Healer's Touch Ch. 21

"That doesn't surprise me. She can be very determined when she wants something."

"So I have found out. She told me off earlier today." Charlie said good-naturedly. "And you know it was probably a good thing she did. I was acting like an ass."

"You, never." Jason chuckled, remembering the high- spirited boy that he had trained years ago. * * * * * *

Kat walked into the clinic and greeted the receptionist. She took the clipboard that the woman handed her. She stilled as she read the report attached to it. It was for a woman brought in for physical abuse. The Enforcer's council needed a complete workup. The victim was claiming that her husband had sodomized her against her will. She took a deep breath and walked towards the examining room. She paused outside of the room to talk to the enforcer that was standing guard outside of the room.

"Enforcer Chalis," she greeted reading the name on his badge. "I understand I was requested to examine the patient?"

"Yes, Your Highness. She's an Earthling and we felt that she would be more comfortable having an Earthling attend her. No offense, Your Highness. We are just thinking of her comfort."

"None taken," Kat said with a smile, not bothering to correct his mistake. "How would you assess her mood?"

"She seems more relieved than anything, but she is definitely shook up. She wanted to decline the exam; but once we explained to her that we couldn't hold her husband without it she relented. He seems like he is a real piece of work."

"Thank you, Enforcer. I will have your report shortly." She then turned and walked into the room.

Arianna cooed at the baby that she held in her arms. The little girl was the spitting image of her mother. She seemed to have her father's personality though. She was waving her arms and squirming.

After she had dealt with her hard-headed son, she had finished examining the triplets. They seemed to be quite healthy despite the fact that they had been born prematurely.

"They are all right?" Philip asked as he approached and stood a few feet away from her.

"Come and sit with me, Philip." she requested.

He slowly approached her. He crouched down next to her while Arianna stared at him thoughtfully. As any healer on Venus could, she detected the power that lay under his skin. His magic was powerful. It was not as strong as Rand's or Gracie's, but strong enough to do serious damage if he so choose. But she detected something buried much deeper - an ability that he had attempted to supress.

"Have you ever heard of the link between siblings?"

"If you are worried about my brother's magic turning me rogue, don't. What little magic I possess is enough to protect me but not enough to harm another." Philip said stiffly. He had been under suspicions for years because of his twin.

"I never said that, Philip. I asked if you knew anything about it?"

"A bit. Enough to know that I don't, nor have I ever linked with my brother in that way."

"And what about your sister?" She asked.

"Sister?" A puzzled look came over his face.

"Yes. Didn't you know that you had a half-sister?"

"No. I heard talk of my father siring a babe on his mistress after my mother passed. But nothing more."

"Well, he did. The woman was banished and her father took her to Earth where she gave birth to her--your half-sister. I recognized your power signature because yours is the mirror image of hers. And viewing this 'signature' this leads me to believe that your true power is the healing arts. You may have hidden it from everyone but it's there and it is strong."

"How did you know?" he grated as he slowly stood.

"I am training her. The magic that you let every one see is just an echo of hers. And just like you, she has buried her magic deep in the same way you have buried your healing abilities. Once your father releases her power, she will be a much stronger healer, just as your magic will become much stronger. That's how deeply linked your powers are."

"But what will happen when she bonds?"

"Her bond with King Charles will only strengthen your link with her. So you need to prepare for it- or the backlash you will receive when they finally consummate their bonding will drive you crazy. You may even be feeling on edge now. Do you have a mistress?" she asked.

"No."

"Then find one. Quickly - before the ceremony." she advised.

A thought suddenly occurred to him.

"This healer, my half-sister, was she the one that your son was bringing you to train?" he asked with a sinking feeling in his chest.

"Yes."

"Shit!"