"It is a low dose, meant to calm. You will not fall asleep. In the last week, we have had to sedate you far more often than I am comfortable with." Dr. Mercer straightened her coat. "We are here to check your sutures and the incision site."
Rin suddenly realized she was bare below the waist again.
The doctor prodded her abdomen, and Rin groaned weakly. She was sore, but it was not as bad as it had been, she realized distantly. This was not the first time she’d woken up.
Dr. Mercer’s voice faded in and out as she spoke with the other man. Finally, she rolled Rin’s cotton gown back over her legs, covering her.
Rin was cold. She trembled faintly.
She heard a masculine curse. "…interacting negatively with the low dose of Somnocept. We need something to stabilize her vitals. Mrs. Blackfall will have us thrown out of the airlock if she dies."
"She will not die!" Dr. Mercer’s voice echoed in the nearly empty room.
It was growing harder for Rin to focus. Her teeth clicked together.
Her elbow was lifted, then turned. She felt a prick as a needle entered her. Slowly, her shaking ceased. She was still cold.
"There," Dr. Mercer sighed. "Tobias, go page Mrs. Blackfall."
"Already?" Tobias asked.
"She is ready. Her vitals are perfect. She is healing well. Thanks to the advanced regenerative techniques, she will be well enough to perform by tomorrow." There was something urgent in Dr. Mercer’s voice.
"That is good," said Tobias. "We don’t have many more guards to spare. They’ve all been ripped apart trying to keep the Phoenix contained." Footsteps retreated, then a hiss as the door opened and closed.
Dr. Mercer hovered over Rin. "Rest now. Your body is slowly coming down from a slight overdose. You have lost weight in the last week. I miscalculated the dose. Everything else is looking well. If you feel any lingering discomfort, it will pass."
Rin was simply trying tobreathe. She barely heard the woman’s words. She tried to shift onto her side and curl up, wrapping her arms around herself. It made something in her stomach tug, and she choked out a gasp. What did theydoto her?
Dr. Mercer’s voice lowered. "We are counting on you, Vesperin. The Phoenix—I’m afraid he is far more powerful than the Blackfalls thought. I am Dr. Latra’s replacement. He was the doctor in charge of the Phoenix’s conditioning after the… massacre at Nova Zone 21. The Phoenix escaped and killed all the scientists, including the lead researchers on his modifications. Luckily, we had copies of our research."
Rin’s skin felt clammy.
"Now, do not move too much. You will feel discomfort in your pelvic and lower abdominal region. If you stretch out or stand, the muscles will spasm involuntarily due to tissue trauma. I will be back for you tomorrow—with your adoptive parents. I’m sure they will be very happy to see how well you’ve recovered."
Rin wentin and out of sleep for what felt like an eternity. When the door hissed open again, she tried to sit up, but her stomach cramped, and she settled back against the pillow.
Dr. Mercer entered, followed by Tobias. They were both without their masks today. Tobias’s mouth was pinched in a thin line, his brown hair neatly cut.
Sabine and Talor followed, and the door hissed shut behind them.
Sabine wore a lab coat, and there were shadows beneath her eyes—yet her gaze was filled with triumph. Talor was silent beside her, black boots thudding heavily on the polished white floor.
Rin tried to glare, but could only manage a slight twitch to her bloodless lips.
Sabine smiled at Rin’s vulnerability. She spoke to Dr. Mercer, ignoring Rin. "She is healthy enough, then?"
"Yes, I removed the bandage an hour ago."
Rin barely recalled the woman coming in and taking off a thick, slightly bloodied bandage from her middle. The skin beneath was tender and swollen.
Sabine’s heels clicked on the spotless floor as she came to stand over Rin.
Rin breathed raggedly, eyes narrowing on her. The beeping of her heart increased.
Sabine’s voice dropped. "I finally have you—and my son. Together. And no one can find us now." She looked over her shoulder. "Leave us."
Dr. Mercer and Tobias left. Rin wanted to beg them to stay for some reason.
