It rings and rings.
It rings a few more times before it clicks to voicemail. I leave one, the knot in my stomach tightening.
I should go over there, but I can’t leave Lenora here and I doubt the asshole in the basement will let me take her.
“Goddamn it!”
I pick the receiver up a second time and dial my guy on the police force. I have a few, but Byron is thorough. He won’t just go over and knock on the door and leave when no one answers. He’ll investigate and find them.
Call made, I push to my feet and glance at the door.
It hasn’t been nearly long enough, but I hate leaving her alone, especially after a fight.
I march to the door and swing it open.
And yelp, heart leaping up into my throat.
“Jesus!”
Lenora stands on the other side, still and silent. Her brown eyes stare up into mine from a face set with determination. Her hands are still filthy. There are bits of dirt and leaves clinging to her skirt and smeared across her bare feet.
“Mon p’tit?”
She takes a deep breath and whispers, “I don’t feel well.”
All the alarms go off in my head and I reach for her, hating myself for leaving her alone for even a moment.
“What’s wrong?” I touch her cheek for a temperature and feel only the regular warmth of her skin. “Does it hurt somewhere?”
“I’m tired.”
I blink at the quiet, almost lethargic response. “Okay, let’s get you cleaned up and in bed.”
She doesn’t stop me when I scoop her up and carry her upstairs. Doesn’t say a word when I strip her dress and set her in the tub. I gently wash her feet and hands and get the bits of leaves out of her hair. I get her dried off and covered in one of my T-shirts, and still not a peep.
“Linny?”
Her blinks are long and slow before her eyes barely focus on my face. “Hmm?”
I touch her brow, testing again for a fever. “Talk to me, sweetheart. Does it hurt anywhere? Should I call a doctor?”
Her mouth opens too wide and she sighs but doesn’t say anything. Not for a long, tense moment where she continues to stare at something over my shoulder.
I follow her gaze and find only the empty doorway, but she never looks away.
“Winter hurts,” she murmurs at last, lashes slipping like they’re too heavy to hold up. “It’s broken.”
I have no idea what she’s talking about, but she’s swaying on her feet as if already half asleep.
“What’s wrong?”
I nearly jump out of my skin at the voice that springs up behind me like a whip.
“Jesus!” I snap, glowering at the demon taking up the little space remaining in the bathroom. “This doesn’t concern you.”
He’s not listening to me. Not even a glance. His entire focus is on Lenora as she forces her eyelids open and sees him.
“Veyn,” she mumbles.
