Page 6 of The Wild Hunt (Sold to the Fae Duet #1)

Jabira, Jasmin, and Akari all have their medical examinations in the first two days.

Mine, however, will be one of the very last. No matter how reassuring the girls have been, I still can’t help but want to vomit every hour I have to stew over the damn thing.

Knowing the time for the Crossing is getting ever closer doesn’t help the matter.

After tonight, there is only one more remaining.

And I’ve spent the past three days worrying over something that pales in comparison to what will come after.

If only I could talk some sense into my damn brain.

I barely touched breakfast and lunch today, as my appointment grew closer.

The girls tell me over and over that the examination is quick.

There is no pap smear or any form of intimate procedures.

They tell me it’s more of a questionnaire and a prodding of several needles than an examination.

As if the needle revelation was going to make me feel any better.

They could be injecting us with some form of liquid explosive that only activates when we make the Crossing. Perhaps it is a serum of forgetting, and we will arrive in Faerie nothing more than bumbling idiots that can’t remember how to wipe our asses, let alone our very names.

Gods, I needed to shut my brain off.

The sound of my bedroom door unlocking has me jumping to my feet as my heart triples in speed.

“It’s time?” I whisper. It was supposed to be a silent thought, but by the way pimple face’s swollen left eyebrow raises, I know I’ve spoken aloud .

“If you are referring to your medical examination, then yes,” he states matter-of-factly. “Come.”

I follow Sir Pimpleton out of my room, leaving the door wide open behind me.

It’s not like I had anything in there worth stealing.

Nor would anyone here have the chance to snoop, except for the other guards.

I send a thin, steely-eyed look at the first one we pass.

He doesn’t even spare me a glance in return.

We pass dozens of rooms, an elevator shaft, and an emergency stairwell.

With brief hesitation, I reach out and try the handle as we pass.

It’s locked, of course. I knew it would be.

My guard turns, raising a brow. I smile sweetly and shrug.

He just rolls his eyes and continues past another dozen rooms before stopping in front of one that looks the same as all the rest, golden number and all.

Sir Pimpleton knocks three times, then opens the door and steps to the side. He lifts his hand, indicating for me to go in. I gulp and walk through.

It’s like any old doctor’s room; small and square, with a desk, one swivel chair and one plastic, a bed with paper rolled across its length, and a bunch of medical equipment.

An old woman with short gray hair and a friendly smile looks up from her computer.

“Delta Henson, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you,” she says serenely.

“I wish I could say the same,” I reply, as blunt as the handle of the knife my father stabbed through my back. I jump as the door clicks closed behind me, then stand awkwardly until the doctor indicates I should sit.

“I’m Doctor Haque,” she says kindly, not even blinking at my rudeness. “I’m sorry this has happened to you. ”

Great, now I feel guilty for my words. And I damn well shouldn’t.

“Now, I know you must be wondering what this is all about-“

Well, yes !

“-But there is nothing to be worried about,” she says.

“It’s standard procedure to check the health of the Chosen before you are guided through the portal.

We also like to photograph you. It is important for us to gather as much accurate information as possible now, so that if you were ever to return, we could see what effects Faerie has had on you. ”

I feel my eyebrows rise. I’m a guinea pig for them to run tests on. No one has ever returned from Faerie, but I suppose it makes sense to run as many tests on us as possible beforehand, because if one of us were to return… Well, like I said. We are fucking guinea pigs to them.

“For the sake of legality, please be aware that this entire appointment is being recorded. It is imperative that we get the facts and we get them right. Let’s start with the basics,” Dr. Haque taps at her keyboard for a few moments before turning to face me.

“Please tell me your full name, date of birth, and current residential address.”