18. Jane

Half an hour later, an announcement comes over the speaker system that the campus is on lockdown for the rest of the day, so we have to delay cashing in our prize. Instead, we have an impromptu movie night, Avery rigging up a bedsheet and ‘borrowing' the video library from one of the other dorms. It's a pack romance, with a starry-eyed omega falling for a bunch of alphas from the wrong side of the tracks. The guys groan at all the corny lines, but I'm in heaven squeezed on the sofa between the twins, with Travis sitting on the floor between my feet, my fingers stroking through his dark hair. Law has to check in with the security at his dorm, but then he's back with a bucket of popcorn and enough candy to give us all stomach aches. He stretches out next to Travis, nuzzling my knee until I put my free hand in his silky hair. Even with Travis shooting him a dark side-eye, Law purrs like a happy cat, tipping his head back so I can drop chocolate duds into his open mouth.

The only tense moment comes when Drew leans over me and catches a peek at Avery's tablet. He's been scrolling and clicking for a while, and his twin finally says in an unimpressed voice, "Avery, why are you now in all of Jane's classes?"

"Study buddies," he replies with his usual seriousness. "She might as well learn as much as she can while she's here."

"And you're the one to teach her?" Travis demands, twisting around to glare at him.

Avery looks unconcerned, his gaze flicking my way before settling back on the big alpha. "You have your strengths, Travis, and I have mine. "

"I take every advanced class I can, Locke," Travis grinds out. "I'm a straight-A student, just like you."

"Yes, but I could probably teach your classes." Avery shrugs. "And I don't sit around waiting for permission to learn. They can restrict my physical access to classes, but they can't stop me from taking what I want online. If you really care about Jane's education, you'll leave her studies in my hands."

Travis' face flushes an unhealthy shade of purple, and I quickly wiggle a finger at Avery's tablet. "Okay, so whose special talent is picking great movies? If you leave it up to me, there will be more corn on the screen than harvest time on the commune."

Drew groans at my silly joke but picks a random comedy that even I have to admit is lame. We switch over to a reality show until Law ducks back to his dorm and collects his game console, complete with a pair of shiny new VR headsets. Avery's eyes gleam like stars behind his glasses when he sees them, and he and Drew quickly fall into a fierce battle that kind of looks like a drunken dance from the outside.

While the twins are occupied, Travis and Law take their places on the sofa. Candy and mindless entertainment have eased the tension in the room, and there's no denying the thrill that rushes through my body from being pressed between the two guys. Travis drapes his arm along the back of the sofa, while Law lifts my feet into his lap. I'm wearing a pair of Drew's cutoff sweats and one of Travis' old hoodies, but I feel like I'm draped in silk as they stare at me from under hooded lids.

"Who looks after a mercy?" Law muses as he strokes my ankles. "When you're tired or sad, who kisses your hurt away?"

"I can… self-heal a bit," I murmur, my breath catching as Travis draws me back against his chest and runs his chin over my shaved scalp. "But there hasn't been anyone special, if that's what you mean. Mercies aren't like breeders. We don't get to live that kind of life."

His fingers feather across my ankle bones, dipping down to rub my sensitive arches. If there's one part of a healer's body that always hurts, it's their feet and Law's gentle treatment is about to make my eyes roll back in my head. "But if you could , would you want someone of your own?"

I'm used to Law when he's playful and teasing, but I'm not sure what to say to him in this mood. He suddenly looks exactly like a lord and legacy, and the gulf between us would feel insurmountable if he wasn't watching me with his warm, green eyes. It's like he's cast a spell over the room, and pressed between them on the ratty old sofa, it's easy to imagine a world where such things are possible.

Which is why it hurts to ask, "Do any of us have that choice?"

Travis' arms tighten around me, but Law looks thoughtful. "I have money, plus an estate near Monteresse. When we break you out, we could go there…" Travis makes a rumbling sound behind me, and Law clicks his tongue in rebuke. "You can't be jealous, Wake. I know you want her safe more than anything, and I can offer that."

"Running off with a future lord of the realm is safe?" Travis scoffs. "Your father would drag you back here by your ear, and where would that leave Jane? All alone on some distant estate? Or under your father's thumb, like you are now?"

Law's face darkens and from the sudden sour tinge to his scent, I know that whatever thoughts he's having aren't happy ones. "I still have money of my own," he says quietly. "It's enough to get you a comfortable life across the border in Lorville."

I don't know much about our southern neighbor, but I give him a small smile, because as much as it hurts my heart, that's probably the best offer I'll get. And more than I deserve, given how they've taken me in and done so much to help me already.

But I twist to look at Travis. "What do you think?"

"You should definitely take the money," he replies without hesitation. "Law's family is basically the national bank. Consider it payment from the Civin States for years of service."

I screw up my nose, but Law nods, and it's kind of nice to see the guys on the same side of an argument for a change.

"A loan, then," I say, curling my fingers around Law's. "That way, I'll get to see you again when you come to Lorville to collect."

Travis grunts. "It doesn't mean you're in his debt."

"No," Law agrees, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "But I'll consider it a date , Jane Mercy."

The next morning, I wake up wrapped in Travis' arms, his pine needle scent soaked into my skin. It's such a blissful place to find myself, I'm tempted to fake sleep when he rolls out of bed. But I squeal as he grabs my ankle and pulls me to the end of the mattress, a challenging glint in his eyes.

"Rise and shine, cadet," he grins as he holds up my boxing gloves. "Time to show me your moves. "

"I could show them better if you got back into bed with me," I grumble.

I'm only half-joking, but his eyes flare with heat as he prowls towards me. "Don't tempt me with things you don't mean, Jane."

I gulp, my body suddenly on fire. My flirting skills might be as weak as my knees right now, but I'd do just about anything to keep those warm blue eyes on me a little longer. "I'm not teasing, Travis. There's no place I'd rather be right now than here, in your bed."

He makes a rumbling sound, his bare chest puffing up as he leans over me. "Not even in Law's fancy mansion on the coast?"

I tip my head, nibbling on my lip like I'm considering the question. "Point of clarification. Does it come with a pool?"

He chuffs a laugh, pressing his face to my neck so I can feel his lips on my throat. "If that's all it takes to make you happy, we can skip the lesson and head over to the rec center right now."

I grab his cheeks, pushing him back so I can stare into his eyes. "Really? But don't we have classes?"

"There's a college-wide meeting in the auditorium." His tone is flippant, but I can smell the tension in his scent. The Dean must be giving an update on the drill yesterday, and for reasons that hurt my heart, Bleak House residents haven't been invited.

"Then let's go make the most of it," I tell him, springing off the bed. My stomach rumbles, and I look at him hopefully. "What have we got for breakfast?"

"Not much, but Avery was telling me the vending machine is part of the prize." He pulls on a sweater, then grabs a bag and starts packing his workout gear. "Peters said it will be fully stocked, so that means pretzels, protein bars, and maybe even some of those fancy energy drinks the Trap Team is always guzzling."

He looks so happy to get his hands on some simple snacks, a flash of rage burns under my skin, so thick and vicious I can barely keep it from pouring out of me. But Travis doesn't need me to tell him how wrong this situation is; he lives and breathes the injustice every day.

And you're just going to run off and leave them to face it on their own?

My breath catches at the thought, and I bite my lip as I study his face. Every inch of me wants to soothe the stress lines and shadows away, but the grim reality is that I can barely help myself.

"There's a gym there too, right?" I force myself to pick up one of the boxing gloves and bop him on the nose. "We can swim, snack, and then spar. "

"Good plan," he smiles, and drags his hot blue eyes from my toes up to my eyes. "Which leaves only one final point of clarification. What is Jack Cutter going to wear for a swimsuit?"

"I look ridiculous," I mutter, my cheeks burning as I stare at myself in the mirror. Another locker room, another fashion travesty.

"You're as cute as a button," Law purrs, his arm sliding around my waist. He smiles at our reflection, his hand snaking down to brush the silicone cup he just convinced me to slip into my trunks. "And hot as hell, I might add."

My breath catches at the spike in his scent, but as I stare at my figure in the oversized t-shirt and swim shorts, I really can't see it. While he looks like an aquatic deity in his miniscule trunks, I look pale and scrawny, except for the chucky black monitor strapped to my ankle. But I guess if you squint your eyes, I might still pass for a guy, albeit one who looks like he needs a flotation device to get to the other side of the pool.

"Let's just go get wet," I huff, refusing to look at all his lean, golden perfection until we're both in the water. "Think the other guys have finished exploring?"

We'd barely taken a step into the rec center before Drew and Avery were raiding the vending machine, and Travis was drawn to the gym room like a moth to a flame. He's been clanking away on the weight machines ever since, but he suddenly appears in the doorway when I dip my toe into the water and retreat with a yelp. "It's freezing!"

Law gives me a look like he thinks I'm adorable until he scoops a handful of water over his head and almost turns blue. "Shit! Isn't this a heated pool?"

"Temperature controlled," Avery says, dumping an armful of snacks on one of the loungers and grabbing his tablet. "Is it really that cold?"

He sounds so disappointed, I bite my lip. But not even the desire to coax Avery's smile back to life could tempt me into that frigid water.

"Someone put an out of service tag on it." He's studying his screen and his scowl deepens. "Says it's closed for emergency maintenance."

I look down at the gleaming water. "Does it say why?"

"No, it's a bogus tag, but it means the temperature control has been switched off." He glances at Law, who looks just as grim. "I'd give you three guesses, but we both know it's Logan getting back at us."

"Bryce Logan from the Trap Team?" Travis asks, his jaw tightening. " What's his beef?"

"We beat his team for the prize," Avery replies, then looks a little sheepish. "Plus, I may have shot him in the face with a chalk pellet."

"Because he broke Avery's nose," I rush to add. "He deserved a lot worse."

Travis nods in my direction, then looks at Avery with new eyes. "Good call, Locke," he says in an approving tone. "I've been wanting to bash that guy's face in since we were freshmen."

Avery looks a bit taken aback by the praise, but Law flops on the lounger like a marooned merman. "So, is the pool really off-limits?"

"It is unless you want your balls to shrivel down to Jane's size," Drew grouches, dipping his pinkie in the water and shuddering.

"Hey!" I protest, although I'm not sure why I'm defending my non-existent male parts. But then I pause, an idea forming in my mind. "I can't do much about the water temperature," I say hesitantly, "but I can make it feel warmer. I mean, I can regulate your bodies, so you don't notice it as much…"

My words drift off as I'm suddenly being inspected by four very interested pairs of eyes. "You mean a kiss," Travis says, striding towards me. He doesn't stop until we're toe-to-toe, and I can see the fine sheen of sweat he's already worked up. It glows on his pale skin, sending puffs of pine needle perfume my way. "You can heat us up with a healing kiss. Is that what you're saying, Jane?"

"Um, yes," I gulp as the other guys gather around us. It's like a pheromone party in here all of a sudden, and I have to stop myself from huffing down their scents like I've just been presented with a mating bouquet. "I can regulate most physical systems."

"I'm in," Travis says quickly, then shoots the others a warning look. "And I'm going first, so back the hell up."

"Well, we can't really fight you for the honor, can we?" Drew grumbles. But his eyes are dancing as he mock-whispers to me, "Just don't break yourself trying to thaw his giant ass, Mercy."

I'd giggle at his goading tone if Travis wasn't already cupping my chin, drawing all of my attention his way. He doesn't wait for me to put on my mercy face, bending down and brushing his lips over mine. I could probably heat him up with just a sliver of breath, but the temptation for more is too strong. Not that it's a forceful kiss. Travis seems content to map every inch of my mouth, licking and nipping at my lips until they feel soft and swollen. When he sucks gently on my tongue, I groan, heat dancing between us like a bonfire .

He stokes the flames by sliding his hands over my back, drawing me closer, and I go with all the eagerness of a heat-drunk moth. Pleasure shimmers under my skin, little sparks that catch and spread until someone clears their throat behind us, and I pull away.

"How does it feel?" I'm more than a little breathless, so I'm not surprised by the hitch in my voice. "Are you warmer?"

A wide, satisfied grin breaks over Travis' face. "Like I could walk out into a blizzard and not feel a damn thing."

The brilliance of his smile is more than a little blinding, and I blink as I look around at the others. The twins are watching me with matching expressions, clearly eager to go next, but it's Avery who steps into my path. His glasses have slipped down an inch, and I push them back up his perfect nose, smiling into his amber eyes. "Are you going to be thinking about the science behind this, or are you just going to enjoy it?"

"Both, probably," he says with a rueful smile, then looks at me through his lashes. "But maybe we can compare notes later?"

I nod, curling my hand around the nape of his neck and drawing him down for a kiss. Having already treated Travis, I know exactly how much power to use, but as soon as our lips meet, it unspools between us like a runaway thread. Almost like it recognizes him and wants to feed him as much as it can. For his part, Avery laps it up, his arms around my waist as our lips fall into a rhythm. Everything about Avery is careful and methodical, except for the way he reacts when I suck gently on his plump bottom lip. Goosebumps spring up on his arms, and a tremor races down his spine. When he gives a soft sigh, I pull back to peer up into his face. "Is that a good shiver or a bad one?"

"That's the kind of shiver I want to feel every day," he replies in a throaty voice. "But in terms of thermoregulation, I've reached a toasty warm setting."

I smile, more than a little reluctant to move away, but my eyes widen as I realize Law is already on the move. He's sauntering towards me, looking exactly like some golden jungle cat as he flicks his platinum hair out of his eyes. But then his gaze slides past me, his lips curving up as warm hands land on my hips. I'm pulled back against Drew's chest right as Law's fingers stroke down my cheek in a soft caress. "What's happening?" I ask in a breathy whisper.

"Since this is technically our first kiss," Drew murmurs in my ear, his breath warm against the side of my neck, "I've called in reinforcements in case you faint. "

Travis gives a scornful grunt, but I'm caught up in whatever magic these two are weaving. Because Law is peppering tiny kisses all over my face as he slowly turns me to face his friend. He's stripped off his shirt, and there's a playful glint in Drew's eyes as he draws me into his arms. This is a different kind of dance, and as they both press close to me, sharing their warmth, my heart gives a helpless flutter. "Why do I feel like you've done this before?"

"Not with anyone like you," Drew murmurs, his hands tightening on my waist. "But sometimes it gets cold around here."

"And I'm the perfect little ray of sunshine," Law coos in my ear, "spreading warmth and cheer wherever I go."

I'd laugh if it wasn't so close to the truth. I've seen the way they look at each other, how Drew lights up when Law comes into the room, how his jokes and teasing become more pointed when the lord and legacy is smirking back at him. And then there are the care packages Law brings over, and the fancy coffee maker that definitely didn't come with the rest of the Bleak House appliances. Even if I missed the way they gravitate around each other, there's no denying how perfectly their scents twine together, a heady cocktail of mint and citrus that dances over my tongue.

My heart gives another little flutter, and I rest my head against Drew's chest. "I like that," I murmur, "knowing you two have each other…"

When I'm a long way away.

Not that things will really change for them. Drew will go on being the outcast, the traitor's son who people tolerate for his looks and personality, but sneer at behind his back. And Law will use their friendship to keep him grounded, before duty and privilege sweep him to a different life.

"And now we have you ," Drew tells me, bending down to press his lips to mine. His mouth is sweet and warm – exactly like a storybook prince – but as our tongues touch, and our breath mingles, I taste an undercurrent of need. Like I really am a flame, and Drew is trying to burrow into my warmth. It makes me feel protective of him in a way that's different to the other guys, and my power sharpens, those tendrils seeking out every hollow and crevice. Filling him up, and sealing him over, until he stumbles back, eyes bright and cheeks flushed.

"Too much?" I ask him, suddenly nervous I've pushed him into a fever .

"Ah, no. That was just about perfect," he murmurs, then shoots a rueful look down at his groin. "But I probably need to cool off now."

I bite my lip as I stare at his erection. There's no chance of missing it in his old swim shorts, the faded cotton now stretched to bursting. "Um… sorry?"

"Never apologize for making a man look that blissed out," Law says from behind me, turning me by the shoulders so he can drop kisses along the curve of my throat. My body remembers his touch, my arms snaking around his neck. But Law doesn't even aim for my mouth, nipping and nuzzling his way across my cheeks instead. When he finally brushes my lips, I shiver all over, but he draws back to my ear, licking the sensitive lobe. "You taste like them, and you, and it's enough to drive me crazy."

"All of us together," I whisper, because it's hard not to think of that when I'm drenched in their scents.

Law groans and digs his fingers into the base of my spine, his hips rocking gently against mine. "Can you picture that, sweetheart? All of us in your nest, kissing you until you shatter?"

His lips finally settle on mine, swallowing my needy groan. The images he's conjured flash behind my eyelids, and I almost whimper as he tangles our tongues together. I want that. I want them . I can pretend it's about healing, but my body – and my heart – wants more.

"Yes," I pant. "Yes."

Because every other word has left me, and I grip his shoulders, only remembering at the last moment to release my power into his mouth.

And he groans as he sucks it down like it's a heavenly nectar.

Mother mercy.

I try to bury my face in his throat, but Law draws back with a small smile, his thumb pressing lightly to my bottom lip. "Don't apologize, and don't ever be embarrassed."

I just shake my head, relieved when Travis is suddenly there, folding me in his arms. I rub my hot cheeks against his chest, and I'm pretty sure he's trying to swallow a chuckle. "Are you all warmed up?"

"That's supposed to be my line," I tell him, then give a breathy laugh. "But I'm definitely ready to cool off."

The other guys chuckle, and Drew wades over to the edge, holding out a hand. His twin is quickly on my other side, easing me into the water between them. It's the perfect temperature, or at least that's how it feels against my overheated skin.

"Law's right," Avery says as we sink up to our necks. "Don't ever feel ashamed of helping us. It's more than anyone else does."

"But fair warning," Drew adds, his dimples popping as he swims around us in a circle. "We're greedy assholes. We'll take everything you offer and beg for more."

He paddles over to nuzzle my neck, and I laugh, splashing his face to escape him. It quickly dissolves into a massive water fight, Travis finally wading in and carrying me to safety. I'm smiling so hard my cheeks ache, and we start swimming lazy laps up and down the pool, grinning at each other every time we turn our heads. Law streaks past us, showing off his perfect form, until the twins cannonball us from both sides. I cough up a mouthful of water and Travis dunks them both until they're begging for mercy.

I answer, naturally, and they all tread water while I bob between them, dishing out kisses like warm goblets of wine. Their circle grows tighter and tighter around me, until everywhere I turn is a willing and waiting mouth.

"If anyone saw us right now," Drew murmurs, rubbing a thumb over his swollen lips, "they'd know exactly what Jane is."

Hands are sliding over me under the water, so many I've lost track of who they belong to. But then Travis' arms wrap protectively around my shoulders. "You mean a mercy?"

"I mean an omega," Drew corrects him. " Our omega, because this is your pack."

I blink through my lashes at him, but there's no mistaking the change of mood. Eyes flicker around the group, some frowning, some hopeful, but their scents are murky, and no one seems to know what to say. Travis is like an unmoving wall behind me, but I grab Drew's fingers, pulling them out of the water to kiss the wrinkled tips.

"Packs don't exist," I say softly, "but if they did, this would be a perfect one."

"Membership to be determined," Travis rumbles, scooping me up and heading towards the steps. "We're going to spar a little."

"Sure, you are," Law grins, but the smile dies on his face as three alphas walk through the door.

I don't recognize them, but their eyes land straight on me, and I slither out of Travis' arms. Law quickly glides in front of us, providing extra cover, but they don't stop until they're at the side of the pool. The alpha in the middle is a wall of muscle, with curly hair cut tight to his scalp and deep-set brown eyes. When his arms fold across his chest, the guys on either side of him mimic the action, and I realize they're all wearing Trap Team jackets.

Their iron scent is so strong it makes my teeth ache.

"What the fuck do you want?" Travis growls, launching himself out of the pool. Even half-dressed and dripping wet, he looks lethal, and I notice one of the guys takes a small step back. But the alpha at the front holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "Just here to collect Cutter for practice. Manson has called an extra training session, since he's new."

The smile he sends my way is far from reassuring, and I have to stop myself from hiding behind Law. "There's nothing on my schedule," I reply, since I know Avery took care of that. "We've got free time until afternoon classes."

"As captain, Manson calls the shots for extra practices." The alpha looks me over, and even though I'm mostly hidden under the water, I can tell he's not impressed. "Looks like he's doing you a favor."

"Forget it, Parker!" Travis spits, his hands clenching into fists. "Jack's not going anywhere with you."

Parker loses his grin, his eyes suddenly hard as granite. "You might be able to get a couple of punches in, Wake, but I've got the whole team waiting outside. We can beat the shit out of your little housemates and still take the runt with us."

"No!" My desperate gaze flies between the guys. I don't think they'd hurt a lord and legacy, but it would be open season on the twins. And as big and strong as Travis is, he's no one's punching bag. Especially not for me. "It's okay," I say shakily, wading to the side of the pool. "I'll come with you. Just let me get changed."

"No need," Parker replies, tossing a towel my way. "Manson is going to fit you for your uniform."

A growl rumbles out of Travis' chest and there's no missing the alarm in the twins' faces, but Law just vaults out of the pool with a sigh. Grabbing his jacket off a lounger, he tosses it my way. Even though it's silk – and probably shouldn't be anywhere near pool water - I zip it up gratefully. It reaches halfway to my knees, and better yet, is drenched in Law's minty scent.

The Trap Team guys aren't watching me, though, because Law is putting on quite a show as he jerks down his wet trunks and steps into a pair of designer jeans. When he runs his fingers through his silver hair, he shoots me a wink. "Can't blame us for wanting to get dry. Some asshole messed with the pool's temperature controls."

If the Trap Team knows we suspect Logan, they don't show it. Instead, Parker jerks an impatient thumb over his shoulder. "Fine, but you need to hurry the fuck up. Manson's not gonna be happy if you waste any more of his time."

Law arches a brow at him but slings his arm around my shoulder as we turn towards the door. Travis instantly steps in our path, but I warn him off with a wince. "Why don't you finish your workout and then take the snacks back to the house? We'll join you there as soon as practice is over."

His face twists, his jaw so white I want to reach up and soothe away the ache. But I just shake my head, and he takes a step back, watching with burning eyes as I follow the Trap Team guys to the door.

When we step outside, Law gives Parker a sour look. "I thought you said the whole team was waiting to kick our ass."

"Wake is a loose cannon." Parker strides ahead, his teammates taking up position behind us. "Pretty sure he was still gonna throw down until you stepped in."

"Yeah, well I wouldn't rely on my ability to tame Travis Wake," Law shoots back.

Parker snorts and shakes his head. "I wasn't talking about you."

I ignore his curious glance, bracing myself as we approach the stadium with its steel dome. Parker swipes us inside and then I'm breathing in the fog of alpha hormones, old sweat, and the rich tang of well-loved turf. But the Trapshot field is dark, the dugout empty. I turn to Parker for an explanation, but he's stepped forward with the other alphas to encircle Law.

"What are you doing?" I demand, watching something hard settle in Law's face. "You can't hurt him."

"Not planning to," Parker drawls, meeting Law's glare. "You're going to do exactly what I say, right?"

Law flicks back his damp hair, looking down his nose at the other alpha despite their height difference. "I doubt that with every fiber of my being."

But Parker doesn't look intimidated, stepping close and dropping his voice to a menacing growl. "If you don't, I'll get word to your father that you're still hanging out with the Bleak House freaks. You'll probably just get a slap on the wrist, but your little friend here will get a one-way ticket to Burrow Hall."

I don't know where that is, but Law looks furious. "So, you're the rat?" he spits. "What did my father promise you to spy on me? A place in the Alpha Elite Corps? "

Parker chuckles, shaking his head. "Are you really that ignorant? Half the campus is on your old man's payroll." His face hardens, his chest puffing up. "And fuck you, Lawrence, because I don't need anyone's help to get into the corps. Me and Manson have been bunking together since elementary school, and that's not gonna change when we graduate."

Law is still glowering at him, but Parker jerks his head behind me. "You're in there, runt. Don't keep him waiting."

One of the other alphas gives me a hard shove, and I'm stumbling through the door before Law can protest. Their raised voices are instantly muffled, and I peer around, realizing it's the same room from the Strategy and Tactics class. It was dimly lit before, but now it's even darker, a single lamp illuminating the side of Manson's face. "So, is there an extra practice session or not?" I ask, hating how my voice comes out high and scratchy. "Because I've got better places to be."

He doesn't respond, and I take a step forward, wincing as I'm hit by his scent. He still smells like iron and musk, but the bitter undertones are suddenly overwhelming. And that's as familiar to me as antiseptic, or the way someone's pain tastes during a healing.

He's not sitting in the dark because he's trying to intimidate me. His gaze might be as stony as usual, but one eye is swollen shut and there's a deep cut on the side of his nose. He's wearing a loose tank, and what I can see of his torso is covered in red and purple bruises. I shake my head and drag my gaze back to his battered face. "What happened to you? Are these Trapshot injuries?"

He doesn't reply, completely still except for his tongue dabbing the blood on his bottom lip. I take another step, my stomach clenching as the full extent of his injuries comes into focus. I'm close enough to see dried blood along his hairline and a sliver of bone that has pushed through the skin on his forearm. "Who did this to you, Manson?"

The silence stretches, but I've already clicked into mercy mode, cataloging his injuries in my mind. Compound fracture, head laceration, severe upper body contusions, and possibly internal bleeding… I don't understand why he's not already in the hospital, and I'm not sure how he's even sitting up given the pain he must be feeling. Before I can stop and think it through, I reach down to press my fingers against his wrist, searching for his pulse.

"Doesn't matter," he grunts, tipping his head back and staring straight into my soul. "Because you're gonna put me back together again, aren't you, Mercy?"