Page 20 of Failed State

That’s when the big ass centaur in a white coat clip-clops in with a short, round looking woman in scrubs. Squinting, I make out the names on their badges: Dr. Moreau and Nurse Ames.

Okay, very cute, guys.

“Sydney Jolie, aged twenty-one, classified as a magic user. Skills have been presumed weak, as no useful magic has been performed since entering Tempest Seven after the First Sweeps.”

I decide Nurse Ames can bite me, so I just arch a brow and stay quiet.

The centaur moves closer, angling alongside the table to peek at me carefully. “Perhaps you’re correct, Nurse Ames. Can you fetch your equipment to verify?” She nods, bustling to the door and hurrying away as it closes behind her. Before I know what’s happening, the equine physician grabs my hand, holding it tightly. “Donottell her, Sydney. Many, many things depend on the right supes getting the right chances andyoucannot be identified. It’s too early. You must fight the intrusions.”

“Dude, what hay are you smoking?” I ask in a tense whisper. “I can’t help anyone do anything, man. I’m a dud; she as much as said so. You probably want to find some of my new teammates. They seem like real ballers.”

Doctor Mr. Ed tosses his head and makes an annoyed neighing sound, his hand shooting out to grip mine. “I understand why you don’t believe me, but keep what I said in mind. In life, things do not always make sense when we hear them, but they do much later. Keep your mind clear, Sydney, and your hopes up.”

Sure, I’ll do that just for you, crazy horse man.

“Uh, okay,” I say slowly, hoping he’ll back off the intensity a little once the dumpy magic nurse returns. “I’ll try. But uh, Ican’t promise much because I’m not powerful and they have this thing in my fucking neck, yeah?”

The doctor looks around, then gestures for me to move behind the curtain. When I don’t get up, he huffs loudly and I sigh, hopping down to move behind the stupid fabric. I don’t know what the hell he’s doing, but I doubt the nurse will be gone much longer. He clops over, standing in just such a way that I know any hidden cameras will miss this exchange.

“This will hurt. I don’t have time to make it easier.”

I blink, about to protest when he grabs my shoulder, spinning me around. Within seconds, a sharp pain in the spot where my Marker rests almost makes me pass out. My eyes blink and I pant softly, trying to get control of myself so I don’t vomit on the floor as his fingers wiggle around. Another pinch makes me grit my teeth, but a few moments later, a cooling liquid is poured over the aching wound.

“Hurry up. Come back to the table. I’ve cleaned and glued it shut. Put your braid over the marks and for the love of Dionysis,control your mind and your corewhen Ames returns.”

Licking my lips, I follow his instructions, but stare at the centaur in absolute shock. “Why did you remove it?”

He shakes his head and I cough, still working to get my shit together.

Apparently, that’s all the answer I’m getting for now.

ANARCHY IN THE FSHA

HUCKLEBERRY

The damn unicornshifter in charge of my exam was a perv, I’m sure of it. He sent his mage nurse packing for some bullshit reason and after that, I got the most thorough exam of my entire existence. That’s a long damn time, and it’s definitely topping my list for the weirdest shit since the damn Unveiling.

I’m a fucking fear demon; what could they possibly be worried about in regards to my constitution?

Now that I’m done with my creepy check-up, I plop down next to Syd. She’s sitting far enough away from Krista that I know it’s intentional and it makes me chuckle. Our girl doesn’t trust anyone, which is probably what kept her alive when her father was killed. It’s saved her ass in Tempest a few times, but nothing quite as dramatic as evading death squads. She doesn't seem upset by her experience, so her doc must not have been quite so handsy.

“Ready for the next step in the shit show, sweet pea?” I ask in a low voice.

Her head jerks up and I realize I caught her in the middle of a deep thought. “Shit, Huck. I almost stabbed you.”

Blinking, I look down to see her hand covering the knife she carries as it points at my ribs. I know she can take care of herself—mostly—but it’s still hot when I get to witness it. “Gotta keep your noggin in the game right now. I got too close before you snapped out of it, don’t you reckon?”

“Yes,” she admits grumpily. “It’s just… I can’t talk about it here. I’m muddling something and it feels important. But I don’t know what the fuck it means or what to do with it.”

Arching a brow, I look at her seriously. “Your doc or nurse didn’t… get too touchy-feely, did they? ‘Cause mine was fucking weird.”

“Weird, yes; creepy, no.” Sydney frowns as she tucks the knife back into hiding. “How was your exam creepy?”

“It was pretty damn comprehensive for a demon exam. We’re built different, with extreme life spans, and hard to target weaknesses. Medical personnel aren’t typically so careful and meticulous with us. This unicorn dude was toes-to-nose with me and it was strange.”

Her reply is cut off by Thaddeus’ emergence from his room. The bear doesn’t look particularly bothered, either, so I wonder if it was just me. “Thad’s coming.”

“Syd, everything okay?” His huge frame wrestles into the open seat on her other side and she lets out a slow breath. “You seem…contemplative.”

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