“It’s more like an agonized grimace.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, it’s the best I can manage at the moment.”
Devilry purses her lips. “Apologize, and maybe I’ll help you.”
“I am deeply sorry for my foolishness.”
“And for making me worry about you.”
“Of course, that too.”
Her eyes narrow. “If only I knew you were sincere.”
“Let’s see if I can do better.” I cough wetly and clear my throat. “Devilry, my love, I think I’m about to pass out again, so before I do, let me apologize for making a choice that I knew would anger you. I can’t promise not to do it again in the future,but I can promise to talk to you first next time, and to take your guidance seriously.”
“Not quite there yet, but close,” she says. “You sound as if you plan to be around me for a long time.”
“I thought I made it clear that I can’t live without you. I’m going to stalk you in this life and haunt you in the next.”
She kneels on the steps beside me, her lips curving in a barely suppressed smile. “So I don’t have a choice in the matter?”
“Strictly speaking, no. I’m sticking with you forever.”
Devilry pushes my hair back from my forehead. “I think you’re delirious.”
“I might be. And I feel sick. Not sure whether to vomit or pass out.”
“Let’s try for neither.”
Pulling my left arm across her shoulder, she helps me climb over the beast’s hulking crimson form and descend the spiral stairs to the first level. Then she lowers me down so I can lean against the wall.
“I appreciate you letting me rest,” I say. “But if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather grab some treasure and head back to the mortal realm as soon as possible.”
Sitting down beside me, she reaches into her pocket and takes out a pink sugared candy, rather like a gumdrop. “Eat this.”
“Sweetheart, are you trying to poison me? It’s redundant, I promise, because I feel like death anyway.”
“Open your mouth, asshole.”
Sighing, I obey. She pokes the candy onto my tongue and I chew it reluctantly.
Seconds later, I realize that my pain is easing. My right shoulder prickles, and there’s an odd tugging sensation along each of my cuts that’s unsettling, but not unpleasant. Strangest ofall, there’s a growing tightness beneath the wrapping on my left hand.
Devilry watches me intently, her gray eyes bright. “Is it working?”
“What did you give me?”
With an impatient sigh she pulls aside my shirt and rips the bandage off my shoulder. “Shit,” she exclaims in a reverent tone. “Itdoeswork.”
“What?” I turn my head to look at my own shoulder. From what I can see, the claw marks are closing, healing themselves rapidly. My pulse kicks up as I tear the blood-soaked bandages off my injured hand.
My fingers are growing back. At the moment they’re pink, glossy, and odd-looking, but they’re definitely in the process of regrowth. In a few minutes, they should be back to normal.
“Did you find that candy in the room with Drosselmeyer’s things?” I ask.
“Sort of.” Devilry wets her lips, avoiding my gaze.
She’s being evasive, but not in her usual way. There’s a dread and discomfort in her eyes that sends ice into the pit of my stomach.
