Fire burned through Aeryn's blood. She thrashed against hands that tried to hold her down, fighting enemies in her fever dreams.
"Thorne!" she screamed, her voice raw. "Don't leave me!"
"I'm not Thorne," a calm voice answered. "Be still now. The medicine will help."
Cool liquid trickled between Aeryn's lips. She coughed, tried to spit it out, but gentle fingers stroked her throat, urging her to swallow. The bitter taste made her wince, but soon blessed coolness spread through her burning body.
"That's it," the voice mumbled. "Rest now."
Aeryn's eyes fluttered open. A man's face floated above hers, features blurry in the dim light. Not Thorne. This man had darker hair, amber eyes that seemed to glow like a wolf's. She tried to speak, but tiredness pulled her back into darkness.
