Free Red Moon by Elizabeth Kelly Page B

this way?”
    “No.  She did not develop her ability until her
monthlies began.”
    “The gods be damned.  I have never heard of such a
power.”
    “My father’s grandmother had the same ability.”
    “How does she do it?”
    “We’re not quite sure, my lord.  My father believed
that she absorbs the sickness and the pain into her own body and then somehow
heals herself.”
    He frowned, remembering the way she had winced when she
first touched Marshall.  “Does it hurt her?”
    She gave him a cautious glance.  “She says it does not
but I do not believe her.”
    “Who else knows of this?”  He glanced around
them.  The others were crowded in and around the wagon.  Some of the
women were sobbing quietly, and Leo and Jeffrey were keeping a grim watch of
the skies above them.
    “Until now, no one outside of our family.  My father
kept it well-hidden from others.”
    “He was wise to do so.  This type of power…”
    He glanced at her.  “I admit I am not sure that I
entirely believe it.”
    She rolled her eyes.  “Really, my lord?  Marshall
was close to death not half an hour ago and now look at him. His colour has
returned, he is moving and making sounds.”
    “Lycan’s have their own healing powers.”  He said
gruffly.
    “You yourself said it was not enough.”  She pointed
out.
    When he continued to stare doubtfully at her she sighed
impatiently.  “You slept beside her last night.  Tell me, in the
morning did you not feel good?  Did you not feel happier, stronger, more
rested than you should have?”
    He stared at her and she smiled wryly at him.  “You
soaked in her power as you slept next to her.  Even those who are
perfectly healthy, benefit from touching her.”
    He paused, remembering the strange feeling of power and
warmth when he had entered her.  He frowned as another thought hit him.
 “Sophia’s finger – Nicholas.”
    She nodded.  “She kissed Sophia’s finger back at the
slave house, and our first morning by the lake she held Nicholas until he was
better.”
    She stared solemnly at him.  “Nicholas would not have
survived much longer if it hadn’t been for Avery.  She said it was a
miracle that he had survived for as long as he did.  He should have died
many moons ago.”
    Marshall made a low groaning noise and opened his
eyes.  He blinked and stirred in Avery’s arms, wincing and groaning again.
    Avery opened her eyes and smiled at him before placing a
soft kiss on his mouth.  Marshall stared blankly at her and she kissed him
again, urging him to kiss her back.  After a moment he returned her
kisses.  Tristan watched, tension growing in his belly when Marshall
leaned over her and deepened the kiss.
    She didn’t resist, opening her mouth and allowing him to
slip his tongue between her lips.  Tristan was unaware that he was
growling until Maya pressed her hand on to his arm.
    “She’s doing this to help him.”
    “Help him?”  He grunted.  Jealousy was flooding
through him as Marshall continued to kiss Avery.  Even as he watched, he
could see Marshall’s skin starting to glow and Avery’s grow paler and paler.
    “Aye.”  Maya nodded.  “The more of Avery they can
touch, the more intimate she is with them, the faster they heal.  It’s why
she held Nicholas against her bare skin, why she kissed Sophia’s cut directly,
and why she allows Marshall to kiss her now.”
    He glanced at the girl, saw his jealousy mirrored in her eyes,
and forced himself to relax.  When he thought he had it under control he
looked back down at Avery and Marshall.  It was the wrong decision. 
Although they were hidden under the blanket, it was clear that Marshall was
cupping her breast as he kissed her and with a low, angry growl he started
forward.  If he was well enough to do that he was well enough for his own
healing powers to kick in.
    Before he could rip them apart, Avery shoved at Marshall’s
shoulders.  He released her mouth and fell on to his back,