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.

My voice was a dry rasp, barely audible even to my own ears. The memories, fragmented

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

gentle as he pushed me back down onto

rising with a tremor. “Natalia… Sarah… Riley. What about them?” Images of their faces flashed

He assured me, his voice a steady counterpoint to the storm brewing within me. “Everyone’s okay. Just relax.

rest”

broken and bruised? The fear morphed into anger, a hot coal burning in my gut. “I need to see them,” I declared, pushing myself up in the bed, ignoring the

The doctor said you need to stay in bed for observation.

coursing through me. “But what happened?” I demanded, my voice laced with a desperation! couldn’t control. “Where