Total pages in book: 295
Estimated words: 282090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1410(@200wpm)___ 1128(@250wpm)___ 940(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 282090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1410(@200wpm)___ 1128(@250wpm)___ 940(@300wpm)
“No.” I force the word out.
“No.” He repeats my refusal slowly, then drops his hands, his gaze falling from mine. “I will not participate in an interrogation assessment of a cadet with a prior injury,” he says over his shoulder at Varrish.
Then he walks out.
I drag a breath in, air wheezing past the tightness of my throat and into my lungs.
Rhiannon’s eyes meet mine, then slide shut slowly in relief.
“Well, that was disappointing and anticlimactic,” Varrish says with the first frown I’ve ever seen on his face. “Fucking rule follower. Back to typical tactics, I guess.” He draws back before I can brace and throws a hard punch to my dislocated shoulder.
Agony overwhelms every one of my senses.
Then there’s only black.
Nolon hovers above me when I wake. I jolt up from the wooden bed, and he rears back.
“There she is,” he says, settling into the chair next to the bed.
“What time is it?” I glance around the room, quickly spotting Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc sitting on bunks. They don’t look any more injured than they did before I passed out.
Before Varrish punched my shoulder out of the socket. Gingerly, I rotate the joint, then look at Nolon. I’m mended. There’s an ache but nothing more, and I can see out of both eyes.
He nods.
“It’s morning,” Rhi answers, worry lining her forehead. “I think.”
I reach for Xaden, but the pathway is opaque again. He’s gone.
“The vice commandant called me in to heal you.” Nolon’s voice drops, and he leans forward. “So he can shatter you again and again until you break. I’m on orders to remain in the antechamber for the rest of your interrogation, which he’s extended until tomorrow.”
Dread knots my empty stomach.
“Is that normal?” Sawyer asks, leaning toward me and bracing his forearms on his knees.
“No,” Nolon answers, holding my gaze. “He wants whatever it is you know, Violet.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes lightly. “Is it worth holding on to?”
I nod.
“Is it worth watching your squadmates tortured?”
I wince but nod again.
“I think I’ve had my head buried in other matters for too long.” He sighs, then stands. “Why don’t you walk me to the door?”
I swing my legs over the bunk, then do as he asks, following him to the chamber’s door. Rhiannon isn’t far behind. “You’d better find a way out,” he whispers to me before speaking through the open window. “I’m done for now.”
The door opens, and Nolon escapes. “I’ll close it,” he tells whoever is on the other side. His eyes meet mine through the window as he shuts the door, the lock audibly clicking into place…but not the window.
Rhiannon tugs me down, and we both drop into a crouch.
“I’ve been thinking about my other patient,” Nolon says casually.
“What about him?” Varrish replies.
“He spent the night in the infirmary again. Sorrengail will have to sleep off the mending for another hour or so. Why don’t you walk back with me and see if your particular skills could be of use? I might be overlooking something.”
Rhiannon and I exchange the same confused look.
“You think the sessions are failing?” Varrish asks.
“I think I’ve done all I can for him,” Nolon answers. “I’m not going to sit here all day and waste time while she’s sleeping—”
“Fine, we’ll go,” Varrish replies. “We have to be quick. The others are fetching breakfast.”
“Then by all means, let’s make it fast.”
A moment later, the antechamber door opens and closes.
Rhiannon and I stand slowly, then peer through the window.
“I think we’re alone,” she whispers.
“Agreed.”
“We have to get out of here,” Rhiannon says to the guys. “I really, honestly think Varrish might try to kill Violet.”
My stomach flips. Oh Dunne, she actually said it.
“Are you serious?” Sawyer asks, his eyes bulging, but Ridoc stays quiet, his gaze jumping between Rhiannon and me.
“He’s already pushed me to burnout once,” I admit quietly.
A look passes between the guys, and they stand.
“Fine, I’ll ask the obvious question,” Ridoc says as they cross the chamber. “What the hell do you know that we don’t?”
I glance between all three of them. “If I told you—and trust me, I’ve considered it—you would be the ones strapped to the chair. I’m not about to let that happen.”
“Maybe you should let us decide what risks we’re willing to take.” Sawyer cracks his knuckles and rolls his shoulders, already looking at the door.
“Lesser magic isn’t working on the lock,” Ridoc mutters, his hand extended toward the door.
“Valid point, Sawyer. But this…” I shake my head. “It’s not just about me.”
“Right now it is,” Rhiannon says. “It’s all about saving you. We can figure the rest out later. Sawyer, do your thing.”
“Already on it.”
We move out of his way, and he puts his hands up toward each of the hinges. His fingers tremble and the hinges smoke, then melt. Hot metal drips down the edges of the door as he works.