“Drink this,” he said, pressing a vial of something into her hand. “It’ll help.”
Helena’s hand shook, but she swallowed without question. There was nothing he could give her that could make things worse. Instead pain relief so bitter it was mouth-numbing washed across her tongue. She sat breathing unsteadily as it took effect.
She tried to focus but felt concussed. With brain injuries it was important to remain conscious. Conversing was supposed to help, keeping patients talking. She kept herself talking.
“Did this happen to you?” Her tongue was sluggish. She felt Ferron look at her, his pale eyes gleaming briefly in the darkness.
“More than once…” he said after a long silence. “My training was rigorous.”
“Why?”
He shifted, muffling a low groan. “To see if I’d be better than my fathe
