Page 17 of Map of Pain

Luka shook his head vehemently, pen scratching across paper:‘Pathetic = wrong word. Resilient = correct word.’

He thinks pain makes him weak.Explain strength.

Nick stared at the words, confusion replacing some of the shame.“Can you take it away? All of it?”

Luka nodded, writing:‘For up to 12 hours sometimes.’

“What’s the catch? What do you want in return?”Nick’s suspicion returned.

‘Nothing. Gift freely given.’ Luka underlined “freely” twice.

Nick’s brow furrowed.“Nobody helps without wanting something.”

Something settled in Luka’s chest, a familiar calmthatcame when the right answer was obvious, as he wrote: ‘I want you to feel better.Thatis what I want.’

“Why? I tried to kill you.”The genuine confusion in Nick’s voice made something ache behind Luka’s ribs.

‘Good question. Still figuringthatout.’Luka paused,thenadded with deliberate care:‘You need sleep. Pain prevents sleep. Without sleep, you will die.’

Nick lowered his eyes. “Maybe that’s easier.”

Luka’s hands moved sharply:«No.»The fierceness of his own response surprised them both.

Don’t let him die.Protect him.

Luka took a moment to steady himself and wrote:‘If vitals stable after rest, you can leave. Go anywhere. No obligation.’

Nick searched his face, looking for deception.“You’dreallylet me go?”

Luka nodded, though his beast howled at the thought.Don’t let him leave.Keep him safe.He belongs with us.

Nick’s hands shook with exhaustion, dark circles beneath his eyes pronounced.Eventhe small muscles in his face twitched with fatigue. Speakingseemedto require monumental effort. Nickjuststared at Luka, weighing something impossible. “If I... if I let you help, you won’t hurt me while I’m unconscious?”

Luka wrote:‘I swear. You will be safe. I will guard you.‘

“Twelve hours?”

Luka nodded.

“AndthenI can leave if I want?”

Another nod.

“Okay. Okay, I’ll try it.”The wordsseemedto cost him everything.

Luka wrote:‘I will touch your forehead. Will be gentle.’

“Ok,” Nick whispered.

Luka’s cool palm touched Nick’s feverish skin. Relief flooded through the hunter’s system, his eyes widening in wonder before unconsciousness claimed him. His features softened in sleep, years of pain erased.

He fought the overwhelming urge to kiss his forehead, settling instead for gently brushing sweat-damp hair from Nick’s brow.

***

The ancient vending machine rattled,thenmade a disturbing grinding sound before spitting Luka’s cash back out. He pulled a credit card from his phone case and tried again.

Connection error. Please try different payment method.