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“What did you do?” the tall man seethed. He grabbed forearm and slammed me against the wall.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We need to move,” the shifter said.
“Or just die,” a deep voice said from the depths of the darkness. It was a sound that could only be found in nightmares.
There was a shift of air and then the tall man was gone, ripped away from me. The light orb snuffed out, dumping us into complete darkness.
Refusing to remain a victim, I ducked down and moved back the way we came. Something smashed into the wall where I had just been standing. A hand wrapped around my ankle and yanked hard. I grunted as I fell to the floor and was dragged back about a foot.
“Mother donkey!” I kicked back hard, hitting something.
“Fuck!” the shifter swore. He let me go.
I scrambled away, crawling to my feet.
The sounds of fighting came from behind me, no doubt the two of them getting their asses beaten.
A flash of light blinded me, and then it was quiet. I held my breath and waited, ready to run if, Athena forbid, my side lost.
“Adeelah?”
My shoulders slumped as a new light orb floated to the ceiling. Rophan and Zen stood there with my two abductors at their feet. The shifter was missing a head. Shifters could heal from a lot, but never from a decapitation.
They saw me and came to my side.
“Are you okay?” Zen asked. “Where are you hurt?”
I glared at him. “What took you so long?” I asked.
“Fucking Packard betrayed us. He created quite a mess. And Rophan was too busy getting the shit beaten out of him.”
Rophan stepped forward. He had bruising on his face, his hair messed up. Other than that, he didn’t look like he had gotten his bum whooped. “Where are you hurt?” he asked.
I sighed and leaned forward until my forehead rested against his chest. “Just tired now.”
Rophan swooped me up into his arms, ignoring the girly squeak I made. He held me close as he walked back through the tunnels. I blinked, and we were at the door I’d opened. I looked at the stain of my blood, a small shadow of it still there. There were two symbols made into one. One of them was for opening the door, the other was to alert the guards.
“It worked,” I said.
“It did,” Zen said. “That was a good idea.”
“Didn’t think it’d have to be used so soon.” I sighed and curled more into Rophan, loving the feel of him carrying me. He was gentle, his grip firm. I felt protected.
“It’s still not safe,” Zen said. “Seems Packard let everyone know what was going on tonight, so my team is still clearing them out.” He paused.
“What?” I asked.
He sighed. “Those unable to fight are in the bunker and safe. Your brother and Dany are at the front lines. It’s messy.”
I snorted. “If my brother is fighting, it isn’t a surprise. If he’s angry, he’s going to make it as painful and bloody as possible.”
We reached the outside world, and I took in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air even if there was a hint of carnage on it.
I expected something to happen as Rophan stomped into the medical center, but we were left alone. Inside was quiet, telling me that either the wounded hadn’t made it here, or we were just that kickass. Or they were dead.
“I’m going to coordinate the attack from the security room here,” Zen said. “If you need me, you know where I am. I’m going to make sure we wipe them from this planet.” Zen released a growl and disappeared through a secured door.
“I can walk,” I said as Rophan shoved through the door.
“And I can carry you.” His tone was dismissive.
Alto came running to us, his hair pulled back away from his face with a clip. “What happened?” he asked.
“Is everyone ready?” I asked, not giving him a chance to hover over me. “Seems my little training exercise turned into a real one. The injured will be sent here as soon as it’s cleared for them to.”
“Yes. Two guards had come here to support us. Those of us who aren’t able to fight are in the safe room underneath.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you up here? I recall your name on that list of those who needed to be tucked away.”
His expression told me exactly how he felt about that list. “I’ve been tucked away long enough.”
“Fair enough,” I grumbled.
I hit Rophan’s arm until he looked at me. “What?”
“Down.”
His grip tightened.
“Down,” I said again.
Reluctantly, he released me. I eyed him, wondering why he was acting like that. That was a level of protectiveness I’d never seen from him before.
“So what happened?” Alto asked, hooking my arm with his and leading me into a room. He pushed me onto a medical bed and then put on gloves.
“I was abducted by radical Naturals.” He paused for a moment before lifting his light and flashing them into my eyes.
I filled Alto and Rophan in on what had happened, what was said, their motive. As I talked, both their expressions darkened as they held in their fury.
“If it’ll make you feel better, you can punch a wall,” I said. “I know I want to.”
Alto snickered at that. Rophan stalked out of the room, the door slamming behind him. Alto jumped slightly at it and frowned.
Patting his shoulder, I said, “Don’t worry, he’s all growly, but he’s secretly a bear.”
That got a smile from the healer. “That would be something to see. A bear shifter with warlock powers.”
The two of us got a laugh out of that, and I let Alto dab at my lip, no doubt damaged from the hit I had received from that tall butt-muncher.
“I get to be your first patient, I feel special,” I teased.
“I’d rather you never be a patient of mine again. Your brother had a talk with me.”
I groaned. “Don’t listen to him. Anything he said was a lie.”
“Really? Because the fact that this cut by your lip is still bleeding, I’d say he told me the truth. You heal slower. This is important for me to know.” Alto pulled away and gave me a gentle smile. “Adeelah, your health is important to me. If there are ever any issues, don’t be afraid to ask me for assistance. I am here to help you. Please.” He leaned forward and brushed his cheek against mine briefly, as if to emphasize, “I’m here with you.” Alto pulled back. “You are the only person I trust implicitly. Please use me. Let me help you. Like how you’ve helped me.”
“If this is some weird idea of paying back a debt, there is none. You are completely free,” I said.
“I know. This is my choice. I want to be here for you. So let me. Please.”
My heart broke for this man and also swelled with fondness. He was really growing as an independent man.
“Okay,” I said. “If I’m bleeding or dying, you’re my man.”
He smiled. “That’s all I want.”
I smiled back. Alto was always easy to be around. “Did I ever tell you I’m glad you’re here?” I asked.
He nodded. “Not in words, but I am good at reading people. I know.” He kissed my forehead and moved away from me. “Good news, you’re okay.”
“Thank Athena,” I said, putting my hand to my chest. “I thought I was going to bleed out.”
He snickered, and I laughed.
I hopped off the bed. We were about halfway down the hall when the doors blew open and people rolled in.
The first to enter was Archon, supporting another man as they walked. He had a big grin on his face, so I doubted it was anything bad.
“I took out seven,” he said proudly. “More than any of these yahoos.”
“Is that why you look like you got your ass beat?” I asked.
Someone snickered.
“Mistress.” His smile widened until he realized we were in the medical center, and only those who had been hurt would be here. He paused, those behind bumping into him and grumbling as they moved around.
His eyes trailed down my body. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said.
“Now you’re lying, Mistress.” He moved closer. His eyes were in the cat-like shape and stayed that way. “You forget I’m a gargoyle. I can tell you’re lying.”
“Only bumps and bruises,” Alto said, frowning at him. “Give me your friend there. I don’t think he’s up to hanging around while you chat.”
“Oh, right. He has a bad gash on the back of his head. He’s in a bit of a daze still, but he’ll sleep it off.”
“Right.” Alto didn’t say anything else, his demeanor changing into something colder and more professional. All the warmth I was used to seeing from him disappeared as he slipped into his role as a healer. He grabbed the man and walked him into a nearby room to claim them.
“Mistress, are you sure you’re okay?” Archon asked.
I smirked. “I didn’t think you’d continue to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Call me Mistress.”
He smirked. “I think it’s growing on me.”
My face grew a little warm. I pursed my lips and threw in a little teasing into my tone to hide my embarrassment. “I think it’s growing on me.” I looked around. “Is it all over? For real?”
“For real. About thirty guys broke through. We had to take on twenty of them. I think the other ten were finished off by your guard. Where is Jed anyway?” He glanced around. I did too. Rophan was never that far away from me.
“He needed a breather. I got abducted, and he had to save my silly butt.”
“Silly? No. Cute. Yes. Come now, Mistress. If people want you, I’m not leaving you alone. Seems to me danger is attractive to you.”
“I can’t help that I’m just that wanted.”
He laughed. “Come do rounds with me. I want to check in on everyone.”
I groaned and let him drag me into the room Alto had disappeared through.
