“I need an injector. He’s coming to,” the figure ordered.
Hunter reached out and gripped the arm of the male as he pressed the injector against his neck. The figure held still for a moment before Hunter felt the cool metallic taste of the sedative. His arm fell limply to his side as darkness engulfed him once more.
“How is he?” Thunder asked.
“He’ll make it,” the healer said, turning away. “How? I don’t know. He had a fractured left arm, dislocated left shoulder, a concussion, three broken ribs, a punctured lung, several cracked vertebrae and that is just the beginning.”
“What about the other one?” Thunder asked, nodding to where another healer was working on Saber.
“They are trying to stabilize him,” the healer said with a shake of his head. “The break is bad but I think we can save his leg. It won’t ever be the same again, though.”
“Just keep them both alive,” Thunder said. “They are both good men and we’ve already lost enough.”
“I just wish the Alliance reports had been a little more detailed than a minor conflict was in progress,” the healer said wearily as he looked over the number of warriors that had been injured. “The entire council should be dismissed if you asked me.”
“After this, they just might be,” Thunder said with a grim smile.
Chapter 23
“Jesse!” Shana called out from the covered patio.
Jesse rose from the swing she had been sitting on under the large trees that provided shade during the day. She had taken to spending more time outside. She had not been able to sleep in her and Hunter’s bed since the night she had been told he was missing. Instead, she found peace out under the stars. It made her feel closer to him.
“I’m here,” Jesse answered.
Jesse moved reluctantly down the path leading back into the house. She didn’t want Shana to see that she had been crying again and knew her eyes were red from her tears. Straightening her shoulders, Jesse drew in a deep breath. Her footsteps faltered when she saw the man who initially told them that Hunter had gone missing step out onto the patio as well.
“Hunter?” Jesse asked fearfully.
“He’s alive,” Shana said with a tearful smile. “He is wounded but he is alive.”
“What about Saber?” Taylor asked, stepping out of the darkness. “Did they… did they find him too?”
“Yes,” the man replied. “He is in critical condition at this time. The healers are doing everything they can to save him.”
Taylor turned to Jesse. Her dark brown eyes widened and filled with tears. She let out a low cry when Jesse opened her arms. Jesse held her little sister in her arms, closing her eyes for a brief moment as relief overwhelmed her.
She opened her eyes and looked back at the man who was still standing behind Shana. Scout came out as well to hold his Amate. She cleared her throat so she could ask him the questions that was paramount to her.
“When can I see him? Where is he? Can I go to him?” Jesse asked.
“I have received permission from the council to have you transported to a warship that will take you to him,” the man replied. “It leaves within the hour.”
“Shana?” Jesse asked.
“Of course,” Shana responded immediately. “Scout and I will stay with Taylor and Jordan.”
“But… I want to go,” Taylor said, looking back and forth. “Someone needs to tell that old fuddy duddy that he better get well.”
“Taylor, I think Jesse is perfectly capable of telling Hunter he needs to get well,” Scout said dryly.
“I’m not talking about Hunter,” Taylor replied with a shake of her head. “I’m talking about Saber.”
“I’m afraid only Hunter’s Amate has permission to go,” the man interrupted.
“Give me five minutes,” Jesse told the man before turning to Taylor. “I need you to be here, Taylor. I’m worried about Jordan. She’ll fight if she has you here to look after.”
Jesse breathed a sigh of relief when Taylor nodded in agreement. It was true, she was desperately worried about Jordan who had become very withdrawn when she learned of Dagger’s death. She felt torn. She had always taken care of her sisters first but Hunter needed her now.
“Go,” Jordan’s soft voice echoed from the side door leading into the lower library. “I’ll be alright. Hunter needs you, Jesse. Your place is by his side now.”
“Thank you,” Jesse whispered.
“No thanks are needed,” Jordan replied. “You’ve given enough to us. It’s time to take a little for yourself. Come on, I’ll help you pack. You don’t have much time.”
Jesse nodded to the others before she hurried up the steps to Jordan. Weaving her arm through her younger sister’s, she realized that Jordan appeared much older than her eighteen years. She squeezed Jordan’s arm as they hurried up the stairs to her and Hunter’s bedroom.