Darkness was crouched where Obsidian had been, the reason he found himself on the floor. The male growled, his eyes nearly black in color. “Don’t kill.”
His gaze shifted. Moon was crouched over Destiny, rubbing the throat of the male sprawled flat on his back with his legs writhing in agony. Obsidian slowly rose to his feet, ready to do battle, but realized he had no one to fight.
“Call Medical,” Moon yelled. “He’s breathing but in bad shape. Medical emergency!” His head whipped around to pin Obsidian with a grim look. “I think you missed crushing his windpipe but he’s having a hard time breathing.” He glanced down at the fallen male’s hand. “And you broke some of his fingers.” He looked back. “You really need to learn how to fight without trying to kill someone. You’re too damn new.” He glared at Darkness. “Great idea to let them fight it out. We’re lucky this one isn’t dead.”
Darkness shrugged as he straightened from his bowed position. “I stopped him before too much damage was done. I underestimated him since you implied he was still recovering. I’d say he’s at one hundred percent.” He frowned, approaching Obsidian. “You’re bleeding. Let me take a look at your head. You hit the coffee table. I thought you’d land on the couch, not bowl it over.”
* * * * *
Alli had just finished shoving the last of her clothes into a suitcase, only leaving out one outfit to wear in the morning, when someone pounded on the door. It surprised her that they didn’t ring the doorbell. The wood took a horrendous beating. The sound alarmed her enough that she sprinted into the living room to unlock door, throwing it open.
“Come with me,” Rusty panted, out of breath and sweating as if she’d run a long distance. An emergency medical kit backpack had been slung over one of her shoulders. “The new doctor isn’t here and Trisha can’t be found. She and Slade went for a walk but we don’t have time to track them.”
“What happened?” Alli stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind her. It was obvious that someone must have been hurt if they needed a doctor.
“A fight at the men’s dorm. A male is down. Hurry.”
Panic gripped Alli as she ran after the fleeing Species female, whose legs were longer. It sank in that she hadn’t put on shoes when she reached the road, the unforgiving surface bruising. Obsidian had gone to visit the dorm. Was he the one hurt?
Oh god! She ran faster, ignoring the pain. It had to be bad for the usually serene Rusty to be so distressed. “Who?” It was tough to sprint and talk at the same time.
The Species female didn’t even glance back and seemed to ignore the question. An engine roared from behind them, grew louder, and Alli slowed, turning her head. The sight of the quickly approaching Jeep was more than welcome. Book stomped on the brakes.
“Get in.”
Alli collapsed onto the passenger seat while Rusty climbed into the back. The male punched the gas, taking off fast enough to almost cause whiplash but she wasn’t about to criticize him for his driving. It had to be a pretty grim situation, the injuries severe.
“Who is hurt?” She needed to know if it was Obsidian, obsessing on the worst.
“Destiny,” Rusty panted. “He was in a fight and he is having difficulty breathing.”
“He was punched in the throat,” Book filled in. “He might have a crushed windpipe.” His features were emotionless but his voice came out unusually gruff. “I think it was a training exercise gone wrong. Hang on.”
Alli barely had time to grab the handhold grips on the dashboard and above her by the roll bar before he took the turn really fast, nearly tossing her out of her seat. She clung, letting the details sink in. A training accident. Not Obsidian. Thank god!
Her mind shut down as she went into professional mode. Years of training came into play. She glanced back at Rusty. “Open that backpack the second we reach him. You’re looking for the light blue bag. Rip it open and flatten it out to give me access. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Hold on,” Book warned again, locking up the brakes.
Pure adrenaline gave her the strength avoid smacking hard into the dash as the Jeep came to a violent stop in front of the dorm. Her hands hurt when she released the handholds and twisted, almost falling from the vehicle. Rusty just stood and jumped out, landing gracefully in front of her. Alli stayed hot on her ass as they ran, grabbing at one of the outside pockets of the backpack to snag a glove packet attached there.
Book stayed at their side. Someone from the building waited, the security doors held wide open to allow them faster entrance. The sight of Moon huddled over a male on the floor was the first and only thing she focused on.