XAVIER
"Took you long enough, Xavier," Xander snapped the moment I walked in. "We've been going out of our minds here."
He had been pacing the length of the war room, but stopped cold to pin me with a look full of irritation.
"Come in already," Xerxes called from where he sat near the head of the table, his voice tight and weary.
Xander sat back down with a huff and grabbed the document Xerxes slid across the table.
I bit down a groan as I moved toward them, each step jarring the pain pulsing through my left leg. The trek back to Silver Creek had been brutal, especially in my condition. If not for the border guards who assisted us part of the way, I doubted I would've made it.
My wounded shoulder throbbed with every heartbeat, but I pushed through it until I reached a chair and collapsed with a muffled groan.
Sweat clung to my skin, pooling at my temples and brow. I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and dabbed my face, trying to quiet the pounding in my ears.
