I screamed when Don crashed into the wall, green blood dotting his side. My kidnapper had a knife. “Kal,” I cried. “Someone stole me. Don’s here. We need help.Please.”
“I’m coming. So are Serlotminden and Zoltilvoxfyn. Hold on, Vince. We are coming, brother.”
“Don,” I yelled; he was on the ground, bleeding quite profusely. The alien had stabbed him. I dropped my touchstone and raced in front of Don, throwing myself at the alien. “Leave him alone!”
The red alien tossed me aside with ease. Don staggered to his feet. He bared his teeth and launched at the alien, his hands cupping their jaw. He shoved the alien back against the wall. Don didn’t seem to be doing anything, but the alien started to scream. Don held on, growling. The alien thrashed, but eventually, their eyes closed and they slumped.
Don didn’t let go or stop growling.
“Don,” I whispered, trying to get to my feet. My ribs ached, my face throbbed, my left eye was swollen closed, and I was pretty sure my shoulder was dislocated, not to mention the plethora of bruises and scrapes.
He didn’t release my would-be kidnapper.
“Sweetheart,” I said, trying to get up again but failing. I whimpered. “Sweetheart, I need you.”
Instantly, he dropped the alien and prowled toward me. A deep prey instinct told me to run, but my lizard brain could go fuck itself. Don was mine, and he sure as hell wouldn’t hurt me. I reached for him, and Don swept me into his embrace.
Even with the tension in his muscles, he was exceedingly gentle. I pressed against him, breathing hard. My fingers slid down, finding the wound on his side. I pressed my palm against it; blood leaked between my fingers.
“Sweetheart, you’re hurt.”
Don didn’t answer; he was cupping my chin and staring at my bruised face.
“I’m fine, Don. You’re not.”
He ignored me.
I didn’t know how much he was actually understanding at this exact second. I pressed his hand against my uninjured cheek. He needed me. A connection formed between us. I could sense his anger, terror, need, pain, and so much more. I rested my forehead against him and thought about soothing things: the ocean, Don singing to me, Don playing the harpsichord, ussnuggling, and many other things, all while our song played in the background.
“Dontilvynsan,” voices yelled.
Don snarled, but I kept hold of him.
“We’re safe,” I whispered. “We keep each other safe.”
Kal stood in the front and held out his hands. “You know us, Captain. Everything’s fine. You and Vince need treatment.”
Don’s arm tightened its hold on me.
Seth peeked around Kal. “Don, calm down. Vince is hurt, and you’re bleeding everywhere.” His voice shook a tad, but he stepped forward, pushing Kal’s hands away. “Don, trust us. I know you do. So stop. Just stop. Vince needs help.”
Looking down at me, Don frowned. I went up on my toes, ignoring the pain, and kissed his lips. “Mine. All mine.”
“Yours.”
“Good. Now we need treatment,” I said. “And that fucker has more humans somewhere.”
Kal growled. “Zoltilvoxfyn, have them lock the station down. No one is leaving or coming until we find them all.”
“Of course.” Fyn darted off.
Commander Bimwoxcol and a few other drakcol I didn’t know stepped forward, taking my would-be kidnapper into custody. Mindy was barking orders while Kal came toward us slowly.
I kept Don’s hand on my cheek to keep him calm. “Come on, Sweetheart.”
I lay in the med bay, eyes on Vince. Doctor Muznim and Physician Klars had tried to move him out of my sight, and I’d snarled, ushering them away. Vince had calmed me down again, choosing a bed right next to mine. I had to keep him within sight.
My soul was throbbing in pain. I’d broken my promise. Someone had hurt Vince, and I hadn’t protected him. I’d failed. I paid no attention to the assistant working on my stab wound. Muznim had wanted to heal me first, but I refused. Vince was more important.
