LILITH

The moment Dean settled me into the car, I blacked out completely—whether from the drug in my veins or simply because my high-strung nerves finally let go, I wasn’t sure.

The last thing I heard before slipping into unconsciousness was Dean’s panicked voice and the roar of the engine.

---

When I came to…

The sharp scent of antiseptic filled my nose, followed by the faint beeping of machines.

I blinked slowly, disoriented, staring at a sterile white ceiling.

My thoughts moved sluggishly, trying to stitch together the fragments of my recent memories: Claire’s call. The hotel room. Brandon. And then… Dean.

As though summoned by my thoughts, a...