Chapter 49

"Riley, wake up."

Riley frowned. She really wished people would stop saying that to her. So far nothing good had come of those words. Despite her displeasure at having her sleep rudely interrupted, she managed to crack an eyelid to inspect the person who dared interlope on her good dreams. She should have known. It was her mother.

"Cilia," she whispered.

Whoa! Was that horrific croak really her voice? Riley's eyes popped open in surprise, an action she instantly regretted when harsh fluorescent light flooded her vision. She winced, closed her eyes and brought a hand up to cover her offended eyes. Then she winced again when she realized her arm was attached to an IV. Carefully, she cracked her eyes back open and stared at the intravenous line leading from her arm to a bag held high over her head. She frowned for a second. Then her memory came back.

"Fuck," she croaked, panic settling on her chest. She clutched the blankets on the bed and glanced frantically around her. She must be i