Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
In the distance, I see Khrys turn from where he’s being escorted away. “Kailani!” He sounds alarmed. “Let her go!” He breaks free and sprints toward us, but moments later, he’s tackled to the ground.
“Veck you, Khrys,” I scream at him, using his curse word. “You sold me out! I hate you! I will never forgive you for this!”
When he’s hauled to his feet, he doesn’t make another attempt to break free, but he won’t let them drag him away, either. He stands, watching me kick and fight, anguish marring his usual impassive face.
“No med bay, no med bay,” I chant as they propel me forward. No one has hurt me, but I can’t seem to free myself from their restraint.
“They have to ensure you’re healthy,” one of them says.
“And isolate you for your own protection prior to your donation,” says another. “The doctor needs to keep you in a sterile environment before any surgical procedures.”
“The medical team is eager to extract your cells. Your gift may be the answer they’ve been looking for.”
Tears prick my eyes. No more experiments. No more surgeries.
Somehow it all seems so much worse now that I had a taste of freedom. I believed it was over. That I’d see waterfalls and be in charge of my own medicine.
But I’m not going to be free. I’m right back in captivity, a breathing lump of flesh owned by others, subject to their whims and desires.
I make another attempt at freedom, fighting the two Zandians holding me until I end up on the ground with one sitting on top of me.
“Get off her, or I’ll cut your vecking head off,” a furious Khrys roars. He holds a sword to the throat of the Zandian on top of me. Gabin, the warrior who’d held him before, stands at his back, as if willing to allow his intervention.
The guard slowly eases back. “I’m just following orders, Captain. I tried not to hurt her.”
“I’m not hurt,” I bite out, fury making it impossible to feel anything else.
“Talk to her,” Gabin advises. “See if you can calm her down.”
“Kailani—I’m sorry. I should have discussed it before we landed. We have young here who are sick. Your body holds the key to helping them survive.” His voice is full of supplication. “We just need some blood and bone marrow tissue—”
I slap his face as hard as I can.
He betrayed me. He fucking betrayed me.
My breath comes faster and in odd short bursts. Black and yellow static swirl in front of my eyes.
“They won’t hurt you. They just need some samples. After that—”
“No,” I whisper, backing up. “No samples. I can’t. You know I can’t!” I crouch down and vomit.
“Take her now,” the commander says. “She needs help.”
“Let me take her,” Khrys entreats, but the warrior Gabin takes his arm. “You’re only making it worse,” he says.
The two warriors take me by the arms. “You’ll be okay very soon,” one of them promises me. “We’re taking you to Doctor Daneth.”
He says this like it’s supposed to bring comfort. Instead, I nearly swoon from the panic. The hyperventilation starts. The taste of the vomit is acrid in my mouth.
One of the warriors walks by holding Whimmie with his thumb and middle finger away from his body like she’s diseased.
I scream. “Don’t hurt her!” I wail. “She’s mine! She’s mine. Please.” I collapse completely, my feet dragging like a limp doll.
A Zandian picks me up with ease although his arms are dispassionate. “Hurry,” he says to his companion. “She’s precious to Zandia. We need to get her to the doctor immediately.”
The last thing I remember before blacking out is the sound of my hiccupped breaths and the pain of a headache breaking my skull apart in a million pieces.
Chapter 11
Khrys
I’ve never experienced pain like this before—not even when my brother died. It’s all true what they say about human females. They activate emotions in us. Bring us to life. Make us vulnerable to this life-crushing heartache.
Because Kailani—the beautiful, strong, sweet being I vowed to protect—feels betrayed by me.
Veck!
I did betray her. It was my own idiocy in not explaining the situation. I put it off, wanting to win her trust, to bond her to me. But I should have told her before we landed. Instead, I selfishly claimed her again and again, forgetting about what was important.
Zandia.
Except that doesn’t feel right.
Not Zandia—Kailani.
Stars, yes. It’s true. That female means more to me than my honor. Even more than aiding the ailing halflings. If I’d handled myself better, it wouldn’t be a choice. If I’d been able to convince Kailani to help before we arrived.
Veck it all! This is my worst mistake of all.
Gabin leads me into an interrogation room and sits with me. “You’re to wait for the council, I believe.”
When I don’t answer, he says, I’m sorry, my friend.”