“Help!”

The doctor shrieked, and a moment later, he clapped a hand over her mouth. It didn’t stop her attempts to scream.

“Shhh,” he whispered as he kept her voice muffled. “You have to be quiet.”

Wide eyes, the depths a drowning pool of chocolate, stared fearfully at him.

It bothered Tomas. She shouldn’t fear me. I’ve done nothing to harm her. On the contrary, he’d saved her. She should be thanking and rewarding him.

However, she didn’t seem to recognize that and persisted in casting him a terrified gaze.

“Stop the histrionics. I’m not going to hurt you. If I let you go, will you promise not to scream?” Such a cliché thing to ask, and yet, it imparted some measure of ease to her.

She nodded.

“I mean it. No yelling. We’re not safe here.” Nowhere in the area was safe, although the patrols were thinning.

Tomas should have left the area once he dispatched the soldiers who’d returned to complete the destruction of the hidden laboratory. However, someone messed up those plans.

Chandra had gotten shot, and well…he might have gone off on a rampage. He hoped it wouldn’t become a trend, especially as it only seemed to happen because of her.

“Mggshad.” Her attempt to speak vibrated against the palm of his hand. He’d prefer her mouth vibrating on another part of him.

I wonder if she talks during sex.

Now was not the time to find out.

“No screaming. I mean it.” He removed his hand.

She didn’t yell, but she spoke quite firmly. “Untie me at once.” Her demand might have proven more imperious without the reedy thread of fear running through her tone.

“Why would I untie you? I don’t recall you untying me when the roles were reversed.”

“I never had a chance. You broke out of the bonds.”

“True. I did.” He couldn’t help but smile. “Very well. You may do the same.” He leaned away from the bed and rested his hip against the bulky dresser crowding his back.

“You know I can’t get loose.”

“How can you know that when you haven’t even tried?” He teased her, another strange thing he did with Chandra.

“You’re an arrogant ass.” She didn’t temper her words, and she invoked a few choice ones in another language. At least, he assumed she cursed. It sounded rather melodic to him.

She tugged and pulled, her face turning red, enough that he feared the strain pulling open her wound.

“You’re going to hurt yourself,” he chided. As for the reason she’d gotten hurt? His fault because he’d let her go out the door first. An error on his part. His earlier sweep of the area had shown no signs of recent passage outside the shed door.

But he’d fucked up. She went out the door first and got hit with a bullet meant for him.

She tossed him a glare through the dark hank of hair that fell over her eyes. “I’m going to hurt you if you don’t set me free.”

“That seems like an oxymoronic statement given you can’t hurt me so long as you’re confined.”

“Let me go,” she yelled, quite losing control. It made her only more attractive. The cool doctor losing it. Her cheeks taking on a flush, her eyes bright with fury. Much better than the dull shine of fever and a thousand times better than death. She was so fragile.

I must keep her safe.

The very concept proved novel. Since when did he care about keeping people, especially a human, safe? The only time he usually did it was as part of his job, mostly because the paperwork when a colleague or student got killed on a jobsite in a foreign country was a right pain to deal with. Given his preference for solitude, he stayed away from family. There were less emotional entanglements that way. And as for women…women were there to sate a need, not keep around.

He chose to resort to familiar arrogance to ensure she didn’t guess the turmoil he felt toward her. “Instead of yelling at me, you should be thanking me. I saved your life. I could have left you to your fate. But no, I lowered myself to help you. Really, humans nowadays have no sense when it comes to proper manners.”

“Don’t you throw manners at me. You are old enough to know that you can’t keep women prisoner and say it’s for their own good.”

“Prisoner?” He stood away from the desk and loomed over her. “I saved you. Or have you forgotten you were shot? I’ll admit leaving you to die was my initial impulse, but then this strange thing nagged me into lugging your ungrateful body to safety.”

“You mean a thing like a conscience.”

“Is that what it was?” He frowned. “I didn’t think I owned one of those.”

“Well, lucky you. You have one. And you saved me. Thank you.” Added begrudgingly. “Now, will you please untie me?”

“If you insist, and only because you remembered your manners.”

“I didn’t see you remembering your manners when the roles were reversed,” she grumbled, rubbing her freed wrists.

“Because I was not in the mood to be gentlemanly. I reserve that aspect of myself for people I respect.”

Her expression pinched. “Is this your subtle way of insulting me?”

“You seemed perfectly fine doing the same to me.” In the darkness, during that small bubble of time, she’d spoken unafraid and, at times, brilliantly challenging. The kiss he took might have ignited his arousal, but it was the talking that fired his covetous soul.

“That was different, and don’t ask me to explain,” she grumbled, “because I can’t.”

“You are such a fascinating mix, doctor. It’s making it hard for me to decide how to classify you.”

“Why class me at all?”

“Because that is how to decide a thing’s worth.”

“And is a thing’s worth that important to you?”

“Anything that can be a treasure is.” The sum of his life, and those of his kind, was based on the worth of their collection.

“People aren’t treasures.”

“Untrue. People can indeed be priceless and coveted.”

“Let me guess, like Helen of Troy.”

“Actually, she didn’t exist, and the woman the legend was loosely based on wasn’t that pretty. But you misunderstand. Relationships can be prized. And the closer the relationship, the more priceless it is.” He could see he’d lost her. Anyone without a collection didn’t understand how to place value. “Suffice it to say, people have varying worth.”

“I think setting a price is barbaric and outdated, like arranged marriages.”

“On that, we can agree.” His kind had a thing about prearranging alliances. To strengthen the blood and ties between families was the excuse. It was cold and impersonal. Also entirely unwanted, yet another reason Tomas had severed himself from his Sept and gone rogue.

I will allow no one to dictate my fate.

But what if fate didn’t play fair? His gaze couldn’t seem to move from Chandra. Her features were pale, her eyes marked with dark circles despite her extended repose.

She moved to sit up, and he quickly offered assistance. Even with his hands lifting and holding, she groaned. “Put me back down.” He lowered her, and she glared at him. “What did you do to me? Why am I so dizzy? And why does my side hurt so badly?”

“I told you I had to drag you to safety.” More like carried, but he didn’t want to give the impression he mollycoddled. His grandmother had taught him women were just as strong as men, just more subtle about it.

“How long was I asleep?”

“Just over a day.”

“A day?” She sat up again, and he caught her when she would have flopped over. It wasn’t his brightest move, as it brought her into close proximity. Very close.

She didn’t move away.

Neither did he. He might have held his breath when she leaned her head against his chest.

His heart fluttered. Probably a remaining issue with the drugs still leaching from his system.

“You mean to say you’ve been taking care of me all this time?” Again, quite incredulous.

When she said it like that, it sounded so emasculating. “You slept most of the time, so I spent a lot of time out and about, hunting.” Probably a good thing she didn’t ask what he chased. He got the impression she could be squeamish.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Cabin in the foothills of the Rockies.”

“Rockies? Impossible.”

Again, she tried to rise and winced. He caught her and cradled her against his chest. She felt good there.

She belongsss with me, the dragon part of him chimed in.

“We can’t be in the Rockies because when I encountered those raakhas on the road—”

“What’s a rack-ass?” he asked.

“A demon with claws and teeth and wings. They chased me out of my car, and I ran to the building that isn’t supposed to be there where there was the naked man.”

He immediately stiffened. “What naked man?” His blood coursed hot.

“I don’t know his name. I met him at that place that didn’t exist. Some kind of military-like establishment but with no insignia. But that was in Idaho. I am supposed to be there. Not here.” She rambled, her thoughts not fully coherent but still painting a picture.

Parker had transported her, and far? Why? What made her special? “You’re definitely not in Idaho anymore.”

“So you claim.”

“So I know.”

“But I don’t want to be here.” She said it almost petulantly.

“Too bad. You’re going to have to get used to cool mountain springs, crisp, clean air, and pine needles.” The only real scent he could say felt like home.

The fact that they were in the Rockies worked better than great. It was a stroke of fucking luck. Tomas knew this place. He especially knew it well on the Canadian side. What he didn’t understand was how his American cousins could allow something like Parker’s illegal lab to flourish on their land, because he knew the people who lived around here. People like him.

Traitors.

He didn’t know that for sure, but the mere fact that something Parker owned existed anywhere close to the mountains didn’t look good for his brethren.

Still cradled against him, Chandra asked softly, “Are we in danger here?”

“Yes. There are forces in the woods looking for us.” He didn’t sugarcoat the delightful truth.

“Is it Parker?”

“Indirectly, yes. It’s his men, sent to clean the area. They are aware that I escaped and are quite determined I not make it out of these mountains alive.”

“So that’s why you’re still here? You’re stuck?”

“Not one bit. I can leave anytime.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

Because he worried she wouldn’t survive the flight. “I thought we could use a vacation.”

“We?” Her gaze narrowed. “You stayed because of me, didn’t you?” Said almost with accusation.

He made sure to look the height of nonchalance as he said, “Maybe. But don’t read anything into it. I have need of you. Just my luck you humans have weak constitutions.”

“Humans? Why do you say it in such a sneering way?”

Best he made things clear now. “Because you’re a lesser species. Not your fault,” he hastened to add. “But still true.”

She didn’t nod in agreement. She refused to see the truth. “What are you? What makes you better than me?”

“I don’t think we have the time to list my innumerable qualities.”

She shook her head. “You’re an ass.”

“An ass?” He arched a brow. “I’ve killed people for less.”

“How nice that you kill to make yourself feel better. Sounds like a guy with self-esteem issues, which usually stem from feelings of inadequacy because of a smaller-than-normal sexual stature.”

He blinked and laughed. “Oh, doctor, that would only be a burn if I didn’t know the truth. I’d be happy to show you my stature.”

“You’re a pig.” She said it, and yet, she remained cradled against him, trading insults. Did she grin like a fool during their exchange? Tomas had just realized he did. He knew she wasn’t being insulting to be mean, but teasing him.

Flirting.

He could flirt back. “I am much more majestic than a porcine creature.”

“Is majestic the clue? You’re a lion.”

“A mangy feline constantly hacking up hairballs?” He almost shuddered. “That hurts.”

She giggled against his skin.

He could have taken her then and there.

“What are you?” Chandra asked.

He leaned back that he might better see her expression. “Take a guess.”

She stared at him a moment. He waited for her to finally admit she knew what he was. To stop playing this game. Surely, she had to know. Parker hadn’t dragged her across the country and kept her prisoner with Tomas to not tell her anything.

Parker was using Chandra, and Tomas hated that she wouldn’t admit it. She lied to him. Everyone lied to him.

It’s why it’s better to not care about people, because they’ll always hurt you.

A line creased her brow as she studied him. “I am not sure what you are. I can see you’re different. There’s something about you that feels very primal.”

“Because I come from the oldest race on this planet.” None of the others came close. Not even the long-lived faerie.

“Why not just tell me what you are?”

“Shall we play charades?”

Her lips twitched. She snickered.

He had to ask. “What’s so funny?”

“Was thinking wouldn’t it be funny if you were a duck. And then I pictured it.”

It took him but a moment to feel affronted. How dare she imagine him as a noisy fowl he liked to eat—roasted with a mandarin sauce. Then he couldn’t help but picture it and almost laughed himself. “I hate to disappoint, but while I do have wings and fly, I am not a duck.”

“I guess it’s not very majestic.” Her eyes widened, and her lips stretched into a huge grin. “I know what you are, a swan king.”

“No.”

“Bear, on account of your grumpiness.”

“No! Bears don’t fly.”

“I guess if you’ve got wings you’re not some kind of fish.”

No, he wasn’t, but he felt an urge to drown himself in a lake.

“You can stop pretending ignorance.” He shook his head. “I know Parker must have told you what I am and why he was holding me.” Tomas couldn’t keep listening to her lie.

“I am not pretending. I have no idea what you are and that short video I saw didn’t really show much other than glowing green eyes.”

“It also wasn’t me.” Because he’d never transformed, not even partially while in captivity.

Not that I remember. The very idea that he might have chilled him to the bone. What did they do to me?

“Are you sure it wasn’t you? Because the video clip I saw showed the camera dropping down a shaft. Didn’t you say they kept you in a pit?”

“You know they did, so stop playing innocent.”

“I am innocent, so you need to stop being so suspicious. The entire reason I’m here is because I had some misguided idea about rescuing whoever was in that video.”

“You? Rescue me?” He snorted.

“Yeah, not my brightest idea. Perhaps I am as stupid as my father claims.”

“He calls you stupid?” Tomas might have to pay that man a visit.

“My father’s lack of ability to recognize what I’ve accomplished is not the issue here. Your stubbornness is. I’m a prisoner just like you.”

“Prisoners don’t work for Parker.”

“I am not working for Parker. Well, I was, but not knowingly.”

“You were one of his doctors.”

“Yes, but I thought I was working for a legit company, and I will add that I never experimented with real people.”

“Do you consider me a real person?”

Her nose wrinkled. “What else would you be?”

I could be yours. Thankfully, he didn’t say that aloud. He would have to kill her for sure.

The more they spoke, the more she seemed to recover. He noted how clear her gaze seemed. Already, some of her pallor had receded as she returned to life.

“How does your wound feel? I should check it.”

“You mean I didn’t dream it? I was shot?” Her eyes widened in shock. “But I survived. How did you do that?” Her brow knit. “And why doesn’t it hurt more?” She palpated the wound, her fingers pressing over the bandage. He’d raided the institute before it collapsed for supplies.

“I might have used an ancient remedy passed down in my family to help speed the healing of wounds.” He was also perfectly posed to provide the most important ingredient.

“A family recipe?” Her eyes brightened. “I did a dissertation on folk medicine when I was in university. It’s truly amazing some of the natural options available that aren’t being better pursued for viability.”

“You know, most women,” he noted as he eased her back onto the bed, “would be more concerned about their wound. Will it scar? How bad is it?”

“I was shot. Of course I’ll have a scar. As to how bad it is, I’m alive.” She smiled. “Sometimes, it’s a matter of looking at it the right way.”

“Your positive attitude is downright baffling.” His fingers tugged gently at the bandage he’d created to go over the paste. Lifting the gauze, he gently wiped at the discolored residue, revealing skin, knitted shut but still quite red and angry.

She craned her chin to see it and marveled. “Only a day old and look at it. You’d think more than a week had gone by. That’s amazing.”

“It is.”

“So why haven’t you patented the formula and made billions from it?”

Because his blood was the main ingredient, and there was only one of him.

“It’s not a family secret if I share it with the world,” he said, grabbing the plastic bag with the last bit of paste. He smeared it on. “And I have enough money.”

“But think of how much it could help everyone.”

“Not everyone should be helped.” He pressed a piece of gauze against the smeared remedy. A few strips of tape held it in place.

“How soon before I can get out of this bed?”

“Now that you’re awake, and the wound is closed, we can leave anytime you deem fit.” He helped her sit.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed. “Then how about now. I can walk if it means getting out of here before some of Parker’s men find this cabin.”

A few already had. He’d taken care of them.

“Walk out?” He chuckled. “Silly, doctor. I don’t walk unless I have to. And even if I did, you’re in no shape. You’re still much too weak.” But he knew what he should do to make her stronger.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To get you some food. I’m sure you’re famished.”

As if reminded, her stomach rumbled, and he was intrigued to notice her cheeks turned pink.

As it turned out, she was famished, but he wouldn’t let her eat quickly, cautioning her to take small bites of the canned stew he’d found in a cupboard.

The hunting cabin proved well stocked with canned goods. It even had a pump for water.

Meal finished, her eyes drooped. “I’m so tired.”

“All that chewing. I can see how it would be daunting.”

“Are you always this snarky?”

“Do you have to make everything a question?”

“Yes.” She went to sleep mid-smile, and he spent a moment staring at her.

She was so dangerous to be around.

I should leave.

He stuck close.

Next time she woke, light still flooded the room, the rays of it weaker as the freshness of morning had faded into end of day. Stopping in the doorway, he watched as she stretched. The paste must have solved any lingering soreness because she stretched both her arms and legs.

She noticed him. Her eyes widened, and her lips pulled into a welcoming smile. A smile for him.

He wanted to kiss that smile.

“Nice outfit,” she said.

He looked down at his ensemble and could understand her mirth. Gone were the hospital garments, somewhat bedraggled from his altercations. Returning to the lab to raid it after his first medical supply run had proved a waste of time, as the installation was gone, a cave-in blocking the entrance. He’d need heavy machinery to get anywhere inside.

But he didn’t need the hidden lab. The cabin he’d found, rustic and blending into the forest, provided an unexpected bonus. The plywood cabinets held some canned goods. A sectioned-off room had a bed—with a lumpy mattress—and dusty linens. The cabin even had water he could pump from a well and, nestled inside a trunk with mothballs, clothes. Not great clothes, but better than finding a large leaf for his man parts.

Currently, Tomas wore an ill-fitting T-shirt with a cartoon of a falling tree and the caption of “When a tree falls in the forest, get the chainsaw” and sweatpants that were way too short.

“I thought it rather vintage and stylish. Wait until you see the tee I have for you.”

“I can’t wait.” She pointed. “Is that food for me?”

Ah, yes, his reason for coming to see Chandra in the first place. He handed her a bowl with a spoon, more of the hearty canned stew, which she ate with gusto, fidgeting only at the end, probably because he couldn’t stop staring.

Why did she fascinate him so much?

“You seem to be feeling better.” And by feeling better, he meant remaining conscious. He’d spent a harrowing time wondering if she’d live or die. He’d done things he’d sworn to never do—like endanger himself, worry, and protect—for her.

“Much better, especially since I didn’t nap a whole day straight this time.”

“That’s what you think.”

“How long did I sleep?”

He laughed as her mouth rounded. “Only a few hours.”

She shook her spoon at him. “You’re bad.”

“The baddest.” He winked.

Him. Mr. Cool and Collected. Winked.

She blushed. It kind of made the emasculation worthwhile. What he didn’t understand was how his mouth suddenly ended up against hers.

Not for long. A brief touch, just enough to ignite him. He drew back before it could go any further.

“Why did you stop?” He could tell by her horrified expression that she’d not meant to say that.

“I shouldn’t have done it.” He still didn’t understand why he’d acted.

Sure you do, for the same reason you didn’t leave her behind to die.

“You regret kissing me?” Her lips turned down.

“It should have never happened.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re not my type.”

Her head snapped back as if he’d struck her. In a sense, he had.

He waited for her counterattack. She didn’t disappoint.

“I was your type when you lifted me in the institute and smothered me.”

“I did not smother you. I was proving a point.”

“And what were you proving this time?”

Apparently, that his attraction to her hadn’t evaporated yet. “Why do you care why I kissed you?”

“Because men always have an ulterior motive. You’re planning to use me somehow.”

The accusation bothered, especially since he was still pretty sure she was out to use him. “Why are you making a big deal about the fact that I wanted to kiss you? You’re an attractive woman.” Mine.

“I am not yours.”

Speaking aloud again. He’d have to find a way to curb his wayward self. “At the moment, you are my responsibility.”

Her eyes widened. “And let me guess. Because I’m your supposed responsibility, you think you have the right to manhandle me anytime you like? Do you really think that gives you the right to do whatever you like to me?”

He got the impression that saying yes might not go over well. “A simple kiss of thanks would have been nice.”

Her expression narrowed, and her lips pursed. “I don’t owe you anything. I didn’t ask you to take care of me.”

“You could still thank me.” Yes, he saw the hole he dug, but he just couldn’t help himself. In his mind, he expected her to put out a little. Tomas wasn’t used to having to chase women for action. They usually threw themselves at him.

“Thank you for doing a basic, humane thing.”

“Not human.”

“Fine, compassionate. Is that allowed?”

In his culture? Not all the time. Circumstances often played a part in whether someone got to live or die.

He took the empty bowl from her and placed it on the dresser. “Shall I help you dress?” That sounded better than arguing about his emasculating need to cater to one little caramel-skinned human.

She jabbed a finger in his directions. “Oh, no you don’t. I know that look. That look doesn’t say let me platonically get you into some clothes.”

She was right. He’d prefer her out of them.

“What does my look say?” He’d gladly reward her if she guessed right.

“You’re thinking of sex.” Her nose wrinkled. “Is that all men think about?”

“At the moment? Yes.” He couldn’t admit it because that would emasculate him, but at the moment, Chandra consumed his thoughts. He’d spent the better part of the last day and a half watching her. Showing patience he didn’t usually enjoy. He’d found himself fraught with worry when he’d gone on patrol. He didn’t even enjoy victory when he’d eliminated a team of searchers. He worried he’d return to the cabin and find her gone.

For some reason, the idea of her not being around bothered him.

She can’t leave.

“How can you lust after someone who’s lain in bed for almost two days, who probably smells like a locker room, and who hasn’t seen a toothbrush in days?”

“I cared for you. You’re clean.” The hardest chore he’d ever undertaken.

“You touched me?”

He nodded. And he’d not even copped a single inappropriate grope. His honor was shiny—his balls very blue.

She licked her lips. “Thank you.” Her large eyes regarded him, and he couldn’t resist. He leaned in for a kiss.

Another kiss from her sweet lips.

One he didn’t ask for. Asking was for the weak. He took.

At least, Tomas meant to take and be the one in charge, except her hands clasped his cheeks, and before he could touch his mouth to hers, she took his with a hunger that froze him.

Lips flavored with beef stew and seasoning, along with her spice, teased him. The tip of her tongue slayed him. The soft moan as he cradled her body in his arms and pulled her close undid him.

She melted against him for just a moment before she bit him!

“Ouch.” He pulled away and glared.

She smirked. “Oops.” It didn’t sound repentant. “Much fun as this is, I need a bathroom.”

Good, because he needed time to compose himself. Chandra kept throwing him off balance. She didn’t act as she should.

And how is she supposed to act?

Pliant and willing? Then she’d be like all the other women who’d ever thrown themselves at him. Feisty and argumentative? Made him desire her more than any other woman.

So why am I letting her think she controls the situation?

Time she understood she didn’t.

He helped her from the bed, holding her steady when her knees wobbled.

“They feel like spaghetti,” she grumbled. “And don’t you dare follow me in. I can wipe my own parts from here on in, thank you.” She wouldn’t let him into the bathroom, hanging on to the plywood countertop with its stainless-steel bowl sink.

“Try not to fall off the toilet and give yourself a concussion.”

“I will do my best,” she sassed before shutting the thin door. And locking it.

He refrained from laughing.

As she took care of business, water running and everything, he moved across the space, keeping out of sight of the window until he could stand by the curtain’s edge and peek out.

It had been well over twelve hours since he’d last sighted any of Parker’s men in the woods. The hired soldiers spent time and wasted resources—along with lives—hunting for Tomas. The irony was that he hunkered here in the cabin, practically under their noses.

The humans, though, couldn’t smell him. They relied on their less-than-perfect senses, which meant they were easy to pick off, at least in the small numbers he’d encountered so far. But Tomas knew his luck couldn’t last. They couldn’t stay here much longer.

He cast one last glance outside before heading back across the room, the water having shut off in the bathroom. He reached the door a moment after she opened it. Chandra stepped out, looking refreshed, her skin dewy, a cloud of air freshener pouring out around her.

“Say one thing,” she growled, her cheeks pink in embarrassment. “This never happens to heroines in the movies.”

“Are you comparing our reality to a movie?” he asked, escorting her back to the bedroom.

“You have to admit, it would make for a good one. Brilliant young scientist is kidnapped by nefarious underground medical group but manages to escape with patient zero.”

“Hardly zero. I hear they have another like me.” Parker had alluded to it once by accident when he thought Tomas unconscious. But Tomas heard it. Heard the reference to gold.

Impossible. All the Golds are dead.

“I am not surprised they do. From what Parker bragged to me, Bittech and the others have been experimenting on so many people.” She grouped Tomas into the crowd with all the other lesser species Parker played with.

“So is this the part of the movie where the heroine realizes the hero is male perfection and throws herself at him?” He waggled his brows. He never waggled his brows. He wondered if they were possessed.

She laughed. “You wish.”

He did wish. And he would have it, dammit.

Spinning her before she could sit on the bed, he grabbed her, lifted her right off her feet, and kissed her.

Kissed her thoroughly, leaving no part of her mouth untouched.

Kissed her with passion because his blood fired so hot.

Kissed her as if he would never let her go because the simple truth was, while he could claim all he wanted that he did it to prove a point, to show her who was boss, the real reason he kissed her—and couldn’t stop kissing her—was because he wanted to. Wanted to taste that mouth again. Wanted to claim it and own it, forever and—

“I found something!”

The distant shout of an intruder tore Tomas out of the moment, and he lifted his head, breaking the kiss.

Danger.

He pulled away and could have roared in frustration at the soft expression on Chandra’s face. How dare someone interrupt when her eyes shone so brightly with passion, and her lips were pouted, swollen and inviting?

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Someone is coming.” Several someones. Several dead someones. He’d show them to respect their betters.

A crease marred her brow. “Are you sure? I don’t hear anything.”

“They’re getting close.”

“They?” Fear replaced the shine of arousal in her eyes. “Should we run? Hide?”

Emasculating. Cowardly. He shuddered. “You forgot the only real option—fight.”

She recoiled. “You can’t seriously expect us to fight. We don’t have any weapons.”

“There is no we. Just me. You’ll stay here while I take care of this.” And by take care of, he meant fertilize the forest with blood. It worked wonders on struggling grass.

“I can’t stay here while you go out and fight alone.” She sounded incredulous.

“Good point. What if they’ve surrounded the place and are planning to come in via the back while I’m distracted out front?”

She blinked. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Try not to hit me if you do.”

She glared. “This isn’t funny.

“Only because you’re still feeling unwell. I should have realized with your fragile human constitution that you weren’t ready yet for strenuous activity.”

“This has nothing to do with readiness, but the fact that people are coming after us. We need a plan.”

She needed to calm down. He reached out to stroke her lower lip with his thumb. “I have a plan. Take care of them.”

“How? You’re just one man. Without a gun. Or did you find a weapon?” Said with a hopeful lilt.

He shook his head.

“Then how can you act so nonchalant?”

“It’s called confidence, doctor. Come watch it in action. Follow me.” He gripped her hand and tugged her toward the bedroom door.

“Follow you? But you’re going to fight. What am I supposed to do? I don’t even have something to defend myself with.”

“All you need to do is look pretty.” Priceless things shouldn’t have to get dirty.

“You did not seriously just say that. I have a Bachelor of Science degree and one for biotechnology. I am more than just a pretty exterior.”

“Why can’t you just say thank you for the compliment?”

“Because.”

He sighed. “Fine. You want a job, then here’s one for you. Watch my rear. If you see someone coming, tap me on the shoulder, and I will take care of it.”

“You are not taking this seriously.”

In that, he disagreed. He was in complete warrior mode now. Holding her by the hand, he stepped farther into the main room and glanced out the window. He spotted at least three figures moving from the forest edge in a tightening circle around the cottage. This was very serious.

“Are you ignoring me?”

“That would be impossible, doctor, since you never stop talking.”

They had made it only halfway across the room when he heard the order. “Fire.”

“Get on the floor.” Tomas no sooner gave the command than he tripped Chandra to the ground, taking the brunt of the fall as glass exploded all around them.