Page 110 of Given to the Black King

Torgan steps over him and comes to me.

His hands stop inches from my body. Claws fully extended. He cannot touch me safely yet.

“Where?”

“My ribs. Hair. A shallow cut.”

His gaze finds the line of blood at my throat.

A sound tears out of him.

“Not the bite,” I say quickly. “Not my pulse.”

He leans close and smells the cut without touching it.

His claws retract one at a time.

Then his hands close around my face.

“Look at me.”

“I am.”

“Are you hurt?”

“Bruised.”

“Afraid?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want me near you?”

“Yes.”

He gathers me against his chest.

The embrace is too tight. I hold on anyway.

Behind him, Vess binds the sergeant’s hands.

Ghenn looks at the three prisoners.

“Five paid men,” he says. “Two at the east gate, these three here. We have the men, the courier, and the signed order.”

“Alive?” I ask.

“Four.”

I look at Vess.

She shrugs. “One made a poor choice near the wall.”

Torgan lifts me.

“I can walk.”

“No.”