The sniper was probably aiming for Hazel’s heart since the bullet is embedded in my left shoulder due to our height difference.
Seiji moves behind me without a word, steadying me so I can lean on him. Angel reaches for me, his eyes shining with a thousand apologies. I take his hand and squeeze, silently telling him I’m okay.
Hazel rushes back with a medicine kit packed with bandages, tweezers, and even syringes.
When I see Hazel hesitate to touch me, I grab the scalpel and make a shallow cut over the bullet wound, then ask Angel to hold it. Everyone is gaping at me, but ignore the looks and get to work.
I ask Hazel for the tweezers. She gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind, but she does what I say.
Biting my lip, I dig the tweezers into the cut and clamparound the bullet. I take a fortifying breath, then pull the bullet out quickly.
They probably think I’m insane, but I’ve been treating my own injuries since I was nine. Our bodies heal fast, and it hurts like hell when wounds can’t close because something is blocking the path. It’s worse if they close and you have to rip yourself open again.
We’re standing outside in the dark, and I’m covered in blood. Hazel wouldn’t have seen the bullet anyway, let alone pull it out. I had to take matters into my own hands. No way I’m sitting in this torture until we get back to the hotel.
Since I’m already on damage control, I grab the scalpel from Angel again and slice over where the thorns are digging into me in my left thigh and shoulder, yanking them out one by one.
Dickvid. The Deviants. Failing as a team member.Maybeseeing Visha. Everything is catching up to me, and I feel like a ticking time bomb.
I grab the alcohol wipe, but my fingers are trembling so badly that I accidentally drop it.
“Let me.” Hazel’s voice is so soft, I think I’m hallucinating again. She uses my shock to her advantage and takes over, gently cleaning the blood and bandaging me.
The sound of someone retching has me turning to my left, and I find Seiji hunched over a bush, throwing up his lunch.
I didn’t even realize Angel had taken over Seiji’s place. He kisses my head and holds me close while Hazel works quickly. When she’s done, I pull away from Angel, even when everything inside me is begging me to stay in his arms.
I limp to the nearest wall and slide to the ground. I try to clean my hands on my dress, but it’s useless because the dress is soaked in blood.
Just like the old days.
I shift to get comfortable on the cold, hard ground, but freeze when strong arms wrap around my hips, drawing me back into a firm chest.
I know it’s my mate. My body knows his touch, scent, even the rhythm of his breathing.
Angel shifts me gently, settling me against his chest, my head resting over his heart. The steady beat calms me, slowly easing the tension from my shoulders.
It’s terrifying how one touch from him can make me feel safe in a place surrounded by ghosts from my past.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” He kisses the side of my head and buries his face in my neck. I melt into him without resistance.
“You’re right.” He mumbles. “It was awfully ignorant of me to forget that our coordination comes from years of practice. You fit in with us so effortlessly, I forgot everything is still new to you.”
A smile at that.Effortlessly.
“I tried to link you,” he continues, “but you were suppressing your Divine. I couldn’t reach you. You never told me you could do that, Nevaeh. I didn’t even know it was possible.”
Shit. I totally forgot about that. That explains why he was shouting instead of linking.
“I’m sorry you felt so overwhelmed. I hate that my mistake hurt you.”
I want to tell him it’s not all his fault, but he doesn’t give me a chance. “Maybe when we’re back at the kingdom, we can train together. You can learn our methods, and we’ll learn yours. What do you think, sweetheart?” I’m nodding before he even finishes.
Angel gently grips my chin and turns my face to his. “I owe you everything for what you did for Hazel. But don’t you dare sacrifice yourself like that again.” The fear in his eyes guts me. I hate being the reason behind it.
“It wasn’t a big deal, Angel.”
“Shut up and stop underestimating yourself. You were brilliant. The way you move? So elegant, baby. I had to keep reminding myself we were in the middle of something, and I couldn’t just run over to kiss you silly. And I’m stealing some ofyour moves, especially the one where you broke his ankle and twisted his neck. Epic sweetheart.”
