Page 7 of Vengeance Becomes Her

CHAPTER THREE

The next time Rhiannon woke, she was in her bed. She couldn’t tell what time of day it was through her heavy black curtains that someone had mercifully drawn for her. She groaned as she tried to adjust herself in the bed. Her head throbbed. Her throat burned. Her limbs were shaky and weak. She had no idea how she’d gotten up here, but she was sure she hadn’t done it by herself.

Murmuring voices from the entryway interrupted her thoughts. She sat stock still, trying to eavesdrop on the hushed conversation. It was no use, she couldn’t make out any actual words. It was as if all her senses had been dulled.

Rhiannon strained as much as she could to peek around the corner. It was her mother, sister, and a man. The bag in his hand indicated he was the town physician, Dr. Bosleano.

A sudden self-consciousness overcame her when she realized he must have been checking on her while she was sleeping. The thought of someone prodding or even just watching her when she was unaware made her skin crawl. That disturbing image combined with them discussing her health without her had irritation flaring within her.

Rhiannon coughed, hoping they’d catch on that she was now awake. Despite the exhaustion that threatened to steal her away again, she was determined to get some answers.

Her mother strode around the corner and into her room. “You’re awake.” Her shoulders dropped with slight relief. Her eyes were gaunt and hollow, and a deep frown weighed down her features. She looked like she was on the verge of tears, confirming Rhiannon looked as terrible as she felt.

Rhiannon shifted onto her back once more and sank into the pillows. All she could muster was a nod, her throat raw from hours of crying and too little water. She tapped her throat to indicate that she was thirsty.

Jade was back in a minute with a large glass of water.

Rhiannon managed a small smile as a thank you before she drank deeply. She gulped it down aggressively, not caring that water trickled down the sides of her mouth.

The others sat in awkward silence, watching her as she drank.

She wanted them to leave, but first, she needed answers. She cleared her throat. “How long have I been asleep? What happened? Where is Silas?” She repeated the questions she still hadn’t gotten answers to. Her voice was uncharacteristicallyraspy and weak.

Her mother and the physician exchanged worried looks, as if trying to decide whether it was a good idea to tell Rhiannon what was going on. Dr. Bosleano finally nodded, giving the okay, then quietly took his leave.

Jade sat next to her, leaning into her and resting their heads against one another. Her mother came around to the other side of the bed and placed her hands over Rhiannon’s.

“Silas is gone. There was no sign of him when your sister found you. We don’t know if he was taken or if he left.” Her mother stroked her thumb over Rhiannon’s hand in a soothing motion. “Dr. Bosleano has no explanation for what’s happened to you. He says he’s never seen anything like it.”

Rhiannon sat in silence, urging her mind to remember. But it was like a shield had erected between her and her memories. Protecting her from the horrors that waited there. She couldn’t shake the dreamlike feeling she’d fallen into. It was all too surreal to fully comprehend. She took a deep, shaky breath fighting to hold back tears of desperation. Panic that she would never have answers started to set in.

“We’re going to take care of you,” her mother said gently. “You will be back to yourself soon enough. For now, you need to rest.”

Rhiannon nodded. Her throat was tight with fear and doubt, so she didn’t respond.

Her mother pulled the blankets back over her and then saw herself out.

Jade slunk down onto the pillow, settling in to stay.

Rhiannon turned to her. “I don’t want to talk. If I’m not getting any answers, I just want to sleep and forget this is happening for a while.”

“Then we’ll sleep.”

“I want to be alone,” she insisted.

“I know. But you shouldn’t be.” Jade wrapped her arm around her, effectively ending the conversation.

Rhiannon was too tired to argue. When she turned back to her side, she noticed the bottle of syrupy liquid left on her bedside table. She pinched her nose and tossed the bitter contents back. Within minutes, she fell into a deep sleep.

In her dreams, she was surrounded by shadows and mist. The only thing she could make out were red eyes watching her. They followed and followed her until she was able to finally break free of her dream.

She woke to more darkness. Night had fallen but someone had lit the three pillar candles that sat on her bedside table, their wax melted artfully down the sides and around the base. She watched them flicker as her mind and eyes adjustedto wakefulness.

It took Rhiannon a moment to realize she wasn’t alone. Someone was sitting at the edge of the bed. She started, kicking herself back until she was against the headboard. For a moment, panic seized her. But then she realized it was her sister’s slim frame. Her muscles relaxed slightly, but she still clutched the sheets around her.

Jade was watching her anxiously. Concern was coming off her in waves. Itwas smothering.

“Please don’t look at me like that.”

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