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“Rune?” Alex repeated.
“I’m n-not feeling well,” she managed.
The handle turned. But when Alex pushed, the lock held it shut.
She stepped back, fear zipping down her spine.
“Rune, let me in.”
“I’d really rather not,” she whispered.
“You’re scaring me,” he said. “I have the key, Rune. I can open the door myself, but I’d prefer that you do it.”
Knowing she couldn’t stay in here forever, knowing she had no other choice—if she was a witch, Alex was going to find out, one way or another—Rune grabbed one of the bath towels and wrapped it around herself. She brushed the tears from her cheeks, unlocked the door, and stepped back.
Alex opened it and the door swung in. He nearly stepped inside when the sight of her in nothing but a towel made him halt. “Why are you …?” Spots of pink appeared on his cheeks, and he seemed about to look away when he noticed her tear-streaked face—or perhaps her smudged makeup.
Finally, he entered, shutting the door behind him.
Rune backed up until her shoulders hit the wall, feeling like this was it, the end of everything—their friendship, her life. She sat down on the tiles, letting more tears fall.
“What is this really about?”
His attention snagged on her dress in a heap on the floor, then the underwear in the sink. The black stain still spreading across the fabric.
Rune saw the realization sink in.
His face fell. “Oh, Rune. No …”
He stood staring at the clothes, his hands curling into fists.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Stay here,” he said. “Don’t leave this room.”
Without another word, he opened the door and stepped out, locking her in.
He’ll report me now,she thought, lying down on the tiles, pulling her legs into her chest. She closed her eyes against the ache in her abdomen, weeping quietly, waiting for the Blood Guard to arrive.
She could open the door and make a run for it, but what would be the point? And where would she go? The Blood Guard would only hunt her down.
When the door opened, it was Alex who stepped inside, locking it again behind him. A bundle of clothes was tucked under one arm, and in his hand was a mug of steaming tea.
Rune didn’t bother sitting up.
“These are Emily’s,” he said, setting the clothes on the floor beside Rune. Emily was his cook. “This is also from her.” He set down the mug. “She says it will help ease the pain.”
She frowned, not understanding.
“I’m going to prepare a hot bath for you, all right?”
Rune pushed herself to a sitting position, watching him run the water in the tub. “Where’s the Guard?”
He cocked his head at her. “What?”
She cleared her throat. “The Blood Guard. Wh-when will they arrive?”
Alex stared at her like she’d gone mad.
