Sink or Swim
Day break arrived as well before long.
A sharp kick to her ribs yanked Lila from the delicate grasp of rest.
“Up. Now.”
Her eyes snapped open. Jessa.
Lila gritted her teeth, gnawing back a recoil as torment flared through her sore muscles. The cold, difficult ground underneath her had done small to ease the solidness settling into her body overnight. Rest had been fleeting—if she had indeed overseen any at all. But there was no time to stay on distress. Not here.
Jessa stood over her, arms crossed, her sharp look flashing with swoon entertainment.
“Kane needs you working,” she said straight. “Think you'll be able oversee that, princess?”
Lila pushed herself upright, steadying her breathing. “I can handle it.”
Jessa's smile extended, moderate and knowing. “We'll see.”
With that, she turned and walked absent, anticipating Lila to take after without address.
The morning discuss was moist with the waiting fragrance of rain, blending with smoke and the swoon stench of gasoline
