Page 15 of Wings of Lies
With Oliver’s simple acceptance and help, it was easy to forget we had met hours ago. I knew nothing about him, yet, on the off chance the voice in my head was a reliable source, this was who I needed. Because what the hell were the chances there was a second Oliver out in those woods?
“I don’t know where to start. No memories, a melted doorknob, voices in your head, escaping without getting caught…”
I slumped back into the wooden bench, head tilting to the dots of silver in between the branches and twinkling yellow lights. The beauty of it all was lost on me as my skin itched and my body throbbed. Food and water could only do so much. “I’ll tell you everything I know if you can find me a bath and a place to sleep.”
He snorted. “Easy.”
Chapter
Five
“Welcome to Greenwick’s one and only bed-and-breakfast. Greenwick’s Bed and Breakfast!” exclaimed a cheery young man at the front desk. He had warm brown eyes, a mop of brown hair, and a big smile. “I’m Zade,” he said, giving all his attention to Oliver.
Oliver practically skipped to the front desk and rested both arms on the countertop. “Hey Zade, I’m single and need a room.”
Wow. Oliver came on strong.
Zade’s smile widened. “A room for just you… or?”
“I mean, certain company would be?—”
I cleared my throat. We didn’t need any extra company.
Zade peered over Oliver’s shoulder, raising a brow. “Is she with you?”
“Yeah. She’s my… little sister.”
We looked nothing alike, but sure.
“Isshe okay?”
“She’s fine. Enjoys playing in the dirt a little too much,” Oliver said behind his hand like they were sharing a secret.
Irritated, I glanced at the stairs—all four of them. My legs withstood the trek here—albeit stumbling and batting away Oliver’s hovering hands—but it counted.
“Does she need extra shampoo and soap?” Zade asked. “Maybe a brush?”
My teeth dug into my cheeks, and I glared. He was lucky I was focused on the stairs and not their faces. I contemplated turning around and doing something about my anger when hundreds of bugs skittered up my arms.
What the hell?
I peeled up the sleeve of Oliver’s sweater, searching for the reason behind the incessant itch, when it stopped. Dirty pink skin greeted me, bugless. I sighed.Stupid dirt.Little granules rained down on the tile of Zade’s lobby as I rubbed my skin, speckling the lovely white floors. I smiled, satisfied. I left Oliver to grab extra supplies after he finishedflirtingand continued to the stairs.
I lifted my shoe off the ground, believing if I could scale twenty stairs, run through a forest, and walk here, I could climb up four steps. My foot hit the wooden lip. I stubbed my toe and cracked my knees against the carpeted edge.
“Are you sure she’s okay?” Zade asked. His high-pitched tone grated on my ears.
Oliver walked over, wrapping an arm around my waist, and helped me up the last three steps.
“She’s just clumsy,” he called over his shoulder. “See you later?”
“You know where to find me.”
I rolled my eyes and glared at my arms as they erupted in that annoying itch. I needed a damn bath, like now. A weird pressure pushed behind my eyes, reminding me a bath wasn’t the only thing I needed. My impatience could attest to that. But before I sank my head into a soft pillow, Oliver and I had to hobble our way to our room.
Oliver unlocked the door and plopped me in the desk chair near the bathroom. “You want to shower first, or should I?”
Sweat, blood, and urine soaked my clothing, creating an acid-sweet smell that wafted off me in the most unpleasant of ways. Grime made my skin unbearably itchy, especially in the last few minutes. Add all that to the throbbing exhaustion peeling away at my senses, and I wanted to throttle Oliver.
