Keeley awoke feeling like she was trapped under a boulder. Even breathing hurt. Her head was so heavy she couldn’t lift it, and she positively rattled when she tried to draw in air.

　　She opened her mouth, but her lips were cracked and her tongue was so dry it felt as though she rubbed it across sand.

　　Then she made the mistake of trying to move.

　　She whimpered and tears welled in her eyes. How could she feel so miserable? What had happened to her? She was never ill. She prided herself on being hale and hearty.

　　“Keeley, love, don’t cry.”

　　Alaric’s usually soothing, deep timbred voice, crackled over her...