Elena’s POV:
A dull ache throbbed through my body as I blinked my eyes open. Everything was a blur, but the pain was sharp and immediate, dragging me back to reality.
“Don’t move,” Rachael’s voice came, soft but firm.
I turned my head slightly, catching sight of her dipping a cloth into a bowl of water. She squeezed it out before gently pressing it against my skin, wiping away the dried blood and grime. That’s when I realized—I was nearly naked, only in my underwear.
“Lift your head, just a little,” she urged.
She held a small cup to my lips, and as soon as the liquid hit my tongue, I gagged. It was unbearably bitter.
“I know. I’m sorry,” she murmured. “But it’ll help with the pain. That damn pack doctor refused to treat you.”
Anger burned in her voice, but all I could
