Page 61 of Cursed
“Yeah. She was extremely helpful. Unfortunately, it seems like I need to know what I want this power to do in order for the healing to work. It would be nice if I had an instruction manual.”
Nori’s stomach suddenly growls loudly, resulting in laughter from both of them.
Ryland untangles himself from Nori’s body, stands up, and holds his hand out to her. “Let’s go find you some food!”
“Great, because apparently, I am starving!” She laughs again and takes his hand.
Ryland leads her to an expansive kitchen. Large, stainless-steel appliances and a huge stove with twelve burners line one wall of the kitchen. Their sleek surfaces contrast with the rustic surroundings—stone floors, stone walls, and two large, round, wooden chandeliers that hang from the ceiling.
In the heart of the kitchen is a stone fireplace built directly into the far wall, sitting cold and dark. Nori notices several long wooden tables off to the right. All the tables have their chairs turned upside down, resting on the tabletops.
“Where is everyone?” Nori asks.
Ryland smiles, guiding her to the refrigerator. “It’s two in the morning, Nori. Everyone is likely in bed. Should we make sandwiches?”
“Yes! Sandwiches would be great!” Nori clasps her hands together and bounces on her feet, like sandwiches are exactly what she wanted.
They forage through the giant fridge, taking out meats and cheese and lettuce and tomato. Ryland slices somefresh bread and the tomato while Nori unwraps the meats and cheese. After they have made their sandwiches, Nori hops up on a counter to eat, and Ryland leans against the kitchen island opposite her.
She moans as she takes her first bite. “This is the best sandwich I have ever had! I must really be hungry.”
Ryland whistles low with a hint of a smile. “Nori, if you moan like that again, I may not let you finish eating.”
She blushes and returns his smile. “OK, Ryland. Tell me about your trip, then.”
Ryland recaps his trip to Silver Pine for her while they eat. “The people there enjoy living off the grid. They are extremely self-sufficient. The mayor didn’t ask us for help until they had already experienced several attacks.”
Nori frowns. “How many pack members did they lose?”
“Sadly, six. Even though they have Guards, it wasn’t enough. We are working on a plan to rotate our own Guards and Enforcers to all the towns throughout our Packlands for an added layer of protection.”
Ryland tells her how Zayne was bitten. Then, in a low voice, he says, “On the way back, he told me Sadie is pregnant. I was certain he was going to die, Nori. I can’t describe how grateful I am that you saved my brother.”
“I’m so relieved I could help,” Nori says sincerely.
They eat in silence for a moment, and then she says, “I think I need a lot more practice to keep from passing outnext time. Although, it’s awful watching Adele injure herself, just so I can learn how to use this power.”
Nori pulls her eyebrows together, frustrated. “Also, we don’t exactly know what Aylin’s power does. All we know is that it’s huge—much bigger than mine.”
“Why didn’t you ask the Seer?”
“Oh, no! That couldn’t happen. Lyra needed me to shift in order to tell us about Aylin’s power.”
“I don’t understand. Why not shift?”
“Mom’s rule. Never ever shift in front of anyone.” Nori looks up at Ryland shyly. “I would…I would shift in front of you. We’d have to be one hundred percent certain no one else was around, though.”
Ryland stares at her, savoring how much she trusts him. Then he tilts his head thoughtfully. “You were ten when your mother died? How old were you when you first shifted, Nori?”
“Did the math, did you?” Nori smiles sheepishly. Ryland slowly nods his head, bracing for what he knows her answer will be.
“I was an early shifter. I was eight the first time it happened, which is super rare, I know.”
He thought he had prepared himself, but he’s so shocked at her young age that his mouth falls open. “It’s not rare, Nori; it’s unheard of to shift so young. That…that never happens.”
“What will really blow your mind is that I honestly can’t remember a time when Aylin wasn’t with me.” Nori points to her head. She watches the surprise cross his face again as she finishes her sandwich.
“That is astonishing. I didn’t hear Bade until I was thirteen, which is young, but not that uncommon. I didn’t shift for the first time until I was sixteen, pretty close to when most experience their first shift.”
