“What happened?” Bree whispered.
“The humans are no match for Lycans – even half-breeds.” Avery replied.
“Did they – did they kill them?”
“No, of course not. Tristan would never kill a human unless given no other choice. Our children have been taught that all life has a value, and we need to respect those who are different from us.”
They were quiet for a little while and Bree shifted closer to Avery. “Am I too heavy?”
“No. You probably weigh less than Leta.” Avery laughed.
“It’s so nice to sit with you.” Bree murmured.
“Is it? I’m glad.” Avery replied softly. A ghost of a smile crossed her lips as she remembered a small dark-haired girl saying the same thing.
Bree leaned into her. She felt so calm and happy. Sitting with Avery felt almost as good as sitting with James. Her eyes popped open and she stared wide-eyed at Avery.
“You’re a healer too.”
“Aye, little one I am.” Avery smiled down at her. “Although I believe James is more powerful than I when it comes to healing.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I help to heal someone, I often have to rest afterwards or sit with someone who is healthy. Both James and I can absorb a person’s good health as well as their illness. James doesn’t seem to need to though. He can heal someone and still feel strong and healthy himself. I’ve never seen him look tired or unwell until he and Nicky arrived home with you.”
A thread of guilt went through Bree. “That’s my fault. If I had known it would hurt him I would never have -”
Avery interrupted her. “Don’t feel badly Bree. James was perfectly fine after a night of sleep.”
She laughed softly. “Of course, it probably also helped that Leta missed her brothers terribly and was clinging to him for hours. She’s as healthy as a horse that one.”
“Do you know why he’s more powerful?” Bree asked.
Avery shook her head. “No. Although perhaps it is the combination of the healing powers he inherited from me, and his natural Lycan healing abilities.”
“Do all of your children have this ability?”
“No. But our healing gift does not reveal itself until puberty. We discovered that James had the ability to heal when he was thirteen. Evan is fifteen and shows no signs of it, but Leta is only ten. She may still develop the ability.”
As if she heard her, Leta, followed closely by Tia, barrelled into the common room. “Mama, can I please go to the barn and see papa?”
“Yes, you may.” Avery smiled at Bree as Leta left the room. “Why don’t I take you around and introduce you to everyone? I assume you’re staying a few days with us before you travel to your aunt’s home?”
Bree gathered Tia in her arms and petted the dog nervously. “Um, I haven’t decided what my plans are.”
Avery didn’t push her for details; she linked her arm through Bree’s and tugged her to her feet. “That’s fine. You can let us know when you decide.”
* * *
Bree smiled uncertainly at Tristan. It was her fourth day here and every morning when she tried to sneak out of the house, she had stumbled across a different family member. The second morning it had been Avery. She had caught Bree as she was sneaking past the kitchen, and asked her to join her for a cup of tea. Afraid of hurting the redhead’s feelings, she had sat agreed. By the time Avery had made the tea, both Tristan and Sophia had joined them in the kitchen.
Yesterday morning it was Nicholas. She had actually made it out the front door that time. Before she could close it quietly behind her, Nicholas, yawning hugely and pulling a jacket over his thin shirt, had staggered out behind her.
“Lovely morning for a walk!” He had said cheerfully, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Do you mind if I join you?”
She had shaken her head no, and then spent an hour wandering Tristan and Avery’s rather large and impressive estate as Nicholas chatted to her.
This morning, Tristan had been waiting in the common room when she had slipped quietly down the hallway. She sighed. Her plan to sneak away was obviously not going to work. She would just have to gather her courage, thank them for their hospitality and tell them she had to leave.
“Have you been given a tour of the barn yet Bree?” Tristan asked.
She shook her head no and he offered her his arm. “I’m heading there now. Why don’t you come with me?”
She took his arm, not registering that even three days ago she would not have touched him unless forced to, and he led her outside and towards the barn. They entered the warm and steamy building, and she stared around in surprise. It was a large barn but there were more horses than she had expected.