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Abby was instantly by his side, squeezing him tight. It was hard seeing her like this, with her eyes red from crying. She’d suffered so much these last few days.

“We’ve come to take you to your sire,” he husked past the lump in this throat.

“Okay.” Abby twined her fingers with his as they left the lounge.

Aculus stopped before they reached the clinic, turned to Hope and gripped her shoulders.

“Your sire was severely injured when the incendiary struck. Before you see him, I wanted you to be prepared.”

Hope nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. She tried to speak but no words came out.

“But he’s alive?” Abby asked, her voice wavering.

“He is alive, but just barely. If he is to survive, we will need to take him back with us.”

“Oh God.” Hope’s hand flew to her mouth.

“I will do everything I can, and will bring him back here once he’s healed,” Aculus reassured Hope as he wrapped her in his arms.

“I’m sorry.” Ashtoret gripped Abby tight against him.

“We need to find Mom,” Abby sobbed. “She has to know what’s going on.”

“We will get her. You all can come back with us. I wouldn’t think of separating you,” the bony warrior promised.

“Thank you,” Hope whispered.

They stepped into the clinic and the females were instantly at their sire’s side, peering into the capsule.

“Oh, Dad,” Abby cried as horror transformed her face.

“He-he looks…” Hope’s chin trembled.

“He’s in stasis,” Cartil assured the females.

“How can you fix this? His leg is gone. His face is…” Abby wailed. The mournful sound was crushing.

“His injuries are extensive, but we have the ability to fix this.”

“We need to leave soon if Brennan is to survive. What do you want to do about Vintor and the cloaking array?” Aculus asked him quietly as the females hovered by their sire.

Ashtoret closed his eyes, the reminder adding to the burden he already felt.

“I’ll lead one team to set up the array, then pick up Abby’s mother at first light,” he bit out.

I’m sorry, Vintor. The thought of leaving his friend behind was indescribable.

“No, I’ll head up one team and Terentius will lead the other. You need to stay here with your bonded. We’ll leave immediately,” Payim insisted.

“Agreed,” Thunder gestured.

“Vintor is not entirely lost, my friend. I will be returning again.” Aculus gripped his shoulder.

Ashtoret watched his bonded hug the capsule as devastation sent tremors through her body. He wanted to console her but couldn’t bring himself to approach. It felt like a lie, when he was to blame for putting her and her family at risk from the moment he landed on Earth. And this time Abby nearly died.