My body felt heavy beneath me, pinned by exhaustion. The bed sheets were warm. Clean. Dry against my skin in a way that didn’t make sense.
I shifted, fighting the fog pressing down on my thoughts.
“It’s okay,” the voice said softly. “I’m here.”
My breath caught.
That wasn’t relief.
It was dread.
Because I knew that voice.
I forced my eyes open.
And there she was.
“Sable.” I whispered.
My sister sat across from me, dressed in a simple grey shift. Her blonde hair was tied back in a braid.
She gave me a watery smile.
“Hey little Sis.”
“Am I … am I dead?”
She laughed, her voice like music in the silence. “No Seph. You’re ok. You’re at Elliot’s compound. In Moorshire.”
“Moorshire?”
I looked around the unfamiliar room. The walls were a light yellow, with a large window across from the bed on which I lay. The window was open and a light breeze moved through intentionally, like it was seeking me.
“Ash,” I whispered. “Where is Ash? And Dev?”
“Elliot and I finally convinced them to eat. They have been sitting beside you for two days. The big one too.”
“Sy,” I whispered.
Sable smiled wryly. “You’ve certainly made some interesting friends.”
I lay back on the bed and thought about that, a small smile on my face.
I touched my lips.
“They are really… they are really special to me.”
“Kieran has also been here,” Sable said carefully. “When he can. Mostly he’s been sitting with Father.”
Something cold slid through me.
I looked at her.
“He knew,” I said slowly. “Kieran knew you were alive.”
Sable’s gaze dropped to her hands. She folded them in her lap, neat and controlled.
“Yes.”
