Time for some strategic manipulation.
"I'll let anyone who complies help me through my next heat," I announce sweetly.
The effect is immediate and devastating. All four of my alphas freeze like I've just hit them with a stun gun.
Inwardly, I'm already calculating. With the stress and trauma of recent events, plus the suppressants I've been taking religiously, I probably won't go into heat again for months. But they don't need to know that.
"Medical bay it is," Nikolai croaks.
"Suddenly feeling very cooperative," Raven agrees, his voice pitched higher than usual.
Geo just nods mutely, and Knight falls into step beside me like a giant, obedient shadow.
The medical bay is a far cry even from Reinmich's elite facilities. Everything gleams with sterile perfection, and I barely recognize some of the equipment. Automated diagnostic machines hum quietly in the corners, and the scent of antiseptic is so strong it makes my eyes water.
A doctor in pristine white robes approaches with a warm smile, speaking in rapid Surhiiran as he gestures for us to take seats on the examination tables. When he turns to me with the same expectant expression, I shake my head firmly.
"Not me, I'm fine," I say in Surhiiran, backing away from his outstretched hands.
Don't touch me.
Nikolai snorts from where he's reluctantly allowing another medic to examine his wounds. "Being a bit of a hypocrite, aren't you?"
"I'm fine," I snap, crossing my arms defensively.
The alphas exchange one of those looks. The kind that says they're communicating without words, which always pisses me off. Even Plague, who's followed us into the medical bay, seems to be part of their silent conversation.
"What?" I demand.
Geo's the one who finally speaks, his voice carefully neutral. "It wouldn't hurt to have your head examined."
Boiling hot rage flares inside me. "Excuse me?"
"Smooth," Raven mutters, shooting Geo a look.
"For once, he's right," Nikolai announces, because apparently today is opposite day. "You space the fuck out, Cosima. Last time with a fucking gun in your hand. That's not normal."
The walls of the medical bay suddenly feel too close, the antiseptic smell too sharp. My hands clench into fists at my sides as familiar panic starts to claw its way up my throat. Medical exams have always meant one thing in my experience. A loss of autonomy. Doctors poking and prodding while discussing my body like I'm not even in the room. Pronouncing me fit for breeding or declaring my mental state "concerning" to whichever alpha holds my leash.
"There's nothing wrong with me," I grit out, fighting to keep the tremor out of my voice.
"Goddess..." Raven's voice is gentle, worried, and that somehow makes it worse. Even Knight has turned from his examination to fix those burning blue eyes on me with obvious concern.
The flashbacks are starting to bleed in around the edges of my vision. I can feel myself starting to dissociate again, that familiar numbness creeping in to protect me from the memories. Which will only prove their fucking point.
"We'll talk about it later," Geo mutters finally.
Plague nods, seeming to accept Geo's decision. "You'll all need full workups eventually anyway, before you can be officially initiated as the new Ghosts. In the meantime..." He gestures toward a side door. "Perhaps you'd like to clean up and change into more suitable clothing?"
The alphas tense, and I can see Nikolai about to argue, but I'll take my chance with these Surhiiran strangers.
"It's fine," I interject again, already following the attendants toward the door. I can tell they're curious as they escort me to the bathing chambers, but I can only pick out bits and pieces as they speak in soft Surhiiran and draw a bath that smells like jasmine and honey. The baths are huge and luxurious, but mostly I'm relieved to be out of that medical bay. I try to relax and let myself be pampered for the first time in... gods, I can't even remember.
I close my eyes and drift deeper into the water as the attendants give me some space and privacy, trying not to think about anything that just happened. Which leads my thoughts right back to their favorite subject to torture me with.
Azarel.
How many times has he walked these very halls? What would he think if he knew I was here?
