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The world tipped, and Nox had to grab Luca’s shoulder to keep from going down. He made it as far as the first motor home before Luca strained to hold him upright.
“I need to rest.” Nox gripped the edge of a picnic table, smearing blood across the wood. He did need to rest, and hopefully, it would give Luca time to cool off.
“It’s just a little farther.”
“Right now, that’s too far.” Nox lowered himself to the bench.
Isaiah stood in the distance, directing his people. They went back to work preparing the spit roast and fixing up the area, but without the happiness present a few moments earlier.
Luca stood in front of Nox, clenching and unclenching his fists every time a person walked by. They kept a wide berth, but it seemed anything within Luca’s view was too much.
Nox tugged on Luca’s hand. “Please sit.”
“I’m fine.”
“For me, not you.” It felt selfish to say, but Nox needed Luca to see they weren’t his enemy. They didn’t hate. They were afraid, and even in their distrust of Nox, they’d tried to welcome him.
As long as Luca was angry, he’d never believe that.
Luca sat on the edge of the bench with his shoulders and back rigid.
“I thought you might need this.” Cassie laid clean towels and another ice pack on the table with a first aid kit.
“Thanks.” Nox picked up the ice pack and pressed it to his face.
“Anything else?” Cassie said. “Something to dri—”
“The only thing I want from any of you is to le—”
Nox put his hand on Luca’s thigh. “Yes, please. Some water. Maybe aspirin if you have any.”
Cassie left.
“Why are you being nice to them?” Luca said it with enough venom that Nox winced.
“I’m thirsty. I’ve been digging a hole for the past two hours and my head hurts.”
“That’s their fault.”
“Doesn’t matter whose fault.” There was no need to argue.
Luca took the ice pack from Nox and held it. “How bad does it hurt?”
“Nothing I haven’t felt before.” He’d just forgotten what it was like to experience pain without the Anubis to drink it down. “Is there any gauze in there? I need to stop this nosebleed.” He wiped the curtain of congealing blood from his lips and chin.
Luca set aside the ice pack, took gauze from the first aid kit, and gave it to Nox. “You should have defended yourself.”
Nox stuffed the pieces in his nostrils. The stabbing needle sensation rekindled, and he grit his teeth. “I told you—”
“Don’t lie to me.” Luca opened a sterile wipe and used it to clean Nox’s face. “You could have beaten the shit out of him. I know it.”
“They’re scared of me as it is.”
“Well, Tanner obviously isn’t.” Luca dabbed the area around Nox’s eye, and it stung.
“Ouch.”
“It’s just a little alcohol.”
