“I do not appreciate threats, Mr. Blue.”
Using his most insulting tone, Blue said, “I don’t make threats, Mr. Star. I make promises.”
“Bomb,” Solo suddenly shouted. “Two minutes.”
Blue leapt into action, moving to Solo’s side and tugging him outside. They were at the gate by the time detonation occurred, but it was still a strong enough blast to knock them off their feet.
Blue was thrown into one of the fake trees, hitting with so much force he knocked the entire thing to the ground. A sharp sting in his side made him look down. A piece of metal protruded from his stomach.
Blood and his Arcadian power were hemorrhaging from him, draining him fast. He used what he could to lumber to his feet and check on Solo. The agent’s cheek was badly cut, and crimson smeared the lower half of his face, but he was steady, unwavering.
“We need to leave before the authorities arrive,” Solo said, even as sirens echoed in the background. “Or before Star sends more men.”
Their car was in pieces, so they hoofed it deeper into the trees. Then, two yards before they reached the road, a group of Star’s men stepped from behind the trunks, surrounding them—aiming pyre-guns.
Evie squeezed the trigger.
Turned, aimed through the scope. Squeezed the trigger.
Turned, aimed through the scope. Squeezed the trigger.
Every time the
If she looked, she would cry. That spike . . .
If she ran, she would give the enemy time to reach him.
The remaining men fired at the agents. Bright yellow lights erupted. Pretty. Like a display of fireworks. Blue and Solo managed to dodge, but Blue lost his footing and fell. He landed with a hard thump, the spike sinking deeper. He grimaced—and stayed down.
Dang it. She’d looked. And she was already crying.
With a roar, Solo collided with one of the males, and the two thudded to the ground.
His body expanded several inches. His skin took on a crimson glow. Spikes grew from the tips of his ears, and claws sprouted from his nails. Just then, he was a monster feared by other monsters, and yet the guards didn’t run screaming.
As she picked off another of Star’s men, she wondered if they were all under compulsion to stay and destroy. That would explain a lot. And it was possible. Star employed many different alien races, including Arcadians.
She peered through her scope, but the men were now being careful to remain in a state of constant motion. She could still hit a target, but it would take more time.
Another went down. Only five more to go.
Solo disarmed one with his claws. A hand went flying—without an arm. Blood sprayed.
Four more to go.
Blue got to his feet, wavered. “Evangeline,” he shouted. “Your three.”
Understanding, she swept her gun to the right. A male had gotten down on one knee to aim a grenade launcher in her direction. She nailed him between the eyes, but it was too late. The rocket had been released. She fell to the ground, hands over her head to act as a small measure of protection. Only, the blast never came.
Brow furrowed, she straightened and scanned her surroundings. Blue had caught the fist-size missile with his power. As she watched, he sent the thing high in the sky. There was an explosion of fire and smoke. Blue collapsed, spent.
Solo moved to his side and stood sentry, daring the three remaining men to approach. Evie steadied her rifle.
Draping the weapon over her shoulder, she ran. Finally ran, screaming, “Blue! Just hang on. I’ll patch you up, I swear I will.”
When she reached his side, she dropped to her knees. His skin was pale. His lips were a scary light blue, doing justice to his name.
He offered her a weak smile—there was blood on his teeth. “Saved me . . . you, warrior princess . . . me, soldier in distress . . . storybook . . .” The rambling stopped as his head lolled to the side—and he died.
“Michael!” Evie shouted. “Help!”
Heart thundering in her chest, she rushed down the hall, clearing the way for Solo, who held an unconscious Blue in his arms. She managed to revive him on the drive over, but he crashed three more times. If she didn’t get him stabilized, she was going to lose him for good.
Vika appeared in a doorway and gasped when she saw the bloody trio.
“In here,” Evie said to Solo, barreling into her bedroom. They’d called Michael during the drive and told him to meet them at a safe house she used for medical emergencies. “Put him on the bed, and be gentle.”
The steel pipe lodged between the slabs of muscle in his stomach had sunk so deep it now poked out the other side.
The moment he was settled, she leapt into action, gathering the supplies she would need. She might not be prepared to deal with massive burns, but this . . . this she could handle.
Michael raced into the room.
“You’re going to assist me,” she said, her voice calm despite her raging emotions. “The rod has to come out, but I can’t remove it and stop the bleeding at the same time.”
“I’ve done triage,” her father replied. “I can do this. I won’t let you down.”
In the bathroom, she scrubbed up as best she could. She was trembling, and that wasn’t good. She could do more damage to him . . . to Blue . . . her Blue.
Blue would come out of this. No other outcome was acceptable.
Blue cracked open eyelids that felt as dry and rough as sandpaper. A strange beep sounded in his ears. Wherever he was, the lights were dimmed. His side ached.
“Hey,” a soft voice said.
Evie.
The beeping quickened.
It had to be monitoring his heart rate, because the muscle careened out of control at the first indication that she was nearby.
She came into view, leaning over him, his own personal angel. Long, dark hair fell over her shoulder, curling at the end. Those big, brown eyes that dominated her face were filled with worry and relief. The heart-shaped lips he loved to kiss were . . . slightly blue? Why? Then his gaze snagged on the angry mark marring her pale skin, and he could focus on nothing else.
“Your poor cheek, baby,” he said, reaching up. The tendons in his shoulder protested painfully, and he grimaced, but that didn’t stop him from running his fingers across the wide bruise. “What happened?”
“You were in another explosion,” Evie said. “A piece of metal tubing perforated your side, but we got it out. You lost a lot of blood, but don’t worry, we didn’t give you a transfusion. I remembered what you said.” She smoothed her hands over his forehead.
