Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“That’s because Woltzer doesn’t like you,” Fitz informed her.
“You’re always sneaking off and getting him in trouble for losing his
charge. Like right now.”
Biana grinned. “It’s not my fault he can’t keep up with me. And all
I’m saying is, I’m sick of being treated like I’m some broken doll
because of what Vespera did—and you know that’s what you’ve been
doing.”
“We found you passed out in a puddle of your own blood!” Fitz
argued.
“You don’t have to remind me!” Biana snapped back, rolling up one
of her sleeves and revealing the scars that Sophie knew she’d been
hiding.
Most of the jagged lines had faded to white—but each mark still
told a clear story of pain. And it looked like that story extended to
Biana’s shoulder, back, and neck, too.
“The next time I take on Vespera, I want to win,” Biana said,
tracing her finger down the thickest scar, which curled across her
biceps in a long, raised arc. “And I’m sure Tam, Dex, and Linh will
want to get in on this. Probably Marella, too. Maybe even Wylie. We
should ask them.”
“You guys realize you’re forgetting one huge detail, right?” Keefe
asked.
“You mean the fact that Fitz and I are on bed rest and Dex’s arm is
in a sling?” Sophie guessed.
“Seems at least worth mentioning,” Keefe agreed.
Sophie glared at her bandages. “I know. But the rest of you guys can
get started without us, and we’ll join in as soon as we can. Plus, we can