She shifted from one foot to the other, looking down at her bare toes. Anubis nudged her hand with his nose, and she automatically stroked his head.
"Maybe just some water," she conceded.
I led her to the kitchen, Anubis padding alongside her protectively. I reached into the cupboard for a glass and at the last second changed my mind. I watched her from the corner of my eye. She'd perched on one of the bar stools, legs swinging slightly, not quite reaching the footrest. When she thought I wasn't looking, she rubbed at her eyes with her fists, just like a tired child might.
"Here you go." I placed the water in front of her, deliberately using one of my unused colorful beakers rather than a plain glass. I told myself I bought them for Abby and Clare but as I never invited them for a visit that made no sense.
Her fingers curled around the bright blue cup, and a small smile touched her lips before she caught herself and forced her expression back to neutral.
"Thank you," she said primly.
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
Her cheeks flushed pink at the endearment, but she didn't correct me. Instead, she took small, careful sips of water, her posture gradually relaxing as the minutes ticked by.
"Do you want to watch a movie?" I asked, leaning against the counter opposite her.
She shook her head quickly, her knuckles whitening around the cup. "I don't think I could concentrate on one."
"Okay." I wasn't going to push her. What I'd love to do was read her a story but something told me she wouldn't like that idea either. A short smile flashed across her face, followed immediately by a yawn she tried and failed to stifle behind her hand.
"Sorry," she mumbled, looking embarrassed.
"Nothing to be sorry for." I moved around the counter, coming to stand beside her stool. "Ready to try sleeping again?"
She nodded, but when she slid off the stool, she swayed slightly on her feet. Without thinking, I scooped her up into my arms. She tensed immediately, her whole body going rigid.
"I'm too heavy," she protested, though her arms had instinctively looped around my neck.
"You've lost too much weight," I almost growled, already carrying her back toward the bedroom, dreaming up some nutritious menus. "But you're exhausted, and you shouldn't be on your feet."
She stayed stiff in my arms for a few more seconds before gradually relaxing, her head eventually coming to rest against my shoulder. By the time we reached the bedroom, her breathing had slowed, and I thought she might have fallen asleep again.
I laid her gently on the bed, pulling the covers up over her small form. "There you go. All tucked in."
Her eyes fluttered open, suddenly alert. "I'm not a baby," she said, though the words lacked conviction.
"Never said you were." I smoothed the blanket, careful not to hover too much. "Try to get some sleep. I'll be in the room down the hall if you need anything."
Emily nodded, already burrowing deeper into the pillows. "I'll be fine on my own. I always am."
Something in her tone made my chest ache, but I respected her boundaries. "Goodnight, Emily."
"Night," she mumbled, eyes already closing.
I whistled softly, signaling Anubis to stay with her while Hades followed me out. I left the door ajar, just enough that I'd hear if she called out.
In the guest room, I stripped down to my boxers, then added an old t-shirt and climbed into bed, though I knew I'd be lucky to get any sleep. My mind was racing with everything that had happened, everything Emily had told me. The pieces didn't quite fit together yet, but the picture they were forming was ugly.
Foster kids disappearing. Emily discovering a pattern. Someone powerful enough to orchestrate her abduction and brave enough to attempt it again, even after we'd rescued her the first time. Rice being involved didn't surprise any of us, but Emily's father was a complication none of us needed.
I must have eventually drifted off, because the next thing I knew, a scream tore through the silence of the house. I was on my feet before I was fully awake, grabbing my gun from the bedside table and racing down the hallway after Hades.
Emily's screams had turned to whimpers by the time I burst into the bedroom. She was tangled in the sheets, thrashing weakly, her face contorted in terror even though her eyes were closed.
"No, please, not again," she begged, still caught in the grip of her nightmare. "Don't put me in there. Please."
My heart twisted at the raw fear in her voice. I set the gun down on the dresser and approached the bed slowly. Anubis was standing at attention, looking for threats.
