Page 110 of Suncatcher

“Come with me,” Pearl repeated.

“I should not.”

“Please.”

Pearl had pleaded with her earlier too, hadn’t she? When she had tried to get away from Driz.

Pearl stepped onto the porch of the saloon, torn between the light inside and Driz, hand still outstretched. “Please stay. I need you to stay.”

Driz pushed aside her confusion and horror. Pearl needed her.

Driz followed Pearl up onto the porch, but stopped at the doors.

Oak lay on a bloody table, several people huddled around her. One man was dabbing her forehead and the other was wiping his own. Pearl halted right beside the table, looking between them. “Tell me. Will she live?” Her voice cracked on the question.

The doctor nodded wearily. “I hope so. I got the bullet out, and have done what I can. But only time will tell for certain.”

Pearl’s hands shook. “I don’t have any blight left, but she might. Take it. Anything you need. I don’t care if it’s not in your practice…”

The doctor shook his head. “I already used a little in the wound, but she consumed a lot earlier too. Any more and it’ll do her system more harm than good.” He assessed Pearl. “How’re you?”

“Fine.” Pearl waved him off, dropping to her knees and grabbing her mother’s limp hand, pressing her lips and then her forehead to it, fresh tears clinging to her cheeks. She tried to hide them, but Driz saw. Driz shifted, wanting to go to Pearl, but knowing she was all wrong.

How could she have ever thought she had a place anywhere near humans? Her battered, blood-coated body was evidence she could no longer deny. She had killed today. Just like Oak had said. It was her nature. Driz didn’t entirely remember. And that made it so much worse.

The tops of her wings brushed the doorframe. She was too big.

Pearl looked back at her. “Won’t you come in?”

Driz shook her head.

Pearl glanced between Driz and her mother as she stood and approached. When she got near, Driz retreated, backing down the steps and into the street again.

Pearl scowled. “Don’t run from me. Not after you couldn’t tear yourself away earlier.”

Pearl’s arms looped around Driz’s neck, her body pressing into her. And Driz instantly relaxed, some of her tension easing.

“Thank you,” Pearl whispered. “For listening to me.”

Driz ran her nose along Pearl’s neck, simply inhaling the wonderful, comforting scent of her. As she skimmed a hand down her arm, Pearl twitched and quickly smothered her hiss.

“Are you hurt?” Driz pulled back.

“No, I’m fine,” Pearl said, too fast.

“Are you lying?” Driz was trying to learn. Trying to understand. But her trying wasn’t enough.

“I’m just…No, I’m fine.”

“Show me your arms.”

Pearl eyed her, wariness in her gaze, and Driz’s aching wings flared.

“Show me,” she demanded. Pearl was hiding something.

Pearl glanced around, her gaze flitting to the windows on either side. Then she unbuttoned her ruined shirt.

It was growing dark, but unfortunately Driz could see very well in the darkness. She saw the redness, and the splotching bruises forming beneath Pearl’s pale, perfect skin. On her chest and her shoulder. On her arms. Her wrists.