Chapter 18, The Spy:
Fire coursed through his veins. Pain wracked his body. He slipped in and out of wakefulness. He wanted to sleep, for the pain to end, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not. The taste of blood filled his mouth, not sure if he threw it up or bit his tongue. The urge to vomit drove him to heave but nothing came up. He fought for every breath. Each exhale came with a raspy gasp. His throat struggled to remain open.
He opened his eyes, and Della’s worried tear-filled gaze stared back at him. Kanika appeared behind the child, and he would slip back under.
“Can you keep him alive? He saved my life.”
The captain’s voice rattled around his head. He knew she spoke about him, but for now, he only wanted to sleep. His muscles locked up, cramps filled his body, and he s
