Her total concentration was focused on a particularly nasty wound that she had uncovered when she’d turned Jerry over. His blood saturating the sofa and dripping down onto the floor. Cyndi’s heart sank when she saw the extent of the damage, her mind whirring around as she tried to think on how to stem the flow of crimson that covered her hands as she held on tightly to hold his tattered muscles together.
“You’re doing great.”
Cyndi jerked when she heard the voice . . . relief flooding her. “Thank the Goddess you’re here! I don’t know what to do!”
“Nonsense, you’ve done everything I would have.” Her teacher patted her shoulder as she dropped down beside her. “But damn that’s a hell of a wound and we need to stitch it together before he loses more of his blood. You keep pressure on it while I get ready. Okay?”
“Yes, sure, I can do that.” Cyndi pressed down harder, looking over her shoulder to see not only Caitrìona but her Alpha and several others in the office, some she’d never seen before. How long had she been working on Jerry? And when had these people arrived? She had no clue. All she knew was that one had Mercy in his arms, consoling her and it was obvious he was her Alpha and he was using his power to calm the girl. She was looking far better now, her pallor no longer grey and deathly and she didn’t look as if she were about to collapse. However, his face was cold, hard, and full of anger as he turned to Chad and Cody, his voice low as they spoke about what had happened.
Cyndi didn’t have the time to listen in as Caitrìona set out her bag of supplies, all set to work on Jerry. “Let’s get this boy ready to be moved back to his Pack where his own Healer can help him. Are you ready, Cyndi?”
Caitrìona’s voice was cool, calm, and it was as if she were telling her they were going out into the forest on a normal forage for herbs. She was so calm that Cyndi couldn’t believe they were about to attempt to save a man’s life. Caitrìona tilted her head toward Jerry. “This isn’t going to be pretty. I’m only going to patch him up as best I can. I’m not going for aesthetics here, Cyndi. Just do what I ask as quickly as you can, that’s all I ask.”
“I’m ready.” Cyndi nodded.
“Right, let’s do this.” Caitrìona started, barking orders one after the other, her hands working quickly and soon she was as covered in Jerry’s blood as Cyndi was.
Cyndi had no time to think, reacting to her teacher’s commands on instinct alone, her brain having no time to process anything as they worked together as a team. The metallic aroma stinging her sensitive nose and she was sure she’d smell Jerry’s blood for days to come . . . in fact she thought she’d never forget this night. It would be ingrained in her memory forever. It was a nightmare she’d never forget and she wished she’d never agreed to come to Silvers.
“All done.” Caitrìona sat back on her haunches, turning to Chad. “It’s a rush job, Alpha, and it’s not anything a surgeon would be proud of, but it stopped the bleeding and will get him home. If it weren’t for Cyndi here, the lad would’ve been dead before I even arrived.”
Cyndi felt her face flush at the compliment. Caitrìona wasn’t known for handing those out and in front of so many people that were now crowded into the room she felt flustered and embarrassed as Chad came over, offering his hand to help her up. “Good job you were here then, Cyndi.”
“I just reacted,” she mumbled, her eyes downcast.
“My thanks, Cyndi. I’m Jonson, Jerry and Mercy’s Alpha, and I can’t say how grateful I am that you’ve helped them. If there’s anything I can do for you, anything at all, just ask.”
“I’m happy I could help, Alpha.” Cyndi didn’t think it was possible but she felt herself flush even more, especially when Jonson gave her a good, long look.
“I’ve a feeling we’ll be meeting again, Cyndi.” He turned away and addressed Chad. “My guy will be with you tomorrow about that bit of business we spoke of earlier and we’ll talk about this rogue business too. We need to get these fuckers dealt with quickly before anyone else is hurt and the best way to do that is to work together . . . agreed?”
“Agreed.” Chad nodded.
“Agreed.” Two other men chimed in.
Cyndi assumed they were Alphas from neighboring Packs and had been called by Cody. Good. Tonight had been terrifying and she sure as hell hoped they would work together to deal with things, because right now she felt sick to her stomach . . . oh hell . . . she didn’t just feel it. She was going to puke.
“Excuse me!” Her hand shot to her mouth as she ran from the room, her stomach heaving as she fought to control herself until she made it to the restroom.
She barely managed to get to the toilet stall, dropping down to her knees to vomit the contents of her stomach into the bowl, glad her hair was pulled back and out of the way as she retched. Her belly muscles ached when she was done, sitting with her back against the wall as she held her hands out in front of her staring at the blood covering them all the way up to her elbows.
The events from the moment Mercy and Jerry staggered into Silvers ran through her mind, everything she’d done, all the blood, wounds, and her body started to shake uncontrollably as tears stung her eyes. “Damn it, pull yourself together!”
Only she couldn’t seem to. She stayed where she was . . . staring at her blood covered skin.
“Hey, sweetie.” Caitrìona’s soft voice caused her to turn her head. “Why don’t we get you cleaned up? Then we’ll get you a stiff drink, wrapped up and Chad will take us home.”
“I can’t,” Cyndi said, shaking her head. “I can’t get it out of my head. There was so much blood and I thought he was going to die and I couldn’t save him. I’m not a Healer.”
“But you did, Cyndi. You did save him. It wasn’t me that saved his life, sweets, it was you. You were the one that acted, you were the one that didn’t panic, you were the one that saved that boy’s life. Right now you’re reacting to everything. It’s just a little bit of shock, honey. Your first patient and it’s been a doozie, sweetheart. It’s to be expected to react like this. So, come on. Up you get and let’s get you cleaned up.”
Caitrìona leaned down to grab hold of her arm, not giving her a choice. “Come on. Connie is long gone. Everyone is. She’s home with her mom and dad, and I bet they’re worried sick about you. We can’t have you going home looking like this. And, just for the record, you are a Healer, and I’m proud to be your teacher, Cyndi.”
“I am?” Cyndi asked as Caitrìona led her to the washbasins.
“Yes, you are,” Caitrìona replied, smirking. “Still got a lot to learn, of course, but you are most definitely a Healer. Tonight proved that, to me, to everyone, but most importantly, it should prove it to you.”
As Caitrìona started to wash Jerry’s blood from her, pink water swirling down the drain, Cyndi whispered to herself, “I’m a Healer.”