She no longer soaked in a steaming tub but resided in an unearthly realm that both tantalized and frightened. The fog was a tangible thing, cupping her face with yellowed fingers. The wood filled her nostrils with its earthy tang. The pads of her feet sank into the moist soil. It was intoxicating. More acute than arousal. Her flesh sizzled. Pleasure bordered pain as she drew closer and closer to them. Her family, her brethren, her pack.

At last, the shadows materialized. Faces took shape surrounding those eerie eyes—eyes so silver no human could possess them.

And no human did.

As the faces came into focus, Claire’s body jerked in terror.

Her head slid off the tub’s rim. She plunged into the warm, scented water with a gurgling shriek.

Coughing and sputtering, she shot up from the tub, hands slapping water as she sought something solid. One hand found the edge of the tub while the other wiped at rivulets of water streaming down her face. Chest heaving, she lifted her gaze. Through spiky wet lashes, she noticed her cat perched on the back of the toilet, black pupils so dilated the green could hardly be seen. The old tabby arched its back and released a long, moaning meow that twisted into a sharp hiss.

“Molly!” Claire reprimanded, feeling like a disappointed mother as the cat jumped off the toilet and bolted from the bathroom.

“Claire!” Maggie’s muffled voice carried through the bedroom door. “You okay in there?”

“Yeah! Getting out now,” she called, an unmistakable tremor to her voice. “Glad I never did drugs,” she muttered. Who could predict their effect if a mild painkiller reduced her to this?

Claire rose from the tub, taking extra care since her legs felt as steady as rubber. Slipping on her blue terry-cloth robe, she emerged from the bathroom, weaving a crooked line from the door.

“Maggie, I’m going to lie down.”

With a clucking sound, Maggie entered the room and slipped an arm around her waist. “Those painkillers sure pack a punch.”

They staggered together the few feet to the bed. Claire collapsed on top of it and tried to pull the comforter down, but her arms felt like two leaden weights, so she gave up, leaving them stretched above her head like a swimmer in dive.

“Wait here.” Maggie’s voice sounded underwater and far away. Seconds later, Claire felt the throw from the couch draped over her. She tried to voice her gratitude but her tongue was thick in her mouth and she couldn’t form the words.

“ ’Night. I’ll call to check on you tomorrow. See you Monday.”

She thought she heard the front door open and shut over the roaring in her ears. Her eyes drifted open, then shut, and then open again. She regarded the whirling fan blades above until she grew dizzy. Squeezing her eyes shut, she opened them sometime later to a darkened room, preternaturally still.