Silent Healer: Anomalous Series, #2

By J.C. Skylar

Anya couldn't just let him die. Even if Tristan was training to be part of a special ops team who hunted down her kind.

 

If she didn't have healing abilities, it wouldn't have been a problem. She wouldn't have had a choice. But there he was, bleeding out in the rain, and the clock was ticking.

 

So, she did. She healed Tristan. Now, he knows the truth about her. He knows she's not just the shy girl from the back of the class. He knows she's one of them--the freaks with extraordinary abilities who put his mother in a coma.

 

Now, he's waiting by her locker. And by the look in his eyes, he's probably ready to drag her to the nearest laboratory to be dissected like others of her kind.

Tristan didn't remember much of that night, except that he was dying. Then, all of a sudden, he wasn't. He woke up fully healed, and with only one vague memory in mind…

Anya.

For years, she had only ever been the quiet girl in the back of the class. Never did he imagine she would be one of them. An anomalous. The freaks with extraordinary abilities. The freaks who put his mother in a coma. Becoming a tracker has been his only life goal. Yet…

Anya still saved him. He's not sure how she did it, or what she did, but she's the reason he's alive. Now...

He's determined to find out why.

You will not be able to put this thrilling sci-fi romance down, because the forbidden love between this enemy to lovers will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C.Skylar
• Release date: Jan 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201772796

Book preview

SILENT HEALER

ANOMALOUS SERIES

J.C. SKYLAR

Copyright © 2021 by J.C. Skylar

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Cover by Wynter Designs

Blurb

Tristan didn’t remember much of that night, except that he was dying...

Then, all of a sudden, he wasn’t. He woke up fully healed, and with only one vague memory in mind…

Anya.

For years, she had only ever been the quiet girl in the back of the class. Never did he imagine she would be one of them. An anomalous. The freaks with extraordinary abilities. The freaks who put his mother in a coma. Becoming a tracker has been his only life goal. Yet… Anya still saved him. He’s not sure how she did it, or what she did, but she’s the reason he’s alive. Now...

He’s determined to find out why.

You will not be able to put this thrilling sci-fi romance down, because the forbidden love will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Contents

1. ONE

2. TWO

3. THREE

4. FOUR

5. FIVE

6. SIX

7. SEVEN

8. EIGHT

9. NINE

10. TEN

11. ELEVEN

12. TWELVE

13. THIRTEEN

14. FOURTEEN

15. FIFTEEN

16. SIXTEEN

17. SEVENTEEN

18. EIGHTEEN

19. NINETEEN

20. TWENTY

21. TWENTY-ONE

22. TWENTY-TWO

23. TWENTY-THREE

24. TWENTY-FOUR

25. TWENTY-FIVE

26. TWENTY-SIX

27. TWENTY-SEVEN

OPPOSING FORCES

Also by

ONE

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Anya’s hand hovered above an injured cardinal on the table while she fixed her eyes on a plant next to it. Adhesives stuck to her temples, sending data of her brainwaves to her uncle’s computer across the room.

Focus on his broken wing, her uncle said as he watched the data on the screen.

Anya could feel the life of the plant coursing through her body, then her palm began to glow a bright white above the bird. Sweat slid down her face as her healing ability slowly drained her energy. The bird’s wing twitched, and Anya smiled. She wasn’t surprised that it was working, but the act of healing a living thing never ceased to amaze her.

Wait for it, her uncle said with bated breath.

The bird’s wing twitched again, then began to flap uncontrollably. The plant next to her uncle withered and he jumped up from his chair, punching a fist in the air.

And there it is! Yes, it worked!

Anya scooped the bird into her hands while her uncle inspected the plant.

How did that feel? he asked, looking at Anya with wide eyes.

Strange, she replied, caressing the little bird’s head with her index finger. To use another source of life other than my own feels...foreign.

That’s the whole point, sweetheart, her uncle said. If you can use another source of life when healing, then you won’t drain as much, or as fast.

Here… Anya handed her uncle the bird, then reached for her bookbag and swung it over her shoulder. I have to get to school.

Flawless, her uncle muttered as he inspected the bird’s wing. He stared in amazement, even after witnessing her healing powers for seventeen years. Although, they’d only been gathering data in the basement for five of those years.

Anya stared at the dead plant for a moment. Her uncle might’ve considered it a breakthrough, but to Anya, she still killed the plant. There was no way around it. The only way to use her healing ability was to suck the life out of something else. And if there was no other living thing around, it would suck the life out of her.

Anya let out a long breath, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her uncle noticed and his smile faded.

Are you okay? he asked. Do you need me to get an IV bag?

No, I’m fine, she assured him. The IV bag was usually needed when she used her own energy to heal. Having absorbed the life of the plant didn’t take as much of a toll on her body. I don’t want to be late for school.

Are you sure? He placed the little bird inside a cage, then turned to face her. We could just do half a bag. Anya, you have to--

Rehydrate every time I use my powers. I know. She grabbed a water bottle from the table and lifted it in the air. How’s this for a compromise?

He furrowed his brows, giving her a pointed look. Just because you’re getting stronger, doesn’t mean you should lower your guard. Pushing yourself beyond your limit could kill you.

She downed the water, then wiped her lips with the back of her hand. It was just a bird’s wing, Uncle Evan. Although, I gotta say… She pointed to the withered plant. The blanket flower didn’t give out as much energy. The cactus has given me the most so far.

Actually… Her uncle lifted a finger, then motioned for her to follow him back to his computer. I’ve been looking into pulling energy from an artificial source as opposed to taking from other living things.

Anya’s eyes widened. "So, instead of taking the life out of something, my powers could be fueled on energy? Is that even possible?"

I don’t know, he confessed. But that’s what I’ve been working on.

Anya followed her uncle’s gaze to the computer. An image of her brain lit up in multiple colors filled the screen. He’d explained several times what it all meant, but she could never manage to remember. Whatever it was, he seemed pleased with the results.

The sound of footsteps came from upstairs, and Anya looked up at the ceiling. Rowan’s up.

Would you mind driving your brother to school? her uncle asked. I want to study this data a little more while it’s still fresh in my mind.

Let me know if there are any more updates, she said, heading toward the stairs. She took two steps at a time until she reached the top. She pushed the door open and quickly closed it behind her. The secret entrance to the basement and her uncle’s lab looked like nothing more than a bookshelf. A place her nine-year-old brother wouldn’t easily find.

Rowan was sitting on a stool at the kitchen island, pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

Don’t make a mess, Anya warned him as she walked to the fridge for the milk. She placed the container on the counter, and her eyes landed on a large scrape on his knee. What happened?

He glanced at it as if it was no big deal, then shrugged. I fell outside yesterday while playing with Jonah. His mom gave me a Band-Aid, but it fell off while I was sleeping.

Jonah was the kid next door, and for a moment, Anya felt relieved that her little brother was not anomalous. Otherwise, the blood stain surrounding the scrape would have turned black. No doubt the neighbors would freak out and call an ambulance. His blood would be drawn, experts would be called in, and before long, her brother would have mysteriously disappeared from the hospital. Probably to a governmental blacksite to be dissected like a biology frog.

It was almost impossible to tell who knew about the anomalous kind, but in hospitals, someone was always on the lookout for the strange blood results. A simple blood sugar meter reading could reveal their anomalous nature.

Unlike ordinary humans, anomalous’ blood sugar ran so high, any doctor would be shocked they’re even conscious. It also explained why they drained and became lightheaded after using their powers. The blood sugar would drop, and if pushed too hard, it could fall to an almost comatose level.

But Anya didn’t have to worry about Rowan because he wasn’t anomalous. Not anymore. He was drained of his powers by a powerful anomalous named Sage. Anya wasn’t sure of all the details, except that it had to be done to save his life. Unlike Anya’s healing ability, Rowan’s powers had been deadly. Anya never told him any of it, for his protection. She didn’t want him to ever discover that he was responsible for their parents’ death.

How many times do I have to tell you? Anya said, rummaging through the kitchen counter for Neosporin and a Band-Aid. When you hurt yourself, you gotta come to me so I can put the healing cream on your wound.

She sat next to him, propped his leg on her lap, and gently rubbed the cream on his cut.

Finish your cereal, she said, hoping he would look away long enough for her to heal him. He didn’t know about her ability. No nine-year-old should have to carry the burden of a secret so big.

Power zapped through her fingers, making him jump. Milk spilled on his shirt, but before he could glance at what she had done, she covered it with the large Band-Aid.

It’s going to sting for a little while, but it should be healed by the end of the day, she said, flashing him a smile. Now, go change your shirt so we can go. I still have to pick up Chloe and Zane on the way to school.

A knock came from the front door, and Anya went to answer it. She opened the door to find Jonah’s mother. Her curly red hair pulled back in a bun.

I was just on my way to drop Jonah off at school, she said with a neighborly smile. If you want, I can take Rowan and the boys can ride together.

Oh, can I, Anya, please? Rowan ran from the kitchen and tugged at her shirt. Please, please, please?

Alright, fine. She ruffled his hair and he beamed. But go change your shirt. Stat.

He rushed up the stairs, and Anya turned to the neighbor. Thanks for offering. He enjoys playing with Jonah.

The redhead waved it off like it was no big deal, but then she stared at Anya with inquisitive eyes. Can I ask you something?

Anya never liked any question that required permission. More often than not, they always crossed some sort of line. Still, she didn’t want to be rude. Shoot.

The other day, Jonah got a cut on his hand and Rowan told him about a healing cream you use?

Oh, it’s just what I call it, Anya replied, waving it off. It’s Neosporin. You can get it over the counter.

The neighbor nodded, but the quizzical look didn’t vanish. It’s just that Rowan fell and scraped his hands on the pavement last week and the next day...it was gone.

Anya stared at the redhead, not knowing what to say. She hadn’t realized the neighbor had been paying so much attention to her brother’s injuries. Although, it wasn’t surprising. The woman was huge on the neighborhood watch.

I soaked it in some Epsom salt, I think. Anya glanced over her shoulder. Rowan, hurry up!

You must share these home remedies, the redhead replied. They seem to be quite miraculous.

Rowan! Anya turned to the neighbor again and forced a smile. No miracle. Just science. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure he doesn’t forget his lunch.

Right, of course. She let out a chuckle, then stepped back. Just have him meet me at my car.

Perfect. Anya closed the door just as Rowan was coming down the stairs.

Ready! Rowan jumped down the last few steps, landing right in front of his sister. He flashed her a proud smile as if that was the largest gap he’d jumped that morning.

You need to quit it, she said, giving him a stern look. No more getting hurt, you hear me? No more scrapes, or cuts, or blood of any kind.

I don’t get hurt on purpose, he whined.

I know you don’t, but…

What on earth could she possibly say to help him understand how dangerous it was for her?

You know what, never mind, she said. Just go get your lunch. It’s in the fridge.

As Rowan ran to the kitchen, Anya let out a long breath. Even though she was glad that he could be a normal child with nothing to hide, she could never drop her guard.

Not even in her own home.

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After buying food from the school cafeteria, Anya and Chloe walked to the courtyard to eat their lunch outside. They weren’t surprised to find Zane sitting at one of the circular tables with his face buried in a book. He picked the table under the shade of a tree because he hated the sun. He didn’t want his dark skin to turn any darker.

There you are, Chloe called out as she approached him with her blonde pixie hair spiked into a punk hairstyle. Where’s your food?

He ran a hand over his buzzed black hair and shook his head as if his brain was just then processing the real world. I came to save our seat and totally lost track of time.

This is how people become workaholics, you know? Chloe playfully nudged him to scoot over. Here, Einstein, you can have my apple.

Anya sat across from them and tossed him her bag of chips.

Thanks. He opened the bag and shoved a handful into his mouth. So, how are you feeling?

Chloe rolled her eyes. Okay, we are not doing this.

Doing what? Zane asked.

This. She poked the crease between his brows. The worry. I want none of that, you hear me? So, I have seizures sometimes. It’s no big deal, so there’s no reason to freak out. Got it? Now, let’s talk about something else.

Fine. Zane grabbed another handful of chips and shoved it in his mouth. Have you girls seen Garin around? he asked with his mouth full.

Chloe’s brows squished together. Garin, who?

He’s a kid from my chemistry class, Zane said. We were made lab partners, but he hasn’t been in school in over a week.

Since when do you need a partner to finish your homework? Chloe teased.

"I don’t, but it’s just strange that he would disappear like that. I tried calling and texting, but...nothing. I even rode my bike