“His pulse is strong. We'll be able to get him sorted out.” I sighed, wiping a hand down my face. When I didn't get a response, I looked up at Bram. The demon was standing in the same place, frozen still as a statue, just staring across the room.
“Bram?” I followed his line of sight, landing on Faris. “He'll be okay. He got hit pretty hard though.”
He nodded, but didn't speak. At least he’d heard me. Suddenly he was moving from the living room, heading for the kitchen. Maybe he needed some air.
I looked down at Kai beside me. “K, can you hear me, man?” I said, taking his hand. I watched his face, anxious for any sign of acknowledgement. “Come on, K. I know you're in there.”
His eyes were moving rapidly beneath his lids as small breaths slipped through slightly open lips. Kai’s normally tan face was now pale, and it killed me to see him like this. It wasn't the first time one of us had been injured during a mission, and I was positive it wouldn't be the last—not with the evil we were dealing with. No, this was far from over. We needed to be prepared to handle injuries, as well as the psychological damage of seeing those we loved be potentially harmed.
Exhaling, I dropped down onto my ass, deciding to get somewhat comfortable while I waited for Bette to return with the salve. The crinkling of a bag and cursing came from the kitchen a moment before Bram stalked back into the room.
“Ice,” he told me, holding up a bulging Ziploc bag. Bram's cheeks reddened lightly and he looked away, lifting Faris by the shoulders and slipping onto the couch, resting Faris' head on his lap. I tried not to stare, but I couldn't look away as Bram, the huge, intimidating demon, became someone else entirely. His long fingers brushed Faris' hair from his forehead and he retrieved a damp cloth he must've had in his other hand. With the utmost care, he began wiping away the blood from Faris' face.
“By the sun, this might scar,” he whispered, shaking his head, talking to himself.
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Bette said, strolling in to rejoin us. She held a small bag in her hand, rummaging inside it as she walked. “Now, Cam, rub this carefully over Kai's burns. We want it to be about a quarter of an inch thick. His skin should absorb it quickly, so it will need to be reapplied in thirty minutes.” She handed me a small tub of ointment and I pushed myself up onto my knees, eager to get the healing process started.
“Bram,” Bette continued, passing a bottle over to him. “This will help with scarring and it should expedite Faris’ healing. Place five drops directly onto the wound. This will need to be repeated every six hours if it hasn't closed by then.”
“How are they?” Khol asked, and I jumped slightly. Shit, I hadn't even heard him coming.
“Still out of it,” Bette replied, and I was thankful—I was suddenly so tired, my eyelids were getting heavier and heavier with each passing second. “How are the girls?”
“They're good. Mira is already so much better, though I have no doubt this will remain with her for the rest of her life. She's getting Annie ready for bed.”
I grinned at Khol’s nickname for Miranda. Poor demon was a total goner for the woman.
“Are they staying here?” Bette inquired, taking a seat on the couch.
“No. I offered that, of course, but Mira knew some of the guys had been injured. Plus, with Saige not being back yet, I think she doesn't want to intrude,” he explained.
“If she wants to stay, they can take the guest room. We can happily sleep in the living room. Fuck, I'd sleep on the floor right now if I could,” I confessed, and Khol chuckled.
“Agreed. It's been so damn long since I was on assignment like that. What a rush, but also a fucking drain.” He ran a hand through his hair. “As generous as that offer is, I'm going to jump the girls back to the apartment. They can sleep together in one of the rooms there, and it means they'll get to sleep in too. No offense, but this house can be a little... loud, at times.”
Bram huffed. “Well, if it's loud later, I can assure you it won't be from anything fun.”
Khol narrowed his eyes at the other demon. “She's protecting her mate, like she would protect any one of you.”
“She's being reckless!” Bram shouted back, his horns popping from his head in time with his outburst. Faris jolted in his lap, pulling all of our attention, and Bram slid his fingers through his hair with a gentleness that a man with horns sticking out of his head shouldn’t seem to possess. Not to mention the glowing amber eyes. I glanced away before he realized I’d caught him in a tender moment.
“Boys,” Bette chastised. “Now is not the time. And this is exactly why Miranda doesn't want her daughter here after what she's been through. You act like cavemen at times. There's a child within these walls, so let us remember our inside voices,” she scolded Bram, also making sure to make eye contact with each of us. Fuck, that woman could be a little scary.
“Sorry,” Bram muttered, effectively put in his place.
“Any word from Hunter?” I’d completely forgotten to ask about my own brother until now. I was doing a bang-up job tonight of keeping the people I loved protected.
“Your brother is fine,” Bette told me with a soft smile. “He let me know he arrived, and said he would check back in when he knows more. I’ve already sent a text letting him know you’re back.”
“Thank you,” I replied gratefully. I could hear the exhaustion seeping through my voice now.
“If I may suggest something?” Khol asked, pausing to wait for any opposition. When nobody spoke up, he continued. “I’m going to get the girls home, and I really think everyone here should get some rest. It could be hours until they’re back, but theywillbe back. And when they arrive, we need to be at the top of our game in case we’re needed.”
He was right. If they came back injured, we would need the energy to be able to take care of them.
“Agreed,” Bram muttered, gently pressing the ice to Faris’ head.
“Right. Inform me the moment they’re back or if there are any new developments,” Khol called as he left the room.
