He pulled a face. "Just a scratch. You were delirious." He handed me the glass of water. "Drink up."
Rose appeared in the doorway. When she saw us, she started to retreat. I would have let her, but Gabriel turned as if sensing someone there. He paused and it seemed as if he was going to pretend he hadn't noticed her, but then he cleared his throat and called, "Rose?"
She returned.
"I was going to ask Olivia what she remembers from her vision at the house," he said. "You should be here for that."
"I'll make tea and toast," she said. "Get some food in you."
I wanted to tell her yes, go on, give us a few more minutes alone, but my eyelids were flagging, lethargy pulling me under. "We'd better do this now, before I fall asleep again. I don't want to forget it."
--
I told them about the vision. When I finished, Rose left, saying she'd check her books.
"I'll see what I can find online," Gabriel said to me when she was gone.
"I can do--" I couldn't stifle a yawn, then tried again. "I can do that."
"Normally, I would be quite happy to let you," he said. "Right now, the best thing you can do is sleep."
"We need to talk about the rest first. About Cainsville. Rose has to know." I glanced over. "If she doesn't already."
Gabriel's expression betrayed him then, a tightening of his lips, and I knew this was the part he'd been dreading. Not telling Rose about Cainsville, but finding out how much she already knew. How much she'd kept from him.
"I can do that," I said. "Why don't you go get some rest--"
"I'm fine."
"Clothing, then." I glanced down at the satin chemise wrapped around me. "While this is lovely, I really should . . ." Another yawn.
"Take a minute," Gabriel said, tugging the pillow out from under me so I slid down onto the bed.
I struggled to smile. "Thought you weren't allowed to say that."
"Only when I don't mean it. Close your eyes."
"Just for a moment," I said, my lids dropping as if obeying a summons.
I fell asleep.
--
I awoke to find myself staring into a pair of eyes. Yellow eyes.
"TC?" I croaked, lifting my head from the pillow.
He blinked in response.
"I brought him over," Gabriel said from the chair. "I was picking up your clothing, and he seemed concerned about you. I thought he might help you feel better."
I looked at TC, sitting rigid and unblinking on the other pillow.
"Did you hear that?" I said. "I'm sick. You're supposed to curl up with me. Cuddle. Purr."
He lifted a paw and started to clean it. Then he hopped down and strolled from the room, tail high.
"Ingrate," I called after him. I rolled over to look at Gabriel. "Is Rose downstairs? I really should talk to her."