We were looking at the image at the same moment, and my heart literally stopped in pure horror. I couldn't fathom words as my eyes scanned the picture of what seemed to be in some sort of laboratory.
There was Lisette, strapped on a metal table that was in a horizontal position. It was like she was attached to a metal wall, her wrists and ankles shackled and spread apart as wide as they could go.
My eyes could only linger at her lower section for five seconds before I felt the urge to vomit as bile and anything I'd eaten this morning wished to rise back up. She was naked and her mouth was tied with a gag ball in an attempt to protect her teeth.
If that's what you called protective.
I moved my gaze to the words on the side of the report.
* * *
No anesthesia administered for the magic reconstruction gender project. Anesthesia could potentially risk Hive connection to J.S. Supplementary pain meds will be administered upon awakening if patient survives the procedure.
Assessment of client's condition will be monitored for a full year. If unsuccessful, implant has a 90% possibility of rupturing or organ failure if patient’s magic levels reach low status for a long period of time.
WARNING: Ensure client does not exert themselves before year is up. Result will lead to breakdown of magic and impending death.
NOTE: Conversion to previous state requires intense magic restoration and manipulation by physical means or Hive Queen assistance.
Overall Chance of Survival: 1%
* * *
My jaw dropped as I read that part again and again before everything suddenly seemed to piece together from tiny perspectives I'd caught onto but never decided to dive into.
Is that why Lisette wore Lolita outfits? To bring attention to the outfit itself and not specifically her lower region? She always wore skirts and normally had stockings or pantyhose beneath. She doesn't like sleeping in her underwear. Only in shorts. She hasn't worn a bikini all week...only loose shorts with various bikini tops... Fuck. How could I not notice or inquire when I saw the male-female error on her report? It wasn't an error. Does that mean Alaric and the others know? Were they trying to figure things out before involving us? Or do they even realize the extent of what Charles had done to Lisette? How can she be so uplifting and willing to sacrifice herself to save me when exerting her body would lead to her death?!
So many thoughts were swirling in my head, and I sensed Shadow Jade’s anxiety growing stronger within me. I bit my lip hard, but a scene pushed into my mind, which triggered a complete flashback.
* * *
"Lisette...sick, kill?" The words came from me, but I knew it was Shadow Jade speaking.
"Charles hurt my Queen. Did something he shouldn't. No one should survive from the pain, but Lisette is strong-willed. Dreams of returning to the team she hoped waited for her while discovering who this Hive Queen was that Charles kept insisting was the key to her salvation and the world's downfall."
"Get better?"
"We...don't know. Time is running out."
"Tick Tock...then what, kill?" Shadow Jade asked.
"If we don't get help...death is imminent."
"Death? Goodbye...forever?" Her voice quivered, which caught Ceil's attention as he turned his head to look at her and stated, "We have time."
"But time tick-tock!" Shadow Jade emphasized.
"We'll find help before then," he assured her, but it was as though Shadow Jade knew better as she stared into his eyes.
"Jade Mommy help!" she declared with no hesitation. "Jade helps everyone. Jade save Lisette. I save Ciel. Protect!" She patted her hand against her chest before pointing to him. "Protect. Always."
He actually smiled, which I knew was extremely rare, as he mimicked Shadow Jade's gesture. "Protect. Always."
They were silent before he whispered, "Jade can help, but it requires not only her. We need everyone...including the R-squad."
"R quadruplets? Kill now?"
"No." He lightly chuckled. "They have to stay alive. She needs them but the problem is they're fighting."
"Make up! Save Lisette! Kill later!" Shadow Jade emphasized.
"If only life was that simple," he said and sighed. "We'll figure something out in the new year."
"Tick-tock a lot?"
"Six more months. I think. Lisette's still recovering from everything. She's hiding it but she's struggling a little. I'll force her to take tomorrow off, so she'll be able to join for the New Year celebration in the night time."
"Rest. Celebrate!"
"Ya," he whispered. "It's supposed to rain."
"Indoor celebrate! Kill and sing!"
"You want to sing again?"
"Yes, kill!"
"Then we best prepare." He winked. "Let's rest."
"Okay. Night, night, Ceil!"
"Night, Shadow Jade."
* * *
"Didn't know Lisette be sick-sick today." Shadow Jade's voice thrummed through me as I felt her heightened disappointment and worry.
It's not your fault, Shadow Jade. I know you wanted to wait till after the holidays to tell me, right?
"Yes."
This is happening because of the ordeal with Charles. Lisette used a lot of energy to protect us, but what if she was having negative side effects earlier and didn't want any of us to know? The results were just from general blood checks and such. It didn't go into detail of physical trauma. Lisette couldn't get a physical done since Bianca is recovering and won't return to duties until well into the New Year. If she had gone through a physical, maybe we could have figured things out sooner. Fuck...we're literally on a clock of when she'll die!
"Jade."
I had to blink a few times to realize Calvin was right in my face with his hands pressed on my cheeks. "You're going to break the whole building, Queen Jade," he reasoned with worried eyes as they sought mine.
Oh fuck.
I hadn't realized my spike in emotions was causing the entire building to waver. It had to be strong because the R-squad was holding onto furniture to attempt to stay upright.
Taking a deep inhale through my nose, I let it out through my mouth while Calvin watched closely. "Are you okay?" He was asking whether I was about to lose control or not.
"I'm alright." I looked at the R-squad. "We need you guys."
"For what?" they asked in unison and recovered from their clinging states to return to where we were standing. "We'll do whatever we need to," Royce added.
"I'm not honestly sure," I admitted quickly and looked to Calvin. "Shadow Jade had talked to Ceil. It seemed like it was last night or maybe early this morning, since today is New Year's Eve. She said Ceil was going to let her take it off so she could rest and be able to celebrate with us at night and that she had about six months left before time runs out. Shadow Jade asked what we could do to help, and he said he needs me, and everyone else, but specifically the R-squad. I'm not sure why," I confessed.
"If Lisette was sick, why wasn't it picked up on?" Rick questioned.