“Where is Mason?”

She lifted a shaking finger at the destroyed house. “We were in my office. He was near the door. He smelled the gas and walked toward the hallway. He shot at us when Kat threw us through the window. It blew up.”

He could see she was in shock. He was torn between going to hunt for Mason, if anything remained, and staying by Kat. His legs decided it for him when they refused to work. He just stayed on the ground next to her. He didn’t want her to die alone. Not Kat. He bent, pressing his face close to hers.

“I’m here, Kat. Don’t leave me.”

“Over here!” Trey yelled. “This way.”

“Please open your eyes,” Darkness urged, watching, hoping she’d do it. “You’re a tough female. Don’t let that bastard win. He wins if you die.”

Something heavy crashed next to them and Darkness jerked his head up, snarling at the threat. A human female in a dark blue uniform was on her knees on the other side of Kat, a medical kit gripped in her hand. Her eyes widened and she paled.

He glanced down, realizing what kind of uniform it was. “Help her. You’re a medic.”

She nodded, seeming to snap out of the fear he’d instilled. “What’s her name? Do you know?”

“Kat. She’s mine. Don’t let her die.”

Trey gripped his shoulder. “Darkness, back up. There are more of them. They need access to her and you’re in the way.”

He looked up at the male. “I can’t.”

“You have to.” Trey bent, staring into his eyes. “Let them help her.”

“My legs won’t work.”

Trey glanced down him. “You broke something?”

“I can’t move. I can’t leave her.”

Pity flashed in the male’s blue eyes and he bent, wrapped an arm around Darkness. He hoisted him up, grunting a little in the process. “Fuck, you’re heavy. Lock your knees.”

Darkness did as he said, found himself standing again. Trey kept hold of him and forced him back. Three more humans crouched around Kat, shoving debris away from her to get access. Two more humans helped Missy move about five feet away, asking her to lie flat so they could examine her.

Book showed up. The male had dark smudges under his nose and around his mouth, as if he’d breathed in a lot of smoke. He carried a dog in one arm and a kitten in the other. They were alive but seemed too petrified to move around. They just lay on the male’s forearms, clutched against his chest.

“You went in there after them?” Trey shook his head. “Crazy f**king Species.”

Book frowned. “Missy was hysterical and worried about them.”

“I can’t believe they survived.” Trey eased his hold around Darkness’ waist. “You good now?”

He remained standing. “Where is that helicopter?”

“It’s waiting.” Trey released him. “You didn’t hear it? Darren set it down at the end of the street. He didn’t want the blades to affect the fires here.”

“We need to get Kat to Homeland.”

Trey hesitated. “They’ll want to transport her to the hospital.”

“Homeland,” Darkness snarled.

Trey walked away and crouched next to the paramedics, softly talking to them. He couldn’t hear the words. A bunch of humans were yelling and he turned his head, staring at the ones he hadn’t noticed until then. Firemen were putting water on the house and police were moving debris, looking under it for other victims.

Trey returned to his side, looking grim. “She’s critical. They can’t find any breath sounds from her left lung. It’s the side she landed on. She might have possible crush injuries. Internal bleeding.” He paused. “Her vitals are bad.”

Darkness kept his knees locked. The paramedics laid out a backboard, put a cervical collar around Kat’s neck and turned her against the board. They used restraints to wrap around her head and body, even her legs, to keep her immobile.

“Darkness,” Trey murmured, “they don’t think she’s going to make it. I’m so sorry, man.”

NO! He shoved Trey away and stomped to the humans lifting Kat on the backboard. He glared at the female he’d frightened. “You have an ambulance in front?”

She nodded.

“Trey, team, grab Missy. Let’s go.” He turned, studying the animals in Book’s arms. “Bring them too.”

“You can’t all ride in the ambulance with her,” the human female informed him. “There’s not enough room.”

“They are going to go to the helicopter and wait for your ambulance to drive Kat to them. I’m staying with her.” He shot Trey a furious glare. “You don’t take off without us. Inform Homeland we’re coming. I want all our doctors on standby and tell them to get the healing drugs ready.”

Book stepped forward. “She’s human.”

“She isn’t going to die,” Darkness snarled. “I won’t allow it.”

Trey paled. “Do as he says.”

“I can’t allow you to do that,” the human female protested.

Darkness snarled at her next. “What is your name?”

“Heather.”

“I’m your worst f**king nightmare, Heather. Realize that and stop arguing with me. Do as I say. You come with us in the helicopter. I insist. You can work on her and keep her alive until our doctors have her.”