Xena''s POV


    "Helen," Ryder growled.


    "What? How is that possible?" My voice trembled, fear coiling around my chest like a snake.


    Ryder''s jaw clenched as he exined, "Remember when she said she wasing to see me at three? After I texted her back, she went silent. After you disappeared, we immediately thought of her. When we got to her ce, the idiot was still listening to music. There''s an underground tunnel we built as an escape route. She let Totum in through that tunnel to kidnap you."


    "What the hell?" I struggled to process what I was hearing. I''d severely underestimated Helen''s hatred for me. The realization made my skin crawl.


    "Obviously, those tunnels have been permanently sealed now, and Helen''s been locked up," William added from the front seat.


    I nodded slowly, my mind racing. "I still don''t get why? He would have vited me regardless if we were mates or not."


    William answered when Ryder remained silent, his voice clinical and detached. "If you were mates, your body would have responded to him, even if your mind didn''t want it."


    A chill ran up my spine. What a bastard.


    "Damn it," William muttered under his breath.


    "What is it?" I asked nervously, unsure if I could handle any more bad news right


    now.


    "It''s Ama calling again."


    "Just answer it," I said.


    William picked up. "Ama, baby girl. You-*


    "Did you find Xena?" she interrupted, her voice frantic even through the phone''s speaker.


    He looked at me, and I nodded. He handed me the phone.


    "Hey, girl. I''m safe," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.


    "Oh my God, I''m so fucking happy to hear your voice." Ama was crying. I could feel her tears as if they were falling on my own heart-warm and bittersweet.


    "I''m really okay. You need to get some sleep. You cane see me tomorrow, alright?" I fought to keep my voice level, not wanting to worry her more. "Okay. Logan''s here."


    "Xena." The relief in his voice was palpable.


    "Logan." We didn''t say anything else, letting the silence speak for us. That


    connection that needed no words.


    "I''ll see you soon," he finally said.


    "Okay, Bye." I handed the phone back to William, who ended the call


    "Seriously! You and Logan are so weird," William said, shaking his head.


    "No, we''re not. He''s just d I''m safe," I replied, though I knew there was more to that silence, a connection that didn''t need exnation.


    Ryder helped me lie down across the back seat. "I''m never getting us to this," William grumbled, which made me smile slightly despite everything.


    I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, the SUV door was opening. Someone lifted me out and ced me on what felt like a stretcher. I was wheeled for several minutes, aware of changing lights as we passed through different rooms before finally stopping in a quiet space. I was transferred to a table-an examination table, I realized. My eyes refused to open fully, but I became aware of the bright lights and hands touching mine.


    Fear surged through me like a tidal wave, choking me. All I could imagine was Tatum trying to touch me again.


    "No!" I screamed, forcing myself, awake.


    "Everyone stop!" I heard Rydermand. All hands immediately left my body. "She was just kidnapped, and..." his voice trailed off. "Don''t just touch her like that."


    "Ryder, I whimpered, reaching out blindly. "Talk to me." The harsh lights made it impossible to open my eyes, my hands searching frantically for something familiar.


    A secondter, the lights dimmed, and I could finally open my eyes. Ryder stood beside me, with people in surgical gowns surrounding us. Then my gazended on Logan.


    "Shh, it''s okay. These are doctors. They need to look at your shoulder and ankle. Are you hurt anywhere else?" Logan asked gently.


    "N-no," I whispered, uncertainty and fear mingling in my voice.


    "We''ll step out while they-" Logan began.


    "No!" I cried out, my eyes darting frantically between him and Ryder. Panic seized me again; I couldn''t bear the thought of being left alone. "Please stay with me?"


    "We''re not going anywhere," Ryder leaned down to kiss my forehead. That small gesture helped me rx slightly.


    "No men," I said, looking at the doctors. They didn''t even argue, all of them turning to leave except for Logan and Ryder. Only women remained.


    "Can they examine you now?" Ryder asked softly.


    I just nodded, still trembling inside from the fear that had gripped me moments ago.


    Logan stood by the door, his expression crumbling like he might cry while Ryder took a step back, his eyes never leaving me for a second. Two women approached from either side, preparing to examine me.