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HUGH SAT IN the hallway, trying to keep his panic contained. It’d been hours and neither the doctor nor Curtis had come out of the room. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t lose her.
“No word yet?” Jackson stopped in front of Hugh and the others who were still waiting in the hallway.
He shook his head, unable to speak for fear he’d break down and cry.
“She’s a fighter,” said Jackson. “She’ll make it.”
He nodded. He couldn’t talk about her, not now when everything was so tentative. “How are things?” He looked up at the Guard, hoping Jackson would get the message and change the subject.
“All the prisoners are locked up. I’ve sent additional soldiers to collect those who were detained along the way, but I don’t know if we have room for all of them here.”
“Double or triple them in the cells. Use the empty rooms with locks for the ones you don’t think are a threat.”
“Most aren’t. They were just doing their jobs.”
“I know. Start interviewing them once you get everyone’s name. Turn loose those who were innocent bystanders.”
“Do you want to speak with them first?”
“I don’t have time to speak with every House Servant, Guard, Grunt, Stocker and Almighty we captured.” He took a deep breath. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” Jackson stared at the door, his eyes worried.
Indy walked toward them. “What did he say?”
“I told you I’d let you know.” Jackson waved his hand, signaling the other Guard to leave.
“About what?” He looked from one Guard to the other.
Jackson shuffled his feet, but Indy looked him right in the eyes and said, “About freeing Jethro.”
“Jethro was the one who told us about the weapons,” explained Jackson. “According to Indy, Jethro was on his way to free the prisoners at the Warehouse District and then he was going to send them into the forest to warn us.”
“Why would he do that? He’s been on the other side almost the entire war.”
“Jethro was done fighting.” Indy’s eyes darted to the door where Trinity was. “You won. He understood that.” He wasn’t referring to the war. “How is she?”
“I don’t know. You’re claiming that Jethro had a change of heart and was joining our side.”
Indy nodded.
“That’s convenient,” said Gaar.
“No, it wasn’t.” Indy’s eyes narrowed on the Handler. “He had no idea you were attacking today. Jethro was giving up everything for—”
The door opened and he stood. Dr. Kalper’s face was grim.
“She’s alive,” said Kalper. “But...”
He shoved past the doctor and into the room. Trinity lay on the bed, a blanket covering her. Curtis was cleaning up the bloody towels and clothes. She was pale almost like an Almighty. He took her hand. It was cold to the touch, but that pulse still beat at her throat.
The doctor came into the room. “As I was saying, she’s young and strong. She has a good chance.”
“What can I do?” He didn’t take his eyes off her.
“Pray.” Kalper patted his shoulder.
“Great.” He and Araldo hadn’t been on good terms for quite some time.
Gaar hobbled into the room and over to the bed. He brushed some hair off her face, his large hand bigger than her head. “Ah, Little One, you’d better not die. Mirra would not be happy with you.”
The Tracker pushed into the room as if conjured by his words. “Little One!” Mirra stopped at the bed and tapped Trinity on the shoulder with her long claw. “What happen?” Mirra glared at them.
“She got shot,” he said. “Saving me.” The words were bitter on his tongue.
Mirra stroked Trinity’s hair. “Little One, you no listen. Mirra say you big heart hurt one day.” Tears dampened the fur on the Tracker’s face. “Mirra no lose you too.”
“I should take a look at your leg.” The doctor glanced at Gaar and Mirra, trying to hide his discomfort.
“I’m fine,” said Gaar.
“Go,” Hugh said. “Trinity will be angry if you don’t take care of yourself.” He nodded at the doctor. “Let him fix you up.”
“The bullet needs to be removed,” said Curtis.
“I’m only doing this for you, Little One.” Gaar squeezed her hand and then turned toward the doctor. “Do you have something to drink? I’m going to need it to ease the pain a bit.”
“I have better stuff than booze.” Kalper headed out the door, Gaar and Curtis with him.
Mirra’s eyes moved between Gaar’s retreating figure and Trinity. Finally, she grasped Hugh’s shoulder, her claws sinking in a little. “You protect Little One. I go Gaar-Mine. Back later.”
“I’ll take care of her.” Soon, the ties that bound Gaar and Mirra would change. He had no idea to what degree. Once their genetic transformations were complete she may have enough Almighty in her to still connect her with the Handler, but if not, she’d be happy being wild and free, forgetting Trinity and Gaar, but Gaar’s fate was another story. If his genetic metamorphosis left him as more Almighty, he’d feel the loss of Mirra for the rest of his life.
“She’ll pull through this.” Jackson came into the room.
Tim stood on the other side of her bed. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“You should send for Millie,” Hugh said.
“How do I tell her?” Tim’s eyes were bright with unshed tears.
“Maybe, you should go. You can’t put this in a note,” he said.
“I can’t leave her.” Tim took Trinity’s hand.
“I’ll go for you,” said Indy who hovered in the doorway.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Hugh glanced at the young Guard. “It was a kind offer, but they don’t know you switched sides.” He looked at Jackson. “Send Birdie.”
“I’ll send Eakers. Birdie’s with Clacker,” said Jackson.
“How bad is he?” He’d heard the young Avion had been injured.
“He’ll live, but the doctor isn’t sure he’ll ever fly again.”
“Araldo.” He stared at the ceiling. An Avion who couldn’t fly would be in constant danger.
“I’ll write a note.” Tim shook his head. “I don’t know what I’ll say but...” He walked out the door.
“I hate to bring this up,” said Indy. “But what about Jethro?”
“At this moment, he can rot in jail for all I care.” This wasn’t Jethro’s fault, but the kid had tricked her, captured her, kissed her and almost mated with her. He’d prefer Jethro had died, but fate was never that kind.
“There’d be more of you dead if it weren’t for—”
“Not now.” Jackson grabbed Indy’s arm and escorted him into the hallway, closing the door behind them.
He pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed, holding Trinity’s hand. There was so much he wanted to say to her. He cleared his throat. “You can’t leave me.” He ran his finger over her partially extended claws. “I need you. You keep me modest.” He smiled slightly. “You know I have an arrogance problem. I tend to think I know best, but you,”—he swallowed back tears—“you make sure I stay humble.” He put her hand back on the bed and rested his cheek against it. “You have to come back to me. I love you.” He closed his eyes. This could not end like this. He’d fought this war because it was right, but also for her. She was free now, truly free. She had to live long enough to enjoy it.
The door opened and closed.
“I see the rumors are true.” Meesus stood just inside the room as if afraid to come any closer. Her eyes were on Trinity, filled with sadness and then she looked at him and her face hardened. “I am sorry, but you must come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He wanted to be here when she woke. He needed to tell her again that he loved her.
“My daughter has been sold. Tonight she will be raped.”
He ran his hand through his hair. He didn’t need this, not now. “I’ll send some Guards with you.”
“No! We had a deal which you broke by escaping the estate. If you were there, my daughter would be free now.”
“I never agreed to be your prisoner.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about your daughter, but I can’t leave.”
“She will not know you are gone.” Meesus waved her hands in the air. “With her like this what is a couple of hours in her sea of gray? But to my daughter those same hours will be an eternity.”
Trinity still slept, but there was a little color back in her cheeks. Leaving for a little while might not be a bad thing. He’d go crazy sitting here and waiting.
Jackson stepped into the room. “Sorry, I didn’t see her come inside. Do you want me to escort her out?”
“Don’t try it, Guard. This is between High Hugh Truent and me,” growled Meesus.
“Stay with her.” He kissed Trinity’s hand and stood.
“Are you sure? We can remove her.” Jackson nodded at Meesus.
“No. My word is good and we had a deal.” He glanced at the bed. “Trinity will understand when she wakes.”
He followed Meesus out the door. He did owe her and he needed to get away from the sickroom. He was brittle and ready to crack. He could use the outlet a good beating would provide. He called Indy, Bo and several other Guards to accompany them.