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Actually opening my eyes was another feat entirely, and it took a few tries, but finally I looked to see Quinn beside me, worry and relief in his eyes. Bruises marred one side of his face, and he was pale with exhaustion, but it was still the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen.

"Quinn." Speaking hurt, like I'd swallowed broken glass, but it was worth it to see the relief win the battle inside him. Something gripped my hand, and I realized he was holding it. Knowing him, he had been for awhile. How long had I been asleep?

"I'll get you some water," he said quickly and went to stand, but I shook my head, holding onto him in return. He immediately sat back down in what I realized was a chair similar to the one at his tiny two-person dining table in his kitchen. It wasn't the same, though, and the scents I was getting weren't the familiar smells of Quinn's little cottage either.

"Where—" My voice caught, and I had to swallow against the pain, but at least he understood what I was trying to say.

"We're at Ori's… friend's house," he said, but it sounded more like a question. "I'm not entirely sure who she is to Ori, honestly, but she's been treating your injuries. It was too much for Lain to handle." He must have sensed my next question, because he added, "You've been asleep for about 36 hours."

No wonder my head felt so foggy and heavy. A day and a half? I knew the other had hurt me, but I hadn't realized it was that bad.

"Everyone else?" Pain be damned. I needed to make sure no one else had gotten hurt because of me.

"Everyone is safe," he assured me. "Lain has been watching the animals at home for me and covering the salon. Ori is in the other room with Anjeli DeVor." He paused, eyes going distant for a moment. "So, yeah, it turns out all kinds of shapeshifters exist. I haven't decided if it makes more or less sense than a pack of coyotes appearing out of nowhere to help protect you."

"Rom?" He'd had the dog with him that day, I thought.

"He's okay, too. I told him to run, but he went to get help instead. That's how that guy Wyatt found us, I guess." A frown furrowed his brow. "Why Rom trusted him, I don't know, but either way, he's alright. He had a few superficial cuts that Lain took care of, and he slept for the rest of the day, so he's back to normal."

I had so many questions, too many for any one to rise to the top. So much had happened, and I was still reeling from it all.

"Let me go get Ori and Lelo, okay? She'll want to check on you, and they understand all of this more than I do. I'll get you some water, too."

This time I nodded, squeezing his fingers gently before releasing him. Quinn didn't leave right away, though. He stood, then leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek.

"I'm so glad you're okay," he whispered, then left to go get the others.

I likely only had a minute before they arrived, so I closed my eyes, focusing on the worry that had built since I'd woken up. The silence in my head seemed to echo as I reached out, searching for the beast.

Are you okay?

Something stirred in the back of my mind and the depths of my soul, but it felt weakened, exhausted down to the very marrow.

What do you need? Should I try to shift for you? There was no way I had enough energy to change shapes, but for him, I'd try. The beast had saved us after all. Not me. I'd do whatever he needed to make sure he recovered.

He still didn't speak, but there was a faint pulse within our body, a denial of my suggestion. Maybe he just needed more time to recuperate than I did? He'd done the fighting, after all. He just needed more time.

I had to believe that.

Approaching footsteps warned me that my time was up, and I opened my eyes just as Quinn walked in with a small crowd at his heels. Lain was right behind him, his hair mussed and his eyes dark with exhaustion. With him was Ori, wearing a sleeveless shirt that exposed the tattoos delicately climbing their arms. At their side was a woman I didn't recognize. She carried a tray filled with small bowls and vials, the smell of herbs wafting from it.

"It's good to see you awake. We were starting to worry," Ori said. They gave me a genial nod, stepping to the side to allow the woman to go ahead of them. Lain took up a position beside Ori. The room we were in was too small for all of them to stand around my bed, something I was profoundly grateful for. Even knowing the three of them were allies, I didn't like the idea of them standing over me while I was helpless in bed. However, I didn't mind it at all when Quinn squeezed around to the other side, between the bed and the wall, so he could take my hand again.

"Typhon, this is Lelo," he said, nodding toward the woman. "She's a friend of Ori's and has been taking care of you since everything happened."

"Thank you," I rasped out. She tutted quietly and shook her head, then handed a cup with a lid and straw to Quinn.

"Try to drink something. I have done my best to keep you hydrated, but your throat will likely be sore for a day or two." Her words rolled as she spoke, a gentle accent I couldn't place. An orange cloth headband held back a multitude of braids; the warm color bringing out golden undertones in her dark skin. Even wearing just a simple dress, she was a beautiful woman, but what truly caught my attention were her eyes. A startling shade of pale blue, they seemed to see right through me, finding truths that even I didn't know.

I didn't understand why she'd passed Quinn the water until I tried to sit up to take it and my arms wobbled alarmingly. Sitting up proved to be impossible, and my first instinct was to push through the pain, but that would only make my recovery that much longer. At least it was Quinn helping me drink, rather than a stranger. The first few swallows went a long way toward easing the burn in my throat, unfortunately leaving me free to focus on the other pains making themselves known from just about every other part of my body.

"What happened?" I asked once I'd drained half the cup. "Are we still in danger?"

"Probably, but it's less immediate at the moment," Ori replied. "Not much has changed since you fell asleep, but I'll tell you what I can. Do you mind if Lelo examines you while we talk? She needs to assess your injuries."

Ori clearly knew this woman well and trusted her, but I didn't. For that matter, I hardly knew Ori either, beyond our interaction at Quinn's house. They'd proven themself a capable ally, though, and if Quinn trusted the two of them to care for me while I was unconscious, then I would trust his judgment.

Bracing for the inevitable pain, I nodded to them.