Healing Heather

by Aiki Flinthart

  ‘Holy shit!’ Kade clutched the back of his chair, his knees weak. Several pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

  Heather uttered a broken little laugh and retreated from both men. Tor stayed where he was, staring at his sister, all stone and ice.

  ‘That’s it, Tor!’ Kade strode over and yanked his partner’s arm to get his attention.

  Torin slowly tore his regard from his sister and looked at Kade with dumbfounded disbelief still clinging to his expression. ‘What?’

  Drawing him aside, Kade lowered his voice. Heather was already frightened enough without adding this to the mix.

  ‘That’s what Carleton’s after.’ He dug his fingers into Tor’s arm, trying to get him to focus. ‘It’s not information about his daughter he wants. It’s Heather’s potential as a healer for himself and as a weapon against his enemies. You saw the reports saying he might be funding terrorism. Can you imagine what he’d use her for?’

  Understanding bloomed in Tor’s eyes. ‘Heather, we…’

  The outer door clicked softly shut.

  She was gone.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  HEATHER

  Heather strode out of Torin’s office with her head high, wrapping an air of purposeful, abstracted intent about herself to discourage questions by his staff. It was an impossible cloak to maintain for long; held together by frayed threads of dignity and nothing else. She made it to the elevator. Once the doors closed, she sagged against the steel and timber wall. It was tempting to curl into a ball of depression but she couldn’t. She had to get as far from Kade and Torin as possible.

  Right to the last moment, she’d clung to the hope that Torin would understand and forgive her, that she would have someone to turn to; family. But his horrified, sickened expression when she’d revealed the truth had nailed that hope into a coffin. And Kade’s shocked first words had been little better. In his view she’d proved herself to be exactly what he thought her: a murderer, or as good as. She’d almost killed her own father.

  Both men had recoiled from her and she couldn’t blame them. She hadn’t stayed to hear the rest.

  She’d tried hard, over the last fifteen years, to redeem that one moment of anger.

  Never taken energy from anyone again. Saved thousands of lives. Always run rather than hurting anyone who suspected her gifts

  But nothing would erase the fear and remorse and, even worse, the satisfaction of her father collapsing to the floor at her feet that night. The feeling of power and strength, the glut of energy and life thrumming through her eleven-year-old body—that haunted her with its seductive pull. Part of her was horrified by what she’d done, but a small part of her was empowered and wanted to do it again.

  What kind of person did that make her?

  The elevator doors binged open and thrust her into the real world again. She collected her bag and coat from the cloakroom of the O’Connor Inc reception desk, giving the curious receptionist a cool nod.

  At the tinted glass front door, she paused and tried to quell the sudden quiver in her stomach. Outside, a chill wind whipped along the busy street, catching at scarves, hair and coats. People flipped up their collars and jammed hands deep into pockets as they hurried about their incomprehensible lives. The scent of pollution and the noise of traffic blew in every time the doors slid open. It was also the scent and sound of freedom, yet still she hesitated.

  Where would she go? Her bag contained little but her old false identity papers, medical kit, a few clothes and about a hundred in cash. She couldn’t get a job under those papers and, without one, couldn’t afford a new identity. The stories that circulated about what happened to homeless people living on the streets of New York played in her thoughts.

  But she had no other choice.

  ‘Hey.’

  Someone tapped her shoulder and she jumped. A young man faced her, smiling pleasantly. His teeth were white against olive-gold skin, his hair dark and irises a startling grey with dark rims. He couldn’t be more than about twenty but dressed in a expensive trousers, polo shirt and black wool jacket suited to an older man.

  ‘You ok?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m fine.’ She backed up a step. Was this one of Carleton’s people? She needed to get away.

  A slender arm looped around her neck from behind, pinning her. Something stung her thigh. She cried out. Struggling did no good. Warm honey liquefied in her veins and spread lethargy through her bones. The world darkened to sepia swirls and she sank into oblivion with a groan of despair.

  KADE

  The door to the elevator opened. Kade and Torin launched themselves out, and almost collided with three people. One of them was Heather. Her head lolled. The other two—a well-dressed middle-aged man and woman—supported her, each with an arm wrapped around her waist.

  Kade reached for the man, ready to rip his throat out. Tor stepped in the way, placing a forearm across Kade’s chest and setting his feet.

  ‘Bring her into the elevator.’ He shoved Kade inside, ignoring his protests until the doors closed again and blocked out the quiet lobby and its curious occupants. Then he touched the pulse point on Heather’s neck and nodded to the couple. ‘Thanks. What did you give her?’

  ‘A few mils of something designed specifically to sedate people like her,’ the man replied easily. ‘She’ll be fine in a few minutes or so.’

  ‘What the hell is going on?’ Kade demanded. ‘Let her go. Now.’

  The woman, with a cynical shrug, relinquished Heather to Kade. He swept Heather into his arms, cradling her protectively. Her cheek fell against his shoulder and she sighed.

  ‘Kade, this is Rowan and Logan.’ Torin indicated the pair. ‘I called them. Rowan was the one who told me Heather would be important to both of us.’

  Kade gaped. ‘Huh? You said they were practically kids.’

  ‘What?’ Tor studied them. ‘They are.’

  Logan cracked a laugh and Rowan rolled her eyes.

  The elevator opened and they all entered Tor’s office. This time Torin locked the door and pocketed the key. Kade lowered Heather onto the couch and checked her pulse again. Alive. Tension unwound in his gut.

  He looked up to find Rowan standing over the couch, inspecting Heather with an expression of pity and regret, laced with a hint of interest. She brushed a lock of hair from Heather’s lips.

  ‘Leave her be.’ Kade shoved at Rowan’s hand. It didn’t move. He latched onto her wrist. Rowan gave a wry little chortle and twisted free of his grip as though it was nothing.

  Kade gaped at her. How had she done that? She strolled to the bar in the corner of Tor’s office. Logan passed her a drink of something clear with ice in it.

  ‘Tor?’ Kade addressed his partner. ‘Who the hell are these people, Tor?’ He switched to Logan. ‘And what did you mean by “designed for people like her”? Is there something wrong with Heather?’ He half-expected to find her changed in some way.

  Her eyes were partly-opened, but drowsy and vague. Her hand crept into his and clung weakly.

  Rowan snorted. ‘There’s nothing wrong with her that avoiding people like Carleton won’t fix. She feels inadequate, which is ironic, when you consider how superior she is.’

  ‘Rowan.’ Logan’s low-voiced warning stopped her and she sighed.

  ‘You tell it, then. I’m tired of dealing with humans like him.’ She headed for the bathroom, the door slamming behind her.

  ‘Humans like him?’ Kade gaped at Logan. ‘What the hell does that mean?’

  Logan heaved a sigh and put his drink aside. ‘Don’t mind Rowan. She’s stressed. We’re still hunting for Finn—my father—and we’ve had a few…encounters. Lost a few people. She takes it hard.’ He addressed Torin. ‘Thanks for that latest package of information, by the way. Your call caught us on the way to the airport to follow it up.’

  ‘I’m sorry to keep you,’ Tor replied, ‘but after what Rowan said at your first visit I thought I should call.’

  ‘You did the rig
ht thing.’ Logan pointed at the couch. ‘Heather’s coming to. I’ll get Rowan.’

  Kade opened his mouth.

  ‘Wait.’ Logan raised a lean hand. ‘I know you have questions, but it will be easier for all concerned if we wait for Heather to wake up. As you’ve seen, Rowan has little patience these days. She’s under a lot of pressure.’

  Tor’s gaze narrowed. ‘What’s wrong with her?’

  Logan smiled with faint longing. ‘Nothing. She takes a lot on her shoulders because no-one else can do what she does. Although…’ He glanced at Heather. ‘No. Let’s sort this mess out, first.’ An abstracted expression passed over his face and he gave a small nod. ‘She’s coming out now.’

  The bathroom door opened and, before Kade could ask the new questions that had sprung to mind, astonishment stole his voice. The girl who emerged was not the same as the one who’d gone in. Well, not exactly. Basic height and build were right, but her shoulderlength, dark hair had transformed into an auburn pixie-cut that highlighted sharp cheekbones and small ears. And she seemed to be about a decade younger—no older than twenty. Most extraordinary of all, though, were her eyes. Startling light-grey, dark-rimmed colour—similar to Heather’s, but not as ice-pale.

  Kade looked to Logan in confusion, only to find his face changed, too—younger, more angular, his skin warm gold instead of pastey-white. What the…?

  Heather stirred. Her eyes opened fully and widened. She shot upright, twisting to survey Rowan. Heather pressed her palms to her temples.

  ‘I heard your voice in my mind!’ she blurted. ‘How did you do that? Who are you?’

  Logan moved to stand by Rowan’s side, protective, wary. She rested a cheek on his shoulder for a moment, then addressed Heather.

  ‘We’re your kin, in a way,’ Rowan said. ‘We are Sidhe. You and Torin are part-Sidhe.’ She tilted her head to one side, examining Kade. ‘I suspect you, Kade, also have a touch of fae blood. That’s how you can sense Heather’s emotions.’

  ‘I haven’t told anyone that.’ Kade rose, ready to defend Heather. ‘How the fuck do you know that? And how did you change your face and your hair? Him too?’ He snarled at Logan then stalked toward Rowan, fists clenched.

  Rowan sent him a cynical smile. ‘If you honestly think you could lay a punch on me, give it a shot. I haven’t broken anyone in at least three days.’

  Kade started and unclenched his hands. He never reacted with violence. What was wrong with him?

  ‘Nothing’s wrong with you,’ Rowan replied. ‘Connecting so deeply with Heather has opened parts of your mind that have been closed off before. It’s unbalanced your emotional control.’ She shrugged. ‘If it’ll make you feel better to take a swing, go for it. I’ll give you one free try.’ She grinned mirthlessly.

  Kade retreated. This slender kid could take him, military training and all. But how he knew that was beyond him. He sank onto the couch, gaping at Torin.

  ‘What’s going on? Who are they?’ He addressed Rowan. ‘How did you change your faces?’

  Tor gestured to the couches and chairs and everyone sat. Rowan crossed one leg over the other and the shortening of her jeans revealed a throwing knife, tucked into her boot. She responded to Kade’s frown with a wry twist of her lips.

  ‘We cast a glamour,’ she said, swallowing the last of her drink. ‘An illusion. Torin and Heather saw through it. Being more human, you saw the illusion until we dropped it.’

  ‘What?’

  Her words still made no sense.

  ‘Let me try.’ Logan scrubbed at his jaw then reviewed Torin, Heather and Kade, one at a time. ‘This can’t leave your office. Is that understood? Once you hear what we have to say, if you don’t agree, that’s fine, we’ll wipe your memory of us and you can handle Carleton without our help.’ He leaned back and the chair’s leather creaked. ‘Up to you.’

  Kade exchanged looks with Tor. Both men nodded. Heather curled into a corner of the couch, unresponsive.

  ‘Rowan’s right,’ Logan continued. ‘We are, all of us to varying degrees, Sidhe. The Faerie folk of legend. Really, we’re a branch of homo sapiens that have additional psychic abilities—like convincing your mind you’re seeing a different face—and a connection to nature that normal homo sapiens don’t have.’ He quirked a knowing smile. ‘Although we’re trying to change that.’

  ‘What? How?’ Kade raised his brows.

  Logan waved the question aside. ‘Beside the point. What’s important here is that you, Heather, have a gift you need to learn to control in a hurry—before it kills you. Or someone you care about.’

  Heather blanched at his harsh tone. Kade had to resist the urge to gather her into his arms. She had run from him a few minutes ago. Clearly she didn’t want his support.

  ‘Back off, Logan,’ Tor’s low voice cracked into the silence. His focus lay on Heather and her eyes widened, surprise in their crystal depths.

  Logan pointed at Heather. ‘What you can do is not unique. There are thousands of Sidhe in the world. All of us can heal ourselves by drawing power from nature. A few, such as you and Rowan, can heal others who have severe injuries.’ He examined Rowan, whose expression was a mask, hollow and hard.

  Kade inspected the young woman. What could a kid her age have seen or done to warrant such cynicism and darkness?

  ‘And,’ Rowan said quietly, indicating Heather, ‘like me, you could drain people, if you want.’

  Heather let out a little whimper and drew her knees up, burying her face in them.

  Unable to bear her distress, Kade shifted over.

  She jerked away from him. ‘Don’t touch me! Just…don’t.’ The flare of genuine panic in her made him waver and release her.

  He glared, instead, at Rowan. ‘Stop frightening her.’

  Rowan’s mouth twisted. ‘It’s not us she’s frightened of. It’s herself. Believe me, I understand. I’m probably the only person in the world who does. So if you want me to leave, I will. I have other things to do. But there’s no-one better qualified to help.’ Disgust flickered across her features. ‘Especially if you want to keep her out of Andrew Carleton’s hands.’

  Torin started. ‘How do you know about him? What do you know?’

  She thumbed at Kade. ‘Ask him. He’s the one who’s done the research, found the dirt. I can tell you what Carleton is, who he’s funding and what their specialty is. But you won’t like it.’

  Heather let out a strangled sob.

  Kade shot to his feet, unable to hide his anger from Rowan. ‘How do you know all of this? About Carleton, about what I found out, about what Heather can do. Who are you? Why should we believe you?’

  Rowan unfolded herself and rose, a few inches shorter but facing him with an arrogance that made his fist curl again.

  ‘You’ve seen what Heather can do and you still don’t believe?’ Her look warped into scorn. ‘No, you believe, but you don’t want it to be true. You’re scared of her.’

  ‘Stop it,’ he grated.

  She chuckled, disdaining, dismissive. ‘Or what?’

  Kade closed the gap between them. Logan leapt up and thrust them apart. Kade staggered back, astonished by the kid’s strength. His chest was bruised.

  ‘Don’t hurt Kade!’ Heather appeared by his side, standing between him and Rowan.

  ‘Rowan, chill,’ Logan muttered. ‘Stop hassling him.’ He cast Kade and Heather a pitying smile. ‘You know he’s not scared of her, he’s scared for her. Like I was.’

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  HEATHER

  ‘Is that true? You’re not frightened of me?’ Something fluttered in Heather’s stomach, hope quickening for the first time in days.

  Kade cupped her jaw, searching. ‘No. He’s right. I’m frightened for you. I’m scared you’ll overtax yourself again trying to save every damned kid out there. Or Carleton will take you.’ His throat worked.

  Honesty seeped through his touch, into her soul and she blinked back unexpected tears.

  ‘But you…
you brought me here. Why should I trust you?’

  He revealed a bitterness she had no hope of understanding. ‘I didn’t want to believe you, Heather. Didn’t want you to be a good person because of…’ He waved a hand dismissively. ‘It doesn’t matter. The point is, the deeper I dug into Carleton’s past the more I realised you aren’t the problem. You never were.’

  And the truth of that stabbed through his touch, into her heart. She pressed into his broad chest and buried her tears in his neck, trying not to sob like a child.

  ‘I’m so so sorry I put you through that crap in Torin’s holiday place, Heather,’ Kade whispered. ‘You have no idea how much I regret everything I said and did that hurt you. I was an utter idiot.’

  She gave a watery chuckle. ‘Not quite utter, but close.’

  He groaned and stroked her back. ‘I’ll do whatever I can to protect you from Carleton, I promised. You’re too precious. Too special. I don’t think I could handle losing you.’

  Another arm slid around her waist and Torin’s strength engulfed both of them, protective.

  ‘Me, either, baby sister. We’re here for you. I promise,’ he rumbled.

  The three of them stayed that way for a good minute, until Heather’s emotions settled.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘You have no idea what it means to feel…accepted.’

  Torin thumbed a tear from her cheek and pointed at Rowan and Logan, who waited patiently in their seats. ‘Maybe we should hear what they have to say?’

  Heather sent Kade a shy smile. He sheltered her within the curve of his arm. His lips brushed her cheek and she nestled against him in the corner of the couch.

  Rowan relaxed in her chair, her earlier harshness vanishing beneath a chortle both rueful and genuine.

  ‘Sorry about that. I’m not always such a bitch.’ She smiled at Kade. ‘Had to see how you’d both respond. She needed to know you weren’t going to give her over to Carleton, and you needed to see that she cares for you.’

  ‘You could have asked,’ he said, testily.