I’d twisted in my seat, causing him to fumble with the bandages and swear. “Where’s Ember?” I’d asked, looking around the room. I was still groggy, light-headed and confused. I hadn’t known where we were, what had happened or why Jade was back. I’d needed answers, but first I needed to see Ember again.

“Asleep,” Riley had answered. The rogue leader had stood above me with an unreadable expression on his face. “These past few days, the only times she left your room were to use the bathroom, and when I forced her to eat something,” he’d gone on. “You’re not going to wake her up now, St. George. She needs all the sleep she can get before we leave tomorrow.”

“Leave?” I’d furrowed my brow. “Where are you going?”

He’d frowned back, and I could tell he was kicking himself for saying that, but Jade had pulled up another chair and sat down beside me, her expression somber.

“We think Talon is planning something,” she’d said, and proceeded to explain everything that had happened from the time I’d been shot. She’d spoken slowly, answering any questions that I had, and when Wes was finished rebandaging my wound, I’d been almost clearheaded again.

“I’m coming with you,” I’d told Riley. He’d snorted.

“Figured that’s what you would say, St. George,” he’d growled, and waved a hand. “Your funeral, of course. I certainly can’t stop you if you want to come along, but you’re going to have to keep up. That won’t be a problem, will it?”

I’d risen smoothly and felt my back twinge, but it had been forgettable. I’d endured far worse, though I knew I shouldn’t be this recovered. I’d seen soldiers shot in battle many, many times. I knew that one did not get up and walk around a little more than a week after the injury I had sustained. But I was not going to stay behind, not when Ember was rushing straight into danger, again.

“No,” I’d told the rogue, who’d nodded briskly as if he’d expected it. “No problem at all.”

* * *

Ember’s mouth fell open. She stared at me in shock, her eyes huge as they scanned my face. She blinked once, as if making sure I wasn’t an illusion, and then reached for me. I shivered as her fingers curled lightly around my arm.

“Garret.” Her voice was breathless but worried. “How...?” She shook her head. “You shouldn’t be up,” she whispered. “You were shot just over a week ago. And not just in the leg or the arm—you nearly died.”