Her hand was sweaty and cramping, and she was sure Alyssalee would have a few choice words regarding the crushing grip she held. She couldn’t help it, though. Sophie fought this unseen battle alongside Alyssalee—if nothing else, to let her know she wasn’t alone. As best she could, she would channel that Alyssalee was cared for. She hated herself for giving Alyssalee the cold shoulder leading up to her in-game deployment. The anger she fostered was now a distant memory in the light of the trials Alyssalee endured. For them. For mortals everywhere, Alyssalee risked being usurped by evil.
Sophie took a once-over of all the gear connected to her friend. It made her heart hurt. She checked that the nutrient drip hadn’t emptied, and the drainage bag leading from the catheter wasn’t full. The ma
