Page 14 of Stone Cold Alien

“We brought three potential matches. None of them woke him.”

“Did you tell them he was conscious?”

Pam hesitated.

My stomach sank. “Did Cairn tell you he could hear and feel everything?”

“Yes.”

“And you still sent them up there without explaining?”

“We didn’t know what else to do. Only his mate could free him.”

Sten sighed. “I was happy in the dream world I had built for myself until Cairn came and woke me. He always has to meddle. But that does not change the fact that I never agreed to have females place their hands on me.”

Pam looked genuinely ashamed. “I’m sorry. We should have handled it differently.”

“Yes,” I said. “You should have.”

Joseph was standing near the ladder, staring at Sten. He had barely moved since the crash. Was he used to seeing aliens? He had to be if he worked for the agency.

“Joseph,” I called. “I need the first-aid kit from the jeep. And some water, if you have any.”

He seemed relieved to be given something useful to do. “Of course.”

He hurried towards the path.

Pam lifted her phone. “I’m going to call Cairn.”

“You haven’t called him yet?”

“I was slightly distracted by the two of you arguing.”

Sten made a deep sound, somewhere between a growl and a sigh.

Pam held up her hands. “Fine. I’ll call him now.”

She moved away while she made the call. I returned my attention to Sten.

“How are you feeling?”

“I don’t know.”

That was to be expected. I’d be confused in his situation.

“Are you having any trouble breathing?”

“No.”

“Chest pain?”

“My wing hurts.”

“You hit the wall hard. You could have injured more than your wing.”

“I know where the pain is.”

“Tell me if that changes.”