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She couldn’t help hiht and find a way to tell hi hunted

Nika’s real eyes opened and she was in a roonized Not the hospital, but Andra’s new ho for her body sat in the corner, knitting She had a halo of dark curls, and sad brown eyes Her fingers moved fast and sure, and stitch after stitch was left in their wake

Grace That was her name Grace would help her

"Madoc," said Nika Her voice was thin and ragged, barely audible in the silent room

Grace’s head snapped up and her eyes locked on Nika’s They widened in surprise; then she rose fro fall to the carpet

"Shh," said Grace "Don’t try to speak yet Let et you soer"

Grace poured water into a plastic cup and held a straw to Nika’s lips "Have a drink"

Nika drank just to get the woman to listen "Call Madoc"

"I’et your sister"

Andra had listened to her before She would again Grace dialed a number "Nika’s awake She wants to call Madoc"

Nika heard the faint buzz of Andra’s voice through the plastic

Grace looked at Nika "What do you want her to tell him?"

"Look up in the trees Above hih she looked confused, Grace repeated what Nika had said to Andra, then, "Okay I’ll tell her" She hung up and sat on the edge of the bed Her fingers stroked the back of Nika’s hand--the first real contact she’d felt in a long tiht now, and doesn’t want you to worry"

How could Nika not worry? Madoc was out there alone If anything happened to hied Grace

Her lips felt dry and her body was almost too weak to s, but she did as she was told

"How do you feel?" asked Grace

"I need to go back out there with Madoc He needsher down She couldn’t lose him

"I’m sure he’s fine He’s a skilled warrior"

Grace didn’t understand No one did except Andra, and she only listened soo find him"

"Please don’t," said Grace "Just stay awake until Andra gets here Let her talk to you"

Nika’s eyes were heavy Being aas hard She felt so alone when she wasn’t with him

The door flew open and Andra stood there, breathing hard and pink from exertion "Nika, baby," she breathed "You’re awake"

Andra crossed the room and Grace moved out of the way

"Did you talk to Madoc?"

"Yes He’s fine"

"Did you tell him about the monster in the tree?"

"He’d already found it and killed it by the tih Nika like cool water, washing away her panic She clutched Andra’s hand "Thank you"

Andra gave her a teary s?"

"Tired I want to be with him"

"Him?" asked Andra

"Madoc"

"You need to stay here, baby You’re not strong enough to travel yet"

"I won’t take my body," explained Nika

Andra frowned at her and smoothed her hair back fro came, "Do you want me to call Tynan?"

"Yes Tell him Nika’s awake"

"I don’t want Tynan I want Madoc" No one listened to her and Nika started to wonder if her ht

She was slipping back into sleep, unable to stop it fro her mind away She wanted to stay awake so she could see hio seeking out one of the sgath

"Okay," soothed Andra "I’ll bring him here Whatever you want"

"I want Madoc," said Nika as she drifted away from the world