The moment we come through the door, I find Rhayne awake.
She's still lying on the gurney, wrapped in the thermal blanket, but she can hold her head up without help now. A nurse checks the sensors on her arm while the doctor goes over the latest results. When she sees me, Rhayne breaks into a small smile.
"Den…"
"I'm back."
Zhang takes a step toward her, but I catch her arm discreetly before she gets close.
"Don't introduce yourself," I murmur.
She looks at me.
"Why?"
"I want to see if she recognizes you. That'll build more trust than me just telling her who you are."
Zhang studies Rhayne over my shoulder. Then she nods.
There's a difference between asking someone to trust a stranger and letting them find, on their own, someone they already trust. Rhayne just woke up in a body that doesn't obey her properly yet. I'd rather she have at least that much choice.
We move to the gurney.
Her smile disappears when she notices Zhang beside me.
