"Thank you, but I'm really fine. You don't have to worry," Graces's voice came again, still audibly strained and restrained. He clearly hadn't listened to a word she'd said.
Lu Xia didn't press the issue. 'He can't stay in the bathroom forever.' "Alright," she said. "As long as you're okay."
Without another word, and without indicating whether she was staying or leaving, she turned, walked over to the bed, and sat down.
Her gaze, however, remained fixed on the bathroom. The moment Graces came out, he would see her.
Graces listened for a moment. Hearing nothing, he assumed Lu Xia had left. The tension that had held him rigid suddenly snapped, and his body went limp. He collapsed to the floor, gasping in agony.
He was a grotesque sight, neither man nor monster. The entire right side of his body was covered in thick, black scales, a truly bizarre and horrifying spectacle.
Graces struggled to his feet and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
