He knocked into Garnuk and clasped the male’s body close, preventing him from using the whip. Then he wrestled Garnuk to the ground, narrowly avoiding a kick to his groin. Garnuk ripped into Zehn’s throat, his sharp teeth tearing with a hunger Zehn found more than disturbing.
“Father suns, that’sit.” Yanking his head away, Zehn felt the pain of ripping skin. But he would recover. Just as soon as he damaged Garnuk’s monstrous teeth. He leaned back and head-butted the male, then pushed away and returned with a knee to Garnuk’s face.
Garnuk howled in pain, clutching his mouth. Before Zehn could strike him a killing blow, his enemy rolled away, reached for his whip, and struck at Zehn’s chest.
The burn raked his anger to a fevered pitch. But before Zehn could retaliate, the coward ran away, along with Lore’s opponent, leaving their unresponsive Nasuhl clanmates unmoving on the ground.
“They’ll wake soon enough,” Lore said. “We should go now, unless you plan to kill them?”
Zehn shook his head, the hurt of his wounds intensifying.
“I agree. It would be like kicking a water pup.” Lore frowned. “Why did you let him bite you?” He raised his brows. “Was this to get Mandy to care for you? Clever.”
“Yes, that’s why I did it.” Zehn hadn’t planned any such thing, and Lore knew it. That Zehn had let Garnuk get too close concerned him. The instinct clouded his mind, pushing him to cement his bonding,thenprotect his mate and vanquish his enemy at the same time. Because Mandy hadn’t yet tied herself to them, she provided a constant disruption of thought.
“I’ll get her.” Lore shook his head. “You need to patch that. You’re bleeding too much.” It wasn’t a life-threatening wound, or Lore would show more concern.
Annoyed, Zehn just stared at him.
With a shrug, Lore left and returned with Mandy. Her gaze fastened on Zehn’s chest and throat, her dark eyes huge.
“Are you well, Mandy?” Zehn gave her a quick onceover.
“I’m fine. But you’re bleeding. He bit you!” She hurried to him with a bit of cloth from her pack. Then she set to tending him.
He shared a warm glance with Lore. Oh yes. They were keeping this one.We must be careful and convince our little Mandy that she wants to stay. With quiet cunning.
I know, I know. I’m sorry.Let it go already.
Having said all he wanted to say, Zehn rose to his feet, clutching the cloth and Mandy. “We must go before they wake.” Before they brought reinforcements. “Mandy, stop the bleeding if you can while I carry you.”
Lore took off, carrying their supply packs. Zehn followed with their shocked female in his arms.
“But you’re hurt.”
“I’ll survive.” He hugged her closer and hurried to catch up with Lore.If you’re with me.
Mandy didn’t know what to think. She’d seen them fight overpowering numbers and come out the victor. Impressive. Then to have a wounded man carry her at speeds that would outrun her on a good day? Embarrassing. Yet no matter how many times she told him to put her down so she could see to his wounds, the stubborn man refused. He had to be tired and in pain. But he wouldn’t stop.
A hellish night passed, with Zehn finally giving her to Lore. By the stars, they were fast. No matter that she’d tried to keep up with them when they’d let her run along. Even wounded and winded, they were faster and stronger. Inhumanly so.
Duh. They’re barbarians from another world, Mandy. You can’t compete with that.
She sighed.
“Are you all right?” Lore asked her.
“When will we be done running?”
“We are close to our home territory. Fear not.” He gave her a slight smile.
She’d planned to take care of Zehn when they rested, but he handled his wounds with some plant paste he’d gathered. And it soon healed the whip marks over his chest. His neck, he’d said, would take longer to heal, but it didn’t slow him down.
They made great time, their stamina incredible. The constant movement tired her, as did her insistence on running as much as she could. She knew they humored her, but she didn’t care. A girl had her pride, after all.
They didn’t speak much until the third day after the attack.
If they picked her up and ran with her one more time she’d scream. “Why…are we…slowing down?” she managed while panting.
