Wolf Tracks - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,71
his energy, but he’ll definitely be able to heal on his own, with time, food and rest.”
“That’s really good to hear,” Ephraim said, his hand over his heart, as if feeling her reassuring words very deeply. “Let’s talk in the hall for a moment while Audrey gets Calum comfortable.”
Joe stayed behind while Helen, Jim and Ephraim moved out into the hall. Their home was built on a large scale but wasn’t ostentatious. It was just big and comfortable in a way that told Helen a lot about the couple. They were clearly doing well for themselves, but they didn’t live in a grandiose manner.
“Audrey’s been just about going out of her mind,” Ephraim said as he closed the door to his son’s room gently. “It’s been all I could do to keep her calm and wait for news. We both searched all over town before calling for help.”
“It was good you called when you did,” Jim said, his expression grave. “I don’t know how much Joe’s told you yet, but your son got caught in a trap set by a couple of evil mages.”
“Joe gave me the bare bones of it, and I’m sure I’ll get all the details once things settle down, but please know that we owe you a debt of gratitude that we can never repay. You saved our son, and that means…” His voice wobbled, and he stopped talking. Helen reached out to touch Ephraim’s arm in sympathy.
“I believe the good we do for others comes back in a multitude of ways. The good you’ve done allowed this blessing into your life,” Helen told him. “The Mother of All put us in the right place to help, and as far as I’m concerned, there is no debt. I did what I did because I serve the Light. I could do no less.”
“You’re not what I expected of a human mage,” Ephraim told her candidly. Helen laughed.
“We’re not all alike. Even in my family, we all have different talents and specialties. I’m one of the more docile ones since my strongest gift is healing, but some of my siblings are a bit more like the stereotype than I am.” Helen looked down, still smiling. At that moment, the door to Calum’s room opened, and Joe beckoned to Helen.
Jim stayed with Ephraim while Helen went into the room to find the young wolf had transformed into a teenaged boy. His mother was helping him put on a T-shirt over the pajama bottoms he already wore, and then she tucked him into bed. Helen hung back with Joe while the mother fussed over her son. When it looked like she was done tucking him in, Helen walked over.
“Is it all right with you both if we do another treatment now? It’ll help him sleep, and that will bring back even more of his energy,” Helen told Audrey.
They agreed, and Audrey watched carefully as Helen sat on the edge of Calum’s bed and took his hand in hers. She closed her eyes and concentrated on transferring energy to the youngster, seeking out the damaged pathways in his system and curing them with an influx of healing Light energy. She let her mind wander in a sort of wordless prayer as she worked, as she often did in these kinds of situations. Helen wasn’t sure, but she thought maybe, when she healed, she was somehow channeling just a little bit of the Divine.
She did what she could for Calum before her own strength gave out, then opened her eyes and smiled at him. He looked better to her. There was more color in his cheeks, and he had a healthier—if fatigued—look about him. She let go of his hand and tried to stand, but her knees were a bit wobbly.
Jim was at her side in a flash, supporting her with an arm around her waist. Audrey looked worried as Jim guided her from the room, but Helen waved at her and smiled. “I’m fine. So is Calum. We just both need a little rest to restore our energy. That’s all.” Helen’s voice faded as they walked out of the room, and then, Jim surprised her by lifting her into his arms as if she weighed nothing at all.
Helen clung to Jim, looping her hands around his neck, but she was in no danger of falling. Jim was so strong, and his steps were sure as he walked back through the house and out to the car. Joe followed behind, shaking his