Bonds

Chapter 55

-Maya’s POV-

A wave of nausea rolled over me threatening to pull me under. The room spun, a dizzying carousel of white walls and blurry shapes. A cool hand settled on my forehead, a comforting anchor in the sea of disorientation. “Easy there,” a familiar voice murmured, laced with concern.

My eyelids fluttered open, battling the heaviness that threatened to keep them shut. Slowly, the blurry shapes merged into a face – Ivan’s face, filled with worry and a hint of relief. Relief washed over me, momentarily eclipsing the fear and pain that gnawed at the edges of my

consciousness.

The memories, fragmented and

clawed its way up my throat. “What happened?” I croaked, the question a

held his hand up in a placating gesture, his grip firm yet gentle as he pushed me back down onto the

“No, it’s not okay,” I insisted, my voice rising with a tremor. “Natalia… Sarah… Riley. What about them?” Images of their faces flashed in my mind–Sarah’s infectious laughter, Riley’s calm demeanor, Natalia’s

his voice a steady counterpoint to the storm brewing

rest”

bruised? The fear morphed into anger, a hot coal burning in my gut.

swiftly, his hand pressing against my shoulder. “Whoa, there. The doctor said you need to stay in bed for observation. They’ll be fine. They’re in the rooms next

the frantic energy coursing through me. “But what happened?” I demanded, my voice laced with a