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"It wasn't a dream, then? I mean, it really happened? He . . ." |
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Paula nodded. "It was real. He is what he is." |
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Paula took Kyna's hand and helped her to her feet and got her to one of the chairs. Then she went to the sink and came back with a handful of wet paper towels. "Here, wipe your face." |
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"Cyrus is a werewolf," Kyna said more to herself than to Paula. "Cyrus can change into a wolf. A large, shaggy wolf with teeth the size of steak knives." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "This isn't happening." |
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"Kyna, listen," Paula said. "The world of the supernatural is my stock and trade. My mother was born to the Wicca, and her mother before her. It is a world as wonderful as any you are familiar with. It has laws that exist parallel to, and work in conjunction with, the natural laws you know about. Like in your world, there are good people and bad, good spirits and bad." |
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"Glenda the good witch," Kyna muttered. She looked down at Paula's feet. "Where are your ruby slippers?" |
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Paula smiled and nodded. "Good! You're feeling better. Seriously, Russ isn't a freak and he isn't a monster. He is still the man you fell in love with, if you really love him." |
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Kyna gave Paula a sour look. |
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"He just has . . . powers," Paula continued. "Skills, if you will. Like a surgeon or a professional athlete." |
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"I fell in love with a hairy Michael Jordan, is that what you're trying to tell me?" |
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"Never! His mind and will are incredibly strong. The Hungan that caused this made a big mistake with Cyrus. I believe Cyrus's conversion was an accident, but he was an unusual individual to start with and his new status has magnified those powers. Kyna, even Cyrus doesn't know what he is capable of." |
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