“The—the east end of town.” At that, pain lanced his temples and he gasped. Feeling dizzy, he sat in one of the guest chairs. “He ordered me not to tell you, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch those poor people get murdered—oh, God.”

Another blade seared his brain and the room spun. He barely registered Nick calling his name as he slumped to the floor, on his back. The commander’s worried face appeared above his and he fought to make him understand.

“He . . .” A third spear of white-hot agony. Liquid ran from his nose. Blood. “Help them, Nick . . . Ahhh!”

The fourth time was too much. Writhing, he screamed as his brain was torn apart, molecule by molecule. In the distance, he heard Nick yelling.

And then there was nothing.

Mac was debating the wisdom of going to find Kalen, maybe breaking the ice, when a commotion exploded in the lobby of the infirmary.

“Get me some fuckin’ help!”

Nick. Immediately she dropped the clipboard containing Sariel’s chart and ran. In the hallway she almost collided with Melina, and the other woman took the lead. When they rounded the corner, her heart almost stopped.

Nick was moving toward them fast, Noah on his heels. But Mac’s attention was focused on Kalen, limp in Nick’s arms, head tilted back, eyes closed. Her mate’s face was covered in blood. Christ, it had even run into his hair.

“First trauma room,” Melina barked, gesturing them in. “What happened?”

“He collapsed in my office.” Nick carefully laid his burden on the gurney and stepped back. “He was giving me some information about Malik, and this happened.”

“You think the Unseelie is responsible?” Melina asked. Grabbing a penlight, she pried open a lid and shone it into one eye. Noah began taking their patient’s blood pressure as Nick answered.

“Yeah. I know he is, but how is the question.”

Mac spoke up, unable to hide the tremor in her voice. “My guess is he’s using their bond to control Kalen. By trying to pass along information that would help you, he crossed the line.”

“And now he’s paying,” Nick said grimly. “When I get my hands on that fucking demon, I’m going to kill him.”

“You’ll have to stand in line,” Mac told him.

Noah piped up. “BP’s normal, pulse is steady.”

“Pupils are reacting normally as well,” Melina put in, visibly relieved. “That’s a good sign—though I’ll feel better when he regains consciousness.”

Suddenly Mac’s throat burned with the effort it took not to cry. Her mate looked so vulnerable lying there, struck down by an unseen force. It must have taken a great well of inner strength to go against the leader of the Unseelie.

Fetching a sterile cloth, she cleaned Kalen’s face. She noted he’d bled some from his ears and cleaned those as best as she could, too. His hair would have to wait until he could shower.

“He’ll be all right,” Melina soothed. She turned to Noah. “Let’s move him to a room and keep him monitored until he wakes up.”

Mac jumped to help the nurse and together they rolled his gurney into a private room. Noah assisted her in undressing him, stripping him down to his briefs. As they got him into a gown, she tried not to stare at her lover’s perfect, lean body. But thinking of what he was going through sobered her quick enough.

As she stroked Kalen’s hair, Noah slipped from the room. For several minutes she simply stood by him, painfully aware that she could’ve lost him. For the whim of an evil bastard, he could be dead right now. And she never would’ve been able to make up with her . . . mate.

“My mate,” she whispered, tracing the line of his jaw. His lips.

She had a mate.

And if Kalen would give her another chance, she’d start being a real one to him.

Nine

Sprawled in one of the infirmary’s uncomfortable vinyl chairs, Mac made a mental note to hit up Melina to order better ones. Not that her request would lead anywhere. The other doc was so tight with their budget she could make it squeal for mercy.

A small movement from the bed interrupted her musings and she sat up, scooting closer to Kalen’s side. There was rapid twitching behind his eyelids and he moaned, started to thrash a little, maybe facing down an enemy in his nightmares.

“Kalen?” She touched his arm, watchful of any sudden moves. Patients who’d been through bad experiences could be violent upon waking—and she had extra reason to be cautious. “Hey, come back to me.”

“M-Mac?” Licking his lips, he blinked slowly, trying to focus on her face.

She had to smile. “That’s the first time you’ve ever called me by my nickname.”

“Tired.”

“I know, honey.” She cupped his face, unable to get close enough. “You gave us quite a scare.”

“What happened?”

“You don’t remember? Nick says you collapsed in his office. You were telling him about the attack Malik planned on a small town outside Cody.”

For a few seconds, he seemed to slowly process this, baffled, as though she wasn’t speaking his language. Then a look of horror bloomed on his face as he tried to sit up. “God, the attack! How long have I been here? Has it happened already? Where’s—”

“Slow down,” she said, pushing him back gently, attempting to calm him. “You’ve been unconscious for about four hours. Nick sent a couple of the guys ahead to scout the area you told him about, but don’t worry. They’re going in quiet, looking to see where Malik and his Sluagh are before they bring in the rest of the team.”

“I’m going with them,” he said firmly.

“As one of your doctors, I strongly advise against any rigorous activity until tomorrow, at least. That includes battling the ugly Unseelie minions.”

“Doc, I’m not asking. I’m telling you I’m getting out of this bed and leaving.” With that, he sat up and began yanking at his IV.

“Stop!” She swatted his hand away. “You’re going to hurt yourself. Let me get Melina and we’ll discuss your options.”

“No. I’m outta here. You can remove the IV or I’ll rip it out. Your choice.”

“Wait a second,” she entreated. Waving a hand to encompass the room, she tried a different argument. “This is what Malik is capable of doing to you for telling his secrets. How bad will it be if you actually show up and fight against him?”

His jaw clenched. “I’m not going to sit here and hide like a coward while the rest of the team is facing him and his junkyard dogs, getting hurt or worse.”

“But what if he takes you over again and you fight against your friends instead of with them? What then?”

Nick would have to kill him. They both knew it and that knowledge hung in the air between them.

“Then I’ll get what I have coming,” he said, his expression grim. Determined. “But I like to think I’m stronger than Malik. That I can beat him.”

“Can he hear you now?” The possibility made her nervous as hell.

Kalen paused, then shook his head. “He’s not tuned in to me at the moment. I’m guessing he’s busy with his plans.”

“You think he knows exactly what you told Nick?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure. I do know that my bond with Malik physically punishes me for going against him. Whether he’s aware when it happens is something I suppose I’ll find out.”

And not in a pleasant way. “Please, stay here,” she begged. “We can’t lose you.”

Falling silent for a long moment, he studied her, an odd look on his face. “You said we.”

“We, the team.” Her heart pounded furiously against her sternum. “That’s all I meant.”

“Suddenly you care? I don’t know why.” He looked away, green eyes bleak. “I claimed you without asking you first. I’m a piece of shit who’s brought you and everyone else nothing but trouble.”

“That is not true,” she hissed. “Yes, I was pissed. But I realized that I was too hard on you. I should’ve listened when you tried to explain.”