Page 78 of Huntress

Marley got Elsie settled into her bed, and Saint sat next to her, placing himself between her and her people.

“When did he get so overprotective of you?” Marley questioned. “And why are you allowing it?”

“He refused to speak to anyone while you were out cold. For three days, we didn’t know what happened. Franklin’s body wasn’t recovered until this morning. He knew about it and left him there to rot,” Trenton complained.

“Which means it was still there while he was rummaging around Franklin’s office to secure some of the evidence you presented to General Mordane,” Morgan added.

Elsie curled a lip. “That’s gross. The stench was bad enough when it happened, I can’t imagine what it would be like three days later. Go sit on your own bed.”

Saint crossed his arms and refused to move.

“That’s another thing! He gets to disobey orders whenever he feels like it? That’s irresponsible and dangerous. How are we supposed to trust you to keep him in line if he’s allowed to do whatever the hell he wants?” Marley demanded.

‘He’s not a soldier,’ she wanted to say, but Elsie pressed her lips together and stayed silent. Better to let them get it out of their systems.

“Nobody but Marley was allowed anywhere near you during those three days. We couldn’t check in or see how you were doing. He changed into his hound form and snarled at anyone looking in your direction,” Morgan reported.

“You’re obviously not thinking clearly where he’s concerned, and we all want to know why. We need a good reason to trust you, and a better reason to stay,” Trenton said.

“Requesting Perrie to disable his collar in the middle of a battle was out of line.” Morgan looked disgusted.

Marley’s hands and shoulders were shaking. “I can’t believe you went behind our backs and took it off him.”

“My decision to remove his collar saved our lives, and don’t you dare pretend otherwise.” She glared at Trenton. “You could barely stand, let alone fight anymore! I made a necessary call because that’s my fucking job. I will not have your fear of him place us in a position where my decisions are questioned in the middle of a battle. He offered to fight on our side, and if you’d gotten your way, we’d all be dead.

Saint acted on his own free will while I was incapacitated, helping the whole squad, though he didn’t have to and no one told him to. You’re right, he is dangerous. He’s capable of great and terrible things if he chooses,” Elsie agreed. Faint amusement came from his end of their bond, and she resisted the urge to shove him off the bed.

“And you’re okay with that? You won’t listen to reason, will you?” Marley asked.

“That collar made him a liability. Taking it off made him an asset. He’s powerful without it, and yes, it’s true that without it I’ve lost the ability to control him through pain, but I wasn’t using it anyway. He has proven himself in many ways, and I understand that you’re not willing to accept it. This demon you hate so much saved my life by taking a sword for me. He fought with us and protected the humans. I trust him.”

He glanced at her with almost as much surprise as her squad mates. After the conversation they’d had the day she collapsed, her admission wasn’t something he’d expected.

“All you have to decide is whether or not you still trust me. And I’m afraid that if I have to convince you, our relationship has degraded beyond saving. I’m not going to justify my decisions any further.”

“I trust your judgment,” Morgan said slowly, digesting his thoughts before speaking. “But I’m not sure I trust your ability to keep him in line should he choose to betray us.”

“That’s it?” Trenton asked. “That’s all you have to say?”

“What else do you expect me to say? Saint is not a dog meant to cower at my feet. He’s my companion, and he will remain so until I say otherwise,” Elsie said.

“Okay.” Morgan nodded his head slowly, his gaze turned inward. “I can accept that for now. I won’t pester you about it anymore, unless he does something that warrants it.”

“I appreciate that,” Elsie sighed.

“I’ll have to think about it,” Trenton said.

“Don’t think too long. We only have until we get on the tram, isn’t that right, Captain?” Marley bit out.

“Yes,” Elsie agreed. “We have a week off when we return to the compound. I’ll need to know ahead of time if I need to start recruiting and training anyone’s replacement.”

Trenton took a step back, eyes widening, and Marley huffed out a humorless laugh.

“And that’s it,” she scoffed. “Take a nap, Captain. Get some rest while your squad decides whether their future remains under your command.” She turned and swept out the door, Trenton right on her heels.

“We’ll probably get together and talk it through with everyone else,” Morgan said. “If it helps, I think most of us will be staying with you. Get some sleep.”

Saint stood and shut the door behind them, then took his boots off and went to his cot. “They’ll stay.”