Dark Weaver (Weaver Series) by Dena Nicotra Page A

more of their psycho medicines so that they could force me to slide back down the rabbit hole.  “It isn’t medicine, it’s just herbal tea, to help your throat,” she said to coax me.  I turned my head to look at her, wishing desperately that I could read her thoughts so that I could be sure.  Her eyes were difficult to read in the dimness of the room, though I could see that she was smiling.  My throat was still burning and the tea would be nice.
    “My name is Ruby, and I’m going to be your mender while you are here.  I can’t harm you. It isn’t within the scope of my ability, and it isn’t my desire.  Please, drink the tea,” she said, setting the cup on the tray she’d pushed in front of me.  I thought of Pepper and conceded.  If she was anything like my friend, I knew she couldn’t do anything to hurt me as a mender.  I sat up slowly and sipped the tea.  It felt wonderful as I swallowed, coating my throat and easing the pain almost instantly.  The flavor was a blend of cinnamon, honey, and something else I couldn’t make out but it tasted somewhat like black licorice.
    ‘Thank you,” I managed between sips.  It wasn’t easy to hold the cup because my hands were shaking.
    “You’re welcome,” she said before leaving the room.  I sat the empty cup on the table and let my head fall back on the pillows, cursing myself for not asking her what to expect next.  Would Chloe be back for me, or was it over?  Would they let me go home now?  Finally, I thought of Kalan, and that hurt more than my throat or my head.  I stared at the ceiling and tried to weave myself out of this situation.  Nothing happened.  I suppose trying was a natural reaction, even though I knew in my heart that it wouldn’t work.  I laid there for at least another hour before the door opened again.  My stomach knotted immediately at the sight of Torvin and Chloe, but it threatened to reject the tea when I saw Kalan appear behind them.  Chloe flipped a switch near the door and the room was illuminated in sterile light.  I sat up and pulled the covers protectively around myself.
    “We need further information from you, and you will cooperate with us, ”  Torvin said, nodding his head for emphasis.
    “I don’t know what else you want from me,” I said, hating how defeated I sounded.  Kalan was dressed in black pants and a black shirt, his sandy hair just touching the top of his shoulders.  A pang of grief pierced my heart because my first instinct when I saw him was to reach out for him.  How I longed for the safety of his arms.  He walked right up to the bed and sat on the edge looking at me with those beautiful eyes – only now they were hard, and cold. 
    “Joey, I will not tolerate this much longer.  You will reveal what I want, or I will not show you mercy.”
    “What do you want Kalan?  What more could I possibly give you that I haven’t already given freely, or you haven’t ripped away?”
    He gritted his teeth and bent down so close I feared he would either bite me or spit in my face before he spoke in a taut voice – “You’d better cut the crap right now.  I could make your life a living hell and I will if you don’t comply with my wishes.”
    I stared into his eyes, searching for some remnant of the man I had loved, but the stranger in front of me was looking at me with such contempt.  Clearly, I had been deceived.  I swallowed the lump in my throat before I opened my mouth. “Was there ever a time that you loved me at all Kalan?”
    “It’s not that our time together was a complete waste, ”  he said dully.
    “You didn’t answer my question,” I said.
    He rolled his eyes and stood up, addressing Torvin and Chloe who had stood by watching us in silence.
    “Do what you have to do, just get me what I need.”
    “Kalan!”  I yelled, causing him to turn back toward me.
    “No,” he said flatly and walked out.
    I threw the covers back and tried to jump out of the bed to follow