Pain throbbed through Isabel's consciousness. She raised a hand to her brow, praying it would stop.

"She's awake, Captain."

Isabel didn't want to open her eyes, afraid the pain would only increase if she did. Something poked her shouldersomething hot and sharp. She cried out.

Boot steps scuffed toward her. With difficulty, she pried open her heavy lids. Kent hovered over her on the left, concern in his eyes, while Cutter ardently searched through a black satchel ...