Page 57 of Fangs
“Children,” Griz reprimanded mildly.
“I’m ok, Shortcake, I swear,” Sam said, pulling his wrist free from my grip. “Just haven’t slept much in the past twelve days.”
“How areyoufeelin’, Bones?” Griz asked.
I hesitated, still studying Sam and struggling with my compulsive need to lie. “I’ve felt better.”
Sam snorted again.
“Well, I guess that’s kinda progress,” Griz muttered.
A knock on the door startled all of us, and we looked to see Sable step into the room.
“Hi, Ember,” Sable said with a polite smile. “I asked Mac if I could give you an examination, and he said so long as you were alright with it?—”
“No,” I snapped, my entire body tensing.
Griz and Sam looked at me, eyes narrowed.
“I think all of us would feel better if a healer checked you over,” Sable tried.
I looked to Griz for backup, but he was frowning slightly.
“I’ve been workin’ in the clinic with him,” he explained quietly, “and he’s a good healer. I knowI’dfeel better if a healer made sure you were alright.”
“I’m—” I started hotly, but Griz held a hand up, glaring.
“Don’t you dare say ‘fine.’”
“I was gonna say ‘ok,’” I muttered.
“Bones,” Griz groaned, scrubbing his hand over his face.
“So what, you’refriendsnow?” I demanded, feeling strangely hurt.
“No,” Sam answered sharply, but Griz grimaced.
“Look, I can’t speak for all of ’em, but Sable seems decent. That’s all I’m sayin’,” Griz murmured.
“It’s your choice, though,” Sam said firmly.
I glanced at Griz again, and the clear worry in his eyes cracked through my defensiveness.
“Fine,” I muttered.
“You want us to stay?” Griz asked, and I nodded, feeling relieved.
Sable slowly approached the bed when Griz waved him over, looking unbothered by the hushed discussion the three of us had just had about him.
“Alright, I’m just going to start with your vitals,” Sable said in a calm healer voice.
He continued to narrate everything he was doing as I grumpily cooperated. Griz and Sam hovered close, watching.
“You had a high fever for eight days,” Sable said as he worked. “Your crew said that happens after you use too much of your healing power, but the longest you’d ever been out was four days. Is that correct?”
I nodded, trying to breathe normally.
“Griz told me his theory that you heal yourself as well, but slower. I think he’s right. That must be why you survived in that river for so long.”
