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Chapter 11

The gross, groggy sensationwelcoming Georgia back to consciousness felt like the worst hangover she’d ever had. She smacked her lips slowly together. Her mouth was dry and her tongue furry.

Something soft brushed against her cheek. She opened one eye and jerked her head back. “Jeez! What are you doing here?”

The banty who’d saved her was curled up on her pillow. He chirped and nuzzled her cheek with his soft face.

Georgia looked around as she tried to figure out where she was. This wasn’t the ship.

She shifted and groaned. She felt like death warmed up. What the hell had happened? The last thing she remembered was getting sick and the ship flying through an asteroid belt. Ash had been panicking and demanding they land somewhere. He must have gotten his wish, but she still had no clue where they were.

Several more banty appeared on the end of her bed and leaped around, jumping on her toes every time she moved.

“I see you’ve brought the whole gang.” Her voice sounded croaky. She tried to lift a hand but was too weak to move.

Fear punched into Georgia’s gut as she took a moment to check the damage she’d sustained. How sick was she? Would she always feel like this? And how long had she been out?

Before she’d passed out, she remembered her arms feeling numb, and she’d been unable to move. She hadn’t been able to get any coordination in her limbs, and her fingers still tingled and burned.

What if this poison had done a number on her and she’d always be weak and exhausted? That would make her useless. She had to be fit and at the top of her game to keep her job.

Georgia closed her eyes and fought the panic trying to drag her under. She’d always wanted to be an adventurer. From her time in the secret service to her role on the Apocalypse, she loved exploring, seeking out information, and bringing down assholes who messed with the weak.

That couldn’t be taken away from her because she got sick. This infection would ruin her life and her career if she didn’t get on top of it.

And it felt like it was battling to dominate her. All she wanted to do was close her eyes and go back to sleep.

Georgia gritted her teeth, determined not to let this beat her. She’d get through this. She had to.

“Hey, you’re awake.”

She turned her head, having to push aside the banty’s fur to see Ash.

Her heart thudded at the sight of him, and she smiled, despite feeling terrible. “I guess I’ve missed out on a few things.”

He brought a chair to the side of the bed and gently took hold of her hand. “Yeah, you could say that. How are you feeling?”

“Not great. Where are we?”

“We’re on Fenland Three. I got Rexx and Daisy to make a detour. Our medical supplies were destroyed when we were clipped by an asteroid, so we had to land.” He looked away. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it if we flew back to the Apocalypse.”

She blew out a soft breath. “I was that bad?”

He nodded as his gaze fixed onto hers. The pain in his eyes made her throat constrict. “How long have I been out?”

“Almost seventy-two hours,” he said.

She grimaced. “Have they fixed the problem? I still don’t feel good. I figured I’d be better by now.”

“It’ll take a while, but the nurse is hopeful.”

“Hopeful doesn’t sound so good.” She gripped his hand. “I need to make a full recovery.”

“You should.”

“Should? No guarantees?”

His hand tightened around hers. “This is a new poison. They’re not sure of the lasting effects.”