Gabal

Chapter 11

Right away, Aoifa could sense something was amiss. As she spread her will across Darlene's body, Aoifa could feel the woman fighting, she could feel her will to live and her need to be with her Given. What she could also sense was another, foreign, will being exerted over her frail body. This force kept Darlene weak, silent, and trapped. Whoever was doing this to her had a good grip on her life-force, draining her energy slowly. It was leaving just enough to keep her alive.

Aoifa withdrew her hand slowly, sitting back against the chair to think. She had seen things like this in the past, but on a much smaller scale. Usually the patients were able to shake the opposing force themselves before they were in any danger. The will to live and being much stronger than the will of the person harvesting them. Whoever was doing this was powerful, and very strong willed.

But first, Aoifa needed to confirm that this was indeed what was affecting all these people. In the middle of an epidemic, it would be all too easy for someone to target the leaders of the pack and make it seem like she had fallen ill.

"I need to see a few more pack members, people who aren't integral to the operations of your community," she told them as she stood. She could tell that Gabal was immediately against the idea. Before he could say no, she reassured him that she was more than fine to look over a couple people. "I promise not to overdo it. Looking at them expends no mana on my part. If this is what I think it is..." she trailed off and paused for dramatic effect. It was better to make them realize the seriousness of this now. "No one is in imminent danger, but this needs to be stopped as soon as possible."

She watched as blood drained from Samuel's face, his lips completely colorless and set in a harsh line. She could feel his effort to suppress his panic, as well as the desperate restraint it took to lock his knees.

"Samuel," she said gently, catching his frantic attention. "I know what's wrong with her, I just need to see others and make sure they're suffering the same affliction so we can start making large scale plans. She may look weak, but she's fighting, and she can overcome this." Aoifa waited, searching his face and looking for signs that her words had an impact.

She watched him bravely square his shoulders and give a sharp nod. He spun around and opened the flap for her.

"Who would you like to see first," Samuel asked, waiting for her to exit, and hoping his Alpha would have joined objections. He had seen the way Gabal had tensed when his mate mentioned expending more energy. He prayed Gabal would trust her word. He did his damndest to appear optimistic to those around him, but when he was faced with the reality of his weakened Given, his positive force dwindled. To think with just a simple touch, after weeks of uncertainty, his Lady Luna knew what was wrong and could make plans to fix it.

"I need to see the least influential person affected in your pack. Someone that doesn't sway big decisions, that has an average, boring, nonthreatening day-to-day." Darlene was someone very important to the decision making in this pack. From idea to implementation, she was there behind the scenes making things happen. However, if this really was a large scale harvesting... Aoifa wondered if even she would be able to survive a singular attack with the accumulated life force.

As she left the tent with Samuel, Ansel took the time to observe Gabal. He could see obvious signs of stress on his face as the Alpha moved to follow his Given. His was torn between his instincts to protect and his instincts to make her happy. Ansel did not remember it being so hard when he had his own Given. She had been the perfect mate, never arguing or stepping outside her role. She was compliant and quiet, perfectly complimenting his need for order and control. She maintained their home wonderfully and always had a warm dinner on the table after he came home, no matter how late.