Page 10 of The Lone Cyborg (Cyborgs on Mars #10)

She nodded and wedged himself against his uninjured side, ignoring his muffled protest. His skin was so hot that it formed a fiery brand against her side but she ignored it as they staggered onwards, heading for the cavern.

The coppery tang of blood hung thick in the air as they continued the seemingly endless journey.

“Almost there,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.

He grunted, his breaths coming in harsh gasps that betrayed the pain he was enduring. His cybernetic arm brushed against her, the cold metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his blood, now painting them both, and the fiery heat of his skin.

They finally reached the cavern and he immediately slid down against the wall, the lichen surrounding him like a glowing aura as she crouched down next to him.

“What can I do?” she asked anxiously, and he gave her an oddly sweet smile.

“Nothing. I promise you I’ll be all right. Now that we’re not moving, my nanites will be able to work faster.”

He took the small torch from her and aimed it down the tunnel, his eyes closing in relief when it revealed nothing but emptiness.

“We seem to be in the clear. I haven’t heard any sounds of pursuit.

And even if they decided to enter the lava tube, I don’t think they could follow us down here.

Just as well,” he added with a rueful look at the gun holstered against his side.

It had been hit by gunfire and was no longer usable.

“Unfortunately my nanites can’t do anything to fix that. ”

“I’m not worried about your gun; I’m worried about your injuries. We need to do something about these wounds.” She chewed her bottom lip as she considered their options. “Maybe I can tear some fabric off my shirt and bind them. At least stop the bleeding.”

“I’ll be fine, Mattie. The nanites will seal the wounds. I’m already feeling better.”

He did look a little better, the color returning to his face now that they had stopped and he could rest, but she wasn’t convinced.

“Can the nanites heal you completely?” she asked worriedly.

“Yes, but it’ll take time. Until then, I’ll just have to avoid any further damage.”

She wanted to chide him for putting himself in danger, but she had been the one to insist on staying.

“And I think you’re running a fever.”

He smiled again.

“That’s because the nanites generate heat during the healing process. It means they’re working. Come here.”

“Are you sure I won’t hurt you?”

“I’m sure.” He sighed when she only gave him a worried look. “Does it bother you?”

“Seeing you like this? Of course it does.”

“I meant seeing what I am. Knowing that I’m not human.”

She scowled at him.

“That’s ridiculous. Of course you are. You’re no less of a person than I am.”

“Sometimes I don’t feel that way. Especially when I think of your life being in danger.”

The words came out in a rush, his voice rough with emotion. She didn’t think as she knelt down in front, placing a soft, reassuring kiss on his mouth.

“You saved my life,” she said, drawing back just enough to meet his gaze. “But I was already in love with you.”

He froze and for a moment she was afraid she’d said the wrong thing, then his expression softened, his eyes shining with something she couldn’t quite decipher.

“You love me?”

“It shocked me too,” she teased gently. “But I do. You took me completely by surprise—not because you’re a cyborg, but because you’re sweet, protective, and thoughtful. And it doesn’t matter that you’re not quite human.”

“It matters to me,” he said fiercely, and she swallowed hard at the intensity of his gaze. “I love you, Mattie, but I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

“I don’t. I could never regret you.”

Before she could say anything else, his mouth crashed down on hers and the taste of him sent a surge of heat racing through her. He groaned, pulling her down onto his lap, the evidence of his desire pressing against her thigh as he kissed her wildly.

She wanted more, needed more, but the heat of his skin against hers reminded her of his injuries and she pulled away.

“I think this is going to have to wait until you’re better.”

“I already feel a lot better,” he insisted, pressing her hand against his erection.

“Later,” she promised, climbing off his lap and settling down next to him.

He grumbled but pulled her against his side. He really did look better, she thought. Even the blood that had coated his wounded side seemed to have disappeared. Disappeared… She gasped and sat up.

“Look…” The lichen next to his body had turned the faintest shade of pink. “It’s… it’s absorbing your blood.”

He followed her gaze, then shrugged.

“Admittedly it’s an odd kind of bandage, but it seems to be working.”

He showed her one of the wounds on his arms and now that the blood had been cleared away, she could see that the bullet hole was almost completely closed.

“That’s amazing.”

“I told you I’d be fine. Now come back here.”

She obeyed, settling back down next to him with a sigh.

“I hope Sylvester is all right,” she said softly.

Everything had happened so quickly she couldn’t be sure, but she thought he’d taken off when the shooting began.

“I’m sure he’s fine. If they couldn’t shoot well enough to deal me a fatal blow, I doubt they could hit a tiny little bird,” he said reassuringly, but her thoughts snagged on his other words.

“F…fatal blow?”

“There are some things even the nanites can’t heal—like a direct shot to the heart or the brain. Neither of which happened, which makes it that much more likely that Sylvester is all right.”

“And Trojan?”

He sighed.

“I don’t know. About the only thing that will take down one of the horses is a massive electrical charge, although I don’t see how they got close enough to administer one. If they had to do it from a distance, there’s a good chance his condition is only temporary.”

He sounded as if he were trying to convince himself but she nodded.

“I’m sure you’re right and they’re both up there waiting for us.” The question was if anyone else was waiting for them. “Do… do you think whoever shot you has left?”

“I don’t know, especially since I don’t know why they were really here, but there’s very little we can do about it now.” He tugged her a little closer. “Why don ‘t you try and get some rest? There isn’t much we can do until I finish healing.”

“You’re the one who needs to rest,” she muttered, but she found herself yawning, worn out by the frantic escape and the effort of helping to support him as they made their way down to the cavern.

At least he was here with her and he was healing.

His body was still too warm but it no longer burned with the same heat as it had earlier, and the coppery scent of blood had faded, replaced by his familiar comforting scent.

Her eyes started to drift shut. The last thing she remembered was his deep voice promising to keep watch, just before she fell asleep.