Delaney was a similar case—years of enhancements and then a complete collapse back to her original state. She was an anomaly in the same way as Lily.
Then there was Ellie… and Charlie.
Damn the skies, he thought. I forgot about the invisible rat. I thought her physical changes came from injuries sustained in the crash, but I forgot about the little friend that constantly messes with her molecular structure.
His dragon scratched around in his head, but Whelon shoved the beast aside. He was on track now, focused on his duties so he could forget about the Knowing sickness for a short time, at least.
He let his thoughts slip to Hannah and Melissa. Hanna would be fine, he was sure. She still had her other babe at the breast, and from what Chashan had said, was bearing well. She may become fatigued by the strain of her earlier pregnancy, but her problems did not have the same potential for complications as the others endured.
Melissa truly worried him. She was young, strong, and healthy, yet she developed high blood pressure and showed signs of extreme fatigue. Some women simply did not cope well with the strain of pregnancy and perhaps Melissa was one of those human females.
Whelon carefully cycled his thoughts through all of his patients, thoroughly examining every detail he could recall so he would not think about Sasha. The Knowing sickness continued to creep up on him and he would do anything to ignore its presence.
When the shuttle bumped down softly on the roof of Preor tower, he was so startled he actually jumped within his seat. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts, he had not even noticed they neared their destination. He wandered out of the shuttle toward the roof doors, disorientated and dizzy. The feeling didn’t ease as he made it to the clinic, where he was now gripped with cold shivers that ran through his joints.
“Whelon! There you are. I have been waiting—” Chashan’s voice cut off as his healer’s instincts surged. “Whelon, you are not well,” Chashan said carefully. He came closer and leaned in to examine Whelon’s face. “Your eyes are tinted yellow,” Chashan reported quietly. “Your internal organs are under extreme duress and your liver and kidneys are not functioning properly.”
“It is Knowing sickness,” Whelon snapped shortly and Chashan’s eyes widened.
“I heard a rumor you had found your mate and were being kept from her, but I never imagined it was the truth! This is unprecedented, Whelon. You need to be by her side.”
Whelon shook his head. “It is not possible.”
Chashan took a step back, a tortured expression overtaking his features. “I am your healer now, Whelon,” he spoke sternly, his wings tense and his form rigid. “If I want you transported to her, you will not get a choice in the matter.”
“Fair enough, healer. For now, let me assist you in your tasks.” Whelon tried to smile, but his lips did not quite form the curl he sought.
Chashan shook his head and moved over to examine one of the women present in the clinic.
“Hey, hey, Healing Master Whelon.” Lily joi Argan King swung her feet off the edge of the bed, mouth pulled back in a wide grin. She had one hand on her swelling belly, near to term with perhaps six weeks remaining. She looked well but had dark circles under her eyes.
Whelon took a few basic readings and then turned to Chashan with concern. His friend nodded grimly.
“What? Don’t keep me in suspense.” Lily’s humor had not disappeared even as she struggled with exhaustion.
“Your readings are erratic, Lily. We need you to remain in the clinic under observation,” Whelon announced.
“Nope.” Lily shook her head.
Argan rubbed Lily’s back and leaned over to kiss her. “You will do as the healing masters advise. For yourself and our dragonlet.”
This spurred an argument between the mated pair and Whelon raised a hand as he spoke, interrupting them before it became too heated. “We shall set up a room nearby—on the first floor—with all the comforts of home.”
He knew he literally made up the conditions on the spot, but it was a decent solution and one he believed they could manage without too much difficulty.
“I have not checked the others yet, but I know several of you have numerous risk factors. You do not need to stay within the clinic’s walls, but we want you close.”
Lily sighed and rubbed her taut belly, finally nodding her agreement. From the way she kept her gaze from his, Whelon knew she sensed the potential weakness in her body. She may hate it, but she had to know he was correct.
Whelon checked on Delaney and Hanna next and was fairly pleased with them both. Hanna was exhausted, but Brukr supported her every second, helping her with her other young and bringing her anything she required. She still had a few months to go, and he and Chashan agreed she could return home but must return to the clinic for weekly checkups.
Delaney, however, was in almost the same position as Lily. The genetic changes had created some kind of feedback in her nerve process, which randomly affected other parts of her body.
“I want Dawn on this,” Whelon stated thoughtfully.
“I agree,” Chashan nodded. “Khaza says she is an extremely talented heart master in training, but she can also sense internal injuries. I want her to use her senses on both Delaney and Lily.”
Delaney waved at Lily, giving her a wry look. “You and me, babe. Genetic freaks.”
“Better than being normal.” Lily grinned.
Finally, both healing masters turned to Ellie.
“Where is it?” Whelon looked around the ceiling, searching out the invisible rat-creature.
“It is on her shoulder.” Ivoth sat in a nearby chair, head in his hands. “It will not leave her.”
Whelon heard a faint cha-cha whispering and stepped back.
“He’s just worried.” Ellie said gently with a small smile. “He wants a big family.”
“Hmm…” Chashan moved his head back and forth, as if changing his perspective would allow him to see the strange creature.
“Will he allow us to examine you?” Whelon looked at Ellie’s shoulders warily.
“He says I’m fine—Ow! Charlie!”
“What happened?” Ivoth leapt to his feet in an instant.
“It’s okay.” Ellie gritted her teeth. “He just got a bit protective.” Ivoth clenched his fists, wings high as he scowled at the air around Ellie’s shoulders and Ellie giggled. “You know he likes you, Ivoth. You can’t intimidate him.”
Whelon sighed as Chashan turned and strode away. The majority of the Preor still had problems with the little venomous Quasti and Whelon did not blame them for their reticence.
“Ellie, I would like you in a nearby room like Lily and Delaney. Can you please speak with Charlie and talk him down? You are nearing seven months now. I’d like to do a scan on the ryaapir unit.”
“Charlie doesn’t like the waves of the machine.”
Whelon simply scowled but remained silent.
“All right, all right, I’ll talk to him, but he says he’s far better at healing me than you are.”
Whelon grimaced. “Understood. But it is better that he allows us to view the scan now, so we can help him rather than wait for disaster to strike.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Ellie promised.