Initiation by Imogen Rose Read Free Book Online

roof. Think of something calming.”
    “Is she okay?” Quinn asked.
    I hadn’t heard him come back in the room.
    “Did she move?”
    Whatever had been inserted in my throat made me cough, and I gagged.
    “Let me take that out,” a stranger said. The thing was suddenly pulled out, and the pain made me heave and gasp. I tried talking, but could only cough.
    “Here, take my hand.” Quinn laced his fingers through mine. I instantly felt calm. He put his other hand on my head, running his fingers through my hair.
    “Cordelia, you are healing very fast, but it’s going to be at least a couple of hours before you can sit up. So just rest. We’ll leave the bandage over your eyes for the moment. It’ll keep the light out.” I guessed that was the healer talking. “Everyone out, I’ll call–”
    “I’m staying,” Quinn interrupted.
    “As am I,” Jagger added.
    “No, you’re not,” the healer responded firmly. “Out!”
    And they were gone.
    “Cordelia, sleep. When you next awaken, you’ll be able to sit up and talk.”
    “Food…” I desperately needed to be fed.
    “Sip on this,” the healer ordered, bringing something to my mouth.
    I started to protest that water was the last thing I needed, but the healer pushed what felt like a straw between my lips, and I involuntarily sucked on it. A flow of scrumptious beef broth filled my mouth, lifting my spirits to the point that I felt as though I were flying around on a fluffy cloud. I let the broth trickle down my throat, enjoying every meaty mouthful as I kept sucking until only air came through. I let go of the straw, happy and sleepy.
    When I was left on my own, it was a bit frightening, especially since I couldn’t see. I had to assume that I was safe, or Quinn and Jagger wouldn’t have left me. So many thoughts, mostly frustrations, washed through my mind. I couldn’t do anything about any of them, not until my body was up to it. So I blocked them all out, blanking my mind and falling into a black, dreamless sleep.
     
    The next time I woke up, every inch of my body was in agony, with my insides feeling as though they’d been through a meat grinder. I yelped in pain.
    “Hang on, Cordelia. Let me increase your dosage; you’ll feel better in a minute.” The healer’s soothing voice failed to calm me. But moments later, I felt almost euphoric.
    “Cordelia, I’m so sorry this happened. Are you gonna be okay?” Faustine whispered, her voice breaking.
    “Faustine?” I whispered hoarsely.
    “I don’t think you’re supposed to talk. I’m fine. You don’t look good, though. Pretty awful, in fact. Those animals!”
    I felt good now that the painkillers were numbing my senses. I was especially happy at hearing Faustine’s voice. What a relief! How had she escaped the shifters? I squirmed, trying to sit up.
    “Hold up,” Quinn ordered. He slipped his arm under me, drew me close to his chest, and helped me to a sitting position. Someone stuffed some pillows behind me for support, and Quinn laid me back against them.
    “Take the eye bandage off,” I whispered.
    “Are you sure?” the healer asked. “I can take it off, but your body is in bad shape. You’ll have to be prepared and not get upset. Your skin will heal fast, and you should be back to your normal self by tomorrow. You may want to keep the bandage on until then.”
    “Yes, Cordelia. The doctor’s right. Best to leave it on,” Jagger confirmed.
    “No. Take it off.”
    The healer sighed. “Okay. Put your head back on the pillows and relax. Quinn, hold her hands. Now, I’m going to peel it off slowly, but it’s still going to be very painful. The skin under it is torn and oozing with pus.”
    “I’m fine,” I reassured him, laying back on the pillow and squeezing Quinn’s hand. I felt the healer’s fingers fiddle with the corner of the bandage, and a draft of cold air seeped under when he lifted it. The skin on my eyelids tore as he lifted it. I cried out, digging my nails