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WHEN HUGH ARRIVED at the Council Building, he hurried to Trinity’s room, not even bothering to wash the blood from his hands and clothes. He hesitated in the hallway, afraid of what he’d find when he went inside. He took a deep breath and opened the door. Trinity’s golden gaze greeted him and he grabbed the wall to keep from falling as his knees buckled in relief. In the next second, he was at her side, hesitating to touch her in case he was dreaming. “You’re awake.” It was stupid. It was obvious but he couldn’t think of anything else to say. All the other words—the right ones, the important ones—were stuck in his throat.
“You’re hurt.” She reached for his hand.
“It’s nothing.” He stepped back. She couldn’t touch him, not when he was dirty and bloody. He walked to the sink and washed the blood off his hands.
“It is not nothing. What happened?”
He went back to her side, taking her hand in his. “Meesus.”
“You were with Meesus?”
“You have nothing to worry about.” He couldn’t stop smiling. She was awake. She was okay and she was jealous. “I had to honor my debt to her.”
He explained the deal he’d made with Meesus and Trinity’s expressive face had gone from angry, to sad and back to angry.
“You have to find her daughter.” She squeezed his hand. “We have to help the girl and the others like her.”
“I’ll talk to Townsend. It was on his to-do list.” He kissed her wrist. “I also need to send some Guards to search that estate. There are things going on there that I don’t even want to think about. Plus, Wickerwood may have lied. The girl could be there somewhere.”
Tim entered, carrying a bowl of soup. “Time to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to eat,” he said.
Tim sat on the other side of the bed and held a spoon to her lips. “Open up.”
“I can feed my—”
Tim shoved the spoon into her mouth and she sputtered but didn’t spit it out. He scooped up another spoonful, but she grabbed the bowl. Hugh’s hand felt empty and cold without her touch so he rested it on her hip.
“Move your hand,” growled Tim.
“No.” He was allowed to touch her. She was going to be his wife.
“You’re not bonded yet,” said Tim.
Mirra prowled into the room, stopping their conversation.
“She’s been splitting her time between your room and Gaar’s,” said Tim.
The Tracker glided over to the bed and ran her large paw over Trinity’s hair. “Little One scare Mirra. No do again.” She not-too gently cuffed Trinity upside the head.
“Hey.” Her eyes watered slightly at the blow.
“Little One need learn. Head hard.” Mirra tapped her claw on Trinity’s forehead. “Little One save Little One no others.” Mirra elbowed Hugh almost knocking him off his chair.
He shifted away from the Tracker. “I couldn’t agree more.” His eyes met Trinity’s and held her gaze. “Your days of saving everyone else are over.” He kissed her before she could argue. It was faster than he would’ve liked but she was injured and they did have company. “You’re mine now, remember?”
“You mate?” Mirra stared at him. “You make babies?”
He glanced at Tim who watched him with narrowed eyes, his fangs peeking from under his lips. “Not exactly...but we are going to get married.” At Mirra’s confused look he added, “Bond. We’re going to bond. Mate.” His face heated a little more under Tim’s glare.
Mirra snorted. “Little One do better.”
“She could do worse,” he said, but had to smile at Trinity’s laughter.
“Put baby here.” Mirra tapped Trinity’s abdomen. “Then, she only save baby.”
Trinity’s laughter stopped and her face turned bright red.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” He grinned at her as she blushed even more.
“Enough talk about making babies,” said Tim.
Mirra bent and started to pick up Trinity.
“What are you doing?” He grabbed the Tracker’s arm.
Mirra snarled at him and he dropped his hand. “Mirra protect Little One. Mirra protect Gaar-Mine.”
Being in the same room with Gaar and Mirra would ensure he had no time alone with her. Not that she was in any condition for amorous activities but he liked being alone with her, talking to her. However, he had a lot of things to straighten out and he couldn’t be with her every minute. Having a Tracker and a Handler as protection was better than anything he could arrange. “Okay, but be careful.”
Mirra rolled her eyes as she lifted Trinity and carried her out of the room.
“I’m her father.” Tim elbowed him out of the way and slipped through the door.
“Trust me. I don’t want to be her father.”
“Shut up.” Tim followed the Tracker into the other room.
Mirra placed Trinity on a bed next to Gaar.
“How’s Sikka?” asked Trinity.
“The doctor is still working on her,” said Gaar. “Glad to see you awake.”
Hugh pulled a chair over to Trinity’s bed and took her hand. He couldn’t help it. He had to touch her, make sure she was okay.
“How are you?” She asked Gaar. “What did the doctor say?”
“He said I’ll be good as new in a month, maybe less. Kalper doesn’t have much experience with Handlers, so he’s not sure how fast we heal.”
“You better soon,” said Mirra. “Handlers no weak like Almightys. Handlers strong. Heal fast like Tracker.”
“Yeah, I’ll be better real soon but it might take a little longer than usual.” Gaar’s eyes met Hugh’s. Without the serum Gaar may not heal as quickly.
Trinity’s gaze followed Gaar’s to him. He squeezed her hand. He’d explain everything later.