Zad came back to consciousness with a gasp and a rush of adrenaline.
“Careful, she’s gonna come up swinging,” a male voice warned as she surged up to a sitting position, ready to fight. Memories of agony and claws digging into her stomach dragged a low, warning rattle from the back of her throat.
Before she could strike out, though, her arms were pinned to her sides by a strong embrace. The movement twisted her stomach and the memory of searing pain filled her. She hissed in fury, struggling against her captor for a moment before the words he was whispering by her ear penetrated the fog in her brain.
“It’s me, Zad. It’s Eric. You’re okay. You’re safe. I love you.”
She panted, her struggles slowing to nothing as she rested against his broad chest. Her hands were wrapped around his forea
