The centaur shot him a dirty look. "The one I was worried about was you. The only reason I let you accompany me was to keep you from following me on your own."

“And it's a good thing you did, you're not exactly built to climb the stairs to Taki's home."

Her ears pricked up and her eyes widened as she gave a shocked snort.

“Impudence! Are you calling me fat?!"

He smirked at her. "Will you step on me if I am?"

Her shock turned to a blush as her ears lowered and she looked away.

“Maybe Later... if you're good..." she stated in a small voice.

‘They are a stranger couple than I thought...’ Taki considered as she watched the exchange.

“Seriously though," Clark continued, looking at Taki, "“Aryana would have managed, she did stitch your wound after all, but I'm glad I was able to help."

Aryana addressed Taki as well. "After I saw the carnage you had left I wanted to know the nature of the threat you faced. Were those men the only ones?"

“There were others I did not fight. They took Carter..."

She folded her arms and nodded.

“I assumed as much, since your mate hasn't shown up all this time.”

“Time... what time is it? How long was I unconscious?" Panic grew in her heart.

“Your body is surprisingly tough," Aryana explained in what amounted to a compliment from her, “once we stitched the stab wound and applied healing herbs you stabilized overnight."

“One night and much of a day," Taki stated, rising to her feet with a groan. "I can't afford to fall further behind."

“In your current state you won't be able to go top speed," Clark noted.

“If you tear your stitches running then you may not make it to him at all. How about you let Aryana carry you?"

“Don't volunteer me Like I'm some pack animal!" she snapped, smacking him on the head.

“But you said before that you would if she needed-"