The Healer

Chapter 2

CHRISTY SLATE

The weeks that followed the attack, were a haze. My parents were buried side by side in the Royal Cemetery and it was a massive service since the whole town attended. Everything that happened around me was a dream. I was in a daze. William tried everything to make things bearable for me, but with no success. Lord Bolton took me in without a blink and I, instantly, became part of the Royal family. There was a lot I had to learn. From table manners for banquets to behaving like a lady. Not that I didn’t have any manners, but according to the personal tutor, mine was of a lower class and needed some refining.

By the time I turned thirteen, I still had nightmares from that night. I didn’t talk about it, but it influenced my personality and I was slowly beginning to change, becoming more silent and a recluse. I felt William’s helplessness and frustration. I think because he blamed himself for what happened. He blamed himself for not protecting me. I, however, never asked him how he knew that I was in trouble. Maybe because I was so young and didn’t understand what I saw. The fangs, the eyes… none of it made sense. I remember the stories, but it was just stories… Right?

I really missed my parents. Lord Bolton and William went out of their way to make me feel at home, but I had a tough time adjusting to the new household and surroundings. Our old house was kept the way it was. As the king stated: “One day you will go back, and the home is still there.” A home with no family. Something inside my heart died that night along with my parents. Will I ever be able to regain my trust in this society and the town?

I was sent to the local school. We had all the different races of the community. Werewolves, fairies, witches, vampires and of course humans. School was tough and I got bullied a lot. Mages was not a common occurrence and being a Healer didn’t help with the situation as we were not understood at all. We were different from the other beasts, a total mystery. My silence also turned into rage and frustration, but I managed to stay out of trouble and scuffles most of the time. I didn’t want to cause the Royal House any problems and I stayed silent about things that happened.

I had to endure all kinds of a***e. From being brutally attacked to name-calling. Some of the creatures took pity on me. I think because they had a level of understanding what happened, and I was regarded as one of them. A misfit. But none ever lifted a hand to help me. Instead, they cowered around corners. Hiding from the truth.

During breaks, I would hide in the library. Away from scolding glares and snarls. I was sensing jealousy because of my status as a royal. Especially from the female side. Considering I was friends with the prince after all. Basically, his adoptive little sister so to speak. Things escalated and it drove me over the edge, but I had to pay the price for reacting.

I was sitting at a table at the back of the library, with my nose in a book, when it was suddenly snatched away in front of me and thrown across the room. The next moment a fist connected my cheek. As I tasted blood, the rage just boiled over. Before I could stop myself, a strong wind started to pick up, forming a whirl around me and static danced in the air as I glared at my assailant. The tall blond challenged me. Loretta McMullen, daughter of the Harbor Master and leader of the human g**g here at the school. Her two pigtails jumped up and down along with her bust, squished into a way too small shirt. Her clothes hugging every possible curve she had, and little was left for the imagination.

There was a devilish grin on my face as I started to levitate, and magic flowed from my hands. I felt incredible, almost invincible as red flames danced in my hands. All anger and frustration surfaced and threaten to consume my soul. I didn’t care. I felt free.

Loretta’s eyes went wide and her smile started to fade as fear took over. My eyes started to glow an emerald green, and something dark tugged at the back of my mind as fire bolts danced on the palms of my hands. I could feel the anger building, coursing through my body and filling every fiber of my being. I’ve had enough of being treated like a rag. I’ve had enough of all the bullying. I’ve had enough… “Christy Slate! What do you think you are doing?” One of the teachers came running through the door, shrieking. I guess one of the students went to get her. And just in time as well, otherwise Blondie would have been a frying crisp.

Unfortunately for me, it was the teacher, Miss Lark, whom hated my guts and she sought every possible way to send me packing, because she had the hots for William, and I was seen as a threat. So, as per “school rules” to not use magic (might I add, I never knew I had), I was expelled. Part of the royal house or not. Rules were rules. My days just got a whole lot darker and miserable. I am a total failure.

That night, I sat in the library and listened to William and his father argue in the office down the hall. All because of me and my stupid issues… I felt weak, lost and confused. There were choices to be made and it was not going to be easy ones. I had to go to a boarding school. William was against it, but Lord Bolton has put his foot down. “You are going to take over from me within the next year or so. You do not have time to babysit or lecture her. You cannot protect her all the time, William. There is still so much that you yourself must learn. I know you care about her, as do I but this is also for her own safety.” I could hear the level of irritation creeping into the king’s voice. I have never heard them fight. I stood and went over to the door. I must stop this before things get out of hand. Pushing the door open, I cleared my throat to speak and walked into the study. Their gazes turning to me simultaneously, and I swallowed the knot that was building in my throat.

WILLIAM BOLTON

Since the night of the attack, Christy was never the same again. She grew more distant with each passing week and I was worried. Even though she was alive, I was still losing her. She had a tough time adjusting to life in the mansion. It was a totally different level of existence from where she came from. They were only three in the small cottage, but at the mansion there were Lycan guards, Vince the butler and servants who waited hand and foot the be of service. Her privacy got taken away overnight, but she still got along with everyone even though she kept mostly to herself. Always polite, but the sparkle in her eyes was gone. Her green eyes turned dull and lifeless. Those infectious giggles and laughter disappeared, and I was frustrated for being unable to do anything. I was angry at myself for not being able to protect her from the evil that was lurking in the shadows of Windy Acres.

I did all I could just for that dimple in her cheek to show, but nothing got through. The trauma of the attack and the loss of her parents was just too much. My heart broke and I don’t think she might ever recover. We tried doctors and therapists on all levels, but Christy had built a wall around her. Nobody got excess, not even me. She was afraid of me. Of all things considered, that was the toughest pill to swallow. I was losing my little sister.

I felt her anger and frustration, and I knew she had a tough time at school, but I never thought it was at the level where she would lose control. Father and I knew that she had hidden abilities, but it never occurred to us at what level she was or if she even knew she had them. Since mages were few and far between especially Healers, it was difficult to get the necessary training for her. When we were notified by the school that Christy was expelled, my heart sank. My father and I did have the conversation about sending her to the Mage Academy, but I never thought it would be this soon.

That night when the door to the library opened, my father and I turned in unison. Christy cleared her throat and took a deep breath. I heard her heart hammering in her chest. She heard the whole conversation. Damnit…I saw a bruise on her cheek and felt my blood boil. When did that happen?

“May I say something, please?” She asked innocently. I eyed my father and his face softened. “Go ahead, my dear.” He said in a soft voice. I was always amazed at how gentle my father was with Christy. No matter how angry he was, when she stood in front of him, the anger dissipated. “I am really sorry for causing all of this. I do not have excuses for my behavior. I am finding it extremely difficult to cope with a lot of things right now. I’m scared, I’m confused, I’m lost…I….” Tears stream down her face as her voice hitched in her throat and she swallowed hard. “I will accept your decision to send me away. Maybe it will be for the best to enable me to find myself again. To work through my issues and maybe one day come back and make you proud.” My chest ached as I turned around to stare out the window. She’s thirteen for Pete’s sake. Where did that come from? There was silence in the room for a good five minutes.

“I will make the necessary arrangements for you if that is your decision. Don’t worry, I happen to know the Dean of the Mage Academy. We’re old friends.” My father sounded relieved. I think mainly because she made the choice and it was not the other way around. He was never good with situations that took a bit more heart than necessary. Ever since my mother died, he evaded situations like that. I had to smile at the quick comeback, but my heart shattered to think that Christy had to leave. She was my little sister and I failed her. If only she spoke to me before it got to this, we could’ve fixed it or tried to. But her silence became enduring.

A week passed after it was made final. The morning she stepped onto the boat destined for the Mage Academy, my world stopped turning. It was a pain I have never felt before. She put on a brave face, but I could feel her warring emotions. Her eyes glazed over as she stared straight ahead and talking was held to the minimum. She said her goodbyes to the servants and my father at home. I insisted to take her to the port. We stood across from each other and she looked up at me. “William, thank you for everything. I don’t know where I would’ve been if it weren’t for Lord Bolton or you. I am truly sorry for all the trouble I caused.” Tears start to well up in her pale green eyes.

I took a deep breath, considering my words carefully:” Christy, none of this is your fault. I should’ve told you the truth about Windy Acres and its people. I should’ve been more honest with you, but you’re still so young. I don’t know if you will be able to handle it or understand it for that matter. This is a dangerous world we live in.” I took her into an embrace and wished I did not have to let go. I loved this girl with all my heart. She leaned into my embrace. I felt her shoulders shiver and heard a sob slip. My heart broke and my sight started to blur. We had to part ways. It was something she choose. I had to respect that no matter how hard it was going to be…

How will I be able to go on? Will she ever come back to Windy Acres or was the past events to much for her? Did she break beyond repair? Time will tell and maybe I should also see this as a time to heal, again. Not only for myself but for her too.

We said our goodbyes and she stepped over the threshold onto the SS Neptune. She was embarking on a journey of self-discovery and it would be selfish of me to keep that from her. I wished her all the best and as the ship sailed out of the harbor, I felt the connection fade. It was a part of my life, a line that is severed and the ache in my heart throbbed painfully as the last whistle blew. Christy was gone and so was my ray of sunlight.