The next two weeks crawled by.
Every day felt the same. Wake up. Study pack history. Change bandages. Study more. Cade is following me everywhere. Lycian hovering. The constant weight of being watched. Protected. Threatened.
My hands healed slowly. The stitches came out after ten days. The burns faded to pink scars. Dr. Rivera said they’d disappear eventually. I wasn’t sure I wanted them to. They reminded me I’d survived.
My ankle was better. Still tender but I could walk without limping. Run if I had to.
The mental trial was in two days.
I sat in the library studying when someone cleared their throat behind me. I jumped. Spun around.
Madison stood there. Pale. Thin. Dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she hadn’t slept in weeks.
“What are you doing here?” My voice came out
