“Rest up. We need you to get better,” Lucian smiles at me like I'm not the broken remains of his daughter and heads to the door, closing it softly behind him.
Luca's watching me carefully, I can see the questions in his eyes.
“Luca, how long was I missing for?”
Luca forces a smile. “We don't have to talk about that now, just rest.”
“No, Luca, I need to know,” I plead. “I need to know because I was going crazy down there. And for most of it, I was so out of it from lack of food and water, I justneedto know. Please, Luca.”
His eyes soften, “Alright, pretty girl, I can't resist you, you know that.” He smiles weakly, “You were missing for about five months.”
I stare at him.
Five. Months.
Day in, day out, being hit and touched. I have to shut my eyes and take a deep breath.
“Wow, okay.” I open my eyes and look at Luca. “Help me up.”
“What, why?” Luca looks around like there's someone else in the room.
“I need to see.”
“No, Iz, I don't think that's a good idea.”
“Luca, if you're just going to tell me no, I'm going to call Maeve in here.”
“I just don't think it's a good idea...” Luca looks sheepish as he stands beside my bed, and I know I have him.
“I'm not asking for your thoughts; I'm asking for your help.” I roll my eyes.
“Fine, fine.” Luca huffs a laugh, “Damn, so pushy diva.” He flashes me his signature smile.
I push the blankets off my lap and swing my legs over the side. From just seeing my legs, I already know it's not going to be good.
Hell, even my hands don't look right. My arms are too thin, too light. I can see the skin stretching over my bones.
Luca takes my arm, pulling me up with little to no effort. My legs wobble underneath me.
The door opens and Maeve steps back inside, “The doctor said he'll be right in, but— what the fuck are you doing?” Maeve rushes toward me.
“Bring. Me. The mirror. Please.” I pant out.
“Isobel.” Maeve's voice wavers.
“Maeve.” I plead with her with my eyes.
Maeve grabs the standing mirror in the corner and drags it over until it's in front of me.
First, I see Luca standing next to what looks like a little girl.
The little girl looks like a corpse, cheeks hollow, pale skin.
The little girl is me.
“Isobel, you're shaking. We need to get you back in bed.” Luca lowers me to the bed, and I let him.
The room spins.
