Oddly, it didn’t upset Zach this time. Perhaps the weariness in Seth’s voice took some of the sting out, because Zach actually found himself feeling a bit sorry for him. “No,” he denied one last time. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t raise the new vampire army. And I didn’t restore Donald’s and Nelson’s memories.”
Seth rubbed his eyes. “I realize that now. I’m sorry I drove a dagger into your chest and led the Others to you.”
Ahhh, there it was: the anger and resentment over the months of suffering he had endured because of this man. Without turning his head, Zach drove his fist straight out to the side and slammed it into Seth’s jaw.
Head snapping sideways, Seth grunted as bone cracked.
Zach let a grim smile tilt his lips.
Seth laughed and spat blood. “Feel better?”
“A little.”
“Good.”
Zach studied him.
Seth’s broken jaw didn’t heal as swiftly as it should have, yet another indication that he desperately needed rest.
Zach heard Lisette roll over in bed, feel the sheets for him, then settle back into sleep.
Again he looked at Seth and mentally muttered every swear word he knew. Such continued for quite a while. Then he loosed a sigh of defeat. “What do you want me to do?” he asked with no enthusiasm whatsoever.
Seth spat blood again, then drew a bright white handkerchief from one pocket and dabbed at his lips and chin. “What do you mean?”
“You need sleep. You’re off your game. And, with this new threat, you need all of your wits about you to figure out who the hell you’re battling. David can hold down the fort here in North Carolina and in surrounding states. What do you need me to do elsewhere to free up some time for you to take your ass to bed and get your shit together?”
Seth stared at him as if Zach had suddenly sprouted a second head. “Seriously?”
“Yes. I can hunt with Lisette at night, then do whatever it is you need me to do during the day.”
“Well . . .” Seth’s brow furrowed as if he were trying to decide if this were a joke. “You could read the minds of the shape-shifters and their Seconds for me. Without them knowing you’re doing it and without harming them, that is.”
“No nosebleeds?”
“No nosebleeds.”
“Fine. What else?”
The utter disbelief in Seth’s gaze began to grate a little. “You could go back and read the minds of the telepaths and teleporters to ensure I didn’t miss anything. Their Seconds, too.”
“Done. Just get me a list of who and where. What else?”
“Help David?” Seth suggested, features uncertain. “He can’t stray too far from Ami so, if an emergency arises elsewhere—and one always does—”
“Give me your phone,” Zach interrupted and held out a hand.
Seth stared at him. “Let me read your thoughts.”
Zach arched a brow. “Let me read yours.”
Stalemate.
After a moment’s indecision, Seth handed over his phone.
He must really be exhausted. As in dangerously near collapse, something his Immortal Guardians would never dream could happen.
Zach pocketed the phone. “I’ll be you for the next two days.”
Seth frowned. “You don’t mean you’ll appear as me, do you?”
Zach snorted. “Like I want to look like you. Hell no.” He sent Seth a dark smile. “I’ll simply tell them I’m your long-lost cousin recently welcomed back into the fold.”
Seth smiled, the lines of fatigue beneath his eyes becoming deep creases. “Just be patient with them.”
“Would I be anything else?”
That prompted a laugh. “I think we both know you would.”
“Fine. No spankings if they misbehave.”
Seth shook his head. “Why would you do this for me after I let the Others torture you?”
“I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for Lisette,” Zach told him. “I nearly lost her, Seth. Those bastards nearly killed her. I’ll befriend whomever I fucking have to, to discover who set those dogs on her. I’ll do whatever I have to do to ensure they never come near her again. And”—he grimaced—“if spending the rest of eternity with her means I have to play nice with you and your precious immortals, then I’ll damned well play nice.”
“If the sun weren’t up”—Lisette spoke in her bedroom in the basement—“I would race up there and cover you with sloppy kisses.”
Both men grinned.
Zach hadn’t realized she had awoken. “Go to sleep, love.”
“Okay, but hurry back,” she urged sweetly.
Soon her breathing deepened.
Seth shook his head. “You really do love her.”