Page 71 of Jude

Daisy nodded. “The laser burn to your shoulder is deep. How does it feel?”

“Like shit. Actually, pretty numb. I just feel a gentle throb.”

Daisy walked to a glass cabinet and returned with a syringe. “This will take the edge off while it heals.” Once she’d given Octavia the injection of pain meds, she gestured at Jude. “You’d better let me check you over.”

He shrugged and watched as she ran the scanner over him. “There’s nothing wrong with me.”

Daisy worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she looked at the scanner results. “You have cracked ribs.”

“See! You’re in worse shape than me,” said Octavia.

His ribs did ache, but they were healing. “I’ve had a shot of serum.”

Daisy placed the scanner by the bed. “I heard about what happened. I’m glad you both made it back.”

Jude gently pushed Octavia’s hand away from where it was worrying her scars. “So am I.”

She glared at him before lowering her hand. “I’m still getting used to my new look.”

He smiled. “I must admit, your new hair cut is on the dramatic side.”

She scowled at him. “Believe me, it wasn’t by choice.”

Jude’s smile faded. “You’re as beautiful as ever.” And she was. That long blonde hair and her piercing blue eyes were stunning, but it was her determination that he loved the most. She hadn’t given up. Even when she’d been threatened with a mind wipe, she’d still kept on fighting and looking for a way out, a way back to him.

“Sophia, both patients are ready for you.” Daisy nodded at them before hurrying away.

Sophia strode over to Octavia. “Lie on the bed.”

“There’s no need.”

“There’s every need. You look like you’ve gone five rounds with a giant millipede.” Sophia folded her arms and waited until Octavia finally lay down.

Jude hovered next to the bed, wanting to help, not wanting to leave Octavia’s side.

Sophia checked the scanner results. “You have a fracture on your cheekbone.”

“I figured as much. That’s what being punched in the face can do.”

Jude’s anger flared at the thought of someone hitting Octavia.

“The laser blast to your shoulder hit nothing vital, but it’ll take a couple of days to heal, even with some dragon serum.” Sophia studied Octavia’s facial scars. “How did you get those?”

Octavia winced. “I was in a building when the State blew it up. Some shrapnel shredded my face.”

“You didn’t get reconstructive surgery?”

“When you’re on the run from the State, plastic surgery is the last thing you think about.”

Sophia snorted. “The dragon serum might improve them.”

Octavia’s eyebrows rose. “Are you serious? After all this time, you think it can make a difference?”

“I doubt it will completely restore the damage, but there’s no harm in seeing how effective it is.” She stepped back from the bed. Her gaze ran over Octavia. “As for the hair, there’s nothing I can do about that.”

“I can live with the new hairstyle. If you can improve this,” Octavia waved her hand in front of her face, “I’ll be so grateful.”

“Your scars aren’t so bad.” Sophia ran her hands over her short dark hair. “And short hair is easy to manage. I recommend it. With those cheekbones, you would be striking with a crop.”