen and prance around with her later.”
Tate relented, but snagged her hand as he unwound his arm from her back. “She can stay with the warriors.”
“She’ll have time to work with each of the houses over time, but today she’s starting with the healers.”
“She doesn’t have to start there,” Tate said. “Her grandfather was warrior house. She gets equal time between the two until she knows her magic.”
“She starts with the healers, Tate.” A final command, given with zero give.
Tate glared up at him, his mouth a hard line and his eyes burning with arguments left unspoken.
Pure instinct and the need to get the silent spectators behind them focused on something else, Elise moved in close to Tate and pressed her palm to his stomach. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
Priest noted the action, volleyed one of those shrewd, assessing parental looks between the two of them, then zeroed in on Tate. “Something I need to know?”
“No,” Elise said before Tate could answer. “I’m good learning whatever I need to learn. Tate’s just being protective.”
Priest’s gaze narrowed further then shifted to the healer group before rounding back to Elise. “Did something else happen?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” And she would. In the last few days, she’d thought long and hard about Vanessa and the parallels their encounters ran to Elise’s past. She’d wished for years for a chance to do things over. To find the courage to stand up for herself and see how differently things played out. Fate had finally given her that chance. This time, she was going to make the opportunity count.
She smoothed her hand up Tate’s chest and covered her name over his heart. “Really, I’ll be fine. It’s the right thing to do.”
His grip on her hand tightened and the sour look on his face said he wasn’t buying it.
As matter-of-fact as could be, Katy stepped in beside her. “I’ll be there. I haven’t spent much time with the healers yet, and it’s not like I have anyone but Priest to train with anyway.”
“Me, too.” Her mom moved in on her other side. “But after we’re done I want to hear about the tattoo thing and how you got Elise to do it.”
The double whammy diversion tactic seemed to work, Tate’s glower morphing into something closer to a manly pout.
Priest eyeballed Jenny and Kateri and jerked his head toward the healers still mostly blocked from Elise’s view by Tate’s body. “You two head on over. Elise and I will be there in a minute.” Not waiting for them to shift into motion, he slapped Tate on the back. “Kiss your mate and get back to business. We’ll take care of her.”
Tate sucked in a huge inhale, and his nostrils flared like he was seconds away from just picking her up, hauling her out of the gorge and telling the whole world to go to hell. Instead, he cupped the back of her head and sealed his mouth to hers. It was the same fit as when he’d greeted her. The same lingering contact. But this kiss was a claim. A promise and a challenge to anyone watching rolled up into one. He rested his forehead against hers. “Don’t let her mess with your head.”
“I won’t.” At least that was the goal. Though, she had to admit, the whole facing-her-fears pep talk she’d given herself the last few days was a whole lot easier to listen to when there weren’t over a hundred people on hand for game time. She stroked her hand down his sternum and backed away. “Now go, so I can get this over with.”
He jerked a terse nod, aimed a pointed look at Priest she couldn’t quite decipher as he backed away, then jogged toward the waiting warriors.
Yep.
Definitely over a hundred people.
And while some of the chatter from those gathered had picked back up and a smattering of people had grown bored with the show, the vast majority still watched and waited.
They’re just an audience.
No different than the meets she’d attended for gymnastics or the parents who’d endured long dance recitals or competitions.
She lifted her chin and faced Priest with what she hoped looked like more confidence than she felt. “Okay, so what do I do?”
His lips twitched and those mystic gray eyes of his sparked with laughter barely held in check. “Well, I was going to give you one of those chin-up-and-own-your-destiny talks, but I think you’ve already got that one under control.”
Under control was debatable. More like the stubborn nature that had made her so good in competitive sports had finally woken up and found a new focus. “Yeah, but I don’t have a clue what I’m wading into. How does all this work?”
He guided her toward the healer group with a hand at her shoulder blades, his pace an easy gait that allowed them time to talk. While the circle they were bound for was the farthest away, he still lowered his voice. “You see the woman next to Vanessa? Long gray hair with braids on one side?”
Funny. Until Priest had pointed her out, Elise had completely missed her. But now that she really looked at the woman, it wasn’t that she was insignificant, but more that her peaceful countenance and graceful posture made her blend in with the world around her. And while it had looked like Vanessa was running the group at first glance, the fresh perspective proved the older woman was firmly in control. Vanessa was just rooted next to her and ready to jump in the first chance she got.
“That’s Meara,” Priest said. “She’s 189 and the oldest person in our clan we know of still living. She and your grandmother were very good friends.”
189.
Almost two centuries old.
No matter how many times Elise tried to imagine what it would be like to live so long, her brain refused to cooperate. It wasn’t until movement registered in front of Meara that Elise realized there was someone stretched out on the ground. “What’s she doing?”
“It’s not what she’s doing. Look closer.”
A woman sat on Meara’s other side, her head bowed over the person in front of them so her dark hair covered her features. “That’s Sara.”
“And the little girl in front of her is Janie. She twisted her ankle a few days ago and Sara’s fixing it.”
“So, training day for healers is kind of like open clinic for the clan?”
Priest grinned down at her. “Something like that. Where warriors use the self-defense portion of the day to bond with people from the other houses, healers do the same and strengthen their skills by seeing to everyone’s ailments.”
“What do they do when there’s no one to heal?”
He chuckled and paused in the center of the gorge, motioning to the people around them. “We’ve got about a hundred and twenty here today. There are probably anothe
r fifty to sixty who live nearby and another hundred or so that live farther away. There’s almost always someone to heal. Even if it’s only a scratch or a pulled muscle.” He dipped his head toward the warriors going at each other like their lives depended on it. “And those knuckleheads are guaranteed customers on training days. It’s not if someone gets hurt, but who.”
Her gaze locked on to Tate, thankfully not engaged with anyone at the moment, but standing with his arms crossed at the edge of his group and watching Elise like a hawk.
Priest tapped her shoulder. “Come on. He’s not going to stand down until he knows you’re okay.”
The introductions went by in a blur, far too many names for her to have a prayer of remembering when the day was over. Unfortunately, Priest saved Meara for last and guided Elise to the top of the circle rather than letting her settle in at the far edge of the group like she’d planned. “Meara, this is Elise Ralston. Cara’s granddaughter.”
Not an outright statement that Priest was banking on Elise being the next prima, but a solid reference to her lineage nonetheless.
Meara beamed up at her, her smile brilliant even if her pale blue eyes seemed unfocused. “Finally.” Still kneeling on the ground, she held up both hands toward Elise, their aim toward Elise just a fraction off. “Priest said you might venture out today, so I had my daughter drive me in for a visit. Come. Sit next to me.”
Not unfocused eyes.
Sightless.
And yet something about the joy behind them stilled the bulk of Elise’s worries and doubts the way her mother’s presence and soothing touch could wipe away the worst nightmares.
“Meara lives about four hours south of here,” Priest said. “Just south of the Ouachita Forest near Hot Springs.”
Elise shifted enough to grasp her hands and squeezed. “I hope you didn’t drive all the way up here just to meet me.”
“Of course, I did. Your grandmother was one of my best friends and an exceptional prima.” Keeping Elise’s hands in hers, Meara twisted her head to Vanessa beside her. “Scoot over a little and make room for her, Nessa.”
Vanessa might have covered her anger during Priest’s subtle reference to Elise’s prima grandmother, but there was no missing the indignation on her face at being displaced as Meara’s right hand.
Unerring in her aim despite her blindness, Meara leaned toward the blonde-headed little girl stretched out in front of her and stroked her forehead. “How does it feel, Janie?”
Janie circled her foot. “It feels good to me. No pain anywhere.”
Sara still didn’t move, just kept her gaze rooted on Meara, her mouth pinched as though uncertain.
Still leaning over the girl, Meara stilled, only her thumb moving in a calming back-and-forth rhythm on Janie’s forehead. Finally, she nodded and sat back on her heels. “You did a fine job, Sara. You’re getting stronger.”
Sara let out a heavy exhale and smiled huge. “That’s a relief.” She leaned forward enough to offer her hand to help Janie up. “Thanks for trusting me, kiddo.”
Janie took the hand, but given how nimbly she made it to her feet, it was more of a polite gesture than a necessity. “Thanks for fixing me!” She hugged Sara with an easy exuberance that almost toppled Sara backward, then darted off toward a cluster of children playing well away from the training groups, shouting, “Hey, Joey! Look! I’m all fixed!”
Soft laughter rounded the circle.
As it slowly died off, Meara covered Elise’s hand and addressed the group. “Okay, let’s pair off and see to those who’re left.” She paused just enough to aim her cloudy eyes toward Vanessa at Elise’s left. “Nessa, why don’t you roam group to group and offer some guidance rather than heal today.”
To Elise’s ears, the direction seemed innocent. A request for assistance and an honor given all rolled up into one. But the aggravation on Vanessa’s face and the almost palpable anger coming off her screamed of a woman stripped of an opportunity. “But I haven’t had a chance to practice today. How can I get better if I don’t practice?”
“Part of learning is in the giving. Your skills are strong. Sharing with your other healers will make you stronger.”
For a second, Elise expected Vanessa to argue.
Instead, she pushed to her feet, studiously avoiding Elise’s gaze as she brushed a stray leaf off her leggings and almost stomped out of earshot.
“She’s gifted, but misguided.” As low as Meara said it, Elise wondered if she’d even meant to say it out loud. Then she squeezed Elise’s hand and confirmed the information had been shared with intent. “She’ll be yours to wrestle soon enough. It’s good you’re facing the challenge now rather than later.”
Okay, that was freaky. Tate had mentioned the clan tended to have a healthy grapevine, but she hadn’t realized it ran all the way to Hot Springs. “You picked up on that, huh?”
“The second you and your mother arrived, I felt it. She knows she’ll never be the prima, but she’s been one of our strongest healers and having you here poses a threat to her position.” A sly smile curved her lips. “The fact that you’ve found your mate even before you received your magic is just salt on the wounds.”
“I guess that means she saw the tattoo?”
“Saw the tattoo. Heard the other warriors congratulating him on being gifted with such a fine mate. Heard everyone anticipating you being here today. She’s wound up and ready for a fight, but you’ll overcome it. You come from a strong line of exceptional women.” Meara sucked in a slow breath, patted Elise’s hand, then tucked her hands in her lap. “Now. Tell me all about life in Louisiana.”
The next half hour flew by, Elise answering every question Meara threw at her. The nonstop queries had just started to slow and Elise was thinking she’d finally be able to ask a few of her own when a sharp cry and an eerie thud sounded from the warrior group.
Settled farthest away, Elise and Meara were the last to reach the crowd. They’d have never made it through the crush if it weren’t for Meara’s stern “Move. Now.”
Her heart in her throat and body racing with adrenaline, Elise scanned every warrior gathered as she led Meara through the crowd. Just as she cleared the front line, her gaze locked on to Tate standing directly behind Vanessa who’d crouched next to the injured woman awkwardly splayed on one side.
Vanessa kneeled so the woman’s head was directly in line with Vanessa’s knees. “It’s her neck. Let’s roll her to her back.”
“No!” Either the volume behind Elise’s command or sheer shock froze everyone where they stood. “You can’t move her.”
For a healer, the glower Vanessa shot Elise was better suited for murder. “I’m a healer.”
“So am I.”
“Don’t give me that. You don’t even know what you are yet.”
“Not a healer in Volán terms, but educated enough to know physiology. The way she’s lying, if you move her she won’t be alive for you to heal.”
“You’re not my prima. You don’t tell me what to do.”
Priest’s low and unforgiving voice settled on the clearing like a gavel. “No, but your priest does.” Like a judge and executioner who’d watched unnoticed from the edges of the crowd, Priest unfolded his arms and walked forward. “Elise, what would you do?”
Meara shifted her grip on Elise’s arm and nudged her forward at the small of her back, the simple action an unmistakable encouragement.
So many people, and yet every person was quiet, only the injured woman’s strained breaths mingling with rustling treetops overhead. Elise crept forward and kneeled on the opposite side of the woman. She felt more than saw Tate’s presence solidify behind her all of a heartbeat later. Not so close as to crowd her, but there, lending his strength and support. “What’s your name?”
The answer was so quiet, Elise had to lean in to hear it. “Kallie.”
Elise s
moothed the hair that had escaped her ponytail off her face. “Kallie, can you move your toes for me?”
Kallie’s breathing hitched, and a tiny sob slipped past her lips. “Did they move?”
Murmurs sounded behind her, the tenor of them echoing the dread in Elise’s gut. Rather than answer directly, Elise stretched out and firmly pinched Kallie’s ankle. “Can you feel that?”
“No.”
She tried again on Kallie’s wrist. “Can you feel that?”
“No.”
Bracing herself with a deep breath, Elise wiped away a fresh tear from Kallie’s face. “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.” At least she hoped the woman would be. If Vanessa or Meara couldn’t heal her, Elise would be an absolute liar.
She locked gazes with Priest first. “You can’t move her. If you can heal her, do it where she is.”
“I can do it,” Vanessa bit off.
“Not with that energy you won’t.” Led by Sara, Meara shuffled forward and motioned Vanessa out of the way. “If it’s as serious as Elise says it is, then you’d need to be more emotionally grounded to do the job needed.”
“I’m grounded,” Vanessa said.
“This isn’t a game.” Where the steel in Elise’s voice came from, she didn’t have a clue, but it was strong enough Vanessa’s gaze whipped to her and widened with shock. “Whatever your beef with me is, we’ll deal with it, but not when a woman is this seriously injured. Step back and let Meara do it.”
Vanessa stared at her for all of a beat, then scanned the gathered crowd, her gaze landing on Priest next to Elise last.
He didn’t speak. Just stood there with his arms crossed. Waiting.
Lowering her head, Vanessa nodded, pushed to her feet and stepped back.
Almost the second Meara settled next to the girl and placed one hand at the back of her neck, the air around them changed. Stilled with an indefinable reverence. Seconds that should have been riddled with concern and tension drifted into easy, yet heightened minutes and Elise could have sworn even the forest held its breath, waiting and lending its strength.
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