“I think his back legs are broken,” Alastir said, his hands trembling as he placed them on the ground. “He needs to shift. He needs to do it now.”
“Oh, no,” Vonetta whispered.
“If he doesn’t, the bones will start healing before we can straighten them.”
“I know,” Casteel said as I severed the connection before his physical pain overwhelmed me. “Beckett, you have to shift. I know it hurts, but you have to shift.”
The young wolven whimpered as he shuddered.
“He’s in too much pain.” I stepped around Vonetta.
“He’s too young,” Kieran said in a low voice, to no one in particular. “He won’t be able to do it.”
My gift hummed, demanding to be used as it guided me toward the wolven. My fingers tingled with the urge. Vonetta caught my arm. “Don’t get too close, Penellaphe.” Concern clouded her pale eyes. “An injured wolven is a very dangerous one, no matter how young.”
“It’s okay. I can help him.” I stepped to the side, slipping free of her grip as I searched out Casteel’s gaze. “I can help him.”
Casteel was still for a half a second and then nodded. “Come to his back. Beside me and away from those teeth.”
Aware of Kieran shadowing my steps and us gaining an audience, I lowered to my knees. Beckett’s rear legs were twisted at awful, unnatural angles. Beckett growled, lifting his head and kicking out with his front leg, both weak attempts to warn us off, but I knew he could strike a lot more quickly.
“Can you do it?” Alastir whispered. “What you did in New Haven?”
I nodded.
“If you can help him and he’s able to shift,” Casteel spoke low and fast, “that’ll make it so much easier for Talia.”
“Okay,” I said as Casteel angled his body so he would have to go through him first if the wolven reared. “I’m not going to hurt you, Beckett. I promise.”
Lips peeled back, revealing canines sharp enough to pierce skin and strong enough to crunch bones. I tried not to think of that as I placed my hand on his back. Opening myself up again so I could monitor his pain, I swallowed back the bile crowding my throat. His pain…it made me want to throw up. I started to drum up warm, happy memories—
Something… something different happened the moment my fingers sank into Beckett’s soft fur.
The tingling sensation in my palms ramped up as if static danced over my skin, and my hands heated. The wolven twitched, whimpering quietly as a muted glow appeared between my fingers, peeking through the strands of fur before washing over my hands.
My lips parted. “Uh…”
“That’s not normal,” Casteel observed, a dark eyebrow raised. “Right?”
Out of the corner of my eyes, I registered Emil’s mouth drop open. I saw the same reaction from most of those around us. Alastir rocked backward, paling even further as he stared at me. Whispers and gasps echoed around me.
“Well,” I heard Vonetta say. “I think you forgot to tell me something, Kieran.”
I don’t know what Kieran said in response. I heard Casteel whisper my name, but I shook my head as Beckett’s head lowered to the grass. I could feel his pain lessening. “It’s working, but I’ve never seen it do this before.”
“You mean you’ve never seen your hands glow?” he asked. “Like twin stars?”
“They’re not glowing that brightly,” I denied.
“Yeah, they kind of are,” Kieran murmured, and Emil nodded when I looked up.
“Okay. Whatever,” I muttered. My hands were glowing brightly now. “I’ll freak out over that later.”
Beckett’s breathing steadied, and the whites of his eyes became less visible.
“Sweet gods of mercy,” someone murmured.
“Princess?”
“Hmm?” I focused on Beckett. Emotional pain was harder to cut through and whatever release I brought was incredibly short-lived, but physical pain took longer to ease. I believed it had to do with all the important nerves and veins, and physical pain almost always carried an emotional anguish with it, especially if it was as intense as it was for Beckett. Easing his pain was two-fold, but the throbbing was dulling, becoming little more than an ache. He only needed a few more moments.
“Poppy,” Casteel called, and this time, I looked over at him. Sunlight glinted off the curve of his cheek as his gaze swept over me, around me. “You’re glowing. Not just your hands. You.”