Everafter Series 1 - Everafter by Nell Stark, Trinity Tam Read Free Book Online Page A

ring the damn doorbell. Would he?
    “Hello?”
    “Valentine, it’s Harold Clavier. May I come up?”
    I frowned at the coincidence. Think of the devil and he shall appear. “Of course.” I buzzed him in, but when he knocked on the door, I didn’t take the chain off before opening it. When I peeked through the crack, my anxiety faded into a background murmur. It really was him, in a long, black wool coat. I undid the chain.
    “This is a surprise, Doctor,” I said. “Can I get you anything?”
    “No, thank you.” He sat in our threadbare armchair, and I took my place on the love seat. “I was on my way to the hospital and thought I’d make a house call to see how you’re recovering.”
    On his way to the hospital? I didn’t envy him the night shift. “This is above and beyond, really. Thank you for dropping by.”
    It had only been a day and a half since I’d last seen him, but I had forgotten just how unnerving his stare was. Did the man ever blink?
    “So?” he prompted.
    I grimaced. “The headache is pretty much gone, but I’m still very weak. I expected to feel at least a little stronger by now.”
    “And the incisions?”
    “Fine. No signs of infection.”
    “How is your appetite?”
    At that moment, my throat throbbed painfully. Out of instinct, I reached for my water. “I’m eating fine. The strange thing is that I can’t stop feeling thirsty, no matter how much I drink. I’ve probably had over a gallon of water today, and I still feel parched.”
    He steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “Interesting.”
    “Do you have any idea what might be causing that?” I asked, hearing the note of desperation in my voice. “Any idea about what I can do to fix it? It’s really uncomfortable—painful, even.”
    “Yes, I imagine so.” He sounded distracted, but pulled a business card out of his coat pocket and handed it to me. “It will be helpful to run some additional tests. Come and see me on Wednesday at this address. This is my second office, in Midtown. Not the hospital.”
    I took the card from him. “Do I need to call to make an appointment?”
    “Come at three thirty. Does that work for you?”
    “That’s fine. Thank you.”
    “And how about psychologically?” he asked. “Any memories resurfacing? Violent dreams?”
    My heart sped up again. Dreams. Why had he asked about violent dreams? I took a futile sip of water and pulled myself back under control. Maybe because violent dreams were normal after a violent attack. Jeez. I really needed to give my neuroses a break.
    “Memories, no. Dreams, yes. Actually…you offered me a list of recommended therapists. I’d like to take you up on that.”
    “Of course. I can give you several names on Wednesday.”
    “Thank you.”
    He got to his feet. Interview over, apparently. I started to rise, but he held out one hand to stop me. “Don’t tax yourself—I’m sure that your leg is still very sore. I can see myself out.”
    “Okay. Thank you for taking the time to make a house call.” I smiled, but he only nodded in return.
    “Good night, Valentine,” he said, halfway through the door. “See you soon.”
    When it clicked shut behind him, I got up and refastened the chain. So much for me not taxing myself. I went back to the couch and flipped open my textbook again, determined to at least finish this chapter before Alexa got home. But instead of seeing the words, all I saw was his expression after I had told him about my bizarre excessive thirst. His face hadn’t really betrayed emotion—it never did, as far as I could tell—but for one split second, I could have sworn that his eyes sort of…gleamed. It was the way my cousin looked when he won a hand at poker; the way my father looked when he talked about his latest financial conquest.
    Triumphant.
     
    *
     
    I was going out of my mind.
    I had barely slept last night. Fear of my dreams and for Alexa’s safety had made me twitch awake every time I felt myself descending into a