Page 139 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

Cher batted her long lashes and continued to chew. Something told Delilah to look under the cow’s belly.

“Delilah, we have to go inside and wait for Christian.”

“Hold on.” She ducked low and sucked in a breath at the sight of the cow’s udder. It was red and irritated, maybe even infected.

“He won’t be happy if you disobey him again.”

She frowned. “I have to do something first.” She turned her attention back to Cher and spoke softly. “Does your booby hurt?”

Delilah knew absolutely nothing about livestock and had never touched a cow before, but she saw the issue and thought there would be no harm in trying something. Squatting down, she gently cupped the teat in her hand.

The cow bleated and shifted her weight.

Shutting her eyes, Delilah focused on the pain. Cher stilled as she poured her energy into the sore utter, imagining it coming out of her in a white, healing light.

As the burning sense of irritation faded, Delilah swayed. She released the swollen udder and dropped to her knees, lowering her head to the cool grass.

“Delilah?” Adriel approached cautiously.

“Mmhm,” she moaned, dizzy and weak with fatigue.

Christian’s mother examined the cow. “You healed her.”

She caught her breath and looked up at the woman, smiling weakly. “I don’t know how this stuff works.”

She smiled. “You have a gift.”

The idea that she might possess a unique skill pleased her very much. “I have to help the others.”

“But Christian—”

“They’re in pain.”

Adriel glanced in the direction of the accident. They were too far to see the damage, but the scent of smoke tinged the air, and Delilah sensed Christian was preoccupied. The blaring horn had stopped but the sirens still wailed.

Adriel looked back at Delilah and gave her apron a tug. “How can I help?”

They started with the geese. The goslings were fine, but the mother goose was terribly dehydrated and suffering from a stomach disease. As soon as Delilah put her hands on its body, she felt the issue and was able to pull the infection out.

Next came the goat. The poor thing had an aching tooth. Bastard tried to eat Delilah’s apron, but she helped him anyway. The one barn cat was pregnant and due soon. There wasn’t anything Delilah could do for her. And some of the other animals just seemed to be hanging around.

By the time she checked on each one, she was exhausted, barely able to remain standing. She plopped into a rocker on the porch and huffed.

“How did you know to do that?” Adriel asked quietly. The woman had been so silent watching her.

Delilah weakly lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I just … can.” Her gaze went to the horizon. Clouds drifted overhead, darkening the fields below. Shouldn’t Christian be back by now?

“It is like a sixth sense to you. Even our healer needs the use of tonics and tools, but you’re able to heal with only your mind and hands.”

Heat crept up Delilah’s neck. “You guys can’t do that?”

Adriel tried to hide her amusement. “Guys?”

“It’s an expression.”

“Oh. No, child, what you have is a very unusual talent. Christian needs to tell the elders.”

Her expression fell. “Why?”

“In case they have need for such skills. All disciplines are recorded in the big book.”

“Do immortals get sick?”

“Rarely. But our animals do.” She looked into the distance where the sky had darkened. “We do feel pain, however, and it would be nice to never feel such things again if possible.”

“I don’t know the extent of my skills.” She had very little self-control at the moment. She thought about the accident, recalling how she’d heard the woman’s thoughts. “I’m still trying to figure this whole immortal thing out.”

“Just something to think about.”

At that moment, all she could think about was Christian. Why wasn’t he back yet? What was taking so long? Needing a distraction, she said, “So service was a literal pain in the ass today.”

Adriel’s focus snapped to her and she laughed. “The sermons can be quite long when Eleazar speaks. You’re lucky it wasn’t Abraham’s turn. He can be quite pious.”

“Abraham?”

“My brother-in-law. He was married to my sister who passed some time ago. His poor daughter Abigail has to listen to him all day long.”

“Wait a minute. Abigail’s your niece?”

Adriel nodded. “Yes, have you met her?”

“That makes her Christian’s cousin?”

“Yes. Is there something wrong?”

“That jerk. He knew I was jealous, and he didn’t tell me they were related.”

“I’m sorry?”

“It’s nothing.” As soon as Christian returned, she was going to call him out on his bullshit. He purposely deceived her.

“I know my son can be exacting at times. He might lose his temper on occasion, but he has a good heart.”

“Oh, I know. I’ve seen him—”

“Seen me what?” Christian stood at the edge of the porch frowning as he watched the goat nibbling the hedges.

“Uh, we were just talking about how much of a pain in the butt you are.”