Page 104 of Alaric

“I bet he does,” I agreed, lips twitching. “He doesn’t even have a sheet pan,” I said as I made my way toward the bathroom.

Lark and Sass were bold-face liars.

I looked like absolute hell.

And I had a feeling that time was only going to make it worse.

The whole side of my face was a smattering of blue and purple, with a darker ring around my eye. Then there was the swelling. That side of my face was easily twice what it should have been.

And I was looking at the damage without my glasses. I couldn’t imagine how bad it was with them.

Allowing for some willful ignorance, I decided against sticking my contacts in. For the time being, I was okay seeing things a little blurry.

“Told you,” Rynn said as I emerged.

“You did,” I agreed.

“How’s your headache?” Lark asked.

“It’s making quite the comeback,” I admitted.

“So, remember how we just went to the walk-in clinic on our way home?” Sass asked, making my brows knit.

“I… I think I hit my head harder than I thought,” I admitted.

“No, listen,” Sass said. “You know how, on the way home from the hospital where they only gave you pain pills and no script for more,” she said with a voice that said to play along. “And we all decided you really needed a second opinion, so we went to the walk-in clinic?”

“I, ah, okay,” I agreed, confused.

“Well, the doctor there, Dr. Amarantha,” she said, shooting me big eyes. “Gave you a script for the good stuff,” she said, producing a bottle of pills. “Enough to get you through thatheadache for a few days,” she added. “And I picked them up for you on my way here.”

Oooh.

Okay.

It had to look like I went to see Seeley’s woman, Ama, who was a doctor. So she could give me a script for meds without getting in trouble.

“She’s a really good doctor,” I said, nodding.

“She is, isn’t she?” Sass said, smiling at me for getting it.

“She once used her vast medical knowledge to help me assemble a fifty-foot skeleton,” Rynn declared.

“Very convenient to have around,” I agreed.

“Now, do you want to risk taking this on an empty stomach?” Sass asked, shaking the bottle, making the pills knock around. “I think it might be a little risky, given that you had some a couple hours ago and haven’t eaten since.”

“I can wait,” I said, even if the pain was steadily climbing. “What time is it?”

“Um… four?” Sass asked.

“Five,” Lark corrected.

God, I’d been passed out for a long time. I didn’t feel the least bit rested, either.

“I have to feed Frida,” I said. “And walk her,” I added.

“Siana…” Sass said, shaking her head.