Nova
I keep my eyes closed.
I don’t want to know.
I’m terrified they’re taking me for another fucking cleansing. But if I’m wrong? If this is testing and I come back like Lena—
I can’t think about that.
The wheels rattle beneath me. My teeth chatter. They piled blankets on me and I lay there for hours and I’m still freezing.
The room is colder when we stop.
Of course it is.
The smell of metal and antiseptic and something else underneath hits my nose and I almost gag.
I hear footsteps coming closer. I don’t mean to hold my breath when they stop right next to me.
“Good.”
Laith. I should have known.
Before I know what’s happening someone is undoing the restraints, then hands are under me. Lifting. My shoulder screams but I don’t make a sound.
They lower me into a chair. The metal is so cold it feels like it burns.
My eyes fly open.
I don’t fight.
There’s no point. I’m too weak. And fighting didn’t help Lena.
The straps tighten. One by one.
I can barely breathe.
Medical staff moves around me. Double checking restraints. Adjusting something. Then they’re gone.
And I’m alone in a glass box.
But on the other side, beyond the sheen, stands Laith.
“This could have been easier,” he says.
I don’t answer.
He turns toward the woman at the panel and nods.
I can’t quite make her out.
Then warmth blooms across my wrist.
It’s warm. So warm it makes me shiver.
It’s spreading from the mark.
I look down.
The mark is darkening. Black smoke curling around my skin.
I gasp.
I don’t know how, but watching the smoke move, I don’t feel so alone.
“What the…” Laith freezes.
He steps closer, staring at the mark.
“Impossible.”
His voice is quiet. Shaken.
“Shadow hasn’t—”
He stops.
Laith stares at my mark like he’s seen a ghost.
Then his face goes blank again.
He straightens, clears his throat.
Looks at the woman again.
“Begin.”