A

oss the right si

ped. She could barely stand. I couldn'

er, voice low but firm. "You need

breaths shaking her. "No hospital, Det

eeth. "Your blood's on a knife. Your

, voice tight. "I'm not a criminal. I run a

in. Deep. Jagged. Yet... almost healing itself. "

ing her head. "I don't need anyone interfe

e. People notice. But I know a doctor-discreet. No records

annot have anyone touching me, Detective. People would see m

You're hurt. You're vulnerable. That's all that matter

'm not... like other people, I can handle this.

out your company, your reputation, or who notices. You

g outside. Shoulders sagging slightly, she finally said,

partment. It will be discreet

Okay... fine. But just... don'

e. "Good. That's all I need. Ju

el eyes... they flickered gold

der my breath. Heart racing.

You're imagining things," she said

ng anything. Something's not righ

cloth and antiseptic. "Focus on the wo

could. Every motion brought me closer, yet she di

quiet. Something-or some

t how she reacted. Her body stiffened

ck of the light-it was real. They were locked on the

eart racing. "Meredi

part of her was alert. Those go

ck to normal, calm. But my heart was still racing.

ow," she whispered,

redith... what the hel

dim light as they met mine-a silen

rn between shock, curio

Who attacked you? And why

stayed in my head. Whatever she was hiding... it

. The room felt tense, like you