CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & LIGHT
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHT
Talia’s POV
When I opened my eyes, I felt relieved. It had taken me so long to wake up. I continued to follow the voices until I finally was able to open my eyes.
A woman I didn’t recognize was sitting next to my bed, reading a book. I shifted in bed, trying to lean up which caused her to look up from her book. She gave me a small smile, as if she had been waiting for me to wake up. I then noticed Nolan slumped against the wall. His head rested back, and his skin was pale. A tube ran from his arm to mine.
I licked my dry lips and managed to say, “Nolan.”
His eyes quickly opened, and he turned his head toward me. He looked worn down, but hearing my voice seemed to give him energy. “You’re awake,” he said.
I cleared my throat and said, “How long…how long have I been out?”
“You’ve been unconscious for a week,” Nolan answered.
His response surprised me. I really thought it had been longer. I turned back to the girl as she started to remove the bandages from my arms and shoulders.
“You don’t need these anymore,” she said. She peeled back the last bandage and I was prepared to see raw wounds, but the skin beneath was smooth and healed.
The girl nodded her approval and said, “You recovered even better than I expected.”
“How is that possible?” I asked. With my wolf still gone, I should have at least another week before the wounds were healed.
The girl winked at me and offered me a glass of water. “Because I know what I’m doing. I’m the strongest healer for a reason.”
There was only one person that could claim that and I immediately asked, “Wait, you’re Healer Leslie?”
“That’s right,” she said, sounding pleased.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “If not for you, I wouldn’t have survived.”
“It was nothing,” Leslie said as she said as she loosened the strap on my arm and then removed the line connecting me to Nolan.
“Why did Nolan have to give me blood?” I asked.
“My method only worked because his wolf was strong enough to purify the poison. Without him, it would have failed. You owe him just as much as you owe me,” Leslie replied.
I looked back at Nolan. His eyes had already closed again, and his head rested against the wall. He risked himself to save me twice now. My chest tightened at the thought. Before I could ask Leslie more, she walked to the door.
Leslie pulled it open. “She’s awake,” she called.
I could hear footsteps approaching rapidly. Father and Solon came in at once,
“Talia,” my father said, grabbing my hand and then he pulled me into a hug. “You’ve come back to us.”
Solon stood on the other side of the bed. His voice was quieter than I was used to. “I told you she would pull through. Talia is one of the strongest people I know. She wouldn’t leave us like this.”
“I heard your voices. I followed them to wake up. Every last person in here saved me,” I said.
Father looked at Leslie. He released me and stood. He bowed to her which was something my father never did.
“You have my gratitude, Leslie. If you ever need anything, you can call on Silverfang,” my father said.
1/2
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIGHT
+25 Bonus
Leslie gaped before composing herself. “It was nothing really.”
“Tell me, how is she now? Any lasting side effects?” my father asked.
“None,” Leslie confirmed. “Her body has pushed out the poison. She’ll need rest, but she’s out of danger.”
I could see the relief in my father’s body as his body relaxed at hearing Leslie’s response. He turned back to me. “What happened, Talia? Tell me everything from the beginning.”
“I thought I saw Viki. That’s why I excused myself. I wanted to go look to confirm,” I explained.
“You should have told me. You…” Solon started.
“Let her finish,” father cut in and Solon nodded.
“I saw her beaten and tied to a tree. I released her and she injected me with the wolfsbane. When I woke up, she had me chained up in silver. I couldn’t fight back. She had two rogue wolves with her. The rogues…” My voice caught as I remembered how the rogues tore at my clothes, sank their claws into my chest. I forced myself to continue. “They tried to assault me while Viki stood there and watched. If it wasn’t for Nolan, I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened.”
“Jason, that bastard,” Solon snarled. “He’s been playing us this entire time. He must have been sheltering her. It explains why she’s still alive. He let her go instead of ending her. Guards-” He turned toward the door. “Bring him in for questioning.”
“No,” I said firmly. I pushed myself upright even though my body still felt weak. “Jason didn’t know. Viki said she had escaped
from him.”
Solon turned back to me. “You’re saying he’s innocent? After everything?”
“I’m telling you what Viki told me,” I replied. “Viki did all this just to kill me so she could get back into Jason’s good graces. Jason didn’t know what she had planned.”
“It doesn’t matter. He knew Viki was loose and he told no one. He knew she held a grudge against you and that makes him guilty, “Solon snapped.
“That’s enough. Jason will not be touched unless I decide otherwise,” father cut in. He turned to the guards at the door. “Add extra security to the borders. If Viki tries to return, she must be stopped immediately. I want guards watching Jason at all times. Report everything he does directly to me.”
P
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