Mrs.Chen hurried over to them.“Are you boys okay?Let me see—oh, you’re bleeding.”
“I’m fine,” Jasper said automatically, then winced when she poked his ribs.“Okay, maybe not fine.”
“Definitely not fine,” Mr.Robinson agreed, examining Cullen’s split lip.“You both need medical attention.Come on, my husband’s a healer.He can fix you up.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Jasper started.
“Nonsense.”Mrs.Chen was already herding them toward the door she’d come out of.“You think we’re going to let you walk around bleeding after saving you?What kind of neighbors would we be?”
“Why did you help us?”Cullen asked, sounding confused.“You don’t even know us.”
“We know enough.”The guy from the market picked up Jasper’s grocery bags.“You’re respectful, and you don’t cause problems.And you,” he said, nodding at Jasper, “made Mrs.Rivera feel safe enough to let her kids play outside again, and she’s not the only one.We like having you and your friends around here.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Jasper protested.
“You did.”Mrs.Chen patted his arm gently, careful of his injuries.“You don’t treat us like we’re dangerous just for existing.That matters.It makes this place feel a little safer, knowing someone like you is around.”
Jasper felt his throat tighten.He’d been so worried about whether the monster community would accept him, whether they’d see him as an outsider or a threat.He hadn’t considered that his presence might actually mean something to them.
“Besides,” Mr.Robinson added with a slight smile, “It’s good to remind the hunters that we look after our own.”
They were ushered into Mr.Robinson’s apartment above the bookstore, where his husband—a quiet man with gentle hands and soft-spoken words—immediately set to work on their injuries.Jasper was relieved when the pain in his ribs dulled to a manageable ache, but he knew that Archie would be pissed when he found out what had happened.
“Well,” Cullen said after a moment.“That was intense.”
“Yeah.”Jasper touched his ribs gingerly, still feeling the echo of pain even though the injury was healed.“Thanks for having my back.”
“Always.”Cullen bumped their shoulders together.“That’s what friends do.Even if it means getting our asses kicked by rogue hunters.”He paused and wrinkled his nose.“And monsters.”
Jasper laughed despite everything.“We didn’t get our asses kicked.We just...strategically retreated until reinforcements arrived.And that other time, it was the ground, not the monster.You did all of that by yourself.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?A strategic retreat?”
“That’s what we’re calling it.”
Japer was glad that Cullen was taking this well, but his mind was already on the phone call he had to make.He didn’t only have to tell Archie that he was hurt, but also that he suspected that the reason these hunters had confronted him now was what had happened at the warehouse.
This wasn’t going to be fun.
* * * *
ARCHIE WAS STARTINGto dread seeing Jasper’s name on his phone screen.It felt like every time Jasper texted or called him, he had bad news, and this time wasn’t any different.
“They didwhat?”he asked, already gathering his things from his desk.
He had Braith’s attention.His friend was watching him, a frown on his face, his body tense as if ready to act.Archie wished there was something Braith could do, but apparently, he would need to be with Jasper twenty-four seven to be able to protect him.He didn’t know if it was Jasper’s fault for having a knack for getting people to confront him or if someone out there was out to get Archie and give him a heart attack, but he’d had enough.
“We’re both fine,” Jasper reassured him.
“You were attacked by hunters, Jasper.You’re not fine.”
“A neighbor patched us up.I promise we’re okay.”
“I don’t care.I’m picking you and Cullen up and taking you to a safe house.”
“There’s no need for that.We’re home now, and the door’s locked.No one’s getting to us.”
“No one’s getting to you because you’re not staying at the apartment.Kester found you there.The hunters know where you live.That’s too many people wanting to hurt you, and I’m done with this.Until things calm down, I want you and Cullen to be safe.I won’t be able to focus on anything else otherwise, and I know you don’t want that.”That was a low blow, but Archie knew it would work.He was desperate to keep Jasper safe, and if this was what it took, he’d use it.He didn’t care if that meant he was being manipulative.As long as Jasper was okay, he’d do anything to ensure things stayed that way.
