a P

machines that measured the faltering mechanics of my body. I was in the Family's

to move

nt scream from my brain, but the sign

f panic clawed

chair next to the bed, his

suit was rumpled, h

tantly when my b

ed, lunging forwa

nk G

croaked, my

e fracture," he said,

y with extensive therap

gh

dan

fre

o

police," I

o sti

s hand back

on that steely tone of command, but there was a

o," I said, hot tears

ied to

g it. Sera, if it was anyone else, anyone, I would have them flayed alive for touching you. You know I would. But this is

at him in

hypothetical survival ov

ges," I said, my voic

" he

n't a

s an

tones. "The security footage from the hallway has been wiped. It was an accident. Yo

pe

sed th

sed my

rase

realization settling over m

standing up, his features settling into

tecting you f

st

ed to t

oing?" I asked,

next room," he said, r

be there when she wake

looking back,

a hospital bed, to hold the han

sed m

n five years, I didn't p

he strength to