Page 11 of Monster Queen Rising

Vance's jaw tightens. For one impossible second, she fights it. Then her eyes close.

When they open again, they're wet.

"Basement."

I don't blink.

"Where in the basement?"

"Gray cabinet. Left-hand corner of the room."

I look at Crull.

"We may still need her. She comes with us."

Crull gives her a small shake, not hard. Just enough to remind her she's hanging from his fist.

"I've got her."

Chapter seven

Jen

Daron opens the door. The woman on the bed is looking at me.

She has soft restraints at her wrists, the padded kind, and she is not fighting them. She looks pale and exhausted. Her stomach under the thin gown shows a small rise.

The room around her is small and white — a hospital bed against the inside wall, monitors on a rolling stand, an IV pole holding two bags, one clear, one amber. The blinds are drawn against the morning.

I step into the room.

Fen has not crossed the threshold. His wings are folding down. He has gone still and small, pressed to the edge of the door like he can make himself take up less room. I don't know what it costs him. I only know he's trying.

I cross to the bed.

"My name is Jen."

She looks at me — my face, the horns at my hairline.

"Jen," she says. "Jen Griggson."

Her eyes flick to the side rail. The chart is clipped there. She has been reading what she can upside-down through the rails.

I nod.

"You came."

Her mouth pulls tight and the tears come, sliding down her cheeks, and she can’t lift a hand to stop them.

"I didn't think anyone was coming."

It comes out small. I take her hand. Her fingers close around mine.

Stronger than they should be after everything they've done to her. She doesn't let go.

"I came."

Her eyes close.