Had it been any normal night, Eclipse would’ve quickly erased her memory of the event, walked her back to a populated area, and sent her on her way. But there was something in her ocean-blue gaze that held him there, captivated him. Not to mention, the bullet lodged in his shoulder had his vision dimming slightly.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice higher than before, her fear and concern evident.
Eclipse had to get back to the mansion before he couldn’t dematerialize. The pain bloomed hot and bright, his circuits going haywire.
“Go,” he snarled at the female. “Run far and fast.”
She nodded, even as she took a step to the side. Her gaze dropped to his shoulder once before she glanced down at the dead male on the ground. Her self-preservation finally kicked in as she began shifting away, putting distance between them.
Eclipse stared after her, not bothering to stop her retreat, still stunned by this overwhelming need for her. He lifted his fingertips to his lips, tasted her blood on his tongue. A fierce heat bloomed inside him but extinguished a second later, overcome by the pain in his shoulder.
He took a deep breath and set his mind to getting to safety.
PENELOPESATATTHEKITCHENISLAND,SHARINGthemorning meal with Obsidian and Magnar, Eclipse’sladeare, the only two who’d stuck around long enough to eat. Everyone else had scattered, likely seeking sleep or some peace and quiet.
“And then,” Magnar continued his story, “we were…” His gaze shot upward, looking over Penelope. “Whoa, man, you look like death warmed over.”
Penelope turned at Magnar’s words, surprised when she saw Eclipse stumbling into the room, blood covering his gray T-shirt.
Oh, God. He was injured, and based on his glazed eyes, he was in tremendous pain.
A gasp escaped her throat as she got to her feet, confused as to what to do to help him. A strange sense of urgency overcame her, and Penelope moved toward the injured man. She wasn’t a doctor, but surely she could assist somehow.
“Sit down,” she urged, nodding toward a barstool.
Magnar retrieved a chair from the breakfast nook, spun it around so Eclipse could drop into it. He didn’t.
Figuring he was weak from blood loss, Penelope stepped closer, wanting to offer assistance.
From behind her, Obsidian hissed, “Don’t touch him.”
Penelope frowned. “He’s injured.”
“I don’t care. You can’t… Don’t,ayreme.” Obsidian glared at Magnar. “Where’s Stygian?”
“He went out,” theladearetold him. “Said he had business to attend to.”
“Fuck.”
Penelope had no idea why Obsidian needed Stygian. His brother was injured. Surely he was capable of doing anything Stygian could.
“What happened?” she asked Eclipse, keeping her distance, ignoring her natural instinct to help him.
“Human. Shot me.” Eclipse peered down at his shoulder, but he seemed too weak to do anything about it.
“The bullet’s still in there?” Obsidian asked.
Eclipse nodded, his expression remorseful though Penelope had no idea why he’d be sorry. “Tried … to get it out. Too…”
Weak? Injured? In pain?She wasn’t sure what he’d meant to say, but he didn’t continue as he finally lowered himself into the chair, hissing.
“Do something,” Penelope ordered Obsidian even though she had no idea what he could do. “He’s been shot.”
“It’ll be fine,” Eclipse rumbled. “Bullets won’t kill me.”
Maybe not, but Penelope figured having one lodged in his shoulder wasn’t going to help him, either.
“We need to get the bullet out,” Magnar stated firmly, his gaze landing on Obsidian.
