TWENTY-THREE
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* * * *
It was warm. Whatever was over her body was clamping her down tight, and she didn’t appreciate being restricted. Picking up one leg, she attempted to kick but found herself sluggish and slow.
“Art,” she croaked, trying to seek the answers the celestial ambassador had. “Art...”
“She’s awake.”
The words were filled with anticipation and hope, and as she forced her eyes open, she was met with a flurry of movement, though it took her a few seconds to realize the formless shapes encroaching on her were bodies and none of them were Art.
After a few more blinks, she saw Thad nearest, Brodie behind him, and Tuck at his back. “Where’s Art?” she asked, and the men shared a frown. “He was just here.”
Thad tipped his head toward Brodie to explain in an aside. “Hal
