James
Charlotte emerges from the bedroom, rubbing at her eyes, hair still tousled, partially covering her face.
“How are you feeling now?” I ask. “Better now that you’ve caught up on some sleep?”
“Mmm, yes. Much better, thanks.” But there’s something in her tone….
Still tired perhaps….
It’ll probably take her a few days to get back to rights again….
I put my book aside and pat the seat next to me on the couch. “Come and sit with me.”
She smiles, but the smile is faint, and as her hair falls aside, I get a good look at her face. She’s very pale, puffy-eyed and shadowed. And now, as I look at her properly, her movements are stiff and halting. As she sits, she hisses quietly.
“Charlotte, is something wrong?”
“I’m fine, Master.”
She’s clearly not fine. Everything about her screams of
