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.

fragmented and terrifying,

“What happened?” I croaked, the question a

his hand up in a placating gesture, his grip firm yet gentle as he pushed me back down onto the bed. “Calm down, Amaya.

my current state. “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 fiery

the storm brewing within me. “Everyone’s okay.

rest”

morphed into anger, a hot coal burning in my gut. “I need to see them,” I declared, pushing myself up in the

“Whoa, there. The doctor said you need to stay in bed for

to quell the frantic energy coursing through me. “But what happened?” I demanded, my voice