Page 27 of Within the Flames
Seven
She must have fallen asleep. That was the only explanation for how difficult it was to open her eyes.
"Macey?" A hand followed her name, stroking along her brow.
Everything came flooding back. Where she was. What she'd done. Who she'd lost.
Sitting bolt upright, her gaze flickered around the room, trying to take in who was with her.
"Flint." Relief filled her as she saw her wraith sitting by the bed. It had been his hand on her forehead then. She was relieved he was okay.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked softly.
"Achey," she answered. Her whole body felt heavy and exhausted, like she couldn't deal with even moving to react to the world around her.
"I'm not surprised. You did a lot of magic yesterday."
"I slept for that long?"
"Most of the day," Flint answered. "The others should be back soon."
"Are they alright?" She worried the sheet between her hands, trying not to be too concerned with the fate of her other men. They knew how to take care of themselves.
But Jared hadn't been in great shape when she'd left. And they were with Luc, who she wouldn't have trusted if she'd been paid to do so. There was something about the daimon she really couldn't bring herself to like very much.
"Cam says they're all fine. A bit battered and bruised, but nothing to be worried about."
"Hmm."
"They'll be back in an hour or two, you'll be able to see for yourself then."
"An hour or two? Why is it taking them so long?" she demanded, though her words were still coming out weak and hoarse.
"They didn't have access to the Staran where they were so they're..."
"But I used the Staran to get here," she interrupted.
"You did?"
"Yes. The lampads directed me to it."
"Ah. Yes, well I don't think the lampads would have let more people visit them. They're notorious for being antisocial."
"Believe it or not, I got that impression," she muttered, bitterness colouring every word.
"What did they show you, Macey?" he asked softly.
"It doesn't matter." She looked away, not wanting him to see the guilt she was sure rested in her eyes.
"Clearly it does." He reached forward and pulled her hand away from the sheet, slipping it into his and squeezing gently. "Tell me?" he pleaded.
Indecision warred within her. She longed to talk to someone about what had happened, even if it was only so she could move past it. Yet there was a part of her that loathed to admit how weak she'd been. It might just have been words the lampads tortured her with, but that didn't mean they hadn't hurt. Nor did it mean she hadn't taken them to heart. Her rampage the day before had been proof of that.
Guilt welled up inside her. Had she truly believed Amber would do that to her? Sweet, reliable Amber who'd been her friend even when she thought Macey was going to kill her.
A choking sound, across between a laugh and a sob escaped from Macey. After all this time, Amber's dream about Macey killing her had almost come true.
How could she have done that?
