Roses and Thorns

18- Shiver

"Rose."

I blink open and seize breath, feeling my stomach roll up and down like waves on the ocean. The sensation is so vivid it makes me shudder, and as my vision focuses I look up into Tammory's eyes. She's squinting and her fur is an unruly mess.

I'm getting tired of being woken up in the morning by unexpected visitors.

"Where are the Cloud Chasers?" I ask.

"They're already gone." Tammory glances over at the window. The sun shines a pale yellow through the glass.

"Ace and Asha?" I continue, my voice a disappointed whine.

"Already up." she continues.

I paused, then ask, "...Shea?"

"Good, you already know why I'm here. That should make this much easier." Tammory smirks.

"For the love of our star-coated overlords, make it brief." I throw myself back against the ground. "I think my head is about to split open."

"Oh no. You're coming back with me to the Table."

She cuffs me by the ear, sending searing pain through the sensitive skin, and drags me out of the house and into the center of the Glade. The usual suspects stand about outside, many of whom seem amused by my presence. I catch smiles and a low, well-meaning laughter. I try not to meet their gaze as I pass, bile filling my stomach, and Tammory lets go when we make it to the Table.

It's bitterly cold outside, and the inside of the Table is even worse. The cold begins nipping at my ears, picking up where Tammory left off, and I sit down at the close end and lay down again the Table.

Terrible mistake. I jolt upright, my face smarting from the shock, and Eris snorts humorlessly, nostrils flaring. "Should we get on with things?" She turns to Tammory, who nods.

Tammory clears her throat, then begins, "Last night, an anonymous informant-"

"You mean Shea."

"An anonymous informant told us that you were out with the Hunter, investigating around the town well past established curfew. What's more, you were in our private documents, sharing classified information with a non-resident who may pose a threat to us all."

"First, he's not a threat. Second, the only 'classified' thing on any of those documents is how little happens at your meetings." I retort, my pulse still throbbing on the inside of my head. "I know you're in a tizzy, but calm down."
"I'm not angry at you, actually. I don't know why you continue to paint me as relentlessly unreasonable. I assure you, I will listen to reason." Tammory says, and then adds, "The meetings are crucial to the development of our town. I'd recommend showing us a little more respect."
Eris steps in. "I know you're passionate about the case, but going behind our backs in the middle of the night? This is nothing like you and you know it. Whatever's gotten into you..."

"It was late and I was mildly intoxicated." I mutter.

"If we let everyone use that as their excuse, Eris and I would never have to stage an intervention again."

"This is an intervention?"

"Yes," they say in perfect unison, tones grim.

"I won't do it again."

Tammory shakes her head, her gaze steady with mine. "We don't know that. More importantly, this needs to be over. You've made little to no progress, all the work you're doing is making you ill, food and Alabaster's time are being wasted, and now we have a criminal stalking outside our homes at night."