RAYNE WAS MAKING HER sit on a wooden bench, but Divania was hardly aware of it. He was talking to her in a smooth calm manner, but she couldn't bring herself to pay attention to his words.
The lights were too bright and hurting her eyes. The back of her head throbbed, and she felt a painful tightening sensation behind her eyes. Her mouth was dry and her throat was parched.
Her skin felt prickly and strange to her. When a drop of icy cold rain fell on her arm, she could only stare at it, open-mouthed.
"It's starting to rain," Rayne said and then gently touched her arm. "You're freezing."
He removed his coat and put it over her shoulders. He was talking to her again, but all her thoughts were concentrated on Saul.
He knew who she was and he was alive to tell anyone.
She was being pulled up to her feet, but she took no notice of it. Her eyes looked ahead at the tower where no doubt the criminals were kept imprisoned. Saul would be kept there too for his misconduct before he would be released. Then he would come after her.
No, I'm no longer safe here...
Rayne pulled her down the street and then took a right. The rain was coming down faster now, and neither she nor Rayne cared much for it. When the tower was no longer in view, she gazed at Rayne who appeared to be shivering in the cold. She ought to have given him his coat back, but he would only assume that she hadn't forgiven him.
When he stopped in front of a large wooden door, she paused her thoughts.
Did she forgive him? Rayne had been trying to prove that she was incompetent which was perhaps why he had ordered her to go out in the dark to the docks. Maybe he had believed she would refuse and prefer to be removed from her job.
Divania glanced at Rayne who was knocking on the door again. She should be angry with him. Had he not sent her to the docks, Saul would have never seen her and all these events of the night wouldn't have come to pass.
Rayne looked at her then and she saw how terribly guilt-ridden he looked. He knew he had made a mistake and had apologized for it.
The door opened before she could decide whether she wanted to forgive him or not. Before her, was a tall lanky man with short white hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He was dressed in a white shirt and beige pants.
"It's rather late in the night," the stranger told them, studying both Rayne and Divania.
"This is an emergency," Rayne said. "She was attacked and is hurt. Could you please take a look at her?"
Divania felt her nerves tingle with shock. She stepped back and tried to wriggle her hand from Rayne's grip.
"Oh, is it?" The man looked at her pityingly. "Then do come in and let me check her for injuries."
"I am fine. I'm not hurt," she said quickly.
"Divania..." Rayne started.
"No!" Divania started to turn away but Rayne took her wrists in both hands.
"Let the doctor have a look. You may have sustained serious injuries."
"I feel no pain."
"That is because you are in shock. It happens." Rayne gently pulled her towards him and then led her inside the house.
