The wheels creaked softly beneath them as the wagon rolled along the forest road, the moon hung high among a spray of glittering stars. Tomas had fallen asleep in Lioren’s lap, his hand clutching hers as she ran fingers through his hair. Her fingers flexed with no tremble, no pain, just a strange clarity. Her body felt good, despite the fever and poison that rendered her at the mercy of her friends. Mira had filled the silence with a recount of what happened while Lioren was sick.

  Kale stayed back at town to claim the reward even when Lioren became deathly ill. “Medicine costs money,” was his defense. Tomas nearly started a fight with him about honor and common decency but Mira was able to reason with them. She suggested she and Tomas get a head start and Kale would catch up soon after. None of them knew just how sick Lioren would become and Mira insisted that if Kale knew, he would have been there with them.

  Lioren shrugged it off. She understood and accepted Kale never really liked her. Maybe it was because she was too quiet, always observing. Or maybe it was because she knocked him on his ass during a sparring session. Or, it could have been Tomas taking an interest in her instead of their friendship. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. She was alive, and they would have a decent pay out when he reconvened with them in Whistle Hollow. One thing did bring her a surprising amount of satisfaction though. She seemed to have all of Tomas’ attention now.

  Lioren’s hand tightened in Tomas’ hair and he let out a soft but deep moan. Her mouth parted slightly as an urge rose to claim the sound as hers. She loosened her grip with a sigh. He is sleeping. She chided herself and leaned her head back against the wall of the wagon. Mira was nodding off until a bump jostled her.

  “You good, Mira?” Lioren spoke softly as to not disturb Tomas. His breathing was slow and deep with small twitches in his eyes as he dreamt.

  “I’m hanging in there. How are you?” Mira glanced back at her, answering softly. Lioren gave her a shrug and went back to watching the sky. Physically, she felt great. Not at all like she was battling for her life hours before. Mentally, she felt as sharp as an arrow shot from Mira's bow. No fatigue plagued her mind. The past 48 hours were nothing but a dreamless sleep. A thought nagged at her, like a fly that buzzed around her face. Why did she feel fine?

  "Are you sure? Even after.. well.. everything?" Mira was tense, as if she expected Lioren to hold some grudge against her.

  "Fit as a fiddle, if you can believe it." Lioren chuckled to mask her own disbelief. She thought back to the fight with whatever it was they fought. Mira said it was some kind of abomination. A twisted, two-legged wolf creature that was a crime against nature. She remembered feeling terror as she faced it down. Its golden eyes, piercing through her like she was just prey. Rage as it threw Tomas like a rag doll.

  She should feel lucky. Relieved. Something. But all she felt was stillness. Like the world had exhaled and forgotten to breathe again.

  "I really can't." Mira responded, bringing Lioren back to the present. Her shoulders sagged and her grip tightened on the reins. "I thought you were going to die. I spent hours by your side, agonizing over which breath was going to be your last." Her voice broke and she took a shaky breath, trying to control her guilt. Lioren watched her back, her brow creased with confusion. She should comfort Mira. Let her know she is ok.

  "It's not your fault, Mira." Lioren's voice was just above a whisper as she returned her gaze to the sky. The moon peaked above them in a silvery shower. "You didn't know." She murmured and threaded her fingers gently through Tomas’ hair again. He twitched under her touch and adjusted himself, leaning into her touch. Mira's breath hitched like she wanted to say something, but chose silence instead. The silence stretched long into the night before Mira cleared her throat.

  "Miracles of miracles, we made it." She breathed a sigh of relief as Lioren stretched up as much as she dared to without disturbing Tomas. In the distance, beyond Jessabelle's wagon, flickering lantern lights lined a sturdy wooden wall. “Whistle Hollow”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------

  Lioren startled awake, her heart pounding and breath coming fast like she spent the night running. It was quiet, save for Mira’s and Tomas’ quiet breathing. The pale gray light of dawn was slowly filtering in through the window. Lioren wiped the sweat from her neck and paused. Her arm! Bare, smooth, unmarked but for faint scarring where teeth had torn through flesh. She checked her side where five puncture wounds had lined her ribcage and sure enough. Nothing.

  She looked at the sleeping forms of her friends, still deep in sleep. Something was not right. Lioren slipped out of her bed. One of four they had rented for a few days while they rested and recovered. The bed closest to the door remained empty. Kale had not arrived yet. She dug in her bag, quietly so as to not wake the others and headed toward the door with bandages in hand. She stepped into the hall and closed the door gently behind her. It was empty and silent as she headed to the bathroom. It was a shared space but it had hot water and soap.

  Inside, it was empty with numerous bathtubs lining the far wall, each one separated by wooden room dividers. There was a space to hang her towel and set her clothes as she turned on the water and stripped down. She pulled the divider closed and once the tub was full, she stepped in and settled in the scorching water. She sighed as the heat relaxed her muscles and chased away the lingering sleepiness.

  The heat rose around her, curling steam into the air. Lioren rested her head against the cool edge of the tub and let her eyes drift shut—but her thoughts refused to settle.

  Her arm floated to the surface, pale and clean beneath the ripples. She turned it slowly, watching the water catch the curve of old scars—except they weren’t old. They shouldn’t be old. They shouldn’t look like they happened years ago. She should’ve felt shock. Fear. Relief. Anything, but instead, she felt… tired. Like her body had moved on and forgotten to tell her.

  She traced the faintest indentation where the teeth had sunk in. No scabbing. No swelling. Not even the ache of bruising beneath the skin. Just faint lines and smooth skin.

  She flexed her fingers. No pain. No tightness. Nothing.

  This doesn’t make sense.

  She leaned back again, letting the water rise to her collarbone, her long hair drifting in the subtle current of her movement. For a while, she just sat there, letting the silence fold around her like steam, listening to the water lap gently at the porcelain. The click of the door handle startled her from her thoughts.

  “Lioren?” Mira’s voice called from the other side of the divide.

  “I’m here!” Lioren called back and pulled her arm back into the soapy water.

  “Oh good, we were worried when you weren't in bed. I figured you would still be sleeping.” Her tone was light but Lioren could sense the concern in her voice.

  “Yea, sorry, I just needed a soak.” Lioren kept her tone even as pushed some bubbles around the tub. A brief pause.

  “I understand. How are your wounds? Do they need redressing?” Lioren gritted her teeth at her persistence. Was it too much to ask for some peace and quiet?

  “They are healing well.” Lioren lied effortlessly as she moved to get out of the tub. “And no, I’ll manage with the redressing. You have already done so much.” She winced and hoped Mira didn't hear her sarcasm. What the fuck is wrong with me? Mira had done her best to keep her alive and now all she is an annoyance. Lioren stepped out of the tub and snatched her towel, trying to suppress her growing irritation.

  “Oh, sorry… I’ll leave you to it then.” Mira spoke quietly. Clearly she was hurt by Lioren’s words and Lioren felt a twang of guilt. Fuck.

  “Mira, wait.” Lioren called and hurriedly wrapped her ‘wounded’ arm before wrapping the towel around her chest. She pulled the divider open and crossed over to Mira who stood dejectedly by the door. “I’m sorry. I almost died yesterday and…” Lioren paused, unable to put her mind set into words. “I feel fine but I don’t feel fine. Maybe I haven't come to terms with the near death experience but I’m trying to figure it out.” She took one of Mira’s hands and held it firmly. “You were amazing and I probably would have died without you. I just need time to right my own head, okay?”

  Mira sniffled and a tear fell from her eye as she threw herself around Lioren. Mira silently cried onto her shoulder and Lioren gave her small pats on the back and gave encouraging whispers in her ear. After what felt like hours, Mira pulled back, wiped her tears and told Lioren how much she cared about her and how happy she was that Lioren was okay.

  “I’ll leave you to finish up. But please let me know if I can help at all.” She gave one last teary smile at Lioren before she slipped out of the door and left her alone once more. Lioren stood still for a few moments, both relieved and terrified. She didn't mean a single thing she said. And worse, she didn’t care.