“Poison. Works perfectly on mice and men.”
“Interesting philosophy.” I glanced at the tools on her cart. “What do you think is causing the increased number of corrupted disturbances?”
She lifted her shoulder before letting it slump again.
“Not one inkling as to the cause?”
“Probably one of the Guilds. There is barely an organized structure in this city; I am sure someone is being careless.”
“I see.” I trailed off. “So why are you here? How did you come to meet Phoebe and Alina?”
“I’m not supposed to be talking to you.”
“Were you a nurse before you turned?”
She shook her head, but did not offer any elaboration.
We arrived at the inventory room, and she started to unload the trinkets, towels, and bowl from the cart.
“So what is the reason for”—I gestured to my own head to indicate her scarf—“that?”
“I was in serviceto my church.”
“Oh.” I grimaced. “So you’re a virgin.”
“T-that is none of your business.” Her face became red faster than a cherry on a cigarette.
“No need to get flustered; you’re safe,” I proclaimed. “I have a strict rule against virgins.”
“Too much information.” She dumped the murky water bowl in the sink, a bit aggressively.
“It’s an ethical issue.” I shrugged, leaning against the edge of the sink as she worked. “You might as well be an adolescent. I can’t stand it.”
“Could you refrain from talking about your promiscuities?” She flashed a sarcastic smile before she returned to scrubbing the bowl and refilling it with clear water.
“Impossible, I’m afraid.” I shrugged. “What else is there to talk about at work?”
“Thepatients, possibly?”
“I would never talk about a patient’s promiscuities.”
“You are insufferable!” she snapped, hoisting the bowl onto the cart and grabbing clean washcloths from a shelf.
“I try my very best.”
She was irritated, though she had been uneasy even before she noticed me in the patient room.
“Is there something aside from me bothering you?” I tilted my head at her as she hastily wiped her hands on her apron.
“What is it to you?” She shot me a look of suspicion.
“Well, I am an excellent listener, among otherwonderfulqualities.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Besides, if we are to be part of the same Nest soon, it might be nice to have a friend.”
“A . . . friend.”
“Do you not have friends, Edith?” A pitying smile played on my lips. “How sad.”
“I-I do have friends!”
