Without an answer for Rhayne, I turn to Boris.
"You need to run to the tower, kid. Or give her our potion."
"I'm not turning her into a zombie."
"Then you need to find the solution fast." Boris nods toward the tower on the horizon, the twisted coral helix still pulsing against the false sky. "That's the clock."
"Damn it..."
I drop to one knee in front of her and touch her chin, lifting her face so I can see her eyes.
They find mine immediately.
Gray. Close. Our faces a few inches apart. For a second neither of us moves. If this were any other place, any other two people, I'd call this something it isn't.
I feel her breath against my wrist.
"I'm fine... now..."
Her voice is still thin, but her breathing has evened out a little bit.
No. Not that. I'm checking vitals.
I force my eyes down a fraction, off her gaze, onto her pupils instead. Unfocused. Tired. A little wider than they should be. I push the strap of her vest aside and look at the shoulder again.
