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hear what you have to say.”
    She knew her eyes nearly bugged from her head as she scrambledbackward, white noise a roar in her ears as spots pricked her vision. They started out this way. Nice. Friendly.
Just let us examine you for the project.
    The memories swirled around, sucking her under. Pulling her apart.
    Julian thundered something at the doctor and it was the only thing that enabled her to pull herself back from the pit of memories. She didn’t want anyone hurt.
    “No!” She held a hand out, still breathing hard. Still choking back bile. “Don’t hurt him.”
    Vincenz was already there, pulling Julian away, speaking to him quietly and calmly.
    She shook her head and slumped to the bed, curling into a ball. “Sorry.”
    The doctor snorted a laugh. “It’s all right. He wanted to protect you. We can do this another day. My purpose is not to make things worse for you.”
    She took a deep breath. “I should go.” Avoiding looking toward the doorway, she tried to be brave. They saved her. She would not bring harm to them. “To hospital.”
    “You’ll do no such thing.” Vincenz was at her side in moments.
    She didn’t want to fall apart and yet, it was happening. Pieces of her fell through her fingers like sand. The darkness lurked in her head. She dipped her head and rocked slightly as she huffed the air, trying to calm down.
    She knew she was about to pass out, knew the signs and yet she couldn’t seem to stop.
    Julian watched her fall away, lose her grip, and he moved the doctor aside and lay on the bed, pulling her to him. “On the other side, Vin. She needs touch.”
    Vincenz followed, snuggling up to her on the other side as theyheld her between them. Her heaving breaths and stuttered sobs slowed.
    Between them she seemed so small and fragile, this woman who was beyond strong. Julian buried his face in her hair. “Stay with us, Hannah. Here with Vincenz and me. You can let go for now, but we’re here to catch you.”
    Her whimper and full body shiver brought his gaze to Vincenz’s. She clutched at his shirt, burrowing into him and they held her tighter. The doctor nodded, encouraging them.
    They held her like that for some time until she finally went lax and her breathing smoothed, going deep and slow.
    “Don’t go too far.” Vincenz looked back through the doorway to watch her sleep. “I don’t want her to wake up alone.”
    “I’m sorry I was so angry. Before.” Julian looked to the doctor, who’d been standing there the whole time. “Should we use something to help her stay sleeping?”
    “Her body is working overtime to heal. She’ll be out awhile. In fact, expect her to sleep a lot the first days she’s back. Maybe even a month. Her internal sense of time will be out of synch. Given her reaction to my even suggesting a more comprehensive exam, I feel using any sedatives on her without her knowledge and consent would only hinder any trust we’ve created.”
    Julian nodded. “That makes sense. I just hate seeing her suffer this way. I want to help her.”
    “I know that. She knows that or she wouldn’t have been able to get past her fear to defend and protect you the way she did.” Dr. Pesch looked at his notes. “I’d like some of your time if you have it to spare.”
    “We need to check in. May as well be now.” Vincenz indicated the worktable in the middle of the room. They’d debriefed in part theevening before after … Julian looked over to Vincenz and hid a smile … after they’d exhausted themselves.
    “I’ve read the testing journals Vincenz brought back from Parron and did some investigation myself.” The doctor took a seat at the nearby worktable where Vincenz and Julian joined him. They’d meet with him while they waited for everyone to get connected back on Ravena.
    “Hannah Black was at the top of her class. A brilliant doctor and scientist studying disease out on the Edge. Her mother is … was from the Imperium. The daughter of a trader. It’s how