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4

Benton

I grabbed the bottle and refilled ainst the crystal The brown liquid swirled around before it went still, like a black pool of death The decanter returned to the table, nearly empty because I used scotch as a pain medication for my soul

Opioids for the heart

“Should you contact hirabbed the decanter from the coffee table He carried it into the kitchen and e it empty on the counter

I stayed on the couch and stared at the fire “You think that’ll stopthatleft—except scotch

“No” Bleu ca room “But I can”

I released a painful chuckle because it was so false that no amount of truth was needed to deny it There was no reason to keep my mind sharp like a tack, my body ready for a demolition, because I’d explored every thread of hope to endless dead ends What was the purpose of being ready for a battle that I couldn’t find?

Bleu sat down again “Should we go back to the Chasseurs?”

“No”

“It’s been a few days”

“I’d be suspicious if it took less than a few days This isn’t a restaurant where you call to see if your order is ready for pickup If Barthololass and took another drink,open and staring, looking at the fire and feeling the heat burn the moisture away

Bleu turned quiet, shifting his gaze to the fire, his hands clasped “What did they want in return?”

I stared down into e as it swirled, htly brown “Money” I liftedthe coolness touch my bottom lip before the liquid came My eyes returned to the fire, the only company I really had since Claire had disappeared

Bleu turned back to htly suspicious But he didn’t dare challenge me