“Good as new.” He collected his supplies and set them on the counter. Following a heavy sigh, he lathered up his hands and arms to remove the dried blood. “Christian had to drive those people home in their own cars, so he’ll be gone for a while. You okay to be alone?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I hopped off the table and put on my shirt.
“Because this job is no joke. Maybe you should go straight to bed.”
I wasn’t one to be coddled, but I knew what Shepherd was getting at. He was afraid I’d hit the bottle, and that was the moment I realized how much I’d been sliding into a bad habit—one that others had noticed. Shepherd was no stranger to drinking. Hell, we all got ripped some nights after dinner. I had never been one to drink alone, but lately I’d found myself hitting the bottle when no one was around. It hadn’t yet become habitual, but I needed to keep it in check.
“That’s the plan,” I said truthfully, feeling my energy drained. Lying down sounded like an excellent idea. “Right after a hot bath.” I patted him on the back on my way out. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sober.”
* * *
Despite her bloodyclothes after handling the bodies, Gem didn’t even think about showering when they got home. Her partner’s injuries required attention, and that became her primary concern.
She brushed back Claude’s hair. He had such pretty curls, all big and loose. He kept it at the perfect length, like the statue of David. Only now, his handsome locks were matted with blood.
Gem picked out another small shard of glass from his scalp and dropped it into a bowl. Then she parted his hair and ran her finger along the gash.
Claude sucked in a sharp breath and scooted back in the leather chair. “Must you do that, female?”
“Quiet now. It’s better if we get all the glass out before Niko seals up your wounds. Otherwise, Shepherd will have to cut it open all over again.”
Niko waited on Claude’s bed, quietly listening. “This is less traumatic, wouldn’t you agree?”
Claude frowned and gave Gem a black look. He had handsome features and eyes like two gold coins. A Chitah’s gaze could strike a primal chord deep down, and most Breeds couldn’t hold eye contact with one.
She giggled and tapped his nose. “You’re not a very good patient.”
“Maybe you’re not a good doctor.”
“Moi?Look down. I think I see something in the back.” She manipulated his head toward the lantern on the wall. Claude had more lanterns in his room than everyone else, and that extra glow made his circular window and its clockwork design even more exquisite from outside.
She grimaced at the shard tucked beneath his scalp. It was bigger than the others. When she touched it with her finger, he growled. “Maybe we should get Shepherd.”
“Just pull it out.”
“This will hurt. Please don’t be mad at me.” Gem gripped it with two fingers and, making sure she had a good hold, pulled it out in one motion.
Claude snarled like a wild animal. Then he dropped his head against her chest and began purring.
“I take it you got it all,” Niko said with amusement.
Claude lifted his head and regarded her for a moment. “Thank you, female.”
She dropped the shard into the bowl. “I just wish I could have done more to help tonight.”
“You weren’t sent to fight,” he said, holding her gaze. “That was our job. You lured him in, kept him calm—”
“And almost died from Chitah venom.”
Niko touched her shoulder. “He bit you?”
“Almost,” she repeated, turning to face him. “When he threw me down, I went into panic mode. I should have blasted him, but it happened so fast and I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just got a few scrapes and bruises—nothing serious.” She moped toward the door, wishing she could jump in a time machine and do things differently. “Do you need anything, Claude? I can bring food.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather just shower and go to bed.”
“Good night.”
They had all fought bravely. Why couldn’t she be more like Raven? Instead of chasing Ivar around the store, Raven had collected her thoughts and come up with a quick strategy. She was cool under pressure and never faltered. Gem had all this power, but she still buckled under pressure. Ivar was fast, and throwing energy balls at him might have killed someone.
