Stolen by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 7)

nt, so you don’t feel pain. Then we’ll use a series of needles to extract blood and bone marrow. You’ll feel pressure, but it won’t hurt. Afterward your arm will be sore for a few solar cycles, but it will heal up like nothing happened.”

“Okay. I can do this.” Kailani’s has a death grip on my fingers. “I want to help.”

“It is an enormous help. You could be the answer.” Bayla pulls a small holo device from her pocket. “Let me show you something, Kailani.”

She taps, and an image flickers to life. I lean over, too, and she hands me the device, so I can view it clearly and hold it up for Kailani to see.

“This is a Zandian young before the sickness.”

On the screen, an impossibly small halfling being runs up to a human woman, his arms full of branches.

“Mama!” He cries out, his small face bright with excitement. “Look at what I found! I’m going to build a huge fort.”

He drops his bounty, and the woman scoops him up into her arms. He giggles and wiggles and wraps his small purple arms around her neck.

Then a new image plays. It’s the same boy, but now he’s listless and ill, breathing roughly, eyes closed. His mother’s face is pinched and tear-stained. “He’s getting worse,” she whispers to the viewer. “His breathing is harder. I just don’t know…”

The holo zooms in on the boy’s face. It’s pale and the skin is damp. He’s a million light years away from the robust child running and playing.

Bayla takes the holo device back. “That’s just one example. Dozens of our young have fallen ill. They may die. They’re the future of Zandia. And of humans.” She touches Kailani’s hand. “We believe your blood has antibodies that can save them, Kailani.”

“Do it now. I’m not scared anymore.” Kailani takes a deep breath. “I want to help.”

The doctor comes back. “You’re not going to flinch or pull away, are you?” He has his perpetual serious look on his face. “It’s important for you to stay still during the procedure, and I know you don’t like to be tied down.”

Understatement. I wait for Kailani to freak out, but she doesn’t.

“No.” Kailani shakes her head. “I’ll stay right here. I won’t move.”

I squeeze her hand reassuringly, and she smiles at me.

She barely twitches when the doctor rubs anesthetic on her arm. And she looks right at the needle when it breeches her skin.

I’m mesmerized to watch her bright red blood flow up into the tube, and I anxiously check her face—but she’s all right. She looks pleased.

“You can take more,” she offers.

“That’s all we need.” The doctor finishes the draw and moves away to a table. He puts a vial into a machine that whirs and beeps.

“Everything is within parameters and normal. Thank you, Kailani. This is exactly what we needed!” He’s uncharacteristically excited. “This is perfect.” Dr. Daneth looks at Bayla. “Can you ready the second extractor?”

“This second needle is larger,” Bayla warns us. “Maybe you want to shut your eyes? It won’t hurt, but it might upset you to watch?”

“I want to watch.” Kailani’s voice is firm. “I want to see the magic stuff that comes from me that is going to help the babies.” A tear forms at the corner of her eye. “I’m made of good things, Khrys.” She starts to cry. “For so long, I was just a tool. Now I’m more than that. I want to see all the good things. So I know they’re real.”

I wipe her tears with my fingers. “Sweet little warrior, you’re full of amazing things.” I kiss her gently. “And I’ll show you every day how amazing you are.”

Somehow my voice is a little shaky, too. Veck, maybe I’ve been infected by her emotions. My eyes are a little hazy.

“All right, last needle, now.” The doctor approaches.

Kailani takes a deep breath and doesn’t move a muscle during the process.

When it’s over, I gather her into my arms. “You did that. You are incredible.”

“It didn’t even hurt,” she whispers into my ear. “And I’m here. And nothing bad happened to me.”

“Nothing bad will ever happen to you,” I promise her. “I’ll make sure of it.”