Mind

Rayne's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in her surroundings as a wave of excruciating pain washed over her. Her head throbbed with a relentless intensity, making her vision blur and her stomach churn. A fever raged through her body, leaving her skin slick with sweat and her muscles weak. Her throat felt like sandpaper, dry and raspy, making every swallow a painful ordeal.

As she struggled to sit up, she realized she was still bound to the cold, metal chair. The same chair she'd been tied to for what felt like an eternity, after Matthew's men had brutally overpowered her. The memories were hazy, but the ache in her body and the stench of her own fear told her it was all too real.

Just as she thought the headache couldn't get any worse, a gentle, icy touch grazed her forehead. The relief was instantaneous, as if a soothing balm had been applied directly to her throbbing temples. The cold sensation seemed to seep into her skin, calming the storm of pain and leaving her feeling momen