Page 85 of Forged in Deception

“What did you do, Cora?” he demanded again, forcing the last of his energy into raising his voice at her.

“It’s just a sedative that Lily stole from the lab. You’ll be fine soon.”

“Are you going to hurt Karlin?” he asked.

He hated the fear he could hear in his own voice. Even the gun he carried did little to reassure him.

For the second time in less than twelve hours, he’d been drugged against his will. If he didn’t have the clarity of his own mind, even a powerful weapon wouldn’t be enough to save him.

He could threaten Cora now, but if he did, she might stop talking.

And getting her to talk was his best chance at figuring out what on earth was going on.

“I would if I had to,” Cora said, her voice sad, “but I don’t think she’s going to give me a reason. Neither are you. Just go to sleep. This is all going to be over in a couple of hours.”

He could feel the effects of the sedative intensifying now.

His vision seemed to be ringed with a halo of darkness, and every limb felt unbearably heavy. All he wanted in the world was to lie down and take a nap.

“What will be over? I just want to understand.”

Cora paused, standing over him.

“We need to finish our ritual,” she said. “Once it’s done, I’ll be able to go home. My entire family will be able to go home at last.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-EIGHT

ASHER

Asher leaned back against the wall of the hut, desperate to figure out what on earth was going on.

Cora had drugged him, and was apparently preparing for some kind of ritual.

Lily and Cora were connected somehow.

Lily was with Karlin.

And Karlin was in grave danger.

None of the pieces fit together, and yet, he was surprised by how quickly his mind was working now, turning the information over in his head, trying to put together the impossible puzzle.

He had pressed his body carefully between the wall and the floor, expecting to pass out at any second, but instead, something strange was happening.

As the seconds wore on, he thought that he might actually be starting to feel better.

The onslaught of tiredness that he’d felt a moment ago was lessening, and he was beginning to feel the stinging pain left behind by the needle once more.

Hope stirred within his heart as a vague plan began to form.

God, please, grant me a sound mind. Let me stay awake. Help me to find Karlin.

“What ritual?” he asked, trying his best to sound like he was close to losing consciousness. He even managed to let a little bit of drool fall onto his chin.

To his surprise, Cora answered, leaning down to rest on her heels beside him. “The final one. This is a big day for my community. I wish you’d just gone with Paul, but I promise, you’re going to be fine, anyway.”

She didn’t meet his eyes. She seemed lost, as though her mind was somewhere else even as she helped him to lay down on his mat.

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