Page 155 of My Undead Love Life

Luck raised an eyebrow. “How bad?”

“Enough that you’ll complain, but not enough that I’ll do anything to ease it.”

He grimaced.

Sofia placed the towel beneath Luck’s foot and poured water over his toe.

He hissed immediately. “Shit⁠—”

I reached over Oxi and grabbed his hand before I thought about it. His fingers closed around mine tightly.

“Good,” Sofia said, watching the skin. “That means the tissue is still viable.”

“That’s supposed to be comforting?” Luck snapped.

“No,” she said calmly. “It’s supposed to be factual. But actually, now that I think about it, yes. It should be comforting. At least we can save your toe.”

Luck looked at me. “My toe!”

I bit back a smile despite the fear still sitting in my chest. “It’s saved.”

Keith leaned forward, studying Sofia’s process. “You’re rewarming his foot gradually.”

Sofia glanced at him with approval. “Yes. Hot water damages tissue. Warm water saves it.”

Sofia worked carefully, drying the area, applying the cream, then wrapping his foot with gentle precision. For all her oddness, her hands were steady. It was obvious she was skilled. “We caught it early,” she said. “You’ll definitely keep the toe.”

Luck let out a breath that shook more than I expected. “Thank you.”

Sofia’s expression softened. “You’re welcome. Keep it dry. Keep it warm. If it blisters, don’t pop it. If it turns black, we’ll have a different conversation.”

Luck stared at her. “That was comforting until the last sentence.”

“I believe in informed patients.”

“I believe in being lied to gently.”

“Then, you will suffer here.”

Oxi laughed under his breath.

Sofia checked the rest of us just as thoroughly.

Mad had bruising. Keith had old injuries she examined with quiet interest, especially the scar from the jagged window. Oxi had cold-stiff fingers and exhaustion she didn’t comment on after one look at his face.

When she finished, she straightened and clapped her hands once. “Alright. None of you are dying.”

“That’s a low bar,” Oxi muttered.

“In this world?” she shot back. “It’s a remarkable one.”

Mad nodded once. “Thank you.”

Sofia waved a hand. “Don’t thank me yet. I still have to feed you, hydrate you, and decide whether you’re a threat to my continued existence.”

Luck carefully pulled his sock back on. “I feel like we’re very charming.”

“You are armed strangers with questionable circulation.”