I wanted to close my eyes and rub my temples to ease the headache I knew was coming my way. Jesus H. Christ. Over four hundred people, my people, and no healer other than me. I was a registered nurse, sure. And had recently tapped into my healing power, true. Problem was, my ability was limited. Very limited. I could only heal by having sex with the person. And I refused to do that with every person that got hurt. Getting a healer would be a top priority. I wondered how one went about getting one. But until then, it looked as if I was it.

I sighed. "Show me."

"Let me see to the others first," Gryphon murmured. He conferred briefly with Rosemary about settling the others upstairs. "The north wing," he told her.

"Can we pick our own rooms?" Thaddeus asked eagerly, looking to Gryphon first, then to me. Jamie and even Tersa's eyes brightened with interest.

I shrugged when Gryphon glanced my way.

"It seems that you may," Gryphon said.

Thaddeus whooped with joy.

"I have first dibs," Jamie yelled, loping up the stairs.

"Whoever calls it first," Thaddeus shouted back.

There was a clattering as the children rushed up the steps en masse, Rosemary behind them. Tomas followed with an indulgent grin. Chami trailed behind them, shooting a troubled look my way. Amber remained down below with Gryphon and me.

"Dontaine's in the guest room downstairs," Gryphon said. He seemed to know his way, good thing. One could easily get lost in this vast space. Or one could just follow the rapid whistling air.

I heard Dontaine before I saw him. And smelled him, or rather, smelled his blood. Dontaine lay on his side in a bed, blood staining the sheets, the carpet, even the walls. His eyes were open, green gems darkened with pain and anxiety. He'd changed back to his human form, I saw to my relief. Much easier to bear than that monstrous Half Form I had braced myself for. He was just a man now, injured, alone, his chest laboring for that little bit of air that whistled through his open trachea.