638 World of Pain

ELIA

Elia had never hurt more—in her body—than she had that day. After being in the beast and Reth running her through the forest, she'd thought she would faint from it. But once Aymora put the herbs on her gums, something changed.

It was as if the pain receded. Stepped away, but watched over her. Stood with sharp eyes and talons clenched, waiting for her. She could breathe, and she could speak. But every second her body screamed that it would not endure much longer.

Then Aymora pleaded with her to shift, and Elia tried. She really did. Searching within her for that clawing, snarling beast that had so frightened her—plagued her—for so many months. But it was as if she'd never been… No matter how Elia searched, she couldn't find her. And she kept drifting…