36

~Aspen

Kastriv stands between my legs as I sit on the counter, wincing every time he presses the damp cloth against the side of my head.

"I hate that he did this to you," he murmurs, rinsing the cloth in the sink beside me.

I watch the blood dilute in the water, flowing down the drain. My stomach turns uncomfortably, knowing that he could have killed me with no effort at all.

"I guess this means I'll never be able to go in public again." I stare down at my hands, trying not to get emotional.

Will I ever know freedom?

Kastriv frowns, shaking his head, although I get the feeling he is trying to make me feel better. "It doesn't have to mean that. We can fix this."

He presses the cloth to the side of my head again, and I wince.

"Ouch." The stinging pain is bearable, but it's frustrating. At least the dizziness has subsided, and the wound isn't bad enough to take a long time to heal.

"Sorry, he got you pretty good." I can hear the quiet anger in his voice. I wonder if he's replaying that m