And yes, I carry guilt for all of that. But Lilith, the alternative was you staying dead. And that was unacceptable. So I carry the guilt because it means you're alive."
"That's not healthy," Lilith said.
"No," Victoria agreed. "But it's honest."
They sat in silence. Drinking tea. Watching Elena sleep. Existing in the quiet space that came after violence and before whatever came next.
Movement from the bed made them both look up.
Elena's eyes fluttered open. Slowly. Like waking from very deep sleep. She blinked at the ceiling for a moment, clearly disoriented.
Then her gaze found Lilith.
"You're here," Elena said. Her voice was hoarse. Rough from disuse.
"Of course I'm here," Lilith said. She set down her tea and moved to sit on the edge of Elena's bed. "How do you feel?"
"Like I got mauled by a demon," Elena said. She tried to sit up and immediately winced. "Which I did. So that's accurate."
