“I can find us a place to stay.” Somewhere she could rest and recharge. Tomorrow, she would renew her hunt for Vale.

“Where can we go that Bane won’t find you?”

“I doubt he’ll look for me again.” His parting glare had promised untold anguish.

“Oh, he’ll look all right,” Zion said, his voice infused with satisfaction. He craved another battle, didn’t he?

Her tired mind couldn’t cobble together a clever response, so she pressed her index finger to his mouth, saying, “Shh. It’s quiet time now.”

Only days ago, this guy had terrified her. Now she had steel ovaries and shushed him?

Well, yeah. He was a good guy. He’d had plenty of opportunities to harm her, but never had. As for Bane, she didn’t know if he was good or bad or both. She still didn’t know what motivated him to chase after her.

At the bottom of the hill, Zion set her down. To help her stay upright, he anchored an arm around her waist. “I’m fighting two wars now,” he said. “One to save myself, and one to save you.”

“I’m not useless,” she spat, defensive. “I’m contributing to your success.”

“I never said you were useless.”

Hadn’t he, though? “Take me back to town, and I’ll find a doctor to stitch your wounds—”

“I don’t need a doctor,” he interjected. “I’ve already healed.”

Lucky! Had Bane healed? Where had he gone when they parted? Why hadn’t he tried to speak in her mind? Had she inadvertently blocked him again, or did he hate her even more than before?

Gah! Why did she care? “Let’s go shopping. We’ll get new clothes, toiletries, a cell phone for you and a charger for me. And tampons!”

“Tampons?” His dark brows drew together. “Some type of weapon? My translator is showing me a bloody—”

New heat spread over her cheeks. “Just take me shopping. Please.”

“Very well.” He portaled them to a dark alley between two warehouse-type buildings.

There were no signs to indicate where they were. A full moon glowed alongside a million stars, the jewelry of the sky. The scent of rotting food, urine and waste tainted a warm breeze, and she screwed up her nose in disgust.

Zion pressed the diamonds before ushering her out of an alley and into the warehouse on the right—a superstore. The shoppers were already frozen.

“I’ll give you five minutes,” Zion said. “No more.”

“What about security cameras?”

“I’ve interrupted their feed.” Strain created fine lines around his eyes and mouth.

Nola rushed down the aisles, tossing items into a cart. Later, she would tabulate the amount she owed, and mail the store a check. Oh! Pancake and maple syrup jelly beans. Gimme! Screw healthy living. She could have died today. Why not enjoy a treat now and then?