Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
The doctor waved a hand in the air. “Of course. We have some burns, a couple of concussions. Nothing major.” He leaned his head to the side to look at Vero’s chest. “You get hit in the heart?”
“I did,” Vero said, the sound more of a grunt.
“You better heal that first,” Fizzlewick said helpfully.
Vero stared, his eyes flat. “No shit, Doc.” He sounded grumpier than a trapped bear.
“Don’t be so darn cranky.” Fizzlewick walked over to Paxton and looked him over. “I feel internal injuries riding the air along with healing cells.”
“I know, Doc,” Paxton said easily. “I’m sending healing cells to my spleen right now.”
“Spleens are more important than you think, kid.” Fizzlewick turned to check the twins. “Boy, that’s an impressive lump you have on your head,” he said, prodding the back of Liam’s cranium.
Liam slapped his hand away. “Yeah, my skull felt better before you poked it.”
Fizzlewick smiled. “You’re all being babies.” He looked at Hope and Lyrica. “Are you ladies all right?”
“We’re fine,” Lyrica answered for both of them, unable to move from her seat. Her sopping dress was heavy now that the ice had melted, and her ears still rang from the explosion.
“Well,” Fizzlewick said. “I can feel the healing cells, so everything’s going smoothly.”
Vero looked at Jonathan. “You armed?”
“Of course,” Jonathan said. “I’ve got two guns. I had no clue if speed dating was going to be dangerous or not, so I loaded for bear, as they say. Of course, we only had enhanced females and no bear shifters there. It’d be fun to meet a bear shifter.”
Vero’s chin lowered in a purely intimidating move. “Good. I want you to cover the front of this place until we’re all healthy enough to move.”
Jonathan nodded solemnly. “That’s all right, but Thaddeus and Ranton are already out there.”
Paxton cut a look at Vero. “Are they trustworthy?”
“Affirmative,” Vero said. “They’re the two I ordered to cover the building in the first place. They must have gone to help people when they heard the explosion.”
The tone of his voice hinted that he’d speak with those two about that later. Hopefully not with a punch to the face, but Lyrica wouldn’t bet against that.
Vero focused back on Jonathan. “Then take a soldier or two and search the entire east wing of the lodge for more explosives. My gut feeling is that they would’ve already blown, but sweep the bedrooms anyway.”
“Yes, sir.” Jonathan ran back outside.
“All right. We need to regroup,” Paxton said. “We have to rebuild so there’s no sign of an attack—the coming Cyst can’t know we’re vulnerable. Also, first thing in the morning, Hope, Collin, and Liam will move to Realm territory.”
Hope’s head jerked and her eyes burned a wild blue. “Not in a million years.”
Paxton looked at her and his smile was slow. Not slow and sweet. Slow and deadly.
A shiver wandered down Lyrica’s spine, and she edged her chair closer to Vero.
Paxton reached out and tugged on a piece of Hope’s hair. “That’s nonnegotiable, my sweet mate. You can check on my dog when you’re home and then bring him back with you. I miss him. Until I figure out who all is trying to kill me, or kill you, you’re going to visit your family.”
Hope’s chin lifted. “You are my family.”
Paxton’s gaze softened in a way Lyrica never would’ve imagined from the leader. “I know, baby. Which is exactly why you’re going. It’s nonnegotiable.”
Vero sat up, losing the lazy look. “Family. Speaking of whom…where the hell is Hunter?”
Chapter Ten
The first light of dawn emerged through jagged peaks, revealing the aftermath of last night’s vicious storm. The mountains stood sharp and dark, their edges brutal against the bruised sky, where heavy clouds still hung. White tipped the peaks and spread down the mountains to the flowing Yukon River. Even with a storm having cleansed the area, the stench of burned wood and destroyed flesh filled the morning.
Vero had searched through the night, but with the smell of the fire clogging the air, he couldn’t catch his friend’s scent. Now he stood in front of the lodge noting the damage. They’d built it in less than a week, so they’d probably be able to rebuild that side in a few days. Well, if they had supplies.
The whir of a helicopter filled the air and he paused, stiffening as he saw Silas land in the helicopter area closer to the edge of camp.
Liam and Collin jogged up, both bruised and moving slowly, their green eyes determined. “All of the buildings have been searched, and we just ran the length of the forest to the south. Found nothing,” Liam said. At least Vero thought he was Liam.
The other one nodded. “Liam climbed several trees. My left leg is still healing.”
So, Vero had guessed correctly. Good. Liam had a gash above his right eye, distinguishing them. For now, anyway. Vero pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay.” He glanced uneasily at the icy river that flowed too smoothly. “We may have to dive.”