Aimee nodded. "We think they went into a bolt-hole."
"That could be tricky."
Dev shifted his weight to his right leg as he leveled an irritated smirk at Aimee. "I still say we should hand it over to the Dark-Hunters. This is their job, not ours."
Aimee was growing tired of having this argument with him. "They can't identify the right ones and they can't go into a bolt-hole to flush them out."
"And neither can we. In case you haven't noticed, we're special treats for them and I don't want to end up like Fang, lying in my bed in a coma . . . or worse, dead."
"Then go home, Dev."
"Go home, Dev," he mocked. "Like Maman wouldn't skin me alive if I left you out here and you came home in a coma. It gets back to that whole 'I don't want to die' scenario that I'm trying so hard to avoid."
"Then back off me, or I'm going to put you in a coma myself."
Wynter sighed. "Do you two fight like this all the time?"
"Yes," they said in unison.
"But she's the one who always starts it."
Wynter rolled her eyes and made a sound of supreme disgust. "Thanks, Thorn. I really needed this and I intend to make you pay for it."
Fang?"
Fang opened his eyes to find Aimee leaning over him. It'd been weeks or months since he last saw her. Relief filled him at the sight of her whole and unharmed. Somehow Thorn had actually done what he'd promised. "Hey."
She smiled a smile that radiated through every part of his body and when she spoke, her tone was light and teasing. Most of all, it made him feel almost normal again. "You look a lot better than you did the last time I saw you. Maybe I should leave you here after all."
He laughed even though the very thought of it horrified him. "I'd really rather you didn't. But I don't want to see you hurt either. I'd rather you be safe and me stay here than for something to happen to you."
She took his hand into hers. The warm gentleness of that touch radiated through him. His body ached for a real taste of her.
Oh, to have one minute in the human realm. . . .
"We got three of them tonight."
Fang nodded. "I know. It's why my wounds have healed as much as they have." It was also why he was so much stronger now. "Thank you."
She kissed his hand. "You're welcome. We'll have you back soon. I promise."
Gods, he hoped so. It was hard to stay here, day after day. He felt so alone and out of touch. But at least she was here with him and for that comfort alone, he'd never be able to repay her. "How's Vane?"
"We haven't really heard. He's staying with one of the Dark-Hunters for now to help protect his mate."
"Which one?"
"Valerius."
Fang cursed at the name. Had that bastard done his job in the swamp, Anya would still be alive. Why in the name of Olympus would Vane have gone to him given that? What was he thinking? "The Roman?"
Aimee grimaced and nodded. "I'm sorry, Fang. I didn't think that would upset you."
Yet it did. Not just because of the fact that Valerius hadn't been able to help them protect Anya, but because Fang wasn't there to help Vane when his brother needed him most. He couldn't stand the thought of Vane having to turn to someone who'd already let them down.
"Do you know who in our pack is hunting him?"
"Stefan is the only one we've seen. He's come into Sanctuary a couple more times-no doubt trying to get a shot at you."