Nigel led Melissa to a side room.

“You’re safe here. I won’t let her harm you,” Nigel said.

Melissa was shaking. It reminded Nigel of a pet that had been beaten one too many times. Nigel got the first good look at her since the beating. Her face looked like someone had used it as a punching bag; it was purple and puffy and bruised. Her left eye was not open or closed but somewhere in between.

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That crazy bitch! Nigel thought.

“I . . . was just trying to help,” Melissa said as she let the tears flow.

Nigel pointed to his throat. “I know . . . Gregor injured me, too.”

Melissa looked at Nigel with her good eye for a long moment.

“I’m not sure how to handle the situation. If we meet your daughter in her . . . Delta form, she might be too powerful for us,” Nigel said.

She pulled him close, whispered into his ear.

“Nigel, will you . . . hold me?”