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Chapter 17

Dallin staggered offthe shuttle as soon as they docked on the Apocalypse. Sloane’s arm was wrapped around him in a tight embrace, and they were supporting each other. Brutus was wedged beside him, helping to keep him upright and off his broken leg.

Cleo and Angel raced over to meet them, closely followed by Hunter and Rexx.

Cleo stared at the growling grimlin as she approached. “What have you brought us?”

“This is my new pet. Brutus, meet the crew.” Sloane’s smile was strained as she readily fell into Angel’s arms. “He helped us defeat the Siblet.”

Angel pursed her lips. “Grab a seat, you two. I’ve got the antidote right here.”

Dallin dropped to the floor, and Sloane stumbled over to join him, leaning against him, her breathing sounding tight.

“Almost done,” she whispered, her hand finding his.

He nodded, his head a constant ache and his pulse racing. His body wanted to give up the fight, and it was only Sloane’s presence beside him that kept him going.

“Dallin first,” Sloane said. “He’s worse than me.”

“You both get your antidote at the same time.” Angel handed Cleo a syringe.

Dallin closed his eyes and waited as the antidote flooded through him.

“It’ll take a few hours before you feel the full effects.” Angel ran a scanner over them. “But the worst is over.”

“Hey! You didn’t die!” Striker strode over, a smile on his tired looking face. Wren was beside him, looking happy but also exhausted.

“Not yet,” Dallin muttered.

“Not for a long time,” Sloane whispered. “We have unfinished business.”

He turned his head to her and pressed a clumsy kiss to her lips.

Angel grinned and glanced up at Cleo and the others. “Now, this is getting interesting.”

Dallin caught Sloane’s face in his hand, not caring who was watching them. “Sorry for being such a huge jerk. I promise, no more secrets, and no more lying. I’ll be honest with you about everything.”

The tears that sprung into her eyes had his heart thudding. “You are a big jerk, but I still love you. I’ll never stop loving you.”

“I don’t deserve it.”

“You do. You’ve been too hard on yourself for such a long time. You need looking after, and I plan to do that.” Sloane gently kissed his cheek. “And just so we’re clear, I’ll not be mothering you. I have a very different care package in mind.”

Angel chuckled. “How about we get you on your feet, get you checked over, and then on bed rest for the next twenty-four hours? Then we can talk about aftercare.”

“How long until we feel better?” Dallin accepted Striker’s outstretched hand as he kept hold of Sloane.

“We felt the effects after an hour,” Striker said. “And once our healing ability figured out what was going on, it gave us a healing boost.”

“And the humans?” His gaze cut to Wren, whose pretty face was weary.

“I’m still not feeling amazing, but I’m recovering,” Wren said. “You’ll be fine, Sloane.”

“Does an Apexian healing exchange help?” Dallin said as they slowly left the docking bay, assisted by Striker, Rexx, Hunter, and Cleo.

“No energy exchanges.” Angel remained alongside them as they walked. “Everyone needs to heal. If I hear of any Apexians ignoring my orders, they will be in trouble. I know you all want to keep your mates safe, but if you make yourself ill by doing that, I’ll be mad.”

“And a mad Angel is a scary one,” Wren said. “Everyone is recovering, thanks to you and Sloane figuring out what the Siblet were using.”