Chapter 15 · I'm cold. Shut up

"I'm cold. Shut up." She pushed the needle in.

I hissed. It wasn't just a burn. It was ice and fire at once. The blue shot straight up my arm. The sigil light choked, flickered, then dimmed. Her face was so close I could see the little scar on her lower lip. I could feel her breath on my mouth. Her hand was still holding my arm. Tight. Too tight.

"Ow," I whispered. "Okay. Ow. That's— that's a lot."

"I know." Her voice was softer now. Barely a whisper. "I know it hurts. Hold still. Almost done."

"You could've warned me it feels like liquid knives."

"Would you have let me do it if I did?"

"No."

"Exactly." She pulled the needle out slow. Her thumb pressed over the spot, rubbing a little circle to stop the bead of blood. Her palm was warm. My skin was still buzzing under her touch. "There. See? You're not glowing like a damn lantern anymore."

We stayed like that. Her hand on my arm. My back against the pipes. Her knees against mine.