Psyche Shield by Chrissie Buhr Read Free Book Online Page A

They postured and pretended,
but she knew better.
    She’d pulled out every trick she knew to convince them to
rest and let her treat them, but they ignored her. They acted like intracranial
swelling, internal bleeding, and multiple compound fractures were nothing more
than bumps and bruises. She couldn’t tell who would win a stubborn pride
contest, but collectively those three hit a world record. Each had improved
significantly thanks to a Wolf’s rapid metabolism and ability to heal quickly.
But when they didn’t take care of themselves, it took longer to return to full
strength. Billie wasn’t even out of the woods, and she worried the Beta’s
internal bleeding would renew.
    Kathryn sat beside her on the couch, pretending to read a
novel about a Russian ballet icon. Frequently Amy caught her staring out the
window in thought. She wanted to ask but wouldn’t risk waking her patient.
She’d pester her friend later.
    Billie’s Jeep pulled into the drive, and she hoped they
would enter quietly. Kathryn set her novel on the table and stood, alert to
something that Amy didn’t notice. The Medic listened intently, but before she
could determine what drew the Elder’s concern, the door burst open.
    Billie entered in a whirlwind, carrying her unconscious mate
in her arms. Sadie convulsed violently, and only determination and Wolf
strength kept her mate from falling. Amy couldn’t remember the last time she
smelled fear on her Beta, but Billie reeked of it. “Help her,” she begged.
    The Medic jumped into action, and Kathryn moved out of the
way. “Put her on the couch. What happened?”
    Billie set her mate down gently and cradled her head in her
hands. Kathryn watched the spectacle from a polite distance. Billie’s voice
shook slightly, a testament to the level of her fear. Billie never dissembled
and could meet anything head on without flinching. “Every time she uses
magepower she shakes and gets weak and tired. Sometimes she passes out. But
it’s never been this bad. This can’t be normal.”
    Amy noticed Sierra, awake and eyes wide at the sight. The
Wolf lay motionless and watched intently. Her fifth patient. The rapidly
growing triage situation weighed on her, but she focused on Sadie. “Her heart
is fine and she’s breathing. That’s good. This isn’t a real seizure, it’s
something else. How long does it usually last?”
    “It’s always different. After the Mage confrontation the
other day, she passed out, slept for several hours, then shook when she woke
up. Later when she freed Nathan, it wasn’t as bad. The next day after
uncollaring the rest of Cassandra’s pets, she barely felt it at all.”
    Amy checked Sadie over and considered the Mage’s condition
carefully. She spoke aloud so that Billie and Kathryn could follow her
thoughts. “Using magepower is normal for Mages, but Sadie didn’t use it for
years until recently. Right?”
    Billie couldn’t be sure. Sadie didn’t talk about it much,
and she hadn’t pushed. “Not since she was a teenager, I think. Not until the
attack.”
    Amy reasoned it out, but her uncertainty showed. “Maybe it’s
something they have to get used to, and she’s not used to it. So it’s shocking
her system. I don’t know anything about Mage physiology, Billie. I’m sorry, but
I’m guessing.”
    Kathryn knelt beside Sadie and took her hand gently. She
looked intently at her convulsing friend, reminding Amy and Billie of the way
Kato looked within a person. After a moment she met her Beta’s eyes. “I believe
Amy is correct that using magepower is shocking her system, but I do not
believe this is a purely physical reaction. Billie, you sense your mate’s
emotions. Could this be a response to guilt?”
    Billie flinched at the suggestion and answered slowly. “It
could be. The severity doesn’t make sense with how much magepower she uses. But
it does compare to how she feels about it.”
    “A psychological response?” Amy chewed her lip in