Chapter 71

My eyes wouldn't stay open, so for days - weeks? - it was easier to keep them closed. Every once in a while, I heard voices murmuring and even laughter. Gibby, I thought, and Archer. Of course he would win her over in a heartbeat. Warmth from a hand, a fleeting touch, grazed my cheek or smoothed my hair, and sometimes a little wet nose or tongue would almost coax me out of this deep sleep. I wanted to wake up, but I was so warm, so relaxed.

"Are you hungry?" Lager's wife whispered from far away.

My stomach answered for me.

She chuckled and set something down next to me that roused me with its hearty, salty smell.

I licked my tongue over cracked lips and rubbed them together as my mouth watered. "Was'yer name?" My voice didn't sound like mine, too groggy and muffled. Oh. A blanket covered half my face, so I tugged it down.

"Shayanne, but you can call me Shay."

"How long have we...been here?"

"Two days."

"Are they" - I gestured vaguely - "behaving or driving you crazy?"