Page 25 of Kuaket

“Oh, you have Kuk’s girlfriend to thank for that,” she responded, rearranging herself on the bed so that she could look at me better. “She’s a witch and used magic to undress you without moving you after you collapsed on the bed.”

“Ah. We’re in your room.”

“Where else did you think I’d put you?”

“I don’t know, the spare room? The sofa?”

She snorted. “Should I worry that you have such a low opinion of me that you think I’d put you on the sofa in the state you were in?”

“What? No, that’s not what I meant.”

Her face softened. “I know. And I also know what you’re really asking.” She sighed and leaned against the headboard. “I don’t know why I brought you here and not to the spare room. I wasn’t thinking, I was just worried.”

Warmth spread through me at her admission. “Thank you for helping.”

“Of course.” She hesitated. “What happened?”

“I think someone at the Sons of Seth might have figured out I’m not entirely sympathetic to their cause.”

She bit her lip. “That’s not good.”

“No.”

“So they beat you up?”

“I think that was just to drive the point home,” I admitted. “The first thing they did was tell me they knew about you.”

“Me?”

I nodded. “That we’d been spending time together.”

“Ah, I see.”

I took a deep breath, hating what I had to say next, especially with the vague recollection of what her brother had said to her last night. “They told me I have four days to bring you to them.”

“Right.” She took a shaky breath. “What did you say?”

“I wasn’t given a chance to say anything, that’s when they did this.” I gestured to my face. “I think as a reminder of what will happen if I don’t obey them.”

“So you came here.”

“I shouldn’t have. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry, Kua. I’ll...” I trailed off because I had no idea what to actually do.

To my surprise, she reached out and took my hand in hers. “I’m glad you came here.”

“Even if it puts you in danger?”

She shrugged. “If they know about me, then I’m already in danger,” she pointed out. “And it’s not as if I wasn’t aware of what the Sons of Seth wanted, even if I didn’t know why they wanted it. And I already knew you were a member, none of it is news to me.”

“I still shouldn’t...”

“Abrax, no,” she said softly. “I’m glad you’re safe, and that you can rest here.”

“You’re a good nurse, did you know that?” This side of her wasn’t something I was used to seeing, but it was nice.

“Would it surprise you if I said yes?” She shuffled closer.

“Let’s guess? You thought you were indestructible, so you’ve worked as a military nurse?” I guessed.