The Crimson Scar by Hannah Penfold

Author:Hannah Penfold [Penfold, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannah Penfold
Published: 2022-08-29T16:00:00+00:00

29

Rubien is busy as I make my way to the Tea Shop, people filling the streets, holding bags of fresh food, and children playing games in between groups of wandering people.

Dimitri waits outside for me, hands in his pockets as he watches Matilda, the owner’s daughter, completely engrossed in what the human girl is doing.

‘Maybe one day you’ll have the courage to ask her out,’ I say, tapping him on the shoulder.

He turns and, as expected, gives me a pouty look. ‘I’m happy with how things are now.’

Dimitri has reservations about a girl Matilda’s age being interested in a being hundreds of years old. I think that no matter the age gap, he would treat her the way she deserves, and that’s all that matters. But without Dimitri hinting at his affections for her, I know the girl will continue to have no clue how my friend really feels about her.

‘You keep lying to yourself if it helps you stay awake at night,’ I state, going inside to pick up our cakes.

He follows begrudgingly.

‘Are you here to pick up your order?’ Matilda asks in greeting as I approach the counter.

‘Yep. We need a sugar fix to reward ourselves later. We’re on our way to donate some blood, and this one is still not over his fear of needles.’ I jerk a thumb behind me to where Dimitri stands quietly.

‘Have you always been squeamish about them?’ Matilda asks him, collecting our box of goodies and looking at him expectantly.

‘Yes, unfortunately,’ Dimitri replies.

My unimpressed look when the girl turns her back on us doesn’t go unnoticed. I wave my hands frantically, silently telling him he’s an idiot and to say more, but his glare is enough for me to sigh and force a smile once Matilda faces us again.

‘Well, I hope all goes well,’ she offers, handing over our container of goodies before helping another customer.

I watch Dimitri’s face, and it flickers with disappointment. We leave the premises, earning a wave from Matilda before we hit the streets once more.

‘If you want to pursue her in deep and meaningful conversation, Dimitri, simple answers aren’t going to help,’ I mutter, opening the cake box and looking at the beautiful decorated slices inside. My mouth waters looking at them.

‘Thanks for the advice,’ he deadpans. ‘But if I need your help, I will ask.’

I scowl. ‘Someone’s in a mood.’

‘Can you blame me?’ he asks.

Rubien’s hospital is quite small in comparison to the healing clinic within the House of Raven. However, the doctors and nurses that work there are much nicer to converse with, having gotten used to me and Dimitri visiting every month.

We head for the back entrance and sign in, then follow the path we know off by heart to the donor wing.

‘Back again so soon?’ a nurse called Meela calls out as we enter the ward. ‘Didn’t get put off by the last visit?’

Dimitri grimaces at the memory. The last time we came to donate blood, we were given a trainee nurse. She

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