Even if you hate me

Lathel woke up in a completely unfamiliar room.

He remained still for several seconds, waiting for his thoughts to clear. The mattress beneath him was unusually soft, the blanket light, and the medicinal scent in the room was faint instead of overwhelming like the smell inside a healer's ward.

If he ignored the fact that he had no idea where he was, the room had clearly been prepared with great care.

His memories from before losing consciousness soon returned.

Aldric.

Bram.

Pandora taking control of his body.

Then the lightning rushing toward him, followed by the sudden appearance of a slender foil and Catrina's familiar mask.

'Right.'

Lathel braced one hand against the bed and tried to sit up.

A faint metallic sound came from beside him.

Clink.

He stopped.

His gaze slowly lowered toward his left wrist.

Then he fell silent.

A silver cuff encircled it.