Page 47 of Healer
Completely engrossed in the violent dance, a yank on my cloak pulled a sputtered yelp of surprise from my lips. I turned my attention from the battle to catch sight of the Ulkommanian crouched beside the cage, his hands grasping at my cloak like a determined fisherman reeling in a prize catch.
“I must complete the research.” His dark eyes shot a fearful glance toward the melee.
“Let me go, you ugly gray piece of shit!” I twisted, trying to kick his hand away, but my foot hit the bars, reverberating through my bones with a painful throb.
The Ulkommanian took advantage of the momentary lull to grab my left ankle, pulling the lower portion of my leg through the bars.
“Let me go!” I tried kicking him again, but he dodged, tucking my ankle under one skinny arm. At the same time, his other hand reached beneath his cloak, only to reemerge holding a nasty-looking metal syringe.
“Hakkar!” I screamed. Shifting onto my back, I shoved my right foot through the bars, kicking at the gray bastard, trying to hit the syringe and knock it from his hand.
“I must complete the research,” the alien muttered again, smirking as he jabbed the needle into my calf.
The syringe slid into my muscle, releasing liquid fire as his thick, gray fingers pushed down on the plunger. After the first burst of discomfort, the pain subsided, leaving me hopeful that whatever concoction this bastard gave me wouldn’t be too impactful.
The gray face twisted into an expression of ghastly triumph as he pulled the syringe from my leg, holding it above his head like a trophy. The Ulkommanian celebrated only a second before Hakkar appeared at his side, a large hand spanning the gray neck and giving a jerk. A loud snap preceded the alien’s slump to the floor, black eyes lifeless.
“Thank Valana,” Hakkar breathed a sigh of relief, yanking open the cage door with little effort.
I dove into his arms.
“Are you hurt?” He whispered, his large hands roaming over my body, assessing for damage.
I started to tell him no.
I wanted to tell him no.
But hell arrived.
A searing fire erupted in my veins, flowing like lava, leaving behind a trail of pain and stiffness as it moved throughmy body. The arms with which I held my mate faltered, muscles turning to jelly, and I slumped weakly against Hakkar, unable to hold myself upright. A bitterness rose in my throat, and I struggled to swallow it back, choking in the process. My mind seemed to be the only thing functioning properly, frantically compiling a list of my current symptoms. Things I had foolishly allowed myself the hope to forget.
Muscle twitches or weakness in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue.
Muscle cramps, tightness, and spasticity.
Slurred and nasal speech.
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Every single symptom assailing me.
The advanced symptoms of ALS.
Hakkar’s golden eyes bore into mine, his worried emotions clear and unmasked. His hand touched my cheek, attempting to calm the involuntary twitching taking over my body. I noticed the strands of my hair caught in his grasp were not the same blonde-brown shade from my revisited youth, but a silvery gray that shimmered in the light.
My lips parted in anticipation of words, but only a strangled cry escaped as the turbulent sea of agonizing blackness overtook me.
Chapter 17 - Hakkar
“What’s wrong with her?”
Siereita might have played at disliking Agnes, but the hands that touched my mate were surprisingly gentle and filled with genuine concern. Her long lavender fingers helped me carefully peel away the tunic and slacks Agnes wore, revealing a slender frame contorted with pain. Other than faint bruises left by rough handling from the Aljani, there was only one other injury… the injection site. As I traced my fingers over the mark, I could feel the heat and anger building within me.
I’d killed them too easily.
The Aljani—the one whose flesh I’d peeled from his face inch by inch as he screamed and begged, finally admitted their ultimate goal. The bastards had succeeded, but with Agnes, it caused catastrophic side effects.
Agnes’ limbs spasmed and jerked uncontrollably. Even the slightest touch to her skin elicited a deep, guttural groan of pain that she couldn’t suppress—even unconscious. After dispatching all the Ulkommanian and Aljani involved in her abduction, I’d carried Agnes back to Siereita’s. Each step I took with her in my arms caused her to writhe in agony. Every time she moaned in pain, my heart shattered into rough, bleeding fragments.
