Because I had one more thing to do. Leaving the infirmary, I made the long walk through the dining hall, past the quarters for married couples, and up a long hall. I saw the hunter's lounge, but kept going, surprised to see a bright light shining through an open door at the far end.
And someone was standing in that doorway. When I got closer, I recognized the man. I'd seen him enough to know even his silhouette. That was Gideon, and his presence did not bode well for this meeting.
"Mr. Kobrick," I said when I reached the door.
"Come in, Tobias." He stepped back to reveal Mr. Saunders, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Morgan. "Took you long enough."
"There were a few injured hunters who needed care more urgently," I explained.
Which made Mr. Peterson thrust a hand at me. "Like I said, gentleman. Mr. Warren not only got most of the team back, but he's also had an excellent record with his own squad."
"I'm fine with this," Mr. Morgan said.
But Mr. Saunders was clearly judging me. His eyes raked across me as if hoping to find something on me to answer an unspoken question. I stood there, as straight as my aching body would allow.
Then, "Mr. Warren, I thought you were a stupid man."
"I'm a large man," I replied. "I'm a strong man. I don't know that many would call me a smart man, but I do well enough."
"And your wife?"
I smiled, unable to stop it, so I just went with it. "She's a very good wife. Doesn't complain."
"But you let her continue to heal?" he asked. "I heard she's been healing the women too."
"Well, that makes sense, doesn't it?" I asked, looking at Gideon, then Mr. Peterson. "If she practices her stitches on the wives, then she'll be more experienced when she uses a needle on me." I looked at Mr. Morgan next, then finally at Mr. Saunders. "Is that a stupid thing?"
"Actually," Mr. Saunders said, "it's rather smart."
"Oh." I hummed as if pleased. "Good."
"And because you have been so intelligent lately, Mr. Warren," Mr. Saunders told me, "I'm promoting you to team lead. It seems we're in need of one. I'll have Mr. Kobrick assign your squads, and you can have the night to celebrate. Hopefully, we can get a son from your wife. Ideally, one as large as you."
I didn't know why he was talking about my future children, and I wasn't dumb enough to ask so simply said, "That's the hope, sir."
Then Gideon held his hand out toward the door, making it clear it was time for me to leave. I nodded at the men before me and turned, but when I left the room, Gideon came with me. For the first few steps, he said nothing. Not until we were far enough from that still-open door.
Then, "You'll be heading back out tomorrow."
"In mere hours?"
"Not today," he clarified. "Tomorrow. You get a whole day with your wife, so make the most of it." And then he chuckled. "Seems you got your wish, Tobias. The code for the door is 2-0-6-3. Do not share that withanyone.Mr. Peterson will brief you on your mission when your team leaves. And congratulations on your promotion. Enjoy it while it lasts." Then he spun, marching right back the way we'd just come.
But that, even more than what he'd said, made me feel like this promotion was some kind of threat.
Eighty-Two
Callah
When the infirmary was empty, I stayed to help clean. Mrs. Worthington tried to send me home, but I assured her it wasn't necessary. Either my husband would wake me, or I'd be able to sleep in tomorrow. Either way, she needed help, and in her condition, she shouldnotbe doing this all on her own.
I still returned to an empty suite. Hoping he'd be allowed to see me, I busied myself with straightening our things, but there was no use. Days of being alone had our home as tidy as it could be. The shelves had been stocked, the dishes had been organized, and even our clothes were all freshened.
Just as I debated starting on the room I used for healing - because I refused to even think of it as the nursery - the door finally opened. I turned, braced for the worst, only to see my husband drag himself home, finally.
"Are you okay?" I begged, rushing to check him over.
He was clean now, in a new set of hunter's clothing, and his hair was damp from the showers. He also smelled good, but I couldn't figure out why. I still wanted to wrap my arms around his chest and shove my face into him.
