“Silas, you are acting irrationally,” Phoebe started.
I didn’t care to hear the rest. I scooped Alina carefully into my arms, cradling her against my chest as I made for the door.
It appeared no one was competent enough to at least check on her. It was about time I took over anyway. She wasn’t leaving my sight. Ever.
47
THE POISONER
The sheets stuck to my clammy skin as I returned to consciousness. Not often was I anything less than freezing.
I flexed my toes, the motion causing a sharp pain in my leg that squeezed a groan from my heavy chest. My fingers still worked, but one stung more than usual. I couldn’t move it.
I cracked open my eyes, the light glassy as I adjusted. I was in my room again, the balcony doors letting in a soft light, bright as it reflected off the snow on the rooftops and into my flat. My eyes narrowed at my hand, though I was surprised to find that not only was it wrapped in a bandage, but there was someone else’s hand as well.
Silas was on his knees, his head resting in his crossed arms with my hand in one of them, pressed against his cheek. Silas was beautiful when he was asleep, more so because he was silent.
Had he been like this all night? He was still in his day clothes. I realized I was cocooned in his trench coat. No wonder I was sweating.
The sharp pain in my leg shot up my limb as I sat up. The blurry memories seeped to the front of my mind as I emergedfrom the brain fog. I dug through the sheets to pull my leg out carefully, inspecting the bandages around my calf, then the bandage on my hand.
What a mess.
I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the sleeping lion as I reclaimed my hand.
I limped out of the room and headed downstairs. My hands gripped the railings tightly as I carefully took one step at a time, cautious of the weight I was putting on my leg.
The girls were gathered in the parlor areas. Some swapped journal subscriptions, others practiced handheld hobbies or were still waking up along with their morning brews. It seemed as if nothing even happened, or they didn’t care.
My foot landed on the creaky step, alerting everyone to my descent.
I expected greetings, but all I got were gasps before silence.
Judging them for not caring may have been harsh; I was starting to suspect they didn’t know.
“Alina! What are you doing up?” Phoebe tore herself from the group she was conversing with to fuss over me with a nervous laugh that didn’t lighten her furrowed brow.
“I was claustrophobic.” I looked around at the girls, who shot cautious glances toward me. “Is something the matter?”
“No! No, they hadn’t heard what happened quite yet.”
I glanced down at myself. The hospital gown was stained red from my leg, and the palm of my hand was in need of a new bandage.
“They don’t need to know; it was a freak incident. It was just one.”
“Do you really think omitting information is the best thing for the group?”
I glared in response to the insinuation. She wasn’t entirely wrong, but I didn’t appreciate her tone. “Fine. I need help packing for Buffalo. I would like to gather my things before Silas wakes.”
“You are not going alone.”
“I am.”
“I will wake Silas myself if you don’t agree to take at least one person. You are injured and not in your right mind.”
“I’m perfectly within my average mind, now come and help me dress.” Before she could respond, I was already limping up the steps, which was a greater task than going downward.
Now that I was past my waking daze, the pain was settling in. Like roots burying deep in my legs, a pulse gripping down to the bone.
