Page 139 of Capuleto

When I opened the door of the place, Cheng jumped out of bed, startled. I had caught her sleeping, and she was quite shocked.

"What's going on?!" she exclaimed, rubbing her eyes.

"My sister is sick," I said, laying her on the sofa.

"And why did you bring her here?" She groped on the nightstand for her glasses.

"The place is mine; I can bring whoever I want," I replied, not in the mood to explain.

The place was open-plan, sixty square meters with a double bed, a sofa bed, a full kitchen, a bathroom, a couple of pieces of furniture, a wardrobe, and a dining table.

There were no windows, just an exhaust vent and a ventilation system for air renewal. The floor was still the original concrete, and the four walls enclosing everything were painted white.

The fluorescent light did no favors to Cheng's nondescript features, making her look even paler.

The smell of dampness, salt, and lack of windows made me wrinkle my nose.

Cheng approached and looked at my sister, whose face was overly flushed. She put a hand on Nikita's forehead.

"She's burning up."

"You're quite the genius. Get some paracetamol and a glass of water. The pills are in the third drawer of the kitchen."

Cheng went to the indicated spot and brought me what I asked for.

"Kalinka, open your eyes. I need you to take the pill," I whispered, lifting her to help her swallow it.

A groan escaped her cracked lips. She might have hurt herself when she fell; I couldn't rule that out. A slight odor of garbage hit my nostrils.

"What smells?" Cheng asked.

"Betrayal," I muttered, pushing the pill to the back of her throat.

I placed the glass at her mouth and insisted she drink. I saw the reflex movement of her neck as she felt the liquid fill her mouth. She had swallowed it.

"Did your sister betray you?" Cheng's slanted eyes scrutinized me.

"It seems so."

"Why did you bring her here then?"

"Because I might need her."

"She's dangerous."

"Are you saying that because she tortured you?"

"I'm saying it because it's true." Her expression was serious.

"Who isn't in this world?"

"I don't like that you brought her; it puts us in danger. What's she wearing?"

"The latest hospital fashion." The Chinese woman snorted. I gave her a threatening look. "You don't get a say in this. You're lucky to have me, or you'd already be in China, married to the prince your dear father chose."

She crossed her arms, angry. She knew I was right. I needed to think and get rid of that smell of Brussels sprouts.

"I'm going to take a shower. Watch her in the meantime. I need to get her scent off me."