Page 122 of The Dark Stranger

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I lean closer to the glass, my hand resting against the frame, my eyes locked on her face like I can force her back just by watching.

“Come on…” I mutter under my breath. “Fight.”

Movement.

Small.

Barely there.

But I see it.

My entire body goes still.

Her fingers twitch.

Then her head shifts slightly against the pillow.

“Jace,” I say, sharp.

“I see it,” he responds immediately, already stepping closer to the monitors.

Inside the room, everything changes.

The doctor straightens fast. The nurse moves in closer, adjusting something on the IV.

Then—

A tray hits the floor.

Loud.

Metal clattering,breaking the quiet in a way that spikes something violent in my chest.

“She’s coming up too fast,” the doctor says.

Too fast?

I don’t wait.

I’m already moving.

The door swings open hard enough to hit the wall, but I don’t care.

All I see is her.

She’s awake—

But not calm.

Not even close.

Her body jerks against the bed, panic hitting her full force like she came back straight into hell. Her hands are pulling at the lines, her breathing sharp, uneven, eyes wide and unfocused.

“Get off me—!” she’s screaming, her voice raw, breaking. “Let me go—where is she—INEZ—!”

It hits me like a punch to the chest.

She’s not here.

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