16. Xin
Xin
Whimpers seep from Zara when I pick up speed, and I curse myself for every jostle that hurts her.
“We’ll be there soon baby, just hold on. I’ve got you.”
She doesn’t say anything, but part of me is sure she heard me. Or am I just hoping she has? And taking comfort in that feeling?
I fight the urge of turning around to make sure that the culprit is coming with us. Zara is the priority, and I can’t sway from that mission. I need to trust that my brothers have my back and won’t let me down.
The lights from the reindeer ranch shine like a beacon on the horizon and hope blooms that I'm almost there. I grunt, willing myself to move faster. Or so I meant to. Instead, an animalistic roar rips from within me, and pierces the air. It’s clear my other half is closer to the surface than I realised, and I need to keep him at bay or risk harming my mate.
Please not now. Yes, she needs us, but she needs us to carry her. Help me keep it together long enough to get her help.
My pep talk to, well myself, must have worked, because my mind calms and my focus shifts to the building getting closer.
Two figures speed past. A couple of my brothers have shifted so they can race ahead.
No doubt to alert everyone of the storm coming their way. I look down at Zara. My one and only.
We’re almost there.
As soon as I cross the threshold, the warmth hits me and I'm glad. I don’t know how long she’s been lying on the cold floor, knocked out, and I need her to warm up pronto.
“Where is she?” Santa’s tired voice calls from somewhere inside the house.
A little guilt hits me when I see how drained he is. He’s been through a lot since I’ve gotten here. Healing Zara, breaking up fights. Using his powers to knock me out so I didn’t wreck the ranch and potentially kill a brother.
Although thinking about it, I don’t know if I can actually kill one of us. That is something I’ll need to ask, because when the tempers are flared, they fly really high. Right now isn’t the time, though. I have another priority and my guilt needs to take second place too.
Just as I'm about to head into the living room, I decide against it, remembering the carnage from earlier. Nope, I need to take her somewhere clean and spacious so that there is space to work. So I turn down the corridor and head for the stairs shouting behind me;
“I’m taking her up to our room!”
As I enter our space, I hear the patter of multiple people clattering up the stairs after us. I don’t bother getting annoyed because I know that they are all concerned. I bypass the sofa and head straight into the sleeping area, before carefully placing her on the made bed.
She doesn’t make a sound, and though I don't want her to feel any, my heart hurts when realising she’s no longer reacting to the pain.
My hand cups her right cheek and heat radiates from it, making me look closer.
Deep, dark bruises are appearing on her beautiful dark skin.
Her upper lip is swollen and there is a gash on her chin.
I take a deep breath to keep my rage at bay. Then lean down to place a soft kiss on her forehead.
He will pay for this, I vow to her as Santa enters the room.
“Clear a path you big lumps. I need to get through,” he grumbles, and I scoff at the irritation in his voice.
I turn as a woman I’m yet to officially be introduced to appears at his side. Eve. But I don’t give a crap who she is. As long as she is here to help Zara, she is welcome.
“She hasn’t made a sound since I got her back. Not even to show her pain like she did when I first picked her up,” I say, the worry evident in my voice.
I stare back at them but everyone has their eyes glued to my battered and bruised woman. With a nod Santa reaches both his hands forward, clasps and stretches them making loud popping sounds in the silence.
He turns to the woman next to him, “Come with me my dear. The rest of you clear out. We don’t need distractions.”
No one attempts to leave. It’s as though they are all glued in place. To be honest, I am too. He looks up at us and gestures for me and the others to leave. I don’t know about them, but me? I’m not going anywhere.. No way, no how, and I say just that.
“I am not leaving her. Look what happened the last time I did.” I fold my arms in defiance and stare him down. He doesn’t argue, and simply nods, before turning to the others to usher them out.
“We’d like to stay close. We need to know if she is ok.” Rudy’s quiet voice shocks me.
He’s standing at the back of the group with guilt all over his face. I almost feel bad for him. Almost..
The others murmur in agreement and Santa sighs. “Ok, but you all can’t stand in the doorway. Sit in the living room or something. Who is watching your captive?”
I stand up straight at his question. Panic strikes at the thought of him escaping before I can get my hands on him.
“Dan is with him. He isn’t going anywhere, don't worry,” Dash says to me as if he read my mind.
I nod my thanks and turn back to Zara.
A sharp clap makes me jump a little and I look at the tiny women, confused.
“Right, you guys are wasting time. You need to get out of here now,” she says, shooing all of the guys out of the room and closing the door behind them.
They were right. Gods help Rudy.