Chapter 7

My head was thumping, like I had a hangover or something. I gradually opened my eyes and tried to sit up, but my body was weak. I barely lifted my head an inch off of the pillow before collapsing back down.

“Hold his head up,” a woman’s voice ordered. I recognized her from the chanting.

A hand slid under my neck and gently pulled my head up slightly. Someone placed a glass to my lips, and the stench of the liquid made me gag. I tried to pull my head away, but a set of strong hands held my head in place. Another hand pinched my nose closed as the disgusting liquid was poured into my mouth.

I gulped and gagged as the thick sludge slipped down my throat. Once it was all gone, my head was rested back onto the pillow, but it didn’t stay there long. I twisted to the side and vomited all over the floor. As I coughed and spluttered, a fresh glass of