Page 33 of Healer’s Reckoning (The Healer’s #3)

Chapt er 33

Ava

“Easy. You shouldn’t be out of bed.” Bryce helps me back to the bed. I want to argue, but I can barely stand up. I sit on the bed and catch my breath. He takes the seat next to me and studies me with concern. “The healer from the Northwoods Pack says this is somewhat normal.” His tone of voice shows just what he thinks of that, and I can’t help but smile...or at least try. I’m not sure I succeed.

“Yeah, I guess it is,” I manage to say. My voice sounds hoarse from not using it. I frown. “How long have I been out?”

He crosses his arms across his chest and continues to study my face. “Four days.”

My eyes widen in shock. “No. Did we miss the funeral?”

“No.” His words are clipped, and I can feel the anger coming off him. I do the quick math in my head, or I try but I’m too confused. “What day is it?”

“It’s Saturday.”

“No! What time is it?” I ask frantically.

His tone is gentle. “Ava, we’re not going.”

I stand up. “What time is it?” I grab my phone. It’s just after nine in the morning; that means it’s just after eleven there. “What time is the funeral?” I ask him.

“Ava—”

“What time, Bryce?” I ask again.

“Six tonight.” I grab a duffle bag and start throwing clothes in. “Ava, we’re not going to the funeral.”

I don’t listen to him. I open a drawer and throw what I need in the bag. “You don’t have to go, but I’m going.”

He’s silent a moment. “And how are you going to get there?”

Frustration boils over. “I don’t know, Bryce. I’ll figure it out as I go. I just know I’m going to that funeral if I have to drive there myself!”

“You won’t get there in time.” His voice is much gentler now.

“Then I’ll hire a private jet!” Tears pool in my eyes. “I am going to be there for my best friend. I am not going to stay away when my friend has had her world turned upside down. So, either help me or stay out of my way!” I rush into the bathroom and grab the cosmetics I need and throw them in my bag. I zip up the bag and throw it over my shoulder. When I step back into the room, Bryce stands in front of me. He takes the bag from my shoulder, or at least he tries. I yank it out of his grasp. “Don’t try to stop me!” I tell him fiercely.

“I’m not,” he says softly. “Let me pack a bag really quickly, and we’ll go.”

I blink up at him. “You’ll go with me?” I try not to get too hopeful.

His face softens. “It’s against my better judgment, but yes. I’ll get you there.” He stares down at me a moment longer. “You sure you won’t reconsider and get the rest your body needs?”

I shake my head resolutely. “No.”

“Okay.” He takes a deep breath. Then he surprises me by leaning forward. I go still when he grasps my arms gently and kisses my forehead. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re okay. Let me pack a bag, and work out the details for our transport. Give me about thirty minutes.” He’s gone a second later, and it’s not a moment too soon because my legs give out beneath me. I sink onto the bed and take a few deep breaths. I catch a whiff of myself and decide a shower is an absolute must. Thankfully, my legs hold me up. When I am dressed and my wet hair is braided, I open the door.

“You ready?” Bryce asks. I nod. “Let’s go.”

He takes my bag and throws it effortlessly over his shoulder and then bends down. I’m confused for a moment at what he’s doing until he lifts me up against his chest. The sudden movement makes me dizzy, and I lay my head against his shoulder. He walks into the kitchen and opens the fridge and pulls out a small bottle of orange juice and hands it to me. “Sage said to drink this when you woke up; she said it would help.” He grabs a box of crackers off the kitchen counter and then strides for the door, as if he’s not carrying a full human in his arms. I’m settled in his car moments later. “It’s not too late to change your mind,” he says.

“I haven’t,” I tell him as I put my head against the seat. I stare at the homes as we drive pass. I suddenly remember what happened before I passed out for four days. “Is everybody okay from the attack?”

“Yes.” The word is more of a growl than a word, but it helps soothe the worry in my chest. I want to ask what happened, but I’m too tired to form the words. Bryce checks with the security guard, and then we’re out on the main road. I try to keep my eyes open, but the road flying past makes me dizzy. I close my eyes instead. Bryce stays quiet as we make the short trip to the small airport. I open my eyes when the car stops and open the car door. My movements are slow, and everything feels out of sync. I open the back door to get my bag, but Bryce moves me carefully out of the way and grabs it ahead of me. He moves in like he’s going to carry me, but I put a hand on his chest.

“I can walk.”

He eyes me but stays quiet. He puts a hand on my back as we start towards the plane. The distance looked pretty short when I first got out of the car, but now it seems forever away. I feel myself sweating as we walk, and my steps get heavy. I trip, and Bryce pulls me up and into his arms. I want to protest but can’t find the words. Soon, we’re boarding the plane. I stare in surprise at all the shifters on board. I recognize a few of them, but there’s a lot I don’t. He carries me right to the bed at the back of the plane. I don’t even have the energy to protest.

“You need to get some of this down.” He hands me the orange juice, and my stomach rolls at the thought of it. “I don’t think I can.” He pulls out a pack of crackers from his pocket. “Then try these instead. Eat a few to settle your stomach until you can handle the orange juice.” I reach out a shaky hand for them, and he gives me the pack.

“Your pack members are on board,” I feel the need to point out.

“Security,” he says. He strides out of the small room, and I watch him go. I can feel his anger, but I don’t think it’s at me. I’m pretty sure it’s because of me.

I sigh and get more comfortable against the pillows. I manage to get three crackers down. I close my eyes and lean against the wall. When it doesn't feel like my stomach is going to revolt, I force myself to take several sips of the orange juice. It takes me a few times to get the lid back on the bottle because of my shaky hands. Once I put the bottle down, I lean back again. I feel the bed shift, and I open my eyes. Bryce hands me the orange juice bottle. I don’t bother telling him I already drank some. I take it from him and take several big drinks. I can feel it starting to take effect. I don’t feel as shaky, but I still feel pretty weak. “As soon as you’re able, you need to eat something.” His eyes are dark with worry. I nod because I know he’s right.

“Okay.”

He nods. “Let me get some options.” He returns a few minutes later with several prepackaged items. “All right. I've got chicken salad, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the crust, beef stew, and macaroni and cheese.”

“I’ll do the sandwich,” I tell him. He opens it for me and hands it to me. I take a bite and chew it slowly. It takes only a few more bites for my body to wake up and realize how hungry and deficient in calories it is. I practically consume the sandwich and then down the water bottle Bryce hands me. With the food working its magic, clarity finally begins to return. I take in Bryce for the first time. “You’re a mess.”

His eyebrows lift slightly. I reach out my hand and palm his cheek. His eyes are dark and have dark circles under them. He hasn’t shaved in several days, and there’s a look to him that’s almost...unkept. “Are you okay?” I ask softly.

“Am I okay?” He repeats slowly. Somebody knocks on the door. “I’ll be back. You get some rest.” I don’t bother telling him I’ve just slept for four days because suddenly I’m exhausted and can’t keep my eyes open.

When I open my eyes again, it feels like we’ve stopped. Bryce opens the door slowly and pops his head in. “You’re awake.”

“Did we land already?” I ask.

He nods. “Cars are waiting.” He grabs my bag before helping me to my feet. I slide my sneakers on and then allow him to lead me out. We’re the last ones off the plane. When we get to the cars, Cody climbs out of the backseat and holds the door for us. I notice there are several vehicles.

I stop. “Cody? You’re okay.” My voice is shaky with emotion.

He doesn’t smile at me. “Yes. Thanks to you. I owe you, Healer.”

I don’t know what to say to him. “I’m glad you’re okay.” Bryce urges me into the backseat and closes the door behind me before climbing in the driver’s seat. Cody climbs in the front passenger seat. The others fill up the other cars.

The drive to the Orland Pack is made in complete silence. I can feel the heaviness in the car, and I attribute it to the upcoming funeral. When we arrive at the pack, I can tell right away that the security has been increased. They have a whole line of shifters at the entrance. When they see who’s driving, they wave the cars through. I look out the back window before turning back around. “That’s a lot of extra security.”

Bryce meets my gaze in the rearview. “There’s going to be a lot of packs converging here today.”

He doesn’t say anything more, but I can feel the tension in the car rise even more. I really hope that today, of all days, the vampires stay away. Bryce must feel my worry, because he looks back at me again. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know.” I go back to looking out the window. In minutes, we pull behind a long line of cars and park. I stare at all the cars. Bryce wasn’t kidding. This is going to be a huge funeral. I see lots of people walking past dressed already in black. I frown. “I thought it didn’t start until six.”

“The actual service starts at six, but there’s a visitation from four until then,” Bryce says.

I resist the urge to get frustrated. This is the best we can do. “Okay. I’ll just change real quick.”

Bryce’s head jerks around. “Right now?”

I nod. “Yes.”

He stares at me, but I ignore him and start grabbing what I need from my bag. “You can stay here if you want, but I’m changing.”

“Out,” Bryce growls at Cody.