Page 24 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

Since always, but I don’t say that. “I’m not sure. When was the last time you saw Ada talking to him?”

“It’s been a couple of days. Why would that—Ahh.” Imryll nods. “Do you know what she said to him?”

I shake my head no as I shrug. “Nothing that he didn’t already know or need to hear. How is Rin?”

“She’s good. There were a few lacerations and some bruising, but I doubt it will keep her down for long. Ada and Connak are in room three with her.”

“When did he get here?”

“Right before you. She’s waiting to tell us what happened; she only wants to explain it once. Then she doesn’t want to talk about it again.”

I tilt my head as I narrow my eyes. “What did she tell you?”

His lour is severe, causing his entire face to morph. “Absolutely nothing. She spoke to Ada and had her relay the message.”

“You don’t think it’s—”

“I don’t know, Tal. I don’t know.” He rubs at the scruff that’s grown on his jaw; one too many shaves skipped in the past days. “I’ll get Ecaeris. You go ahead.”

Three steps into the hallway, Ada’s laughter rings around me. I stop at the door before interrupting whatever has her so happy while Rin is injured.

They took so quickly to each other; I know if Rin was in bad shape, Ada would not be jovial about anything.

“I didn’t get the option to decline stitches this time,” Ada explains, and Rin snickers. “Although the gash sealed itself too fast for me to understand, so I shouldn’t complain.”

“There was no way to put a crab berry leaf on your ass and wrap it up. It would have been a hassle every time you sat down or stood up,” Connak argues.

“It’s my hip.”

“It’s your ass, Ada,” he states.

I tap on the door as she groans. “Want more company?”

“You have to agree with me upon entry,” she jokes.

“Don’t do it, Tal,” Rin informs me as I turn the knob. “It’s a trap. It’s all a lie.”

I smile at the girls as I lean against the wall. Rinya has a split lip and a swollen black eye, the bruising stretching down her cheek and over the bridge of her nose.

“I’m glad to see your spirits are high. How are you feeling?”

“Like I had my ass beat and then laughed until I cried.”

“Could be worse,” I say.

Ada’s brows crease when Connak and Rin echo my sentiments. She doesn’t get the chance to question us before Imy and Ecaeris enter.

“I have sent home all the patients,” Imryll informs us. “No one else is here.”

“Tell us what happened?” I gently plead, praying to Spiran that it’s not a repeat of last year. Her body language tells me it’s not, but I need to hear her say it.

Rin meets Ada’s eyes, encouragement blossoming between the two of them. They hold hands for a moment, and Rinya grows serious.

“They ambushed me on my way home last night.”

“Beasts in the village?” The question spills from Connak’s lips before he can contain them.

“No. Men.” Rin looks at me. “I smelled them, Tal. Just like that night.”