Adam's eyes snapped open, his body coiling instinctively as the fog of unconsciousness lifted. He shot upright—and immediately regretted it as pain lanced through his chest.
'What—where—'
The room was small but well-made. Wooden walls, simple furnishings, sunlight streaming through a window. And sitting in a chair by the bed, calmly holding a cup that smelled faintly of herbs, was the ancient being who had nearly killed him.
Adam's scales rippled across his skin in an instant. The Crown of the Hollow Glutton materialized on his brow, its hunger flaring as he prepared to attack despite his body's protests.
"Calm yourself." The ancient's voice was maddeningly serene. He took a sip from his cup. "The bandages I applied will come undone if you move too much."
