Sela pursed her lips, arms crossed, as she stared at Mirelle explaining herself.
"I thought you were an intruder."
Mirelle, still kneading her bruised stomach, shot her a hateful glare. Then she straightened—just barely—before snapping back.
"I thought the same."
A silence settled over them, taut as a drawn bowstring.
Then—
"What are you doing here?"
Sela repeated her initial question.
"Same as you,"
Mirelle replied coolly, brushing dust off her tunic.
"I'm here to see what condition Lugh is really in. Seems you're worried about him too."
Sela flinched.
"Who's worried about that—I'm not worried about him."
She caught herself, taking a breath to steady her tone.
"I'm just curious, that's all."
Mirelle gave her a side glance full of disbelief.
"Uh-huh. Yeah. Whatever you say."
Just then, the door creaked open, and a robed figure stepped inside, face obscured by a black hood. It closed the door behind it with a soft click—then suddenly froze.
