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“Smart woman. I can see why Trevor might be attracted to you as a second choice,” Deni said, but she couldn’t hide her snideness.

“Second? I think he breathed a sigh of relief when you left the ring and disappeared. You did him a favor.”

“Your smart mouth is going to find you in trouble,” Deni warned.

Soleil waved a hand around her, causing the militia to raise their weapons and step forward.

“Settle down, fellas. I was about to make a point.” To Deni, she said, “You don’t consider this trouble?”

Reluctant amusement filled the other woman’s brown eyes. “For you, I suppose it is.”

“Do you worry what will happen when the Aether comes knocking?” Soleil watched her closely, gratified to see a flash of unease. “You know he will, right?”

* * *

“What the hell was that pop?”Gene asked.

Trevor didn’t dare look up. If he were to become distracted, Lily’s healing would be compromised. “Dethridge?”

“Your wards were annihilated, Mr. Stockton.” There was no worry in Damian’s voice, per se, but his tension thickened the air.

A sinking feeling started in the pit of Trevor’s stomach. “Please check on Soleil.”

“I fully intend to.” With a brisk nod, Damian teleported away as Trevor refocused his attention on the remaining cancer within Lily’s heart muscle. The mutated cells were particularly stubborn, clinging to the healthy tissue and refusing to give up their hold. He visualized new growth as he worked, starting from the nucleus and building outward. With each new cell he created, he eased it into position, replacing the old. Most worked, but there were those refusing to budge.

If he kept at it any longer, he would be depleted. Lily would need one more session within the next twenty-four hours, but in the meantime, she required rest.

Trevor stepped back and gestured to Draven. “Will you put her to sleep?”

“But she slept for most of the day,” Gene said.Hisworry showed in hisface, voice, and actions as he gripped his daughter’s hand.Love shone from his concerned gray eyes, and he stroked back her sweaty hair. “Is she going to be okay? Did you get it all?”

“Not all of it. There are a handful of stubborn cells that’ll take longer to dislodge. But we’re ninety percent there, Stockton. I promise I won’t quit until she’s healed.”

“How much more of this can she take?”

Trev shared a look with Fintan, silently asking what he saw for her outcome.

The Seer placed a hand on her shoulder, and his eyes went opaque as the visions swept over him. Fintan’s process took less than ten seconds, and he stepped away with a confident expression.

“Aye, she’ll be grand.”

Shoulders sagging in his relief, Gene shook Fintan’s hand, then turned to Trevor. “Thank you, Blane. Whatever Soleil wants from the greenhouse is hers. Let her know that, won’t you?”

“I’m not doing this for payment.Shewouldn’t want me to, either.”

“Nevertheless, I’m beyond grateful for your intervention on Lily’s behalf. I need to gift you both withsomething.”

“Just allow your daughter to live a full life when this is over. Don’t be a helicopter dad, always reminding her she was once sick.”

“Wise counsel.” Gene smiled. “I can do that.”

“Good.” Trevor held up his hands when the man offeredhisto shake. “I would, but they’re on fire. Like a nuclear reactor cooling down. I wouldn’t want you to get burned.”

Stockton glanced at Trev’s palms and grimaced at the blood-red skin. “I had no idea! Is this safe for you?”

“I appreciate the concern, but this is what I do.” He smiled. “I’ll be fine in a few minutes, but recovery time is essential to build up for her next session.”

“I understand.” Gene turnedbackto Draven to ask him about the sleep spell, leaving him and Fintan alone.