I retrieved my dagger from beneath my loincloth and got busy cutting the dead man’s hair from his head. Next, I overturned one of the smaller baskets and sliced through the twine holding the sisal pieces together. After that, I lay the fire supplies near Marcellious’ shoulder.
I peered at him, making sure his chest still rose and fell.
It did, but barely.
I fetched the broken jar full of water, then crossed to the deceased fellow and ripped strips from his linen shirt. Now I was ready.
Crouching before the pile of hair, which I’d arranged over the sisal rope strips, I struck the fire starter to make sparks. The hair caught on fire. Cupping my hands around my mouth, I gently blew on the hair and coaxed tiny flames to life.
The flames caught the sisal cord on fire, and I held the tip of my dagger over the flickering fire until it glowed red hot.
I lifted the jar and poured some water on Marcellious’ wound.
He roused enough to let out a long moan.
I twisted a couple lengths of the sisal together and worked my fingers into Marcellious’ jaw, opening his mouth. I placed the twisted rope between his teeth and said, “If you can hear me, bite down on this rope. You’re going to need it.”
Then, I spread apart the flesh of his wound with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, picked up the dagger, and started digging for the bullet.
A god-awful shriek escaped from Marcellious’ mouth.
“Bite down,” I commanded him.
He did, his eyes wide.
I could feel the tip of the bullet beneath my blade. I freed it from the muscle and shattered bone as Marcellious screamed and wailed through clenched teeth.
Once the bullet was free, I poured more water over the wound. Then, I bound his shoulder and chest with the fabric strips, the way I’d seen Amara do countless times. Marcellious might get infected from the dirty cloth, but it was either that or bleeding to death. “You’re welcome,” I muttered.
Marcellious spit the rope free. “You asshole. Are you trying to kill me?”
“If I were trying to kill you, you’d already be dead. I’m trying to save you.” I poured water on my hands and the dagger, cleansing them of his blood.
Marcellious’ hands were still tied behind his back. He tried to wrestle his arms free but let out another scream.
“You’re going to alert the guards,” I said calmly.
“You should have thought of that before you carved out the bullet,” Marcellious shot back.
I grabbed his jaw between my fingers and squeezed. “Do you think I like the predicament we’re in? Do you think I like being here, trapped in this time, whatever it is, withyou? I don’t. But for some strange reason, you and I, and I hope Olivia, all managed to time travel together. Which means we’realltime travelers. This also means, as loathe as I am to even consider it, you and I may be brothers. So, I just saved your life, asshole. You would have died if I left the bullet there to fester.”
I released his jaw.
“I didn’t ask to be saved,” he said with a growl.
“Too bad. If we’re going to escape, I figure the odds are in our favor if we work together.Ifwe can manage to do that. Currently, I have my doubts.” I rose and stalked across the room.
“How did you free yourself?” Marcellious inclined his head toward my arms.
“It took a lot of effort.”
“So free me, already.”
“Not until I know you won’t try to kill me.”
He grew silent. He was probably planning my murder.
I would wait a while longer to undo his restraints.
