Page 70 of Jude

Octavia sighed and rested her cheek on Jude’s shoulder. “He was using me to get you here. You shouldn’t have come.”

“I was never going to leave you,” said Jude. “You know that. He didn’t... hurt you, did he?” Heat flooded his veins.

“He was thinking about it,” said Octavia. “But other than a few backhanded slaps, I got off lightly.”

“At least he paid for that.” Jude realized Octavia wasn’t wearing her usual cap and scarf. He lifted a discarded green baseball cap from the bench and passed it to her.

She took it and then shook her head. “It’s too late to worry about that.” Her fingers drifted over the scars on her cheek, and she glanced at Tobias.

“Tobias is cool.” Jude looked at his brother.

Tobias caught his eye in the rearview mirror. He smiled and shrugged. “Scars show character. They show you’ve lived a life.”

“I’m not sure I’d choose to have them,” said Octavia, “but I’m used to them.”

“We’re almost at the bunker,” said Tobias.

Jude felt the familiar dip of the Cobra as it headed underground. He saw Tobias’s fingers tighten on the steering wheel. It was tough for him, having to go back underground. He appreciated what he’d done, helping him get Octavia out. He owed Tobias a few beers. That was if he could get him to stick around long enough to drink them.

The vehicle stopped, and they climbed out.

“Let’s get you to the medical bay.” Jude kept hold of Octavia.

“I think you need it more than me.” Her gaze ran over him.

“I’ve already had a shot of dragon serum.” Jude nodded thanks to Tobias as he left him by the Cobra. He walked with Octavia toward the medical bay.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not still hurting,” she said. “When we get there, you’re getting checked over too.”

“You first. You’re the priority.” Jude shoved open the medical bay door, ignoring the irritated sigh Octavia gave him.

Sophia Slade was in there, examining a dragon hybrid with a cut on his hand. She glanced up, peering over the top of her black-framed glasses. “You two have seen better days.”

Daisy Saunders, her assistant, looked up from her task of decanting liquid into a tray of beakers.

Jude ushered Octavia in front of him. “We could do with some help.”

“Stop fussing,” said Octavia. “I told you already, I’m fine.”

“Neither of you are fine.” Sophia moved away from her patient. “Daisy, find them beds. Give them a check over. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“You’d better do as she says.” Daisy gestured to the empty beds. “Sophia doesn’t like to be argued with.”

Jude knew that was true. He guided Octavia to the bed.

She sat on the edge of it, watching Daisy with a cautious gaze as she ran an electro scanner over her.

Jude noticed Octavia kept stroking her scars and looking around the room. “You’ve got nothing to worry about here.”

She sighed. “I know. Old habits die hard.”

Daisy checked the readings on the scanner. “You have damage to your cheek.”

“You don’t need your fancy scanner to tell me that.”

Daisy looked up, and her cheeks flushed. “No, not those. I meant fresh damage. You know, a recent injury. Those scars look... old.”

“Sorry. I’m just tired,” said Octavia. “Almost getting killed does that to a person.”