ner that crawled into your nose and stayed there. Adriana blinked, the harsh fluo

r. She looked down. An IV needle was taped to the back of he

She was in

er like a freight train.

f the mattress as she tried to sit

d, pressing a firm hand against her shoulder. "You ne

ed in her skull. Two day

, her throat feeling like sand

at practiced look of pity. "Pleas

oom. Her red hair was a mess, her eyes swollen and ri

squeezing so hard her knuckles turn

sliding down her cheeks, hot and fast. She squeezed Janna's h

red, her voice hollow. "I hel

her arms around Adriana's shoulders, holding he

or a long time, until t

iberate. A tall silhouette stepped into the room,

his tie loosened as if he'd been fighting it for air. His eyes were shot with red, a stark contrast to the forc

The sight of him standing there, whole and perfect,

wasn't

ring a simple white sundress, her blonde hair pulled back in a neat ponyt

ling slightly. "Are you okay? Everette flew b

serrated knife tw

and's ear, the woman who had been the shadow destroying her mar

as a harsh, grating sound, completely devoid

ling in distaste. "What is th

ly a void. She looked at him, her eyes dead. "My daughte

n her eyes. She shrank back, stepping behind Everette, using him as

from Adriana's gaze. "Don't project your paranoia onto her. She's here bec

he was actively protecting the other woman. He thou

as still there, pumping fluids into her body, ke

the needle

he nurse

le skin. It dripped onto the white sheets, blooming like a flow

m spun, black spots dancing in her vision, but she f

ng out to grab her arm. But his grip wasn't gentle.

ana shrieked, trying t

erette's shoulder, her face contorted with rage. "Get your hands off he

his jaw clenched. "This

lled back. "She's a person! A p

ierce and protective. Everette, cold and domineering. And Becky, peeking out from behin

htmare. And she