Page 41 of Act of Command

Corbin roared again.

Striker stayed low. “Alrighty then. I’ll be stayin’ here. Though, I’d like to check on the lass. She looks like she needs help. She’s still alive, Brit. Her heart still beats. She needs assistance, nae this. Nae you behavin’ like a bloody fool.”

Corbin’s brows met and for the briefest of seconds, Striker thought he saw a flicker of his friend in there. That meant there was still hope.

The woman on the floor moved slightly, drawing Corbin’s attention. Fearful that Corbin would hurt her with the bloodlust controlling him, Striker leapt up and rushed to the woman, putting himself in front of her. “You do nae want to hurt her!”

She coughed several times and touched the back of Striker’s leg. “W-what happened? Who are you? Where is Corbin?”

He chanced a glance at the woman. Sure, Corbin was partially shifted, but it was easy enough to tell it was the Brit. Was the female daft?

She squinted up at him. “You’re really hairy.”

“Och, look at him. He’s more so.” He pointed to Corbin. “He’s partially shifted for cryin’ out loud. And before you ask, I’m nae French.”

“French?” She glanced in Corbin’s direction, squinting more. “C-Corbin, is that you? What happened? Why am I on the ground? Ouch, my chest burns. Before you yell, I didn’t touch any more chemicals.”

“Lass, quiet. He’s nae himself. My guess is, he thought you were dead,” said Striker, trying to keep Corbin’s attention off her.

She tugged on Striker’s leg, using it to help her stand. Each time she made contact with Striker, Corbin looked more and more lethal. She stood and swayed. Striker caught her with one arm and held up his other. “Corbin, look. She’s nae dead. See. Safe and sound.”

The woman touched Striker’s chest. “What’s wrong with him? Is he hurt? Ohmygod, did he get shot?”

“Aye, he did, but I do nae think it bothered him much.”

She shrieked. “He’s shot? Corbin?”

Boomer held his hands up, staying near the entrance to the lab. “Striker, I don’t think she can see him.”

“Lass, can you nae see?”

She locked gazes with him. “My glasses are in my cell. Why isn’t he answering me? Corbin?”

Striker kept an arm around her, steadying her, knowing he was tempting fate by making contact with her. She needed his help. Corbin would just have to kill him for it. “Lass, he’s been shot, but in his state of mind he’s nae thinkin’ clearly. He’s worried for you. Nothin’ else.”

She cupped her mouth and squinted in the direction Corbin stood. “Corbin, please. I’m scared. I need to know you’re okay.”

Corbin shook and then bent his head, his upper body heaving. He slumped, and then when he righted himself Striker watched in stunned awe as Corbin managed to pull himself back from the throes of bloodlust. Back from the point of no return. It was a testament to just how powerful the man was.

“Mae?”

She gasped and squeezed Striker’s hand. “Corbin?”

The captain came for her quickly, but Striker shook his head. “Boss, yer hands and face.”

Corbin paused and looked down, his eyes widening at the sight of all the blood and flesh.

Boomer lowered his arms. “There is a sink over there.”

Malik pushed off the floor. “I’m too old for this shit.”

He turned to face Striker and Striker froze. Laughter bubbled up from within and he was unable to hold it in at the sight of one of his best friends with no eyebrows to speak of. “It would appear the flames were nae kind to you, Tut.”

“What?” asked Malik.

Boomer glanced at the man and then looked up at the ceiling, doing his best to keep a straight face. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“What didyoudo?” demanded Malik.

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