Page 25 of Protected By the Convicts
While Ky’Li still wasn’t thrilled about Hannah having three mates other than him, he was quite thankful at that moment. Ky’Li could barely stand let alone fight three men at once. Had Sersie not thought and acted quickly, Hannah would have been taken. Sersie had saved her. He and the others cared about her, risked themselves for her, as mates should.
When Hannah pressed her body to Ky’Li’s and leaned her head on his chest, he whispered in her ear. “Are you okay?”
“I j-just w-want to go home.”
“As soon as Sersie returns—” The botanist reappeared at that point, no longer holding the root.
“We should get going,” Sersie said as he swerved. “I think I inhaled—”
Ky’Li caught him before he hit the ground. As he hoisted Sersie over his shoulder, a wave of nausea struck and his knees nearly buckled. Krike, he hated being this weak, especially out in the open.
“I should get some help,” Hannah said.
“No. We’re leaving. Now.” He’d get her home, where she’d be safe, and then he could pass out.
“I could get Vaughn if he’s inside one of the triage tents.”
“I’m sure he has many patients more in need of his skills, right sha-vi?” Mentally, Vaughn was not in a good place right now. This was not the time to pull him away from his work, the one outlet that seemed to center the doctor.
Hannah put her hand on Sersie’s head, pushing the hair from his eyes. “Let’s get you and Sersie home, Ky. I’ll take care of both of you until Vaughn returns.”
His sweet Hannah, she didn’t know what Vaughn was planning. None of them did, but Ky’Li knew it wasn’t good.
Ky’Li stroked her arm. She stood on her toes, trying to see past the crowds of people still at the foot of the mountain. “I hope he’s okay.”
As do I, sha’vi. As do I.
Maybe he’d send a message to Vaughn once Hannah was safely in their home, to see if the doctor would return when he could. Then Ky’Li would confront him. See if there was a way of fixing the situation between the doctor and Ren. This was a time to band together to help Vaughn, to be the unit Hannah had been trying to build before Dresden took them all down.
