Chapter 19 #2
“You’ve heard right on both accounts, but Mrs. Oliveria has recently stepped in to let me know she cares,” I told her but then realized how horrible that sounded. “She was allowed to after I was free.”
The healer nodded and sighed, seeming to want to choose her words carefully.
“She needs to learn fast how to mitigate the dangers of using too much magic in ways she’s not ready for since our familiars tell us to stop or warn us,” Rita said.
“Yes. None of us has seen this because our familiars would have stopped us, mine pulled the plug even if I’d tried this,” the healer said.
She reached out and patted my hand. “But you’re fine.
A few days of rest before another run and let your normal healer check you out.
Whoever checks you. Your young man here was smart and immediately—”
“They’re not together,” Mrs. Oliveria said firmly as Link and I said the same thing.
“My apologies,” the healer said as she held up her hands in surrender. “Again, I’m out of the loop. Your friend here who you trust enough to be running with alone when you have targets on you was a quick thinker and handled the situation well.”
“That’s fair, and many might have made that leap, but they’re more like cousins,” Mrs. Oliveria offered…
But then did a double take for some reason, but I couldn’t see what or who she focused on from where I sat.
Though I was too tired to try and I wanted to pay attention to what the healer was saying.
“I needed his counsel and I push him to run more,” I explained but then snorted. “Or, you know, give him a heart attack.”
“Yeah, seriously, Bev, and I’m—I’m going to have nightmares about not being able to catch you,” Link grumbled and walked away… Which shocked all of us. His aunt looked gobsmacked.
Elegantly but still completely shocked.
“I really didn’t understand what was going on,” I told her as I quickly wiped my eyes. “The topic was—and my test went well, but—I just wanted to get the stress out and…”
Mrs. Oliveria sat next to me and hugged me to her.
“Your instinct to run away and fast given all you’ve suffered isn’t a bad one, poppet.
We’ll just figure something out so you don’t hurt yourself.
Maybe Mark can put some sort of—we’ll figure something out.
Mark or Tracey—Laura can cook something up.
It’s fine and luckily, you both weren’t hurt. ”
“He’s really upset with me,” I worried.
“No, not at you,” Rita comforted. “Something is going on, and I saw one of the council guards who was coming to help upset.” She cleared her throat and glanced at the healer.
“I know nothing and don’t want to be involved, but I do want to know why you were poking about how unhappy I am at my job.
We can speak on that another time.” She used the trick I knew and made a business card appear before handing it to me.
“Off the books if you need someone for your people, I will take side appointments. I can’t officially. ”
“That might make our attorney nervous,” I muttered.
“I bet she is nervous a lot, goddess witch,” the healer said under her breath and nodded when we all froze.
“What you did broke the bracelet you wear to hide that, so next time you do something astounding, I would suggest you not bring in an unknown person. Which is why I’m offering to help.
” She gave me a sad look. “Your life will be hard enough.”
I already knew that look, recognizing it from Mrs. Cook. “You knew someone.”
“I did. A friend from school who wanted me to be one of his points, but I couldn’t give my heart to someone who I would have to share his with others.
” She made a funny noise and looked away.
“I wish I had or figured out a way for us to just leave it all behind and be us because the women he chose sucked the life out of him.”
“I’m hearing stories like that a lot and it’s fucking terrifying,” I whispered.
“I don’t mean to downplay what you have gone through and will because it’s valid and I worry for you, but that’s life for a lot of us. I’m a talented healer that too many want to control and use as their own like a toy. None of us who are useful to evil have it easy, child,” she said gently.
“I’ll make sure she talks with Jasmine and signs what she needs to,” Rita promised.
I searched the woman. “I think she might be beyond the normal NDA like Tracey.”
Shock flashed in the woman’s eyes. “You’re learning fast. Good. You will need it.”
I nodded and looked at Link. “She’s got more potential than even you did.
Like limitless. I honestly don’t understand what I’m seeing, and I get why you guys are all fascinated by me now.
Like I’m dying to have a session with her and see what she’s really got under the hood and have Mrs. Reid help me. ”
Link glanced between me and the confused healer… Before cussing several times. “The magic broke your protection bracelet. Fuck, I didn’t think—what the fuck is wrong with me?”
And then he stormed back off.
“That wasn’t my fault, right?” I asked Mrs. Oliveria and Rita.
“No, but it does explain what is going on with him,” Rita muttered, focusing on Mrs. Olivera who seemed just as confused. “He’s being eaten by guilt that the help Bevin gave him turned some of the council against her.”
Oh shit. Like… Oh shit.
But that actually gave me the perfect way to finish our discussion. I found him brushing Loki by the natural horses that the Oliverias had on the property.
“I’m sorry and I will apologize better later, but right now isn’t the time, Bevin,” he said tightly when he realized I was there.
“I was mad at you,” I admitted. “Maybe I still am.”
His next swipe with the brush was too rough and Loki booped Link on the head in annoyance. “I don’t blame you. I deserve your anger, but I hope no matter what, you know I’m always on your side and—”
“You won’t be this time and that made me angry.
Made me feel really alone in all of this,” I admitted, glad when he seemed more confused than upset when he turned around and looked at me.
“What happened with the council isn’t your fault, Link.
I’m the one who started it all for help.
To protect myself against Charles. It was all—I kicked the can or whatever. ”
He growled and whipped the brush against the stable wall. “It’s not your fault for trying to do good, Bevin! It’s theirs. It’s those assholes and—”
“You work for them, believed in them,” I breathed, realizing Rita had gotten it so, so wrong.
“I believed in them. Completely,” he whispered, blinking back tears before turning away. “Please don’t tell my aunt and uncle. They’re carrying too much.”
I sat with that a moment. “Fine, but we’re going to—you can’t shut me out of this either, Link. This is too much for you to handle alone just like you don’t let me drown.”
“Okay,” he agreed after a few moments. “Yes, it’s what you thought too, but I-I had other options.
I had a lot of them. Your grandfather was the one who kept reminding me that the council needed me more than I needed them.
I believed him that putting my faith in the council wasn’t just about my uncle and that faith wouldn’t be misplaced. ”
“But he was wrong,” I accepted.
“And I’m fucking pissed at him which isn’t fair at all.”
I burst out laughing, glad when Link sighed and bobbed his head before turning back around again. He had himself in check, but I saw the redness of his eyes, the signs he’d shed tears. Everything was such a mess and not just for me.
“I was mad at you because you’re going to put yourself first this time and I get it, but I trust you most to do this with and we could help so many and I’m tired of feeling so alone in that,” I told him gently.
“Yeah, I’m going to need all the context with that, Bev,” he grumbled.
So I told him. I told him how amazing the session between Tracey and Taylor was, way beyond what I’d thought.
How there was worlds of potential, and if I could get someone as the example and with such a strong bond to help me in sessions, even shield me in some ways because two on the same side against some of the problems, that would be amazing.
Especially when I was one who didn’t do well with conflict or push back much.
Then I admitted that I knew he wouldn’t ever do it because of his position and how vulnerable you have to be to do that kind of session. It wouldn’t make sense for him, and he liked being a colder shield that played everything close to his chest. It wouldn’t work for him.
I knew that.
I knew that.
But I was angry at him because of it. I would feel safe with him.
He was the perfect example because he’d put in the work on his own, but we’d done a lot together and so fast. Like he was my rockstar pupil and I almost felt like he owed me to help others with that, and then I felt shitty because he didn’t owe me anything.
“You’re not being a brat or petty feeling that,” he said gently. “And I get it. You didn’t ask for anything in return for the help you gave me—well helping Kelton, but I would have done that anyways. You basically wanted the council on your side and to pull their heads out of their asses.
“You never asked me for anything. Which was amazing, but instead you got shit on because you did such a good job with me. And now you see this way that I can help you almost to like make up for that even if it wasn’t my fault and you know I won’t do it, so it pisses you off.
I get it, Bev. Totally normal response especially when you realize it’s not fair. ”
“Glad you can see all of that and understand it. Fucking confusing from where I sit,” I bitched.
I let out a heavy breath and scrubbed my hands over my face.
We talked about it a bit more and sat down.
“Thanks for not being down on me about it and understanding. I couldn’t like wrap my head around it with everything else and then worry about Tracey—you really think she’s fine? ”
He chuckled deeply and almost seemed like he was blushing. “Yeah, I think she’s fine.”
“But her wrists and…” I hedged.
“Yeah, happens. Totally happens.” He cleared his throat.
“Really?” I pushed. “I mean, that seems like she was—how?”
“I don’t think I’m the person to explain this to you, Bev,” he mumbled as he scrubbed his hand over his head.
“Why not? I mean—”
“You’re dating people. Ask them,” he told me.
“Right, then I seem like a goober,” I argued. “And don’t tell me to ask my sister. We aren’t there. Should I ask your aunt? Or the internet?”
“Oh fuck, yeah, don’t ask the internet,” he groaned. He sighed when it was clear I wasn’t going to let this go. “Yes, things get—can get aggressive during fun. You’ve not had any of that?”
“I mean I’ve been sore, but—I think I’m stuck on the wrists thing,” I admitted.
He cleared his throat. “If it’s all being done right when you’re feeling that much pleasure, you don’t always realize—”
“I’m uncomfortable with this,” a deep voice said.
Link immediately jumped to his feet and away from me, but I simply glanced up at Winter from where I was sitting on the bench in the stable. “Why?” I glanced between him and Link.
“He knows why,” Winter answered, his gaze on Link. “And you don’t, little sexy. So just know I’m uncomfortable with it even if you don’t get why, okay?”
“Yeah, okay, sorry, but don’t be mad at him,” I muttered as I glanced between them again. “He did try to shut it down. A few times even, but I threatened to go to the internet, and it involves Tracey, so I wasn’t going to let it go.”
Winter’s attitude relaxed and he focused on me. “So you weren’t just going to another man asking about sex and what felt good like I walked up on?”
I couldn’t hide my hurt, reacting like he’d slapped me. “No. Wow, Winter.”
“He jumped away from you like he was guilty, little sexy,” he defended.
“I jumped like that because I shouldn’t ever let my guard down and I didn’t even sense you,” Link defended. “It’s been a fucked day and I’m all over because—you don’t know what happened.”
“The healer and Rita filled me in,” Winter corrected. “That’s why I’m here for Bevin.”
“To make me feel like shit and like a cheater?” I whispered, not even able to look at him. “And that I was too stupid to get that would be wrong? Yeah, glad you came.”
“That’s not what I meant, little sexy,” he muttered.
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped and stormed back to the house.
Well, so much for not hitting and bumps with one of them.
And being able to handle things better. Emma really needed to give me conflict resolution lessons that included me not acting like a petulant child.