Demon's Dream (High Demon Series #6) by Connie Suttle Page B

the Elves, talking about your torture at the hands of your brothers. Imagine what people might think if they saw it on that foolish program. You'd be ridiculed as well."
    "I know." Lendill squared his shoulders uncomfortably, trying to shake off the images of Reah's exposure on Alliance vid programming.
    "I am glad I did not witness the near-suicide," it was Kaldill's turn to shiver.
    "I don't know what to do for her," Lendill went on. "She could reject all of us. That's the way things are looking right now. She hasn't come to any one of us. Asked us for anything."
    "What do you think she might want, Son?"
    "Probably for the past twenty-five years to not have happened."
    * * *
    "I need someone who will care for her. Not someone to feel jealousy or treat her badly or with indifference. And I don't know who that is," Kevis held his head in his hands as he sat in his father's study. Karzac sat behind his desk, located in the southeastern corner of the villa where he and his extended family of mates and co-mates lived. Kevis was Karzac's only son, born to Karzac and Grace, one of Karzac's three mates. Kevis wanted to find a nurse and assistant for Reah, but there weren't any candidates.
    "What about Franklin?" Lissa appeared in Karzac's study, something she seldom did. "I wish I could get the old Franklin back. She'd trust him, I think, and he wouldn't appear threatening at all."
    "I don't think we should mislead her, she's had too much of that," Kevis sighed. "Will Frank even consider it? We don't need someone who is only doing it because they feel sorry for her or obligated to any one of us for any reason. This person has to care about her and what happens to her. She needs a gentle touch from someone who isn't interested in sex. Someone neutral that she might come to trust."
    "Let's take all the healers in while she's asleep, and see if any one of them feels a connection," Karzac suggested. "And if they don't, then we'll look elsewhere."
    "Let's gather all of them and let them know what we're dealing with," Kevis agreed.

Chapter 5  
     
    "Belen has given permission to try this," Karzac announced to all the healers for the Saa Thalarr. "This is a delicate situation, as you might imagine. Reah is pregnant, a recent victim of an attack on Stellar Winds and an attempted suicide not long after that. Kevis is currently treating her, but he needs an assistant. Someone who might feel a bond with Reah in some way. We're going to take you to her while she's sleeping so we won't upset her. If you don't want to be a part of this, then you'll be excused. We want a healer who is willing to walk a few extra miles for someone who more than deserves the time and trouble."
    "We'll go," Cleo spoke for all present.
    "Then let's go," Karzac said. They folded to Campiaa.
    * * *
    "She's pregnant? She's so frail," Cleo said.
    "Has she lost weight? She's very thin," Jeff remarked.
    "There's no color in her cheeks," Norton pointed out. Nefrigar had come, making sure Reah was in a healing sleep before allowing any of the healers to touch her. Blankets were lifted back; ankles, feet, hands, heart and the recent bullet wound were examined. Nearly all of them placed their hands on Reah's belly, checking on the child. The child was healthy; Reah's health wasn't nearly as good.
    "What problems are you encountering?" Franklin asked Kevis.
    "She's defensive and argues with me at times. Not that she doesn't have cause," Kevis held up a hand.
    "And she's a cook, too?"
    "Probably the best I've ever seen."
    "I think I'd like to try," Franklin said. "Anyone else interested?"
    "I'd do it if nobody else wanted to," Norton volunteered.
    "As would I," Joey said.
    "Why don't all three of you move in?" Gavril walked in, finding his mother, Karzac and twelve other healers in Reah's room. "She might not agree to any one of you, so you'll have to be prepared for that."
    "We're up to the challenge," Joey grinned. "Besides, maybe we can distract her with video games. I've