Heena remained curled up against the plush velvet cushions, her breathing shallow and ragged. She continually popped the aggressively spicy and sour candies into her mouth, using the sharp sensory overload to anchor her deteriorating consciousness.
Hovering in the corner, the System watched her with uncharacteristic silence. It didn't offer any sarcastic remarks or complain about her attitude. It simply monitored her rapidly fluctuating vitals, its digital mane glowing a soft, anxious blue.
By the time the heavy carriage finally rolled through the fortified iron gates of the Vanguard estate and came to a smooth halt, the worst of the pain had receded into a dull, manageable throb.
Heena spat the remnant of the candy into a silk handkerchief, took a deep breath, and ruthlessly locked her vulnerability away. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her wine-colored robe, adjusted her posture, and wiped the cold sweat from the back of her neck.
