“Let me out!” I try to speak, but my voice is gone. I try to sit up, but I can’t move. A massive, dark form rises at my side, and fear floods my limbs…
Until he speaks, and I start to cry.
“It’s okay, Sass.” Logan’s deep voice comforts me. His large hand smooths my hair. “I’m here.”
“Logan…” It’s all I can say.
His hand moves behind my neck, and I’m surrounded by his comforting scent.
“Where am I?” My voice is dry and cracking, and he moves away.
Cold filters around me without his presence, but it’s only for a moment.
“Drink this.” He holds something to my lips. “It’s water. You’re in the hospital.”
“Oh!” I turn my head quickly straining my ears. “I can hear!”
It’s a silly thing to say. Of course, I can hear. Logan and I have just been talking, but my brain is foggy, and I’m still piecing together where I am now and sorting through the macabre images in my brain.
“What…” Confusion is in Logan’s voice, but just as fast he seems to understand. The cup is gone, and he’s holding me again, wrapping me in those gloriously strong arms I love. I close my eyes and breathe deeply.
Anger simmers in the back of his voice when he speaks again. “You have a small burn on your ear… Is that what he tried to do to you?”
From inside the cocoon of Logan’s arms, my voice sounds so small. “He was doing it… but you were there.”
Even with Logan’s arms around me and my face in his chest, a shiver moves through my bones.
His grip on me tightens. “He’s dead, my Sass. You never have to fear him again.”
I struggle out of his arms and try to push myself into a sitting position. Only my arm is still tied. “Why…” Then the realization hits me. They think I took Ava… I’m one of the bad guys again. I can barely say the words, “I’m a prisoner.”
Logan slides off the small bed and moves around to where I’m restrained. “Not exactly—”
Just then the door opens. “Excusez-moi,” A female voice addresses us in French. “I need to check Miss Kroft.”
Logan kisses my head and goes to the door. “I won’t be far.”
“Let me help you.” The woman goes to my side, and I listen as she unfastens the buckles, releasing my arm. “We stitched your side and treated your head.”
My head. I reach up with my now-free hand and touch the bandage. “I forgot…”
“We closed it with medical glue. It follows the lines in your forehead, so it shouldn’t leave a noticeable scar.” She’s lifting the blankets near my hip, and I turn so she can access my side. “Yes.” A smile is in her voice. “You’re healing quite well. We can release you today if you like?”
Before I can answer, another voice joins her. “And how is Miss Kroft?” It’s the grand duke.
“Healing quite well, your grace. I was just saying she could go home if she likes.”
My brow furrows, So I’m not a prisoner?
“Let me speak to her, but yes, please start the release papers.”
“Of course.” The woman leaves us, and I sit up.
“Miss Kroft, I asked to speak to you a moment.”
“It wasn’t a vaccine.” Unexpected anger fills my chest. Perhaps I have no right. Perhaps I was always a prisoner, despite what Freddie or Ava said, but still. “You lied to me.”
“We needed your help—”