Army of Death

Chapter 3

The first thing Astrid felt was pure agony. Her bones were melting and her blood boiled. She went to scream, but no sound came out of her mouth.

She felt her skin being torn apart and put back together and all she wanted was for it to stop and be over with.

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"Is she going to be ok?" She heard from afar.

"She should be" a sweet voice responded. "Though I don't know how she held on for so long, she should thank her shifter blood for that".

Astrid wanted the voices to go away. All she wanted to do was sleep, but someone kept trying to wake her up.

"Come on Astrid" a deep voice rumbled. "The world isn't done with you yet".

'That's the problem'. Astrid thought. 'I'm done with the world'.

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Astrid woke up and saw an unearthly bright light. She let out a low moan.

"Hello sleeping beauty" the sweet voice chimed.

Astrid went to sit up, but two strong hands lightly pushed her back.

"Oh no you don't sugar" the woman said.

The woman's skin was smooth like chocolate. She looked mid-forties, dressed in scrubs, but still beautiful. Everything about her was open and welcoming. Astrid hated it. She made her want to put her guards down.  Her guards were there for a reason.

"What happened?" Astrid asked.

"You almost died" the woman responded.

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Got that thanks, I meant how the hell am I still alive?" 

"Mary healed you" a voice chimed. She turned her head to see Brown Eyes and her gaze narrowed.

"You were almost gone when Will here brought you in" Mary added.

"Of course he did" Astrid spat.

"Will dear wait outside for a second?" My brows raised at the command in her voice. Brown Eyes, I mean Captain Grayson, looked like he was about to argue, but stopped when he looks into Mary's eyes.

Astrid didn't know what she was more impressed with. That she was a healer, and a damn good one considering she practically brought her back from the grave, or that she sent the army Captain away with his tail between his legs.

Once Captain Grayson left the room, Mary turned to me. "Look here honey. There ain't a lot done for the folks in the First Line, but I'm one of them. I'm here to keep you alive as long as I can"

"Why?" I asked. "Healers are almost as much of a legend as dragons, especially healers as pure blood as you must have. Why are you healing the scum in the first line?"

"I heal everyone" Mary replied, "I'm on the Commander's beck and call, but I choose to work for the Front Line because that's where my son died."

Astrid had a hard time believing that. There are so few good people in the world, but there was something honest about Mary that makes her believe. If anyone in this hellhole is good, it's her. "In that case, thank you".  Astrid said.

"Don't thank me yet honey, I just kept you alive for a world full of pain" she replied.

Astrid smirked, "it's always been a world full of pain, some people just don't realize it".