Page 50 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
Chapter 21
Olivia
The days have started to bleed together. Has it been two or three since the trade ships were destroyed and Janik was thrown in the pit? I can’t be sure. Nearly every waking moment has consisted of Quinn, Lindsey, and me doing exactly what I’m doing at this moment.
“Drink.” I assist the injured Bohnari in leaning forward to sip the foul-smelling concoction Vornak prescribed to help manage pain.
The healing center is only equipped with five healing pods and each one is currently occupied with the most grievously injured from the attacks. The second the machine notifies Vornak the Bohnari’s life-threatening injuries have been stabilized, he’s moved to a regular sick bed and is replaced with a more severely injured male.
The capabilities of the hand-held healing devices like what Janik used to cure my hangover are not scaled for large-mass injuries, so old-fashioned medicine is also having to be used onthe incredible number of wounded people. Which is where my friends and I come in.
“How’s it going?” Johnna asks from where she nurses a nearby patient. She recruited us as volunteers after that first day.
“I think everyone’s past the most worrisome stages.” Of course, I could be wrong since I’m no nurse, but there are more alert—albeit still in some pain—males today than yesterday, so I’ll consider that progress.
Johnna nods. “I think you’re right.”
Once I’m satisfied the Bohnari has drank enough of the medicine, I move to the next bed. Mak follows me over and lays at my feet. She’s become a stage five clinger ever since Janik was taken away. Not that I’m complaining. We’re both keeping the other sane, I think.
The room we’re in has been set up like a large open-floor plan triage. The still most seriously wounded are all grouped together on one side, whereas the lesser wounded are grouped together on the other. Lindsey and Quinn are in the neighboring triage room that’s set up the exact same as this one. Devon is at the palace assisting Queen Veroneek. Considering she’d nearly passed out playing nursemaid, it’s for the best.
The queen has kept me apprised as best she can of how Janik’s doing, but between her now active-duty role as the ruling member of Bohna and trying to take care of Alik, she’s been extremely busy. Quinn said Horek has barely been home either.
He and his guards have been doing everything they can to maintain order in the city. There’s been looting and rioting by the rebels and the streets are becoming a dangerous place to be. Whatever chaos and destruction the person responsible forthe early trade ship attacks wanted to achieve, they got it. I still refuse to believe it was Janik. Even the queen pointed out the kind of shock and horror he displayed at the announcement is almost impossible to fake. Cold-blooded killer also just doesn’t fit the male I spent that short time with. Of course, I’m a shit judge of character so what do I know?
Once I’m satisfied the male has gotten enough medicine, I straighten and—with hands to hips—twist at my waist side to side, arching my spine to ease some of the stiffness.
“Knock, knock,” Quinn calls from the doorway. She and Lindsey step inside. “We just finished up next door. Do you guys need any help?”
Johnna shakes her head and rises from her seat to join them. “Unless Olivia still has patients, I think we’re done as well.”
“I’ve made my rounds and everyone should be fine until their next dose is needed.”
“Good, because I’m starving,” Lindsey says. “There’s a couple of guards waiting to escort us back to the dorm when we’re ready.”
My growling stomach tells me I’m definitely ready. I’m not sure of the time, but I’m certain it’s been hours since I last ate. I glance at Johnna.
“Are you sure you don’t need anything else?”
“Go. I’ll clean up here and then go find my husband. You three get some rest.”
Fatigue permeates every cell of my body so I don’t argue. “We’ll be back later.”
Johnna waves us off and we head out.
Sure enough, there are now four guards who wait. Two lead us toward the exit while the other two take up the rear, essentially boxing us in.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been this exhausted,” Lindsey says as we’re escorted home.
“Not even after our worst day rifling through garbage and shit?”
“That always felt a little like treasure hunting.” She chuckles. “Not the shit part, but the rest of it. I’d make a game of it and try to guess what new and exciting thing I might discover that the upper tier discarded. It always made the day go by easier. I’d craft some tale about where the item came from and what led to it being tossed away.”
Lindsey ducks her head and her cheeks darken. Her shrug is a bit self-deprecating.
“Hey, whatever got you through the day. I’m not one to judge.” At least not my friends. Strangers? Sure. But my friends? Nope.
I’m exhausted as well. It doesn’t help that I haven’t slept worth shit. Between the nightmares and the panic attacks that have assaulted me, it’s a wonder I’m not rocking myself in a corner somewhere. The most bizarre part of this whole experience is that I would still choose to come to Bohna over remaining on Earth. How fucked up is that?
