Page 33 of All Your Bloody Lies

“Because that makes him sound like a permanent being to our …whatever this is.”

“Friends. We are friends. I’ve always wanted a found family! You know, like the ones in the books.”

“Syd,” I swear, I think I’ve fallen into a different world. It’s possible that Kairhyse left me on the stars he made me see. “Call him nothing—he is nothing. He will be gone soon.”

“What do you call him?” I can still hear the giggles in the background, and I’m becoming frustrated that our conversation has turned public. I don’t want to talk about him. I don’t even want to think about him.

“He is…” I’ve been calling him Kai, but that isn’t the same damn thing as her calling him… Rhysie-poo… Oh Gods, just thinking about that stupid nickname has me ready to cut my tongue out. “He is justthat Vampireor Kairhyse. Look, I need to go.”

“Oh no, I’m sorry—okay I won’t say that nickname to you.”

“Who would you be saying that name to besides me...” My words trail off as I take a deep breath through my nose and cross my legs. If I weren’t sitting on my couch, I might be throwing myself off my balcony for relief. “I need to call the ward, for Tali.”

“Ah,” I hear herphewas though she’s afraid I’m mad at her or something. “Let me know how that goes. When was the last time you went to the ward?”

“I haven’t gone since before I was taken.”

“Wait… are you serious? I swore you said—”

I groan, “I’ve been doing everything under Stephanie Wards, a pseudonym. You know the deal. If they live—”

She releases a long huff, “—they know you as Stephanie, if they are going to die, they know you as—yes, I know.“ A giggle glides through the phone, “It’s like you are some anti-her—”

I cut her off by hanging up the phone. She can go entertain her coworkers with my sex life. My phone is going to die anyway; barely five percent. I hope it will last at least long enough to talk with the nurse.

Brr-oowwww.

As I’m hitting the call button to Eldritch Haven Asylum, Mister isjumping up onto the couch and coming to cuddle into my lap. I drag my hair over my shoulder, letting him play and fight with it as though it is string.

“Thank you for phoning Eldritch Haven Asylum, where your mind matters just as much as your body,” a young woman says from the other end.

“Hi, my name is Stephanie Wards, I’m calling about Tali Orchid. I missed several calls. Is she dead?” Please, if this world could favor me for once, let the answer be yes.

“Ah, hello.” By the tone of her voice, it sounds like they were awaiting my callspecifically. “No, Tali Orchid is not dead, thank the Vayl. We have been trying to phone you for nearly a week’s period, Miss Wards. It is time to sign her renewal paperwork.”

I groan, and bring my hand down to Mister’s tummy, scratching him as he paws at me. “Can it be emailed? I can sign it and get it scanned back.”

“No, ma’am. These must be done in person before the head nurse. Especially since the beneficiary that is paying for Tali’s care is unavailable.” Dead. She means dead.

I sigh loud enough I know she can hear, “When is it due?”

“Today,” she responds quickly.

“Fucking Beyond. Okay, I’ll leave in a few hours, thank you.”

I hang up the phone before she can say that stupid, ‘Thank you for calling the Eldritch Haven Asylum, where we care’. Screw them. If they cared, they would have heard my pleas for them to end that woman’s life.

Put us both out of our miseries.

Looks like I’m not getting any sleep; the drive from here to Eldritch is nearly fifteen hours.

I wonder if he has a car…

No, what the fuck? Before I can even be stupid enough to consider it, I shoot Tyson a message.

Hey, I’m calling in a favor. I need a ride to Eldritch and back.

T Benidict [01:03]

---