Free Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong

belt around his upper thigh and wound it as tight as it would go.
    Jennings grumbled, “If you don’t open your eyes, I’m going to tell the Captain you’re a wimp.”
    Metcalfe’s eyelids fluttered, but he was barely conscious. Tab turned to Jinn and whispered, “Turn around and keep your eyes closed. This is classified and you can’t see what I’m about to do.”
    Jinn nodded and did as he bid, to his surprise.
    “Captain, I don’t know if he’s going to make it. He’s lost so much blood.”
    “Don’t worry, Jennings. I’m here. Close your eyes and let go of him.”
    “But sir—”
    “Have a little faith in me.” His quiet words soothed the woman and she followed orders as he focused on the wound. With deep concentration, Tab could visualize the nick in the artery. His hands hovered over the area and sealed it up then worked on the rest of the slashed area. The light was blinding, but it didn’t bother him.
    In a few minutes the deed was done and the leg completely healed. The only problem was that the blood loss was so great that it would take time for Metcalfe to gain his strength back.
    “Jennings, you can look now. You did a great job with him. If not for you, we’d have lost him. I see you have a good meal ready to go as well,” he said, smiling at her as he nodded toward the dead boar. He was surprised to see her blush at the compliment.
    “Ah, yes, sir. I thought you might be hungry as well. Can we risk a fire?”
    “I think it’ll be okay tonight. I’ll call the others and bring them over. It was nice of you to think of us. Let’s dig down deep into the soil so the fire isn’t visible in the forest. Dark will come in about two more hours. Cut the meat into thin steaks so we don’t have to cook them as long. We’ll take as much as possible with us.”
    “I’m on it. Thank you, Captain.” Jennings moved off to start digging a hole for the fire, the tension leaving her body. He knew she’d held back the fear at nearly losing Metcalfe. It was always the same when someone on the team got hurt. Jennings had a big heart.
    “What would you like me to do?”
    Surprised, Tab turned to face Jinn and stared at her, wondering if she was serious.
    “Why don’t you clean up Metcalfe’s leg then gather some branches for the fire. The others will arrive in pairs soon. They’re never more than a few hundred feet from us at any given time.”
    “Gee, that’s comforting,” she grumbled.
    Tab bit back a laugh and walked over to the boar to prepare the steaks. They’d have a feast for the first time since leaving home base. He only hoped it wasn’t their last.
    ***
    The forest soon fell back into a soothing rhythm, insects and tree frogs serenading them. After the rainfall, the earth released a deeper scent like that of worms, and bacteria. It was cool and refreshing. Leaves dripped with water, releasing more drops on their heads. The sky cleared up slowly.
    Blackstone and Gonzales entered the grove followed by Chan a little while later. The steaks were already cooking. Frustration ate at Jinn as well as anger at Tab’s ignoring her during the day. She wanted him like no other, and it really pissed her off as she watched him place more steaks on a long branch and set them over the fire on two shorter branches.
    “What, aren’t you going to tie me up?” Jinn asked with a great deal of sarcasm.
    A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Are you getting kinky, or do you like being my captive?”
    “As if! You’re not the kind of man who finishes what he starts. I’d say freedom to run is a much better option.”
    She knew she’d hit a nerve when his eyes narrowed. It was getting dark and the fire burned low. With a full stomach, Jinn became cocky and ready for battle. When he grabbed her jacket and took her down to the ground, straddling her with his face inches from her own, she could only stare up at him in shock.
    Her core reacted like lightning to metal as it ached for