It was not until they were inside the lounge that Lucas finally put Serenity down on the sofa. He looked at her left hand, which she was covering with her right hand, and asked her, "Does it hurt?"

"Just a little," she mumbled.

He could see from her pained expression that she was making it sound less serious than it actually was. The usual calmness and tranquility she had on her delicate face were now gone, replaced by a tight knit in the brows and sickly pallor. Even her voice sounded like it