Lilieth

A strong, pungent smell rips me out of my sleep.

I open my eyes and the first person I see is Deo. She's holding a glass jar in her hand, filled about halfway with herbs. Screwing it shut, she tells me, "It's great for waking people up."

"I can tell," I claim, rubbing my nose.

Trying to sit up proves to be a mistake because a sharp pain on the spot that connects my neck to my shoulder makes me yelp. I start to place my hand over me, but Deo grabs my wrists quickly, stopping me. ...