Page 34 of Radiant Shadows

“Speaking of which, could you hand me that bottle on the nightstand?” she asked, gesturing to a glass bottle filled with a foggy white liquid.

I reached for it, frowning at its curious contents as I handed it to her. “What is it?”

“It’s a sort of medicine the weres take to reduce the symptoms of a shift,” she explained as she twisted off the cap. “It’s disgusting, but not worse than I feel without it.”

I watched her take a swig of the liquid, unable to fight a grimace as I watched her face contort with revulsion as she swallowed. She coughed and put the lid back on.

“Can I get you anything?” I offered. “Are you hungry?”

Her eyes sparked with interest. “Now that you mention it, I’m starving. Ugh, I just want to eat and nap. It’s horrible.”

I bit back on an amused grin. “Now I can see the ursa in you.”

She glowered at me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Okay, you hibernate, and I’ll bring you a basket of food from the dining hall,” I said, getting to my feet.

“Cute,” she deadpanned, I assumed referring to my use of the word “hibernate.” Then she rolled over and buried herself back under her covers. “And thanks.”

“No problem.” I left her room and gently closed her door.

As much as I wanted to spill everything about my wild night to her, Arya clearly wasn’t up for that kind of confession. And after hearing her low opinion of weres, I worried she might think lower of me because of what I did. And what I kinda intended to do again.

But, gah! I needed to tell someone about this! Tobias and Bret were clearly off the table—I didn’t particularly want it getting back to Niko. There was only one other person I could talk to.

As I made my way to the dining hall with an empty laundry basket—because I didn’t have anything else—I dialed Shea.

“Fire Girl, what’s up?” Shea said after a few rings.

“Hey, Shea. I know this is random and last minute, but are you busy today? Arya’s under the weather, and I have some juicy news I need to share with someone before I explode!”

“Ooh, I like juicy,” she said in a mischievous tone. “Let me just check with my Gram. Hold on.”

I heard shuffling and then a pause on the other line as I piled various foods into the basket. What did ursas like? Was thehoney stereotype a real thing? Did Arya still need fish?Fuck it; I’ll just put a little bit of everything.

“Okay,” Shea said, coming back to the phone. “So, I’m not exactly grounded, but I’m kinda supposed to stay home today.”

My spirits immediately deflated, causing me to pause along the buffet line.

“Would you want to come to my house for a bit?” she suggested, and I was so happy I practically jumped.

“Yeah, sure!”

“Sweet! My Gram is stepping out for a bit to get some…supplies—anyway, I’ll text you the address.”

“Great! See you in a bit.” I hung up the phone, smiling from ear to ear.

“Do you mind? Some of us actually have places to be after breakfast,” said a snide voice to my left.

I shot a scowl at Cora, who was tapping her foot indignantly as she waited for me to move.

“And why on earth are you filling a laundry basket with food?” She grimaced with distaste at my choice of dining ware.

“Why don’t you mind your own business?” I snapped at her.

“Why don’t you—” She abruptly broke off what I was sure was going to be a nasty comment, her eyebrows twitching as her Barbie doll features took on a decidedly frightened expression. She looked like she’d seen a ghost.

“Never mind,” she mumbled, all the venom drained from her tone. Then she hung her head and just went around me, filling her tray quickly before scurrying to her table.

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