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The comm clicked off and he sighed in relief until he again focused on the giant beak embedded in his shoulder, attached to the pair of distrusting black eyes.

Break me!he groaned.

“Okay, let’s see.” With one arm still wrapped around the crested male’s neck to steady him, Nadzia gingerly examined his shoulder.

The instant her fingers touched him, his shell receded and the Xerocle’s beak tore free of his quick. Aculus clenched his jaw tighter, repressing the pained shout bubbling up in his throat.

“Shit, shit, shit.” Nadzia blanched seeing the blood pour from his wound.

She whipped off her shirt and was about to press it to his shoulder but his shell slid back into place.

“I don’t know what to do.” She turned her worried gaze up to meet his.

“My shell will help,” he whispered, unwilling to anger the Xerocle who eyed him suspiciously despite their calm façade.

“But it’s cracked and there’s a large hole.” Her chin quivered as she pressed her shirt to the spot where his blood oozed through the fissure.

“It’ll be fine. Do you think you can get the Xerocle to leave?”

“I can try.” Nadzia turned to the pair who’d been nudging her. “All right, Momma, you and your feathery boyfriend need to take off. As you can see, I’m okay.” She patted the pair of immense raptors. “Go while I distract them,” she said over her shoulder.

“You have to be joking.” He shook his head.

It didn’t matter what hold she seemed to have over the Xerocle, he couldn’t leave her here with beasts that could turn on her or inadvertently kill her.

“I don’t think they’ll leave till you do,” she insisted, frustrated with him.

The comm on his wrist pinged. He glanced at the message from Tellar and groaned. It was only a one-word code but it didn’t bode well.

“Umerus alerted the Conclave. They think we were ambushed by the assassins and the Paladin is prepared to move in,” he relayed, summing up what he assumed happened.

If the Conclave could only see they weren’t dealing with some enemy that could be reasoned with. All it would take is a sudden flurry of activity and the Xerocle would easily gut him or Nadzia. He never wanted surveillance in the private quarters until now.

“Then leave. Get your shoulder treated. I promise I’ll be okay. They sort of adopted me in the caves.”

His eyes widened at the totally unexpected comment. “I think we both have some things to discuss.”

“Yeah.” She grimaced sheepishly at him. “Now go.”

He quickly messaged Tellar to hold off the Paladin and meet him in the passage, then reluctantly backed away, watching Nadzia and the Xerocle the whole time. Just as he was about to slide the door shut, the crested male regurgitated a Gocke egg at Nadzia’s feet and the female Xerocle broke it open for her.

She wasn’t kidding about being adopted. They’re feeding her like a hatchling.He shook his head in utter disbelief and slid the door shut.How did I ever find this female?

He stood listening for trouble in total awe of Nadzia, when his patrem came barreling down the hidden passage followed by a handful of Sanctuary and Paladin guards.

“You’re injured!” Tellar barked the instant he saw him. “Who did this?!”

“Quiet!” he hissed at his patrem and the guards.

“You need attention.” Tellar tried to pull him away from the door. “Get in there,” Tellar directed the guards.

“No. Don’t.” He tugged free and blocked the door. “And I said quiet. If Nadzia gets hurt because of you…” He shook his head instead of finishing the sentence, because the thought was unbearable.

“Aculus, what is going on?” Tellar demanded, his voice low this time.

“They’re gone,” Nadzia shouted from inside.

He swiftly slid open the door, tugged her to him and sighed in relief.