“How?” she trembles out.
“He needs to take this,” I murmur, and I float the vial to her hand dangling at his side just as his lips close over hers.
Nicholas runs up, but I halt his interference. He wisely remains quiet - even though his fists are white knuckled from being clenched so tightly. Without knowing why, she kisses the stranger back, and his hands grip tightly at her waist.
“Make him take it,” I repeat, and she slowly backs away from the chill-worthy embrace.
“Please take this for me,” she softly urges, and he tilts his head again.
“Why?”
“Because I asked you too,” she seduces, and I’m slightly impressed by her poise.
He smirks, and then he breaks his skin before injecting his veins with the medicine. His eyes soften, fade, and go back to normal just before he falls to the ground from the exhausting blood loss.
“He needs blood,” I scream, and Nicholas rushes over to wrap his daughter up in his arms.
“What the hell was all that?” he screeches.
Apparently he doesn’t know as much about hybrids as he thought.
“That was a gift, a savage, and a connection. I’ll explain later. He needs blood right now, and so do I,” I murmur while staggering backwards, and suddenly Brazen’s arms are around me and scooping me up to hold me to his body.
“I’ll help the boy to your place. I’m not sure what the hell they were thinking bringing him out here,” Nicholas growls.
Everyone behind us is speechless, and the compound guards have no problem sweeping up the defused fight. Nicholas tosses Grayson over his shoulder, and he grunts out his own pain as the deadweight of the boy takes a toll on his own wounded body.
“I need more blood myself,” he says with a grimace. “One of my men managed to bring me a couple of packs, and I was able to get the children safely into the arms of our caretakers. I’m not sure who they belong to, but we’ll find the parents tomorrow. If he didn’t-”
“They’re hybrid children. They’re won’t be parents. They’re probably in transition from one compound to another,” I interrupt. “I saw it in their eyes. The ones he killed were full bloods. It’s always full bloods or humans when we’re savage. Never our own kind unless provoked, and like I said, you’re the only one I know to raise-”
I stop short when I see Angelica joining us, and she stares at the unconscious Grayson she just found an unfathomable connection with. Her studious attention causes Nicholas to scowl, and I smirk before wincing at my growing pain.
“Are you hurt?” I ask while looking up into the pale eyes of the man who refuses to give up on me.
“Just barely. I’m more worried about you. I didn’t know you got hit that badly, baby. I’m sorry. I should have gotten there sooner,” he murmurs guiltily while kissing my forehead, and I snuggle into his chest as we cross the threshold to the main building.
“Leon told them to take him back into visitor territory,” I hesitantly say to Nicholas.
“He did what?” he blasts, and suddenly Leon is in front of us as he comes out of his cowardly hiding place.
“Captain… Hawkins, Sir. The men have informed me the episode is over,” he stammers out like a sniveling fool.
Nicholas hands Grayson to another man, and then he slowly turns around before throwing his fist into the face of Leon. I want to laugh as he sails across the hall, and I hear the wall as it cracks out its own laughter.
“Sir, please don’t. I was following protocol.”
“Protocol? Our men are wounded, I’m wounded, and Araya damn near died. Not to mention how close this innocent boy came to dying along with my daughter out there. Some people did die, you arrogant son of a bitch.”
“Araya ordered the move, not you, Sir. I outrank her, and I followed protocol,” he says in defense of himself.
“That was my mistake years ago. I thought you a different man then, and I’m a fool for never paying close enough attention to you,” Nicholas growls, and he steps over to rip the badge off of Leon. “You don’t outrank her anymore, and you can leave now. I’ll have your shit shipped when you find somewhere else to destroy,” he growls, and men step up from all around to start ushering Leon out.
“Sir, you can’t. Sir, please. This is my home.”
“Not anymore,” Nicholas whispers, and then he ushers Brazen to continue walking while frowning at me.
“I’m afraid I let you down, Araya. I promised you a compound full of change and acceptance. I didn’t realize how terrible he had gotten. I’m so sorry.”
