Page 26 of Changeling
“What? There’s a law says I can’t get air?”
“Nathan,” Jim said more firmly. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
This time Nathan did turn fully to face Jim, and cracked his most unassuming smile. “Don’t know what you mean, Jim. Now get your ass in that bathroom and make sure Sasha’s okay.”
Jim frowned, but soon released him and headed for the bathroom. Nathan didn’t look back again as he turned to head for the main door.
Chapter 11
ThefirstthingNathanwas certain of was that Lindsey and Charis hadn’t left in a car. There were no sounds of a nearby engine, the parking lot still and empty of stray people, leaving only the highway, and there hadn’t been enough time for the pair to get that far. They also couldn’t have risked using their wings in the open, but Nathan had to guess that using them somehow was the plan since he couldn’t see them walking anywhere either. That left only one option for a place to unfurl said wings and take off: the makeshift alley behind the restaurant, where a few other buildings converged.
Nathan headed there without a second thought.
“Nathan,” Walter said as he appeared beside him, “much as I would like to caution you against this…would you like my assistance in locating the pair?”
Nathan pulled the scanner out of his jacket. As he drew nearer to the mouth of the alley, the scanner started flashing. “Thanks, Walt, but I got this. I’ll be careful.”
Walter nodded, remaining beside Nathan. As they made their way deeper into the alley, Nathan could barely see anything, but he hoped the two sex demons hadn't left yet and were merely hidden somewhere in the darkness. Without many other options, despite knowing they had to be nearby if the scanner’s blinking was any indication, Nathan opened his mouth to call out.
“Nathan!”
The blow came from Nathan’s right, sudden and so brutal that his shoulder was only one small pop from being dislocated when he hit the wall, and his chest flared with familiar pain. The scanner fell from his grasp with an unfortunate clatter of parts.
At first Nathan was pinned so hard he could barely breathe. Then hereallycouldn’t breathe because a grip like a vice was on his neck and clearly didn’t care about the damage it was causing.
“Lindsey!” Nathan heard in Charis’ light, concerned voice, but all Nathan could see wasred, vibrant and fierce in front of his face. In hindsight this may not have been the best idea.
“Is this what you do,sealgaire?!” Lindsey growled. “Is this how it works? You keep him around, keep him alive, and in turn he leads you to the rest of us? Is that it!?”
Much as Nathan wanted to say no, shake his head, anything, the hold on him was too tight. He wouldn’t be conscious for long if this kept up. He tried to speak with his eyes but he knew they were bulging, so he went with his emotions instead. He doubted Lindsey was paying attention, but he tried to emote, well...everything. That sure, he was angry, but he wasn't a seal and he didn’t mean them any harm. He cared for Sasha. A lot. And he really, really didn’t feel like dying right now.
“You’re all the same,” Lindsey said in a furious whisper, his breath hot on Nathan’s face and fangs glinting. “You’re just using him. Biding your time until you kill him too.”
“Lindsey…” Charis said again, softer this time but closer. “Please, if you’d only give this man a chance, you'd realize he doesn’t want to hurt us.”
“Hewon’thurt us,” Lindsey promised, though it sounded more like a threat.
“Lindsey.”
Things were getting hazy. Nathan felt his body growing limp, and he hated that he was so helpless. He thought he heard Walter’s voice in the distance but couldn’t really focus on it. He started counting down the seconds to when he would be out, passed out and who knows what else afterwards. Therefore, it was almost more painful to suddenly be released, Nathan’s throat burning and his entire body sore as he fell straight to the ground.
Nathan was hauled up almost immediately, pinned again though not quite as harshly. If not for that hold, Nathan doubted he would be able to stand. He started to feel hands patting him down, and blinked unfocused at the white blur of Lindsey so close to him.
“Dude…” Nathan tried, even though it hurt to talk. “If you…wanted to get frisky…you could have just said so.”
Lindsey huffed in response, and Nathan tried not to grimace when the incubus patted over his bandaged wounds. His hands traveled down Nathan's legs and discovered his hidden ankle blade.
Shit. “Never…leave home without it?” Nathan said by way of explanation.
“You expect me to believe you wouldn’t have used this?” Lindsey replied sharply.
Nathan could focus better now, and he stared right up into Lindsey's eyes that were once again acidic green. “Yeah, I do...coz I'm no seal...though I might have taken a swing with myfists just for the bad Billy Idol impression.” He flicked his eyes up over Lindsey’s hair.
Lindsey did not look amused, but he released Nathan finally and stepped back.
Wavering a little, Nathan had to lean against the wall to keep from falling, but at least he could somewhat stand.
“What do you want?” Lindsey demanded, tossing the blade over his shoulder to clatter on the dark ground beside the now broken scanner. “Did he send you out here like a coward? Huh? He can’t defend himself?”
