12
On the Brink
In less than an hour they stumbled into the campsite, filthy and aching, almost too tired to eat. There were showers, and they had to line up and pay a couple of coins for soap and shampoo, but the wait was worth it. The hot water was only a pathetic trickle, but as it ran over Teya’s body it felt incredible. The graze on her hip stung under the flow of water, and she flinched as she scrubbed the dust out of it. Her stiff muscles slowly softened, and she spent a long time washing and untangling her hair, which had turned into a snarl of flaming knots. She worked through it until it was slippery and sleek with conditioner, then let it dry by the fire. Mateo watched with a strange expression as she combed it out. His face was shadowed and unreadable, and he kept his distanc
