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“Whoa.” Marko’s head shook, forcefully. “No way. Even if by some miracle we win, we want them to think we’re dead. We have to go back into hiding. It’s going to take time to recover from this massacre. And this could be far from over. We have no idea how many of us are left, but Tessa is right in the fact that we have to find them. We have to figure out a location where we can hide and not be found—by humans or Aetas. Somewhere good.”
I scanned the dark sky, looking out into the far stretches of the horizon. “We have a few hours of night left. Do we stop outside of the city or do we keep going and push to see how far we can get? We can grab a hotel, but truthfully, we can’t afford it.”
Tessa looked between us and I saw her features turn serious as she began to think.
“Dallas will have survivors. Their city was bigger than ours. We should stop there before we continue on.”
“We can’t actually go into the city,” I said, glancing at her. “They have the roads blocked. They’re checking everyone who goes in and out. At least that’s how it was in Austin. We had to steal a car outside of the check point. I told you, it’s bad. Worse than you could imagine.”
Her hand rose and her fingers pressed into her forehead as she closed her eyes. “I should have known that. Alright. So we steer clear of the city. We find a place for the night—a house, and we see if anyone comes. Maybe we spread the truth and keep going. We tell as many as we can, and we get them to wait for our call.”
“Always a leader.” Marko’s lips tugged at the side and his head lowered to nuzzle against hers. “I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you. It was in your blood from the beginning. We’re lucky to have you.”
“A leader would have stayed. She would have sacrificed herself for her people. I left, Marko. I may have just doomed us all.”
“Do not for one second blame yourself.” Her eyes met mine in the mirror. “This sacrifice you speak of was a suicide mission. Your death would have been inevitable. You did the smart thing. You got out of there. The time makes no difference. One day, one year, if Aetas wants us dead, he’ll come looking.”
“He’s right,” Marko agreed. “He ate your skin while you were unconscious. He is not well, ma minette. Not even close.”
Tessa’s face dropped color and she took in a slow deep breath. I had to take one too for the nausea that hit me.
“How are you? Are you healed well enough?”
Tessa pulled the t-shirt away from her chest, glancing down. At Marko’s gasp, my head lifted higher to try to see.
“Well?
Neither answered me as Marko let out a threatening sound. “I saw it in your memories, but you wouldn’t look directly at what he had done. Fuck!”
“It is healing,” she whispered.
“I will make this up to you. I swear to you that I will. I should have never tied with him in the first place. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I want to see,” I snapped. “She’s my mate, too.”
Tessa’s frowned as her eyes met mine and her head turned to the side as she pulled the t-shirt down to her cleavage. The bright, red gouges were still embedded deeply into her chest. Although the muscle was healing, the deep lacerations still looked horrific, even in the dim surroundings.
My eyes darted back to the road, only to return as she let the t-shirt go back into place. Bile burned my throat and I knew there was no stopping what was coming. I hit the brakes hard, pulling to the shoulder. I barely managed to get the door open before I barreled out. I felt sick with myself. I’d felt the pain, but I never imagined. I should have gone—should have fucking tried to do something.
“Hunter.” Tessa jumped from the car, walking over at a fast speed where I paced approximately ten feet away. “Don’t be upset. You—”
“Should have stopped it,” I yelled. “I should have fucking—God!” I spun around only to head back to her. “Let me see, again. I want to see every place he marked on you.”
“This is not the time.” Her voice was low but firm. “We have to find somewhere to stay.”
I pulled her into arms, burying my face in her hair. Her stiff posture eased into my hold and she loosened completely, molding herself into my body as her arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
“I’m sorry. I’m starting to think that I’m not a very good mate to you. You deserve someone like Marko who can protect you. I’m just not there yet.”
Tessa’s head leaned back while she looked at me. “You’re so much stronger than most newborns. Look at you. You’re rational, you’re beginning to tap into your gifts. Hunter, you have to give yourself time. Within the next year or two, you’re going to be unstoppable to most.
My head shook. “That doesn’t help you now.”
“Hold me,” she breathed out. “I’ve missed you.”
A frown began to appear only to vanish at her words. I held to her tighter, going back to breathe her in. A car approaching in the distance had me tightening my grip for only seconds before I pulled back.
“We have to go. You’re right. We have to get settled for the night. We’ll stop in the next town. Then, I will hold you.”
