Page 176 of Depths of Destruction

"Yes. Come on. We need to clean your back up."

"Ugh. And I was doing so well."

We go inside, and Blaise takes out the first aid kit. I turn and remove my shirt then hold the cloth up to cover my chest. The first few times Blaise helped me with my back, it felt strange, but now I'm used to it.

He puts a wet rag over my flesh.

"The cold feels so good."

He presses his fingers into my skin. "Naomi, your back is on fire."

"Probably from itching it."

"No. I don't think so." He lifts the rag. "Now that the blood is gone, I can see better. You're red and swollen. You weren't last night when I put your cream on."

"Must be from my itching. I'll try to stop."

Blaise puts his hand on my forehead. "You have a fever."

"I do?"

"Feels like it. Hold on." He pulls a thermometer out of his kit, puts a cover on it, then clicks it in my ear.

"Wow. You're prepared, just like your brother."

"Military will do that to you." The thermometer beeps, and his face scrunches. "You have a 102-degree fever."

"Really? I don't feel sick. Honestly."

"Did you sleep last night?"

"Not a lot. But I didn't have a night terror, so that was a win."

He studies my back. "You have some puss coming out of this one." He lightly taps it with the cloth.

I wince. "Great. That's the one Andre was the most worried about."

"It's on your spine, and that's even more dangerous." He takes a Q-tip and pokes it.

"Ow!" I jump off my seat.

"We need a doctor to look at you."

"I can't go anywhere, and no one can know I'm here."

He sighs. "I'll have Sloane come back. She is also a doctor and had a large practice before she decided to move into therapy."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You seem to know a lot about her."

He stays silent and sprays my back with First Aid spray.

"Assuming this means my ocean plans aren't going to happen today?" I ask in disappointment. It's another beautiful day and the bay is calm.

"Nope. Let me call Sloane." He leaves a message.