Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“This is Dr. Fonseca. He’ll prepare you for Madison’s parents,” Major said in a matter-of-fact tone. I didn’t get the chance to ask what “preparing” meant, as the doctor and Major stepped closer to my bed.
Doctor Fonseca’s eyes rose to meet mine before darting back to Madison’s patient file. He put more distance between us. A fine sheen of sweat covered his forehead and his collar was soaked. I didn’t have to be a mind reader to know that he too was scared.
“Tessa. It’s time for you to take Madison’s appearance,” Major said.
In front of Doctor Fonseca? The man was gripping his ballpoint pen so tightly his knuckles had turned stark white.
“What are you waiting for, Tessa?” Major snapped.
Doctor Fonseca kept his eyes glued to his papers.
I allowed myself to relax and gave myself over to the shift. Skin loosened and was reshaped, bones lengthened. A gasp burst through my concentration. I closed my eyes, forcing my body to finish what it had started. And when the ripping sensation ebbed away, Tessa had dissolved and been replaced by Madison Chambers.
I opened my eyes and something sour filled my mouth at the sight before me. Doctor Fonseca stood pressed against the farthest wall, the medical files like a shield brandished in front of his chest. Alec’s eyes hardened as they settled on Major. I’d never had anyone be afraid of me before. But there was no doubt about what I saw in Doctor Fonseca’s eyes. Living with the FEA had let me forget about the true nature of my existence: a freak. A variation from the norm. Not the gifted wonder Major always wanted me to believe I was.
“Doctor?” Major’s voice sliced through the silence like a razor.
Fonseca tore his gaze away from me with obvious difficulty and looked at Major, or rather at a point over Major’s head.
Major’s snarling face reminded me of a rottweiler. “Doctor. Do your job.” Apparently, Doctor Fonseca hadn’t gotten the memo that you obeyed Major’s orders without hesitation. In one split second, Alec darted from the corner of the room to appear by the doctor’s side. “What’s your problem?” he growled.
Fonseca’s eyes darted between me and Alec, apparently still not scared enough of him to consider coming anywhere near me. Alec reached for the metal chair and snapped one of its legs in two. In his eyes I saw a brief flicker of excitement. Alec rarely allowed himself to lose control, but I could tell that he enjoyed unleashing his more violent tendencies. “She’s not the dangerous one.”
I wondered why Major let Alec do it, other than for the sheer pleasure of showing off what FEA agents were capable of
Doctor Fonseca stumbled in his haste to get to my side. His hands shook as he placed a few electrodes on my arms and chest. I withdrew my arm when he tried to put me on an IV. The way the needle shook in his grip made me nervous. He’d more likely poke an eye out with it than put it safely into my arm.
“Why do I need that?” I jumped at the sound of the unknown voice coming from my lips. It was higher than my own. And my arm—Madison’s arm—was so pale and thin. Her muscles must have suffered during the weeks she’d been in a coma. But luckily I didn’t feel any weaker than before, only different.
“Because Madison would need medication. Be glad we convinced the doctors that you can breathe on your own,” Major said.
I extended my arm. Doctor Fonseca took a deep breath and his hand steadied. I winced when the needle jabbed into the skin on the back of my hand.
“What’s in there?” I nodded toward the clear liquid in the plastic bag of the IV.
“Nothing to worry about.” Major sounded like he didn’t have a worry in the world, but the deep lines around his eyes suggested he wasn’t as relaxed as he pretended to be. This was a big day and an important mission, and it was out of even Major’s hands. I was the one who had to perform.
My heartbeat picked up, and with it the annoying beep-beep of the machines. Alec approached me. “Everything will be fine.” His eyes scanned my face, lingering on Madison’s features a moment too long, like he had to get used to looking at them. I wondered if he missed the real me.
I forced the muscles in my—or rather Madison’s—face to relax. My fingers traced over the scar on my throat where the killer had strangled her with a wire. It went almost all the way around my neck. Slowly, I let my hand wander lower until I could feel the spot on my rib cage where the killer had left his signature. Shivering, I drew back.
Doctor Fonseca let out a small cough. “I’m done here.”