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“I still don’t trust you.“
“I know. But I’m saving your life, and maybe you’ll trust me after this is all over.“
“And what do you plan to do after that?“
“I don’t know. Take you somewhere nice for dinner?“
I shake my head. “You’re really nice for a demon,“ I say.
“I’m really nice full stop,“ he says. “And we can keep talking about this later. Right now, I need you to do something for me, okay?“
“What?“
“I need you towake up.“
TRINE
Iblink. When I open my eyes again, I’m awake.
And I feel like I’m drowning.
I can feel water burning in my lungs, and it feels dirty. It burns so much. I want to sit upright and expel the water from my lungs but I’m still tied to the headboard of the bed. It rattles as I try to pull my arms forward. I can’t focus on that, all I know is that there’s a burning sensation in my throat, on my chest.
I hear Rei saying something–I’m pretty sure it’s Rei, but there’s no way for me to be certain–and then the clasps of my bindings are undone and I’m being rolled over to my side. It takes me a few seconds for me to realize why they’re turning me.
One of them pushes my head off the bed right before I throw up, and it’s a mixture of bile and water as I throw up at Misha’s feet. I know it’s him because those are his boots. He doesn’t even sidestep me, he just stands there as I finish emptying the contents of my stomach and my lungs.
When I’m finished, when I’m just gagging still, Misha kneels in front of me and flashes me a shaky smile. “Hey,“ he says. “Is that you?“
I want to nod or ask him who else it would be, but all I have the energy for is staring at him. His pupils dilate as he studies me, his brow furrowing. “Trine,“ he says. “Just blink if you can understand me.“
I blink.
“Water,“ Rei says from behind him. “She needs water, she’s dehydrated.“
Misha scampers to his feet. I guess Rei must’ve handed him a bottle or something because the next thing I feel is plastic on my lips, then cool water down my throat. “You’ll be okay,“ Misha whispers. “Just drink as much as you can.“
God, I really am thirsty, and my throat burns so much. I finish the entire water bottle in what feels like one sip and then try to straighten up, but my body is too weak and I immediately slump down. I would be falling on the dirty carpet under me if it wasn’t for Misha holding me up, making sure I stay on the bed.
“Let’s sit her up,“ Rei says.
It doesn’t feel like I’m in control of my faculties, so even though I think I should be annoyed that they’re handling me like a rag doll, all I can think about is how heavy my body feels. It feels like I’m watching a movie or something, every single movement choreographed by someone else. I close my eyes and try to take deep breaths.
Misha’s hand is on my shoulder and Rei is saying something, but it feels like they’re touching someone else, talking to someone else. Maybe this is a dream, too; the exorcists being here makes just about as much sense as a demon who’s also my therapist.
They’re talking to each other in hushed tones. I can hear them asking each other questions, but I can’t make sense of what they’re saying. Their voices aren’t garbled. I should understand what they’re saying. I’m pretty sure they’re talking about me. I want to ask. If only I could will myself to speak, I’m sure I could.
“Trine,“ Rei sits on the bed next to me. The mattress shifts under his weight when he does. When I glance at him, he looks like a stranger. It’s bizarre. “Whatever you’re feeling right now, it’s totally normal.“
I blink, swallowing hard. Easy for him to say.
“And it will pass,“ he says. Misha sits on the other side of me, his hand on my head stroking me. His touch feels like it’s bringing me back to reality and I think he’s telling me that I’m going to be okay, though his voice keeps dropping in and out as he speaks, as if he’s at the end of a tunnel.
Rei looks away from me, his eyes darkening. He feels for my pulse, his skin warm against my own. I close my eyes as I try to focus on Misha’s fingers stroking my hair, on his voice, on anything that will bring me back to my body.
But it’s hard. This isn’t a fight I’m going to win.
So I close my eyes and let myself slip into the darkness of sleep.
