“Here, drink,” he urged, putting a bottle to her lips.
Nabiki tipped her head back and let the cool liquid fill her mouth. She swallowed three times before pushing it away. A cool cloth touched her temple and the top of her forehead. The heat of the day, pleasant before, seemed oppressive now.
“Who are you?” she asked as he pressed the bottle on her again. She took it, tipping her head back and swallowing gratefully.
“I am not important. You are. Can you feel it?”
Nabiki closed her eyes. The musk that had filled her mind eased and she could think again. She could feel her body, the strength in it, the burning and throbbing between her legs, the pounding of her heart. She had never felt so alive before. “Yes.”“Good. Hold that. Let it grow in you. When the time comes, it will give you protection and strength.”
Nabiki shivered as the satin was wrapped around her again. The fine fabric set her already strained nerves alight. Even though a sheen of sweat covered her skin and summer's heat was in the air, she couldn’t help but shiver.
He kissed her neck again and the musk faded away completely. She looked down at her hands, at the skirt of her now closed kimono. Her head came up, looking to see Him, remember Him, but it was too late. He was gone, as though He had never been. A small mirror hung on the wall of the booth and Nabiki was shocked to find her hair and makeup in perfect order, although her perspiration was beginning to make the latter run. Pulling a kerchief, she dabbed at her nose and upper lip. There was a splash of water left in the bottle and she drained that before pulling aside the curtain and emerging into the warm, bright summer sun.
