Page 131 of Wrapped in Their Arms

For one glorious second, they were aimed straight at salvation.

We’re gonna make it.We’reactually?—

But the pink drink surged again—hot and dizzying—flooding him with weakness so completeBurn’slimbs gave way.

His eyes rolled back, his body slumped…and then everything went black.

71

NOELLE

The first thing she became aware of was the sound.

It was a soft, rhythmic beeping somewhere nearby—steady and reassuring.Itpulsed in the distance like a heartbeat made of light and machinery.

The next sensation was warmth.

Noelle felt it blooming around her like a cocoon—thick, plush blankets tucked close around her and a pillow cradling her head.Shewas lying on something soft.Notmetal.Notstone.Anddefinitely not the black mattress inThune’sfilthy play room.

This is a bed,she realized dimly.Areal bed.Clean, comfortable and safe.

Above all,safe.

The air around her was pleasantly cool, but not sterile.Itsmelled faintly of disinfectant but not a harsh one—it was something organic and natural, she was sure.

Noelle shifted under the covers and a soft sigh escaped her lips as her body protested.Herlimbs were heavy, her head woolly with fog.Everymuscle ached as though she’d run a marathon in zero gravity and then been hit by a space truck.

She tried to raise a hand to rub her eyes… and froze.

No.No—wait—don’t touch!You’llget shocked again!

Her instincts screamed at her, and she flinched automatically, hand jerking away from her own face.

A deep, calm voice interrupted the silence.

“Oh, are you awake?Howdo you feel?”

Noelle’s eyes fluttered open.

The ceiling above her glowed with a diffuse, ambient light—like moonlight caught in frosted glass.Sheturned her head—slowly, painfully—and saw a tallKindredmale standing beside the bed.Hehad pale blond hair and the clearest ice-blue eyes she’d ever seen.Hewore a white medical coat over a high-collared blue uniform shirt and his expression was kind but clinical.

“Who…who’re you?”she croaked, throat dry and sore.

“You can touch yourself,” the man said gently, misinterpreting her panic.“Thenon-contact collar has been removed.”

“Has it?”Hervoice was stronger now, tinged with disbelief.

With trembling fingers, she reached up and scratched her nose—tentatively at first—then with growing confidence.Noelectric jolt.Nopain.Noresistance.

She touched her throat next.Thefamiliar, hated silver filigree was gone.Herfingers met nothing but warm skin and a pulse that beat beneath it, strong and free.

Tears stung her eyes.

“Thank you!”she whispered, meaning it from the bottom of her heart.“Dios, thank you so much.”

TheKindredmale gave her a soft smile.

“Who are you?”she asked again, lowering her hand.