Page 143 of To Ashes and Dust
All eyes locked on the flames; the immortals offered up their lament for Barrett’s soul in song.
“Oreie etai skiasei ntropo. Afin leukô odigei vôu solos. Etu Elysium sei enlisnô.”
My gaze shifted from the pyre to Selene as her hands continued their dance, the words continuing to pour from her lips as the hymn started anew.
I froze at the sight of the starlight tear rolling down her cheek.
52
CASSIE
Lips brushed against my brow, and a soft whisper filtered into my ear in the darkness.
I love you, mea luna.
I opened my eyes, shivering under the covers. “Mea sol?”
He was gone, the room empty. What time was it? A piece of paper on my nightstand caught my attention. I grimaced as I pushed myself up, my shoulders and back stiff and protesting. Cold air nipped at my skin as the blankets fell, and I grabbed the note.
‘Need to take care of some work at The Outpost. Try to take it easy. I should be back this evening.’
I set the piece of paper back on my nightstand. I must have been too tired to wake up when he’d kissed me goodbye.
God, I was sore, the lingering stiffness of whiplash still clinging to my neck and back. I sat there a moment, exhausted and wanting to lie back down and go to sleep, but I couldn’t. I needed to get up, needed to do more than just lay in bed all day. I looked at the clock; it was already past noon. I’d nearly slept the day away. I groaned as I forced myself to the edge of the bed. Maybe a hot shower would help ease the soreness in my body. I rose and headed for the bathroom.
The hot water rolled down my body, soothing, but not soothing enough. It wouldn’t be. It had been a little over a week since everything happened, so it was no surprise I was still sore. Johnson told me to take it easy for the first five days, but to try to stay mobile after that, to get whatever exercise I could manage. Movement encouraged blood flow, and blood flow encouraged healing.
I turned the faucet, the hot water trickling to a stop. Cold air threatened to invade the warm space as the steam dispersed. A chill danced over my skin, and I stepped out, grabbing a towel to dry myself. I stopped before the vanity, my eyes drifting over my body in the mirror. Bruising painted my body; my left shoulder, along my ribs, my knees. It was beginning to fade, turning more yellow and less black and blue.
My gaze fell to the two bottles of medicine on the counter, no longer hidden from view. I drew a deep breath as I grabbed one. Did these even buy me time anymore? How much time did I have left? I twisted the cap and deposited a pill into my palm before grabbing the other and knocking them both back with a glass of water.
Fresh air would be good. I could go for a walk; I hadn’t gone for a walk through the city in a while. Maybe I could stop by Kats, visit her for a bit. I moved to the closet, fishing through my clothes before finding a black sweater and pants. The pants weren’t difficult to get on, but when I tried to put my sweater on...
“Shit.” I couldn’t lift my arm, the limb still weak from the dislocation. Damien had been helping me dress since I’d been released, and this was the first time I’d tried to do it myself. I drew a deep breath. I could figure this out. I used my good arm, slipping my hand downward into the sleeve, then pulled the sleeve up to my shoulder before pulling the sweater over my head. I barely managed to slide my good arm into the other sleeve unaided.
My shoulders sagged in relief, and triumph swelled in my chest that I’d managed it by myself. I eased down onto the bed, feeling a little winded after dressing. Exhaustion clung to me. I hadn’t even started walking and I was already tired. I grabbed my phone, determined to get out of the house. I’d been cooped up here since we’d returned from Barrett’s funeral a few days ago.
My fingers tapped away at the keyboard, texting Kat.
‘Hey love. I was going to go for a walk, you home?’
I set my phone down beside me and pulled my thick socks on. My toes were freezing in the winter air permeating the space, despite the radiators. I couldn’t seem to stay warm on my own. My phone vibrated, and I grabbed it.
‘I’m home studying. I could actually use a study partner. Anatomy and Physiology’s kicking my ass.’
I smiled, wondering how exactly I’d be able to help her, but it would be nice to see her face.
‘I’ll head that way.’
She responded quickly.
‘You don’t want me to come pick you up?’
‘I need the exercise. You study. I’ll see you soon.’
My phone pinged again.
‘Ok. See you soon! XO!’
