“Hello again, Grim.” Her gaze shifts to Shenron, who’s slouched beside me, arms crossed, looking like I’ve just ruined his entire life. “And you must be Shenron.”
“This is bullshit,” Shenron mutters.
Sally’s smile tightens, but she holds it together. We’ve dealt with worse. “I understand you’re unhappy about being here, but the vaccination is required by law. It’ll be quick, and then you can get back to,” she glances at her computer screen, “whatever it is you were doing.”
“My guild is probably wiping right now,” he tells Sally. “And it’s your fault for not letting me reschedule.”
“I’m afraid that rescheduling at this stage isn’t an option. If Grim hadn’t picked you up today, you would be facing jail,” Sally tells him.
“Fuck jail and fuck this place,” the kid snarls.
I grit my teeth because this fucker is getting on my last nerve.
Sally types something into her computer. “Room Four is ready. You can head right in,” she tells me; her smile is forced at this stage. I reckon she looks a little like I do when I try to smile.
I guide Shenron down the hallway, one hand on his shoulder to keep him moving. He’s dragging his feet like a petulant teenager being forced to do homework.
“This is so stupid,” he mutters. “I don’t even get sick. Shifters don’t get sick. There hasn’t been a case of this bullshit fever in forever.”
Room Four’s door is open. Inside, a human female is preparing supplies at the counter. I have seen her before, but like the others, I’ve never really taken much note. Her back is to us.
“Have a seat on the gurney,” she says without turning around. Her voice is soft and pleasant. “I’ll be with you in just a moment.”
“Hey, lady,” Shenron says, voice raised. “You need to get a move on. Have you ever heard the saying ‘time is money’?”
“Apologies.” The nurse turns, looking concerned. “I won’t be long. I need to complete this chart. Just a few seconds, I’m almost done.” She goes back to what she was doing.
“A few seconds, my asshole, bitch. Get a fucking move on and—”
That’s it!
I growl low and pop the fucker right in the nose.
It’s not a full-force hit. I pull it back just enough to prevent serious injury. But it’s hard enough to hurt him. Hard enough to make his eyes water and his head snap back.
Perfect.
His hand flies to his face.
“Owwwwww!” It’s all nasally. “What the fuck!” He grabs his nose, tears streaming down his face. “You hit me!”
He takes his hand away, looking for blood, but finds none.
“You’re damn right I did. You were seriously fucking rude.” I lean in close, my voice dropping to a growl. “That was a warning. Next time you speak to her like that, I won’t be so gentle.”
“You broke my nose.” He’s gasping, still swiping at his nose and checking his hand for blood.
“No, I didn’t. If I’d broken it, you’d know all about it.” I straighten to my full height, and I know the intimidation factor is working because he shrinks back. “But keep being a disrespectful little shit, and I’ll break your hands next. Every delicate bone in both hands. Do you know how long it takes for hands to heal? Days. Maybe a full week if I do a really thorough job. You won’t be gaming. You won’t be raiding. You won’t be doing a damn thing except sitting around and regretting your life choices.”
His face has gone pale. The tears are still running down his cheeks, but his nose is already healing. The redness is fading. But the fear in his eyes is very real.
“Now,” I say, my voice still low and dangerous. “You’re going to do everything the nurse asks of you without question. You’re going to let her do her job. And you’re not going to say one more disrespectful word. Do you understand me?”
He nods quickly, his eyes wide.
“Good.” I step back, giving her space.
She’s staring at me with an expression I can’t quite read. Shock, maybe. Or concern. But then her lips curve into a small, shy smile.
