He turned away from the window and looked at me, his eyes shadowed. "After ten years of constantly having to be wary of danger, it's not always that easy to turn it off. When I heard her voice in my head, it triggered memories of some …unpleasantexperiences."
I could only imagine. "Vampires trying to enthrall you?"
"Yes. And worse. There are magic practitioners in the world who make the ones you've met seem like amateurs."
Since the witch who'd tried to kill my sister, me, and Jack had practiced blood magic—the worst of the worst—this was not welcome news. Not all that surprising, since I read a lot and knew what was going on in the world, but definitely not welcome.
Since the vampires, shifters, Fae, witches, and other supernatural creatures had announced their existence to the world more than a decade ago, humanity had realized that most fairy tales were based on actual history, not myth.
It hadn't been the easiest truth to swallow for most people in the world. But here in Dead End, we'd known about—and lived next door to—supernatural creatures and people with special "gifts" for a very long time before that, so we weren't surprised by the news.
"It feels like having a Dr. Doolittle gift is pretty benign," I ventured. "Especially for a vet. What could be more perfect?"
Jack's forehead furrowed. "Who's Dr. Doolittle? Is she the vet who had this practice before?"
I laughed. Sometimes, Jack's confusion about cultural references caught me off guard. He'd grown up with an uncle who was more interested in seeking historical artifacts than sharing movies, TV, or books with a growing boy. I'd loved Jeremiah, but he hadn't been anywhere near a "normal" father figure.
He'd loved Jack and fiercely protected him even when puberty had hit and Jack's shapeshifter gift had manifested, though, which made him a star in my book.
"Not Dr. Doolittle," Phin said, grinning as he walked back into the waiting area. "Dr. Sackham ran the practice here, which is why I left."
"He was a bad employer?" I hadn't heard that.
"No, but he had an addiction problem."
"Drugs?" Jack asked.
"Bowling."
Jack blinked and then rolled his eyes. "Sure. Why not?"
"Yeah, he got out of the vet business altogether, and now he drives around the country in an RV competing in bowling tournaments."
I nodded. "Oh, I remember now. Uncle Mike and Aunt Ruby said he was in a big fight at the national bowling association level over whether werewolves could compete with ordinary humans or needed their own league."
"They have superhuman strength," Jack said. "But is that an advantage in bowling? I'd thinkaimwould be more important."
He looked at me, and I shrugged. I'd never bowled a game in my life. The idea of wearing rented shoes gave me the creepy crawlies. Before we could discuss bowling and werewolves any further, Dr. Kumari walked out into the room.
"She's going to be just fine. We've put a cast on her leg, and I've given her another sedative and have an IV going. She's a touch dehydrated, but other than that and the leg, she's in perfect shape. Hard to believe she was a stray."
"Thank you so much," I said, standing. "Of course, I'll pay for any treatment."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Technically, I brought her here. I'll pay."
"Webothbrought her here," I protested.
"My truck," he said, as if that settled the matter, and walked over to reception to settle up with Phin.
Dr. Kumari glanced back and forth between the two of us, looking bewildered. "Okay. We'll bill you only for our cost since she's a stray. And we'll take wonderful care of her, don't worry."
"Thank you," I said. "She has to stay overnight?"
"Yes. I have a nighttime tech. We're just getting started, as you can see." She nodded to the empty waiting room. "But I'm hoping things will pick up, as people learn there's a vet in town."
She turned to Jack, a challenge in her flashing eyes and raised chin. "Areweall right?"
He studied her for a long moment and then nodded. "We're all right. Sorry for the suspicion. I'm trying to get over that."
