"Amara, are you alright?" Hale called as I heard the front door swing shut behind him.

Shit. I had to get up and recover quickly. I swiped a hand across my mouth and stood up. My stomach screamed in protest, but I rinsed my mouth out with cold water and stepped out into the hall.

"I'm fine, I just had to use the bathroom," I assured him, going to greet him in the entryway.

He looked exhausted. His shoulders seemed to droop under the weight of whatever rested ...