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Nash’s hands shook as he cupped Luca’s face. “You said it wouldn’t know?”
“I promise it didn’t. It can’t.” Isaiah capped the syringe.
Nash rubbed his arm. “It might not have known exactly what you did, but it didn’t like it, and it knew it wasn’t in its best interest.”
“The Anubis can’t comprehend that kind of higher thought.” It knew only one thing, what it wanted.
Nash nodded. “I didn’t think so either, but I’m telling you, it knew.”
“It will be different next time.”
Nox exhaled a breath of frustration. “I don’t want it to kill you.”
If only it would just kill Isaiah. But it wouldn't. It would kill everyone in his camp. It could even kill Luca if he tried to stop it.
But that wouldn’t happen because the Anubis couldn’t have known what Isaiah did. He told himself again it reacted to his wolf, Luca’s stress, or Nash’s.
To believe otherwise meant the Anubis was more dangerous than Isaiah thought.
And that would be a tragedy for all of them.
Isaiah packed the vial and used syringe back into the leather pouch. “We’ll try again tomorrow. If we get a similar reaction, then we’ll think of something else.”
Nash rubbed the crook of his arm. A tiny bruise marked the injection spot. “Same time as today?”
“As close as possible.” Isaiah stood. “Is there anything I can get either of you?”
“No,” Luca said.
“Yes,” Nash said.
Isaiah waited.
“Jugs of water, a basin, soap, some clean clothes, and food for Luca.”
“I’ve got jugs of water in my camper and some food. I’ll get Cassie to round you up some clothes.”
“I’ll help you carry it back.” Luca stood.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to get any closer to their camp,” Nash said.
“No, it’s not. That’s why I saidIwould help and not we.” Luca kissed Nash on the temple.
“You don’t have to.” Although Isaiah would treasure any moment he had alone with Luca, even if it was only to exchange a few words.
If things went right, those moments with Luca had a chance to grow.
And Isaiah wanted that, no matter how long it took.
* * *
A month ago, Nox believed the Anubis wasn’t capable of higher thinking. That it had no concept of anything beyond the here and now. Until it reacted to Isaiah injecting him with the Rakta.
It knew what Isaiah did and had been ready to fight.
Not for itself, but for the man sitting next to Nox. Luca’s presence, his being, the very essence that made him real. The Anubis had been desperate to protect him.
The question was, from what?
