“Because Talon could use a hand,” he repeated.
“I wonder what Talon would say?”
“He would tell you not to piss me off.”
Gallagher gave a half laugh at that. “All right then. I’ll take it under advisement.”
Akri turned so that he could watch his Simi. “You can camp with the Peltiers at Sanctuary. Right now, I better go and help her before one of those kids ends up on a milk carton.”
Simi snorted at his humor as she set Ben down and picked up an adorable little girl who wanted to dance with her while she sang.
Akri quickly took the girl away while the Dark-Hunter wandered off.
“What’s he doing here, akri?”
“His great-granddaughter is in the hospital, and he’s breaking rules again.”
Simi widened her eyes. “What?”
Akri sighed. “Her friend was attacked, and Jamie saved her. They’re about to meet even though I know they shouldn’t.” He brushed his hand through his long hair. “That’s the hardest part for the Dark-Hunters. So long as they have direct descendants still living, it haunts them. And it’s hard for them to resist the urge to check in on their family, even though it hurts them.”
“You’re not going to punish him?”
Akri shook his head. “You don’t understand human pain, Simkey. It’s horrible to lose what you love. I won’t hold it against him. He deserves to be able to say goodbye to her.”
That was why she loved her akri. His heart was one of the kindest she’d ever met. He always thought of others.
And she would keep an eye out for Mr. Gallagher because akri was right. No one should long for their family and not be able to talk to them. She couldn’t imagine anything worse.
Three days later
* * *
Leaving one of her favorite restaurants that had closed early, Simi was on her way to Sanctuary for their annual Christmas party when she saw Gallagher walking down Chartres.
Poor human. He looked terribly despondent. Kind of how she felt whenever she ate too much and there was still more good eats left that wouldn’t fit in her belly.
Kind of like now.
It was Christmas Eve and the last thing she wanted was to see someone so sad on what was supposed to be one of the bestest holidays.
Obviously, he needed a friend.
“Hel-lo!”
He paused at the sound of her voice. Turning around, he scowled as she approached him. “Hi.”
Simi bounced up to him. “What’cha doing out here all alone? Did you forget how to find Sanctuary?” Because he was headed in the opposite direction.
“No. I wanted to be alone for a bit.”
That was terribly sad. She cocked her head and frowned. “Why? Were the bears mean to you? Mama can get a bit cranky whenever I play with the cubs. She thinks I’m going to eat one, but bleh! They’re way too hairy. Now if she’d let me skin one first, the Simi might be interested.”
He laughed. “Are you joking?”
“Oh no. I never joke about hairy food. It’s disgusting.” She looked up at him. “If they weren’t mean to you then why did you leave when they have a party going on?”
“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t feel right being there.”
