Psyche Honor (Psyche Moon) by Chrissie Buhr Read Free Book Online

shifting his feet nervously but refusing. Billie advanced two steps,
menacingly. “Don’t make me kick your ass. Now shift!”
    Almost instantly he knelt on the pine needle floor in human
form, eyes wide with alarm. Billie nodded and pulled her shirt over her head.
Nathan dressed quickly, darting his eyes in Billie’s direction as he did so.
    Jason, clothed only in jeans and wearing an amused
expression, complimented Nathan. “Good run. You did well for your first time
out.” Nathan smiled at the praise. “Word of warning. Neither Billie nor I are
in the habit of repeating ourselves. Not with words, anyway. You got off easy
just now.”
    Nathan nodded meekly. He began to speak and then stopped
himself. “Say it, man,” Jason replied.
    “I thought the naked bit would be sexy. But when she was
comin’ at me with her shirt off, it was scarier somehow.”
    Jason laughed and slapped him on the back. “She’s as tough
as they come. Be glad she’s on your side.” Halfway back to the cars, Billie
overheard the exchange and smirked.
     

Chapter 5
    I woke to silence and the mental noise of several
people coming into Billie’s home. Alarmed, I froze and then relaxed as the
sleep fog lifted enough to identify Billie, Kathryn, and Amy. According to the
lack of light coming through the windows, it was either very late or very early.
    We didn’t mean to scare you, love. We were trying not to
wake you.
    That’s okay. I’m just jumpy these days. I’ll be right
down. Donning one of Billie’s silk bathrobes, I made my way down the
stairs.
    “Being quiet works about as well on a Mage as it does on a
Wolf,” Amy grinned cheekily. The three women stood in the kitchen eating
muffins. “Good to know in case I ever need to sneak up on one.” I appreciated
how Amy didn’t tiptoe around my heritage. She appraised my healing bruises
silently. As Pack Medic, it was her job. Still I appreciated that she didn’t
make a fuss.
    “That’s an idea, actually.” I yawned involuntarily. “I could
help you guys train.” I looked at the clock, and decided to stay awake. Opening
the cupboard, I pulled out a bag of coffee grounds and heated some water on the
stove.
    Kathryn gave me an indecipherable look. “The Pack needs a
little time to become accustomed to the idea that you’re one of us. I hope in
time you will help us against adversarial Mages.”
    Amy swallowed a piece of muffin. “Yeah, it’s too soon for
that. I don’t want anyone getting excited and thinking you’re a real Mage
invader. Mage Invader. I like that. It has a nice ring to it. I don’t like
saying ‘Mages’ anymore as if you’re all the same. Not now that I know you.” She
pointed a muffin-filled hand in my direction. Words have power. And I for one
am tired of certain people calling her Mage instead of using her name.”
    Kathryn’s face tightened. “I’m doing my best to show him his
prejudice.” Her voice softened and she met my eyes. “Be patient with him, my
dear. The nightmares had just begun to fade when you came to us. He’s facing
his greatest fear and his deepest pain with you. It’s bringing out the worst in
him.”
    “I know. It hurts that he suddenly hates me, but I can’t
blame him for it.” Kathryn’s response to her husband’s attitude touched me. I
hadn’t wanted to tell her how deeply Richard’s rejection hurt me.
    “I cannot condone bigotry in a man who has fought against it
his entire life.” Kathryn looked me squarely in the eye. “He needs to see the
hypocrisy in his words and come to terms with who you are.”
    “I hadn’t thought of it that way,” I responded slowly.
    “Of course not,” Amy piped in. “You’ve been too busy
thinking you deserve it.”
    I startled at the truth in my friends’ statement. “You’re
right. I don’t even know any other Mages and I’m comparing myself to them.”
    “You are who you choose to be,” Kathryn stated succinctly.
    Billie enjoyed the conversation silently,