Chapter 48
Cassie
S’samph sat in a chair opposite the bars while Cassie dripped lavender canal water onto the floor.
He handed her a towel without a word. She threw up more water before accepting it with shaking hands.
S’samph was also soaked, sitting there in his standard brown jumpsuit, water dripping a slow rhythm on to the floor.
His frill was plastered against his spine.
Cassie pressed the towel against her face and then tossed it aside to heave up more water, this time through her nose.
The canal had been warm from the sunlight. The peak of heat season left the water warm and glowing. It was so easy to slip under, to let the water hold her. To let her breathing stop.
“I need you to talk to me, Cassie.” S’samph held the speech device up in front of her so it could capture her hands.
She stared at him. “About what?”
His tail swished. “Help me understand why you were in the canal.”
“It was warm.”
“You aren’t safe to be alone.”
“It’s cold in here.” She shivered for emphasis, wrapping the damp towel around her shoulders.
“I am trying to decide the best way to keep you alive.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I think I do.” He rose from the chair. “I will talk to Eleri. You will return to the clinic with me, and we will figure out what to do next.”
Cassie shuddered. “It’s not worth it.”
“It is.” Still dripping water behind him, S’samph stalked out of the cell. Cassie curled into herself, trying to find any scrap of warmth she could muster.