It takes her a moment to notice that he is finished, the feeling returning to her wrist and the haze in her mind clearing just a little. She realizes that she dug her nails onto her palm in her to keep herself awake (and to keep from moaning), the half moons turning from white to red now as she lets go. Her eyes blink open and her senses return to her but they don't come together completely, as if she has misplaced a few missing pieces. Never mind, they will come back eventually.

She feels emptied, not of warmth but something else--feeling? She wonders if, in the minutes (hours?) that has passed, Zelman has taken from her something she never knew she had, that she will never know she had. Hesitantly, she takes back her wrist and covers the wound with her palm. It will be easy enough to conceal, easier than rashes.

Nina squints to clear her sight, the images a blur of colors and motion shadows. She sees her doppelganger sitting across from her, where Zelman should be, holding her wrist like she is. A mirror. Her heart beats faster at the apparition, but she shakes her head and says nothing.