“I’ve found no record of one, so she might be the first, but we have done a lot of guessing because of it. And it has caused a lot of pain to her because of it.”
I cleared my throat and gestured my head to Julian. “Not just me. I know how badly I hurt him when I used to let out those power surges into him.”
Needless to say, Neldor was confused, and Salzman quickly explained about the vaccines humans gave children, needed for humans and completely safe, but for supes, not great.
“You’ve done damage to your heart,” Salzman said, getting back to the point. “Your joints on the left side of your body. There’s some significant tissue damage as well, almost like you see in humans if struck by lightening or major electrical shocks.”
I rubbed my left arm without thinking. “Yeah, it felt like that. Can it be healed?”
“I believe so, but I don’t think by even someone as strong as Dean White.” He glanced over at Irma. “I believe you all have some secret foods and healing remedies you use to help your warriors in Faerie. I would suggest starting there. If Faerie were in its normal state, I would advise staying there a few weeks and letting it heal you, but obviously, that’s out.”
“What is she limited to while getting better?” Mel worried.
“No barriers for sure,” he answered after a moment, several of us groaning or cursing. He nodded, understanding our upset, as I seemed to need my barriers every fucking day. “It’s too draining and taxing, even if you’re powerful enough to make it work. You’re too injured. If it will save your life, of course, but you need to start letting people protect you. At least for now.”
“That’s not good,” I sighed. “We’ve got more problems than ever. I’m waiting for the warlock elders to totally just lose it and storm the school to abduct me.”
Dean White snorted. “You are not the only one. It’s why we’ve been pumping more energy into the wards should we need to activate them to protect you.”
“I’d rather call the dogs first, but that would out me,” I grumbled. “What else, Doc?”
“I would advise whatever Dean White and Ms. Calloway can come up with to help heal the magical side of you. They are better versed than I am. Dr. Craftsman, as well, can research what the best runes are to help you during sleep.”
“Any limits on her workout or training?” Mel asked. “That’s what I’m worried about. People see you training less and they’ll know.”
“I would cut it in half. Have Instructor Larson teach her something new so it’s slower, and your runs a bit slower, and half, for a few weeks. From there, we can figure out more and see your progress.”
“Thanks. Really, thanks for dropping everything and coming.”
“I promised to do my very best to help you and I meant it. You’re a lovely woman, Ms. Vale, and do a lot for supes, even if most are too stupid to see it.”
“I always did like you, Dr. Salzman,” Irma teased. “Would you like some pies you can defrost from your freezer and bake? Tamsin gave us ample supplies to make as many as we wished for the full winter from her groves on the property, and she’s added more for hobgoblins to work at.”
“Are you subjugating all the hobgoblins that were left here?” Neldor asked, giving me a horrified look.
I blinked and Hudson was on him. He was just there and punching Neldor. He got in two good shots before his father moved just as fast to get him off the prince.
“She has almost died twice saving hobgoblins from supes who treat them like slaves,” Lucca bit out. “One of the ripples of your fucking war.”
“Three,” Zack busted.
I winced, people not reacting to that well.
Ray sighed. “Four.” He gave me a sad smile. “Sorry, but if we’re being honest, you almost died last month because of those traps and getting that huge group out. If you hadn’t come right to the crystals to recharge and heal yourself, you would have been toast, Tamsin.”
I covered my face and debated banging my head against the wall as everyone lost their shit. Neldor wanted answers and wasn’t happy about being punched, Darby and Lucca were not thrilled I’d kept that from them. Mel and her parents had some choice words for my guards, who weren’t protecting me, but hiding when I was being stupid.
Thanks.
I wasn’t sure about the rest of them, as that was all I could catch with the yelling.
Since there was a lot of it.
I had a different reaction, turning on my telepathy and focusing on Hudson.
“Thanks for throwing the punch. Did it feel good?”
“Yes. Yes it fucking did. I hate that dick already. Fuck him. When you’re better and stronger, we’ll find a bunch of the nice fairies everyone knows about and get you tons of help, my princess. Fuck that douche. I don’t even want him around you. You deserve so much better than him or being sold for any fucking alliance.”
I gave him the first real smile since everything had happened with us. For all the times he was a complete idiot, he really did know the exact right thing to say.
“No more going alone,” someone declared.
“I’m still alive and have gotten out thousands of hobgoblins. I can’t just stop now, or they’re in deeper trouble, and someone will figure out it was me,” I said, trying not to get pissed.
“He’s not wrong,” Julian said gently, nodding towards Mr. Rothchild. “And it’s not a slight against you, duckie. You don’t have the training to read for magical traps. That’s what keeps getting you, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “New ones.
