Page 255 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Yet, as he takes me in, his features suddenly light up.

I don’t waste a moment as I run toward him. He doesn’t waste a moment to open his arms.

And there I am, held tightly in his embrace, feeling him against my body.

He’s alive. That’s all that matters.

“Ouch,” he groans in a low voice. “Easy with my ribs.”

“You’re hurt?”

“Bruised. It will heal. Now that you’re here, nothing else matters.” He gives me his signature dashing smile that would usually have me melt on the spot. At this moment, however, I find myself rather put off with him.

“Why wouldn’t you call me earlier? What is this? Where are we?”

“Prisoner camp. My plane got shot down,” he adds casually.

“What? When?”

“A few months ago.”

“A few months ago?” I repeat in disbelief. “What did they do to you? Show me!”

“It wasn’t as bad as you’d think. A few beatings here and there,” he adds sheepishly.

“A few beatings here and there?” I echo. “Who? Show me who dared to lay a hand on you and I will make them regret it, Mine.”

“Easy, easy, Minnie. They’re human, remember? You can’t hurt humans.”

“I’ll make an exception,” I mumble.

I scan him from head to toe several times over to ensure that he is as I left him. Hear that! Someone dared touch my human? Hurt him?

Unacceptable.

“Why did you not call me until now?” I ask in outrage.

“I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“You…” I shake my head at him. “How could you even think that?”

“There, there. You’re here now, no?” he asks sweetly. “And just in time for the worst of it.”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“There are rumors that the Soviets are heading toward us. They’re going to evacuate the camp soon.”

“Evacuate where?”

He shrugs.

“I don’t plan to be here for that.”

“You should have planned to not be here at all. Seriously, Mine, did the plane crash addle your brain?”

“Not the plane crash,” he murmurs, burying his nose in my hair. “Your absence. I’ve become an idiot since you left me, Minnie.”

“I can tell,” I mumble drily.

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