Page 126 of Plug and Drain

The wheels were already in motion by then.

At least it was quick.

Arken had given Oscar a quick death, which was brutal enough to satisfy the king, and yet as painless as possible for Oscar. There had been some mercy in it.

There had been so much blood, dark and flowing as it ran down the steps and sprayed in the air.

Without warning, Susie fell to her knees and threw up, the sharp stench of vomit filling her room. There had been no time to reach the bathroom. Her head was spinning, and she sat helplessly on the ground, her clothes covered in the mess she’d made as she drew short, ragged breaths that were almost sobs.

She was dimly relieved that she hadn’t gotten any vomit on her books, but otherwise, she felt suitably chastised.

Her door swung open. She didn’t react, didn’t bother looking up. She was resigned to whatever came next.

Maybe a vampire who’d ignored Arken’s threat had come to feed on her? Or was it a Poplarin member who was bold enough to exact revenge on her for what had happened to Oscar?

Do your worst. I deserve it.

The door clicked shut.

To Susie’s surprise, the small figure stepping carefully across the room was Molly, her hands hidden inside the long sleeves of her cloak.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Molly said, lowering her hood. “Let me help you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Susie began.

“Nonsense. I’m happy to.” Molly produced a white cloth from her sleeve and knelt down to wipe the mess on the floor. Gross. “Deep breaths now.”

Susie groaned and tilted her head up at the ceiling, trying to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth.

The smell of vomit was overpowering, but by the time Molly was done, all Susie smelt was clean air laced with peppermint.

She didn’t know how Molly had done it. There was not a trace of vomit left anywhere that her wolf senses could detect, except for her own clothes.

Susie caught a glimpse of the white cloth a second before Molly tucked it into her sleeve. It was still clean.

She frowned.

“Let me help you change,” Molly said kindly. “Where do you keep your clean clothes?”

“In the wardrobe,” Susie answered.

“Of course,” Molly nodded and scanned the room as if searching for it.

“That wardrobe,” Susie clarified, pointing to the only wardrobe in the room, an unimpressive rectangular-shaped structure made of wood.

“Of course,” Molly said, moving towards it.

Susie tried to change by herself, but her hands were shaking too much. Molly helped her change. By the time she was dressed in her flannel pyjamas, she was feeling considerably better.

“You should hop into bed,” Molly said matter-of-factly, trying to pull Susie to her feet. Molly wasn’t very strong, but she gave Susie the extra support she needed to climb to her feet.

Susie didn’t protest as the small woman tucked her into bed.

“There,” Molly said in a matronly tone. “Now, you can rest.” She looked at Susie thoughtfully. “I imagine you’re probably quite thirsty.”

“I am.” Susie glanced at the water jug on her bedside table. It was just out of reach, the glass beside it upside down on a small face towel.

Molly followed her gaze, and after a moment, handed Susie the jug. She did not pass the glass.