“Go,” Heavy snarls to Texon. “Get her to the med lab now.”
The jungle blurs past. Each jarring step sends fresh waves of pain through my side, but Texon’s arms are steady. His grip is sure. I let myself sink into the safety of him.
“Stay with me,” he says. “Stay awake, Ines.”
“I’m awake.” I am. Mostly. The edges of my vision are getting fuzzy, but I’m awake. “That was stupid of me, wasn’t it? Walking into an obvious trap.”
“Yes.” His voice is rough. “But I would have done the same thing.”
“I know.” I manage something like a smile. “That’s why I like you.”
He makes a sound that sounds half laugh, half sob.
The med lab appears ahead. Clean white buildings and medical transport vehicles. Safety.
Texon bursts through the doors, roaring for help. I’d be embarrassed by the scene we’re making, but I’m too busy trying to stay conscious.
Med techs scramble. Someone tries to take me from Texon’s arms and he snarls — actually snarls, showing teeth, until Chief appears. When did Chief get here?
“Let them work,” Chief says firmly. “Trunk. Let them work.”
Texon’s arms tighten around me for just a moment. Then, reluctantly, he transfers me to a treatment bed.
Faces hover above me. Instruments. Voices giving orders I don’t understand.
“You’re going to be fine,” someone says. A med tech, pressing something against my side. “The blade missed your vital organs. We’ll have you patched up in no time. Human pain receptors are very sensitive. You’ll feel much better soon.”
A transparent cover appears and the pain starts to fade, replaced by a floating sensation.
The last thing I see before the sedation pulls me under is Texon in the corner of the room. Still covered in blood, watching me with that expression that looks a lot like terror.
And something else.
Something that looks a lot like love.
