Page 149 of Huntress

Cornick’s eyes blazed a hole into Saint’s forehead. “He was one of the most savage beasts I’ve ever dealt with. There were some who were unconvinced you’d be able to tame him.”

“It’s amazing what a little kindness can do.” Elsie’s teeth clenched so tightly it was a wonder she didn’t crack a molar.

“Indeed? We haven’t tried that, but I doubt we will. It sounds tedious, and success would take far too long with no guaranteed results. We’ve already perfected our training methods,” Cornick chuckled darkly. “Your own Mr. Clairemont has given us some helpful ideas.”

Elsie blinked, careful not to glower at mention of the beastmaster who’d tortured her mate. She tried to think of the greasy, slimy bastard as little as possible.

“Oh! Not to be forgotten, this is my colleague, Ms. Fletcher. She is here to assist, as I remembered your refusal to allow any males to touch you.” He paused, a smug expression on his face as he waited for Elsie to appreciate his thoughtfulness. He cleared his throat a moment later when it didn’t come.

“Well then, if you’ll take a seat on the exam table, we can begin.”

“You want to start now?” Elsie’s eyes widened with surprise. “We were stuffed into the back of that truck for hours. Can we use the bathroom first and get something to eat? The staff at Apothecary did not give us any meals while we were awaiting transport, and I’m starving.”

“Surely starving is an exaggeration, wouldn’t you agree, Miss Chantraine? You’ll find language is important around here. We must be precise. You must understand, I’ve been anticipating this day for some time, how can you expect me to put it off a moment longer?” That light was back in his eyes, making Elsie’s stomach curdle.

“As it happens, needing the toilet is a good thing, as it’s part of the initial exam.” Cornick stood and walked over to the counter, opening one of the overhead cabinets. He took out a glass cup with measurement lines on the side. “Please fill this up at least halfway with urine.”

“What for?” Elsie took the cup, a curl in her upper lip. She’d never in her life been asked to perform such a vulgarity.

“For testing, of course. We can learn all sorts of things about you from this one sample. The health of your liver and kidneys, even pregnancy, to start. Ms. Fletcher can take you to the nearest toilet.”

Elsie scowled, already wishing she could go back in time and change her decision to come to this damned place. She followed the strange woman toward the door, Saint only steps behind her, but Cornick called out.

“Miss Chantraine, the dog will stay here. This is the ladies' room. I’m sure you can be apart from him for a few minutes.”

“No, I cannot. You have your bodyguards, and I have mine.” Elsie motioned to the armed guards at the door. “He is coming with me, though he can wait in the hallway. We are not to be separated for any reason, for any duration of time. I made that a non-negotiable during our arrangements before our arrival.”

Cornick’s jaw worked, his temple flexing. “I remember, though I was not truly aware of how much you’ve come to depend on your companion.”

The words were a threat that slithered down Elsie’s throat to burrow a hole in her stomach. Cornick could and would use Saint against her if he found it necessary.

They filed out, following the brunette, Saint stiff at her side, the armed guards accompanying them. He turned his back to the door when she went inside, blocking it and waiting with his arms crossed, scowling at Ms. Fletcher the entire time.

Elsie was quick, washing up and coming out after leaving the offending glass on the back of the toilet.

Saint used the men’s room while another woman came and took the glass to some unknown lab for testing. He took a long while, and Elsie leaned against the wall to wait. Even without their link, she felt the demonic rage oozing from the other side of the door. He was doing whatever he needed to contain himself in there.

Gods, she was going to be apologizing for her decisions until the end of their days.

Ms. Fletcher kept compulsively glancing at the door, the anxiety on her face growing as time went on. Eventually the sink turned off, and Saint stepped out. He was stiff, the corners of his mouth tight, but otherwise composed. They shared a look full of reassurance for two seconds before moving on.

Back in the room, Elsie hopped up onto the exam table. Saint stood next to her, glaring as Cornick and Fletcher approached. Cornick had a clipboard and pen in hand.

“We’ll start with the easy stuff,” he said. Fletcher took her pulse, temperature, and blood pressure, even checking her oxygen level. She shined a light in Elsie’s eyes, and then her ears and throat. Everything was written down without a single remark.

When they finished with the basics, Fletcher produced a syringe with a big needle attached. “We’re going to need three full vials.”

“Why do you need so much?” Elsie rolled up her sleeve and wrinkled her nose. The woman placed the tourniquet, pulled it tight, and tied it off.

“Oh, this and that,” Cornick said as the needle pierced her skin. “We’re doing a full panel. I’d like to document your health both before and after the seal is removed. The steps we take now will be beneficial in learning how the seal affects the body over time. Yours is an extreme case, after more than fifteen years. We would like to know if you have suffered any biological changes as a result of being denied access to magic your body is structured to use.”

“Specifically, we’re going to test your liver and kidney function, your hormone levels, your white cell count, and any protein markers that fluctuate due to your magic use,” Fletcher explained. She swapped out the second vial. “We’ll also be mapping your genome. It isn’t often we have access to half the DNA of a goddess.”

Elsie’s frown turned to a full scowl. “I don’t recall agreeing to that. Don’t you think that’s something you should have asked permission for ahead of time?”

“You signed and sent us the forms agreeing to any and all tests and experimentation within the bounds of exploration and inquiry into your seal before you arrived,” Cornick reminded her.

“That’s a stretch. What does my mother’s DNA have to do with the seal?”