Ruby's vehement kicks to his body were still fresh in her mind. Larissa kissed Aster's tears, asking him softly, "Does it hurt bad?"

Aster shook his head minutely. She was not sure if he really was not in pain, or if he was only doing that to comfort her.

When they got to the first floor, Larissa raced out of the hotel as fast as she could and hailed a cab. They went to the closest hospital, which was the military hospital. Aster was heavily bruised from Ruby's kicks, but the fortunate thing w