“Stay put,” Roman said.

Evelyn didn’t move. She sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, trying not to look at the spots where her skin still burned. Every time she shifted, her palm throbbed, and the sting along her side and thighs flared like a warning. Roman walked out.

For a few seconds, the room felt too quiet. Evelyn swallowed, forcing herself to breathe evenly, and she hated feeling helpless and hated waiting. Then he came back.

He was carrying a hard, black case—bigger than any first aid kit she’d ever seen. The corners were reinforced, the latches silver, the whole thing looking more like medical equipment than something...