"She needs another hour at least."
"She's awake, Harper."
"Being awake and being ready are not the same thing and you know that."
"I'm right here." My voice came out rougher than I intended. "Both of you. Right here."
"How's your head."
"Better than an hour ago."
"That's not what I asked."
"It's still there. The migraine. But it's manageable. I can sit up without the room moving."
"Can you stand."
I stood up slowly. My hand on the wall for two seconds before I let go.
"Yes."
Harper looked at Mason. Mason looked at the floor.
"Don't do that," I said.
"Do what."
"Have a conversation with your eyes about whether I'm well enough to be in the room for the actual conversation."
Silence.
"The Council ruled this morning." Owen's voice from the doorway, quiet and careful in the way
