Any characters
you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing
this for fun. This is rated PG-13 to be safe.
Thank you Maggie for editing this for me. Especially in the format it was
in. I appreciate your time and great work. And thanks for your help with the
title and other tidbits when I was stuck. As always thanks Luna for the use of
your character. She's a lot of fun.
Nathan
woke with a warm back curled up against his chest and a cool arm draped over
his waist. It was a weird sensation, kind of like being in a hot fudge sundae.
That thought made his stomach growl. If he could move, he'd check his watch to
see what time it was but neither body curled up next to him seemed to want to
give.
He
whispered in Luna's ear that he needed to get up. She mumbled something under
her breath but moved enough to where he could slide out from under the arm over
his waist and crawl down to the foot of the bed. He chuckled as Luna rolled
into his vacated spot. His back and shoulders ached like crazy, as did most of
the rest of him. That was made even more apparent when he stood up. He actually
whimpered.
Finding
his watch on the night stand he could see that it was still early afternoon,
1500 hours. He found his clothes in the bathroom and after attending to some
things, got dressed and went in the search of food. All he succeeded in doing was getting lost… Again.
Frustrated
he sat down in one of the hallways and waited until somebody walked by. That
somebody happened to be Jason. The blond
wolf was dressed in a pair of faded jeans, no shirt and bare feet.
“You
got lost again. Didn't ya?” The wolf grinned.
“Yeah,”
he nodded.
“You
should have Asher draw you a map. You
could pick it up at the door every time you came over.” The
were started laughing. “Get you a GPS.” Now he was laughing harder. “A
hunter that needs a GPS… Priceless.”
Nathan
stood. At 6'3” he towered over the young wolf. “Are you finished katagari?”
Jason
looked up at him and choked back a giggle. “What are you doing out here anyway?”
“I’m
looking for something to eat. Is there a kitchen or something?”
“Sure.
Some of us have to eat.” Nathan sighed at the wolf’s explanation. The younger
man added. “Let me get you back to Asher's rooms. Then I'll have the kitchen
send you something.”
The
hunter nodded. “Thanks.”
“Sure.
I'll do it before I feed Jean Claude.” He grinned. “This way
Bwana.” The wolf turned to lead Nathan
down the hall. Nathan fought the urge to smack the wolf in the back of the
head.
Back
in Asher's rooms, Nathan waited for the two to wake up. He knew it wouldn't be
too much longer. Standing at the foot of the bed he watched them sleep. It was
such a contrast. He watched Luna's chest rise and fall as she slept peacefully
while Asher was so still. There was no movement to show that he was even a
living being. It was a different kind of peace and then he felt it, that first
hint of the end of nothingness… Life as Asher knew it. Nathan felt it as the vampire came alive for
the night.
Asher
rolled onto his back, his eyes searching the dim light of the room and finally
resting on his target. Asher held out a hand to Nathan, calling him with his
thoughts. Nathan responded, not so much because of the bond between them, but
because he actually wanted to. He knelt beside the bed. Asher pulled Nathan's
head down for a quick kiss before baring the man’s neck to feed.
While
Asher bathed and got ready for work at Guilty Pleasures, Nathan paced. After
about his third trip past the bed, Luna reached out and grabbed him.
“I'm
going to tie you down if you don't sit still.” The leopard growled. Nathan sat
down in the chair by the bed. “Now what's wrong with you?
“I'm
hungry. Jason was supposed to send food.” He stood, grabbed his phone and
keys.
“Where
are you going?” Luna asked.
“Out
to eat. Want to come along? Or at least show me the way out.” He asked the
girl.
Asher
came out of the bathroom telling him, “You can order something from the club.”
There
was a knock on the door and Nathan grinned. “Food, finally.”
He
went to open the door and was greeted by Jason who was pushing a cart with
covered plates on it. There was a six pack of Pepsi and two glasses of ice.
Nathan moved back so that the blond could push the cart inside.
The
hunter nodded at the tardy pup. “Thanks Jason. I owe you.”
“Careful,
he may collect.” Jason feigned hurt at the cat’s remark.
The
vampire asked the newcomer, “Are you working tonight Jason?”
The
wolf nodded. “I wasn't supposed to, but Nate called
in sick.” Asher quirked a brow but Jason just shrugged.
Luna
explained. “He's been kind of sulking after Anita banned him from seeing
Nathan.”
Nathan,
who had been pulling covers off the plates, looked up. “Excuse me?”
The
woman sighed. “She thinks that you are the reason that Nathaniel is being so
rebellious. So as his Nimir Ra, Anita has refused to
let him see you.”
“That's
not fair,” the hunter looked at Luna. “And you knew this?” She shrugged at him
so he scowled, “He's not a child.”
The
vampire shook his head. “No, but he is her leopard.”
“And a member of her Tri.
Anyway, I need to go.” Jason told them leaving the room.
The
girl turned back to the two men as the door closed. “This may backfire on her.
Nathaniel won't forget it.”
Asher
agreed. “Non and I suspect the cat will find a way to
bend the rules. I will see the two of you at the club later.”
Luna
and Nathan sat quietly eating after Asher left. The kitchen had sent a nice
variety, steak, fries, chicken, two kinds of rolls, and chocolate cake for
desert.
Nathan
finally asked, “Did you ever have that feeling like there was something you
were supposed to remember but you can't? Like it's right there on the edge?”
“Yeah,
I've had those.” She reached over and snagged a fry.
“Hey!”
“Yours
taste better.” She grinned. He rolled his eyes and she told him, “You should
eat and not think.”
“I
think I'll go back to my place and shower,” he sighed.
“Aren't
you going to the club?”
He
nodded. “After a hot shower and some clean clothes.
Can you give me a ride?”
“I
thought you got your car back,” the leopard questioned.
“I
did, but I had to bring Jean Claude's back. So could you give me a ride?
Please,” He begged.
“Fine.”
He
kissed her cheek breathing in her scent. It triggered something almost feral in
him. “You smell so good.” He slid his arms around her waist, “Maybe the shower
can wait.”
“Don't
make me shoot you.” She growled as he slid his hands up the back of her shirt, “Nathan.”
“Princess.” She pushed him back and he stared at her a
minute before sighing. “Oh yeah, Asher isn't here. I understand now. He walked
toward the door.
The
cat was confused. “Where are you going?”
He
turned to look at her his face blank. “Home. I'll get
someone to show me out of the Circus.”
“Good
luck with that.” She mumbled.
“One
way or the other,” he added almost absently.
He
walked out the door closing it behind him. One of the vampires showed him out
of the club, where he called a cab on his cell phone. The driver kept glancing
at him in the rear view mirror. Nathan laughed to himself. The guy probably
thought he was a vampire or shifter. When he got out of the cab, he paid the
fare and gave the guy a good tip. The house was dark, which meant that Roan was
with Kendra. Nathan was happy for his friends. The relationship was going well.
He checked the garage to make sure the car was there. It was. Then he went
upstairs to shower.
Standing
in the pulsing hot water, he thought of all the things that had happened since
he had been sent to
Nathan
woke to someone shaking him. He looked up into Roan’s face. “What the hell do
you want wolf?”
His
shifter roommate grinned. “Just making sure you were alive… So
to speak.”
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“I
figured you'd be at the Circus,” the katagari added.
The
hunter shook his head. “Well you figured wrong. Now go away and let me sleep.”
“What
the hell is wrong with you?”
Nathan
looked at the clock on the nightstand. It read, 1400. “I just want to sleep.” He
rolled over, putting his back to Roan. “Go away.”
“You'd
better call Luna. She's left several messages. She sounded worried.” His
roommate explained.
“Just
leave me alone. Like Ash said, I need to stay away from all of them.”
“What
happened,” Roan asked.
“I
woke up.”
Nathan
stayed away from the District, concentrating on work and the truce, which was
getting shakier. He was at the station
talking on the phone to one of the listeners, when Mist popped in. Nathan
finished his call and cued up the news and ads before facing the goddess. She
was in some sort of shimmering gold fabric, her hair down around her face
falling softly over her shoulders. His heart always sped up when she was near just
like any man’s would.
She
asked him, “You wanted a favor from me?” He frowned so she continued, “About
the Master?”
The
hunter nodded. “Jean Claude wishes to feel the sun again, said he would put
himself in your debt.”
“You
have made amends?”
He
shrugged. “For what it's worth. If you'll do this, I
will be in your debt because after this, I'm going to ask Ash to wipe my
memory.”
She
stared at him, shocked. “What of all of the friends you have made?”
“I
haven't been down there in almost three weeks. Must not be that important to
them.” He muttered.
She
shook her head. “You are wrong.” He shrugged as she added, “You would know this
if you would only drop your shields.”
“I'm
not a vampire. I'm not a shifter. I have no shields to drop. Will you grant me the favor?”
“Yes,
if you will grant me one. Do not allow Acheron to wipe your memories. You need
them.” She offered.
“We'll
talk later. I need to get back to work,” He told her turning back to the
console to see how much time he had.
“I
will contact the Master.”
“Thank
you,” he murmured as she disappeared.
The
rest of the night and the drive home proved uneventful. It was what happened
when he got home that floored him, literally. He walked in from the garage into
the kitchen and threw his keys on the counter. He liked the early morning
quiet. If he could he'd be sitting by a body of water somewhere just listening
to nature, maybe an overnight camping trip. Not likely.
He
walked into the living room and was tackled to the ground, the wind rushing out
of his lungs at the force of the fall. He looked up into two very angry
lavender eyes. Nathan tried to roll but Nathaniel held him in place. Nathan had
never seen the leopard so pissed off. The younger man was always quiet and
submissive.
“What
the hell is wrong with you? Get off of me!” The hunter growled.
The
cat shook his head. “No! Not until you tell me why you hurt Asher.”
“What
are you talking about? I haven't done anything to Asher, except leave him alone
and that's the best thing I can do. Now
get off me before I hurt you.”
“You
don't know what hurt is.” In one fluid motion the shifter stood and turned
toward the door.
Nathan
kicked out, hitting Nathaniel's legs knocking the young man down. Standing the
hunter reached down and pulled the cat up, pushing him into the wall.
The
hunter's hand was suddenly at Nathaniel's throat. “I know all too well what
hurt is. You should share my dreams. You ever try this bull shit again, and I
will personally show you how to hurt.” He backed off adding, “Do you understand
me?”
“I
understand. You've abandoned us. Just like everyone else we trusted.”
“Yeah
that's right. Get used to it or don't. You aren't my concern anymore.” The
hunter told him. The leopard stared at the man. “Get out.”
Nathaniel
stepped around Nathan and headed for the door.
Before he opened it, the cat turned and tossed something on the floor.
Then he was gone. Nathan walked over to where the object lay. It was the key he
had made for them. He laid the key on the bar and went upstairs.
What
was he going to do about Asher? He hadn't thought that staying away would hurt
the vampire. He had others to feed from. Nathan just didn't like being used and
that's what it felt like. He would call Asher. 'And what?
Apologize?' he thought.
Nathan
sighed. “Why didn't I listen to Ash? I am so stupid.”
“Akri say that too,” Simi agreed. She shimmered in by the
window dressed in a barely there leather miniskirt and a red baby doll tee. Her
horns were red as well. Black thigh high boots completed the look. “He also say you strong hot head and don't think.”
“You
mean headstrong and hot headed. Nice outfit.”
“You
like?” She twirled.
He
nodded. “Very nice. Now why are you here? What does
the all powerful want?”
The
charonte demon scoffed. “Akri
not all powerful... Pretty close though.”
“Enough Sim. What's up?”
“The sky.” Nathan sighed at her reply. “That joke
hunter. You no fun.”
“I'm
tired Simi.”
She
walked over and sat down beside him on the bed. “You hurting.”
“No,
I'm not.”
“Oh
yes. You hurt here.” She laid her hand on his chest, over his heart.
“I'm
fine.” He assured her then stood. “Now what is it?”
The
charonte demon huffed before answering. “Akri say you need to talk to Irish. Trouble
boiling.”
“Brewing.”
She
nodded. “Yes that too. Akri say to
patrol soon.”
Nathan
sighed. “Wonderful.”
Simi’s
looked confused. “Not wonderful. Bad.”
“Okay,
you're giving me a headache. Tell Ash I'll talk to Irish. Is that all?”
“Yes.”
She stood and kissed his cheek. “For the hurt.”
“Thanks
Sim.” She disappeared as he muttered, “Daimons,
great.”
He
lay down and closed his eyes. He was hurting but it was for the best. Yeah he'd
just keep telling himself that. He tried to sleep, but there were so many
strange images floating through his mind that it proved impossible. He got up, went
downstairs and watched television. It
was like that all week.
By
Sunday morning he was running on empty. He had decided that he was going to
talk to Irish. He went to Dead Druids early, around seven. He knew that the
crowd wouldn't get heavy until around eight. When he walked in he saw that
Diane was tending bar. She was dressed in a green tee with the bar’s logo on it
and black jeans. Her hair was pulled back in a loose braid. She looked up from
wiping down the bar, saw him and smiled. The smile turned into a frown when he
got closer. She could tell he was on the verge of exhaustion just by the way he
carried himself. He sat down on a stool at the end of the bar.
Diane
made him a sunrise and brought it over. “Where have you been keeping yourself Mon
Ami?”
“Working, trying to keep busy. You look great
She
shook her head. “That would be most of the staff. Could you narrow it down a
bit?”
“I
need to talk to Conor.” He saw Diane look over his shoulder. Nathan turned on
the stool to find another bartender. He remembered the guy from New Years Eve,
Liam.
“Now
why would you be needin' to
see Conor?” The newcomer asked.
“I
have a message from the boss,” the hunter tersely explained.
“I'll
give it to him.” The bartender offered. Nathan shook his head. The man
shrugged. “Then I guess it's not that important.”
Nathan
frowned at the man. “I didn't come here looking for trouble. I just want to
talk to Conor.”
“I'll
buzz him, Liam.” Diane offered.
Her
coworker shook his head. “No you won't. He'll tell me or no one.”
Diane
noticed two of the club’s bouncers headed their way. She hit the buzzer under
the till. Nathan stayed seated. When the bouncers arrived they took up stations
behind Liam. Nathan sized the men up. Both were shorter than he was but had
more weight. He knew he was in no shape to take them on.
The
darker haired of the pair looked at the hunter. “He doesn't look like much.”
His
companion looked from Nathan to Liam. “You want us to throw him out boss?”
“You
get a promotion Liam?” Conor asked. The three men turned toward the end of the
bar where the door to the back stairs was located. “Patrick must have forgotten
to mention it.”
The
man shrugged. “I'm sorry Conor. I just don't think he should be here.”
Irish
shrugged. “Patrick needs to see you upstairs and you two go do something
useful.” The bouncers scattered as the older man left through the stairway
door.
Conor
walked over and sat down on a stool beside Nathan. “What's so important?”
“I
had a visit from Simi. Ash says that
we'll be patrolling again soon.” His ex-roommate explained.
“And
you what... wanted to make amends. See if I would still patrol?”
Nathan
sighed. “Look I don't have anything to make amends for. I've told you that the
Princess...”
“Luna.
Her name is Luna.” Conor bit out.
“There
isn't anything between us.”
Irish
shook his head. “You're lying.”
“We
share some kind of freaking bond with Asher and that's it.” The hunter added, “I
wish it was more.”
The
man stared at him. “At least that was the truth.”
“I
am too tired to deal with this.” He threw some money on the bar. “Bon Soir
Nathan
walked out of the club and toward his car.
Conor
stopped him before he got in. “I'm sorry Nathan. This thing with Luna has me
nuts. It's not your fault.”
The
hunter shrugged. “Maybe a bit, but all that aside, we
need you.”
“I'll
be there.” He offered his hand and Nathan took it. “It'll be good to hunt
again.”
“Yeah.” He opened the car door. “You should talk to her.”
The
Irish man shook his head. “I never should have seen her.” Nathan shrugged as
the man added, “Love's a bitch.”
“And
then you die,” he responded to which they both laughed.
Conor
nodded. “Yeah that's the truth. You working tonight?”
He
shook his head. “No. I've got a couple of nights off.”
“Good
because your aura is faint. You need to rest.”
“The
Skoti won't let me. I need to get going. Thanks for seeing me.” Nathan nodding as he
got into the car.
“You're
welcome here anytime,” the other man added before he shut the car door.
“Thanks,”
the hunter offered his comrade a wane smile.
Nathan
started up the Viper and pulled out of the lot. Conor watched him go.
His
brother joined him asking, “You guys friends again?”
The
older man shrugged. “Never were enemies really. You know how it is with Luna.
Even you still feel her pull… and throw Asher into the mix.”
He
nodded. “Yeah, I understand. If it hadn't been for that damn
wolf.”
Conor
shook his head. “If I hadn't been so damn hotheaded, but it's all in the past.
Come on, let's get something to eat.” The two disappeared inside.
Nathan
pulled into the employees’ lot behind the Circus of the Damned and killed the
engine and lights. He sat there in the dark wondering if being there was a good
idea. Would Asher even see him? It wasn't the vampire’s fault. It was Nathan
who had walked away. He sat there for another ten minutes before getting out of
the Viper and walking across the lot to the employee entrance. He knew there
would be a security guard there. He knocked loudly then stood back. The door
opened slightly as one of the vamps peeked out.
“Would
you tell Asher that Nathan is here,” the hunter asked.
“He
knows you're here, said to bring you down.” The vampire opened the door wider. “Follow
me.”
The
maze of halls was beginning to seem familiar to Nathan. He wasn't sure if that
was a good thing or not. When they
reached Asher's rooms, the vamp left. Taking a deep breath and letting it out
slowly, Nathan opened the door to the front room and walked in. Asher was
sitting behind his desk. It was like the beginning again. He sat down in the
chair in front of the desk.
“How
may I help you?” The master vampire didn't look up from his papers. He was
angry.
Nathan
cleared his throat. “I came to apologize.” Still Asher didn't look at him. “Alright,
I guess this was a mistake.” He stood to go. “Je ne voulaispaste blesser.*
I am sorry.”
Nathan
left closing the door quietly behind him. The same vamp that had showed him to
Asher's rooms was there to show him out as well. He sat in his car for some
time wondering if he had done the right thing.
Pulling
out of the parking lot he wondered if there was a bar open somewhere. Then he
remembered the liquor cabinet at home. It was time to get stinking drunk and
forget what damned planet he lived on.
That's
how Roan and Kendra found him. Nathan was lying on the couch watching Fuse, an
empty bottle of rum and a half empty bottle of Tequila on the floor beside
him.
Kendra
looked from the bottles to him. “Nathan, you drank all that? Alone?”
He
looked up at her. His dark eyes rimmed red. “You see anyone else here?”
“The
meeting with Asher went that well eh?” His roommate asked.
“Ash
was right. I should have never gotten involved.” He grabbed the bottle of
tequila and stood, swaying slightly. He kissed Kendra on the cheek and went upstairs.
Roan
shook his head. “I knew he was in deep but damn.”
Kendra
sighed. “Maybe your boss should wipe his memory.”
The were frowned. “Acheron is not my boss. I'm not a Dark Hunter.”
She
grinned. “I know. You're the big bad wolf.” He slid his arms around her waist. “My big bad wolf.”
“Yes,
I am.” He kissed her. “How about dinner and a movie and then
back to your place?”
“Sounds
like a plan.” She glanced at the stairs. “You think he'll be okay?”
“I'm
not his babysitter.” Roan turned off the television and the lights before he and
Kendra left.
Nathan
was shaken awake. That was happening a lot lately although this was very
violent shaking. He pried open his eyes enough to see who it was and suddenly
had the urge to puke. He pushed her out of the way and made a run for the bathroom.
She followed him. She actually held his hair out of the way while he relieved
himself of everything that was in his stomach. When he was just dry heaving and
nothing else would come up, he sat with his back against the wall staring at
her.
She
handed him a wet cloth just before she drew her browning and pointing it at
him. “Better now?”
He
wiped his face before nodding. “How did you get in here?”
Anita
shrugged. “Does it really matter? Jean
Claude is not in his office. He hasn't answered my calls. No one seems to have
seen him.”
“And
you thought I had him?” He closed his eyes. His head was pounding.
“You
were second on my list but the most plausible.”
“I
have no idea where the mayor is.” A flash in his head told him different… Skotos. “Aw frack.”
“What,”
the cop asked suspiciously.
“Nothing. You going to hold
that gun on me all night?”
“Do
you know what could happen with him gone? The council could move on the city, tear
apart everything he's achieved.” Blake sounded really worried.
“Can't
Asher take over?”
She
sighed. “He's too busy pining over you.” He grabbed his head. “You aren't going
to throw up again are you?” The hunter shook his head and regretted it. The cop
nodded. “Good. Get dressed, you're coming with me.”
“Where
and why?”
“To the Circus. You'll stay there until Jean Claude is
returned because no matter what you say I still think you have something to do
with it. Now move.” She growled.
Nathan
stood slowly. His stomach lurched but he bit down the bile and walked out of
the bathroom, across the hall to his bedroom.
He pulled on a pair of jeans and a red tee shirt. The shoes proved to be
the problem. Every time he bent over to put the boots on he got dizzy. It took
three times for him to get them on and laced up, the whole time with the
browning trained on him. Nathan stuffed his wallet into his right back pocket
and his cell phone into his back left pocket. He put on his watch and then
started out the door with Anita at his back. Merle was downstairs…. Backup.
Outside the three got into Anita's jeep. Merle drove so that Anita could sit in
the back, gun trained on Nathan.
The
drive to the Circus was tense and quiet but not as tense as when they arrived.
They had just stepped out of the jeep when a bolt hole opened up and four
Daimons stepped out. The truce had been broken.
Instinctively
both Merle and Nathan stepped in front of Anita. This did not make the minute
“Hold
it right there!” She had the browning pointed at them. Merle was growling.
“You
need to get inside,” Nathan warned her.
“You
know these people,” the cat with them asked.
“They're
not people,” the hunter replied.
One
of the daimons turned to him. “Ouch. You wound us hunter.”
“Who
the hell are you,” Anita demanded.
“Don't
talk to them,” the hunter warned.
The
cop huffed at that. “Don't tell me what to do.”
This
caused the daimons to laugh.
The
chatty daimon grinned at the cop. “Oh I like her. I really do. So will the
boss.”
“Merle,
get her inside. Her soul is too valuable,” Nathan ground out.
Another
daimon stepped up. “They won't make it and you know it.”
The
man grinned. “Sure they will. You have to go through me.”
“I
don't see any back up,” the first daimon commented.
“I
don't need no stinkin'
backup. Lamnia!” The daggers appeared in the hunter’s hands. “Merle.”
Anita
turned to the hunter. “How'd you do that?”
“Nimir Ra, it's time to go.” Her leopard guard told her.
She
shook her head. “No! What the hell is going on Elliott?”
He
turned to her, his eyes glowing.
“Go.
Now!” the hunter hissed.
Merle
picked Anita up and carried her toward the door of the Circus, kicking and
screaming...at Merle and Nathan. One of the daimons started after them. Nathan
threw one of the knives, hitting it in the back. The dagger fell to the ground
in a cloud of dust.
“See?”
The hunter grinned at the leader. “Come get some.” With a flick of his wrist,
the dagger was back in his hand. “I need the work out. Let's party.”
The
remaining daimons circled him. It was hard to keep them in sight. He was still
shaky from the night before. One of them would lunge then back up just as
quickly out of reach. He heard the
employee’s door open. He hoped it wasn't Blake. That would be bad. Then he
heard giggling. Risking a glance, he saw Dr. Rhodes and another female, a
redhead.
One
of the daimons chose that time to attack.
Nathan's legs were swiped from beneath him. He fell and rolled out of
the way. He yelled for the two women to get back inside. He caught a kick in
the ribs, and rolled again. Bile was building in his throat. The kicks kept
coming and he kept rolling. He brought one of the daggers up in a slicing
motion catching one of his attackers in the thigh. The daimon howled. Nathan
came up on his knees bringing the dagger into the man’s groin. He doubled over
and Nathan used the daimons body to pull himself up, before ramming the dagger
into the daimon’s chest.
He
looked over toward the door to make sure the women were back inside. He didn't
see them but he didn't get a chance to look closely, he was too busy fighting
the remaining two. He was pounding on one when the other took off. Nathan used
a round house kick to bring his dancing partner down and drove his dagger home,
before heading after the last one. He heard a scream.
Sprinting
toward the front of the building, he found the daimon confronting Dr. Rhodes
and the other woman. The doctor had caught the guy with a couple of stars but
not in the vulnerable spot needed. Nathan tried to close in on the guy before
he saw him but one of the women looked his way and before he had a chance, the
daimon whirled coming at him with a mean looking gold dagger that caught the
hunter in the chest between ribs. Nathan
went to his knees, the daimon poised for the killing blow. Nathan waited for
the blade to come down, but it never did. Instead he was showered in dust as
the daimon flew apart. He looked up to see Noah and beside him Merle.
Noah
looked down at him. “When Merle told me what was happening, I knew I had to
help.”
“Thank
you,” the hunter managed to get out.
The
leopard shrugged. “You'd do the same for me.”
Nathan
nodded then fell back onto the pavement.
“Let's
get him inside,” Merle told the other leopard.
The
two cats pulled Nathan to his feet. Holding him up between them, they started
for the back of the building. Nathan could hear Luna calming her friends. He
was sure he'd get blamed but he was okay with that. Both women were alive and
thanks to Noah, so was he.
***************
*Translation:
“I never meant to hurt you.”