Page 107 of Blade's Battle
Now, he watched her sleep. She thrashed in her sleep, crying out, no doubt reliving the attack. As they had packed up her research notes and samples, she had spoken of her friend Katy. Anna was worried about her. Blade wished he could help Anna’s friend, especially since the woman had helped Anna at a time when she had no one else. But his primary concern had to be Anna and getting her back to the pack where she’d be safe.
“Let’s get moving,” Frank said, rapping on the bedroom door.
“In a minute,” Blade replied as he kissed Anna’s forehead, her too-warm forehead. She needed more rest than they could give her. “Hey, Angel. How are you feeling?”
She stretched and then winced as she clutched her bruised ribs. “Like a shredder chewed me up and spit me out. And now you’re going to tell me it’s time to walk for six hours straight, aren’t you?”
“Afraid so. Callen gave you a few extra hours to rest, but he’s itching to get going. Something’s eating at him, more than the risk of the WSSO finding us.”
“I think it’s what happened with you. You need to talk to him.”
“Can’t.”
“Why not?”
Blade shrugged. “I’m not ready. Neither is he.”
“For two guys who read each other so well, you’re going out of your way avoiding talking about what happened. He was doing his job, wasn’t he Blade?”
“You’re the one that was calling him and Frank the Death Squad.”
“That was wrong of me.”
“I’ll worry about Callen later. Right now, I’m more concerned about you.”
“Me?”
He lightly touched the bandage on her nose.
“The pain’s not too bad. I’ll take some more aspirin. I hope I don’t catch a cold. I’m afraid to breathe let alone sneeze right now.”
Despite how much it must have cost her, she smiled for him, a genuine smile this time. His Angel had been through so much, and now she was trying to keep his spirits up. He needed to get her home. When they reached the safety of their territory, they could blood-bond, with all their friends there to witness. Once he was surrounded by his pack, he wouldn’t have to worry how much of his shifter abilities he lost through the blood-bond. Anna would finally be his, which was the sweetest gift he could ever imagine.
He helped her get dressed in jeans, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. She was still shivering, and she barely touched her breakfast, which worried him. His wolf was riding him hard, more restless than usual, but Blade couldn’t let his wolf have even an inch of freedom to do as he pleased. As long as he kept his focus on Anna, Blade would be fine.
Blade slung both bags of research notes, specimens, and basic lab equipment she’d packed from the bunker over his shoulder. When they shut the cabin door behind them, Frank relieved him of one of the bags.
“I’ve already spoken with Frank,” Callen said, directing his comments to Anna.
Blade knew that tone. Whatever Callen was going to say was set in stone.
“And I have no right to say this, or to expect you to agree. . .”
Hell, what are you up to, Callen?Blade had trouble containing his growl, and he couldn’t even blame his wolf. This was coming from him. Anna put a soothing hand on him. He calmed immediately. Sneaky minx.
“I’m not going back with you. Frank and Blade will escort you. You will be fine.”
Blade took three large steps forward, getting right in Callen’s face. Never mind where this sudden aggression toward Callen was coming from, the shifter had no right to abandon them when Anna was still in danger. If the WSSO found them, there wouldn’t just be three men this time, there’d be ten, fifteen, a whole fucking platoon.
The yellow flecks in Callen’s eyes practically glowed. “I’m not doing this callously, Blade. I have to go after her.”
“Her?” Blade asked.
Anna ran up to Callen and threw her arms around him before grabbing her side in pain. “Okay, I’m not loving the bruised ribs, but the pain was well worth it. Find Katy, Callen. Do whatever you can. She needs someone in her corner.”
Blade relaxed. The reason for Callen’s agitation now clear, at least some of it. Then Anna slipped her hand into Blade’s, and there was no question in his mind. Callen was doing the right thing.
“Frank and I will be fine. Go, before there’s nothing left of her trail.”
