Born of Fury, Page 2

  And crankier than a Gondarion were-beast.

  Moving closer to Hauk, Nykyrian looked back and forth between them. "And neither of you has answered my question. What had the two of you shouting lewd come-ons at each other?"

  Now it was Maris's turn to burst into laughter, as a smile toyed at the edges of Nykyrian's lips.

  With a nonchalance Maris knew he didn't feel, Darling crossed his arms over his chest. "It's something truly horrific, Nyk. We're talking the stuff of haunting nightmares..."

  Maris arched a brow at that dire statement. Given what each of them had survived, he could only imagine what would make the intrepid Andarion warrior flinch.

  Darling jerked his chin toward Hauk. "He's facing six weeks alone with a creature so terrifying that he's actually in here begging me for explosive devices that can temporarily maim him so that he won't have to go near it."

  The gape returned to Nykyrian as he faced Hauk. "Seriously? It's a child, Hauk, not a rabid animal you're about to be caged with."

  Hauk scoffed at his nonchalance. "I beg to differ, and need I remind you how you felt the first time you learned you had a half-grown daughter and a baby on the way? As I recall, you weren't exactly let's-all-go-to-the-park-and-have-fun, buddy. But six kids later, you're fine with it all, while I'm sick to my stomach at the prospect. What do you feed them? What if he has to go to the bathroom? Huh? What do I do then?"

  Darling rolled his eyes. "Your nephew's fourteen, Hauk. I promise you, you won't have to burp him or change his nappies."

  "Oh, how do you know?" Hauk scoffed.

  "True, Darling," Nykyrian said drily. "We still have to change Hauk's anytime you set off an explosion too close to him."

  Maris and Darling laughed while Hauk glared viciously at Nykyrian. That alone spoke volumes about Nykyrian's courage.

  Anyone else who received such a look from Hauk would run screaming for the door.

  Including Maris.

  "Go ahead," Hauk growled. "All of you. Laugh at me. Sure. Why not? But none of you have ever had to survive alone with a child, in the wilderness, for six minutes, never mind six weeks. Endurance is the hardest thing any Andarion goes through. Both the adult and the child."

  Instantly, Nykyrian sobered as if he had sudden clarity over this uncharacteristic outburst. A deep sadness darkened his green eyes before he looked at Darling, then Maris. "Would you two mind giving us the room for a minute?"

  "Sure." Darling stepped out from behind his desk and followed Maris to the door.

  Hauk visibly cringed at the sound of their exit as he realized what Nykyrian really wanted to talk about. It was something he'd been trying to bury for weeks now as this date thundered closer.

  And it was the last thing he wanted to discuss with anyone.

  Even Nyk.

  "This isn't about Darice... I've known you almost the whole of your life, Dancer, and I've seen you roll around the floor with my boys, Jayne's kids, and Devyn enough to know that you're not really afraid of children. This is about you and Keris, isn't it?"

  Hauk turned away from his best friend, unable to face the truth Nykyrian spoke. Out of his small handful of friends, only Nyk knew about his eldest brother, Keris - because Nyk, alone, had been in Hauk's life when it'd happened. And since the day Keris had died during Hauk's Endurance, Hauk had barely been able to say his brother's name aloud.

  To anyone.

  Gods, even now it was enough to bring him to his knees. Every fucking day of his life had been spent with guilt and grief over an unnecessary loss that no one in his family had ever forgiven him for.

  Especially not himself.

  And now he was supposed to take Keris's son on the same expedition that had scarred them both for life and cost Keris his.

  It was so unfair.

  "Darice is the spitting image of his father, did you know that?" Hauk whispered. "I love my nephew with every part of me, but there are times I can't even bear to look at him. Even their speech inflections are the same."

  "I know." Nykyrian moved to stand by his side so that they could keep their voices low. "I really do know, Hauk. My daughter has some of Aksel's and Arast's mannerisms and expressions. And when she cops their condescending tones and snotty attitudes, it takes every bit of will I possess not to put her through a wall. It's not her fault she takes after them. They were in her life longer than I've been. Hell, she doesn't even know she does it. But even so, it feels like they're back from the grave to torment me."

  Flexing his jaw, Hauk winced at the pain in Nykyrian's voice. A pain he understood better than anyone since he'd been there to see firsthand what Nyk's adoptive brothers had done to him. It was a hell no child should ever endure.

  And he'd seen the exact tones and expressions Thia used that were identical to those of her long-dead stepfather and uncle. It had to be grueling for Nyk to deal with that all over again.

  Fate was a bitch, and that whore mocked them both daily.

  His anger mounting, he met Nykyrian's gaze. For once, he didn't see the war-hardened face of an assassin wingman who'd stood by his side for countless battles and protected his ass like a true blood brother. He saw the horrifically scarred face of the boy Nyk had been when they'd first met as children.

  A boy who'd once saved Hauk's life while everyone else had stood back to watch him burn.

  Literally.

  There was a lot to be said for a friendship that spanned double-digit years. But right now, it seriously rankled him that Nyk knew what was really bothering him.

  And it made him wonder something about his friend that he hadn't considered before. "Is that why you didn't take Thia on her Endurance?"

  Nykyrian shook his head. "Thia's only a quarter Andarion, and by the time her mother got around to telling me I had a daughter, Thia was past the age of it."

  Not to mention, the first two years of their living together, Nykyrian had been going through extensive operations and physical therapy for the almost fatal injuries Aksel had given him the day Nyk had finally put the bastard in his grave. Even now, eight years later, Nykyrian still walked with a pronounced limp, and only had limited use of his right hand and arm.

  Hauk ground his teeth as other painful childhood memories surged. "It's a stupid tradition. It chafes my ass that I have to do this."

  Nykyrian snorted at his outburst. "Everything chafes your ass, my brother."

  True, but still...

  Hauk let out an elongated growl. Even if his father hadn't lost his legs in battle or been too disabled to be exposed to the harsh conditions of Endurance, his father was too old to do it now. And his brother Fain had been disinherited even before Hauk had gone through his. There was no other male in their family lineage who could take Darice.

  Like it or not, Hauk was honor bound and family obligated to see this through.

  But honestly, he'd rather sacrifice a testicle than go. Every time Darice looked at him, he saw the accusation and anger in his nephew that blamed him for Keris's death.

  Nykyrian stepped away from him. "Have you mentioned to your father the staggering bounties on your head? Or that you have enough assassins after you that you could start your own army?"

  Hauk made a rude noise at the mere suggestion. "My father's an Andarion war hero. Do you really think that would deter him?" He'd think Hauk weak and cowardly for even mentioning it.

  Nykyrian sighed. "No. He'd say it adds to the challenge of it all."

  "Exactly. You've no idea how many times I've cursed my parents for their blind adherence to the old ways."

  Nykyrian clapped a hand on Hauk's shoulder. "Again, brother, I do know. You never bitch about it, but I can read your expressions better than your words." He went to pour them both a shot of Tondarion Fire - a potent alcohol - from the small table beside Darling's desk. "You know, you could take Thia with you as a distraction. It might help you get through this."

  A taunting grin spread across his lips as he took the shot glass from Nykyrian's gloved hand. "You would really turn your beautiful daughter loose, alone with two Andarion males, for six weeks?"

  "Never. But I would trust her with my family."

  And that they definitely were.

  Hauk knocked back the drink in one gulp and pinned his gaze on Nyk. "And I can read you as well as you read me. Why do you want her gone so badly?"

  "I don't. But..." Nyk let his words trail off as he gulped his own drink then poured another. "She's been acting out since Zarina was born. It's almost like she thinks that now that we have another daughter, she's not wanted anymore. Truthfully, I don't know what to do. She stays out all night. Drags home the kind of dregs we're paid to kill, and then dares me to lay a hand on them." He growled low in his throat. "I'm a trained assassin, Hauk, and they're dating my precious little girl. Putting body parts on her... and that's just their hands, that I know of. Any idea how hard it is for me to let them leave my house upright and in one piece? She won't even let me give them a damn bloody nose. Gah, it's more than I can bear."

  He scoffed at Nykyrian's irritation. "And now you know why your father-in-law had you shot... multiple times."

  Nykyrian glared at him. "I curse you, Hauk... may you live to raise a beautiful daughter. And I hope you have more than one, you son of a bitch." He slung his shot back even faster than Hauk had. "Thia's been way too serious with this latest veriton. I'm thinking if she's gone for six weeks, he'll get bored and move on to someone safer."

  "If he doesn't?"

  "I still have a few places left to hide bodies no one knows about."

  Hauk laughed then sobered as he seriously considered the offer. In all honesty, Thia would be a welcome distraction. While she didn't care for roughing it, she could cook better than either of them. And the additional body might keep the memories of Keris at bay. It wouldn't be the same as it'd been when he and his brother had gone alone to Oksana for Endurance.

  Best of all, Thia actually liked him.

  He inclined his head to Nykyrian. "I'll be more than happy to spend a few weeks with my first love. Besides, as an Andarion princess, she needs to have this on her resume."

  "Just don't let her think for one instant that I'm doing this to get rid of her."

  "Trust me, I know. You're doing this to get rid of her boyfriend."

  "Exactly." Nykyrian headed to the door to readmit Darling to his office.

  Before he could open it, Hauk pulled him to a stop. "Thank you."

  Nykyrian held his hand up to him. "Estra, mi dreystin."

  Taking his proffered hand, Hauk pulled him into a rare familial hug and repeated the Andarion words of loyalty that literally translated to anytime, my brother. But the Andarion connotation was much deeper than that. It was an oath of absolute kinship. One that bound them closer than blood.

  No Andarion said those words lightly. It meant that they would die back-to-back, fighting any and all attackers.

  And it was one they'd both proven to each other repeatedly.

  Nykyrian stepped away from him. "Just remember, Hauk, I know Andarion urges, and if any male, including you, lays a finger on my girl while she's in your custody, I will cut you into pieces and feast on your entrails."

  Laughing, Hauk knew Nykyrian meant those words most of all.

  CHAPTER 2

  "N

  yk," Hauk breathed. "If you really loved me, drey, you'd take that blaster at your hip and shoot me right between the eyes. Right here. Right now. This instant."

  Nykyrian came as close to laughter as the somber warrior could.

  As if on cue, Darice stormed off the shuttle and slung his pack to the ground in front of Hauk's feet. At fourteen, he was as tall as most full-grown human males, but he only reached the middle of Hauk's and Nykyrian's chests. Even so, he was still just a boy with the very lean build and temperament that marked the young.

  And as he moved to glare up at Hauk with his fists clenched at his sides, Hauk understood why some species chose to eat said young rather than raise them to adulthood.

  It was so tempting.

  Furious, the boy gestured toward the shuttle. "I'm not going anywhere with that --"

  "Bite it," Hauk growled before his nephew let loose a word that would have him disciplined.

  Or worse, hunting on the ground for his teeth.

  Darice hissed and exposed his long canines in protest.

  "Oh my God, did he just fang you?" Thia gasped as she joined them in the landing bay. With an exaggerated gape, she blinked at her father. "Dad, he just fanged Uncle Hauk and Uncle Hauk didn't kill him. Is the world coming to an end and I missed the e-mail?"

  His features turning even darker, Darice snapped toward her with obvious intent.

  Hauk caught his nephew's arm in a gentle, yet firm grip. "Fang her, boy, and you will feel the pain of my displeasure to such an extent our ancestors will curse you for it."

  Darice jerked away from him. "You're not my father. And that --" He gestured angrily toward the shuttle. "Is not my family. I will not dishonor our blood or ancestors, or dishonor my blood father's memory by being in a shuttle or on a planet with him! You know our laws! How dare you bring him here!"

  Hauk glanced past his nephew to see the look on Fain's face as he heard those cruel words. The pain his brother felt nauseated him and increased his need to tan the backside of Darice's buttocks until the boy limped.

  For all eternity.

  His features guarded, Fain stepped down from the shuttle's ramp. "I've got Chayden coming in to do the drop. He'll be here in five minutes."

  "A human?" Darice sneered as if that was the only thing worse than Fain.

  "Careful who you insult, boy." Hauk jerked his chin toward Nykyrian, who was the crowned prince and heir for their native Andaria.

  He was also half human.

  To impugn the honor or prestige of the Andarion royal house was to defame your own Andarion family and ancestors. It was also viewed as a blatant act of treason.

  That alone made Darice calm himself.

  Satisfied the boy was subdued, Hauk released his arm. "And while you might not claim kinship with Fain, I do."

  Darice rolled his eyes. "You would," he mumbled under his breath.

  Ignoring him, Hauk went over to his older brother, who was one of the very few beings taller than him. And not by much. "I'm sorry. I should have known how he'd react. I was only thinking of tradition. Not selfish pubescent stupidity."

  Fain clapped him on the arm. "It's all right, drey. I knew what I was giving up the day I walked out your mother's door. I have no regrets."

  That wasn't true and they both knew it. The deep sadness that never left Fain's eyes called him a liar for the choice he'd made all those years ago. But it wasn't Andarion to admit you acted rashly, or that you made a mistake.

  Especially not when you chose one family member over another.

  Too bad most humans lacked the loyalty and honor of the Andarions. But then, they were a different species. And not just in coloring and dental needs.

  "Thanks for coming, Fain."

  Fain dutifully inclined his head to his beloved younger brother as hurt and anger tangled inside him. Though his brother was one of the fiercest warriors he'd ever fought alongside, he still saw Dancer as the boy he'd been. The one who used to run after him with worshipful stars in his eyes, begging for any attention from him.

  A brother who'd recklessly and courageously defied their parents to maintain a relationship with him that could cost Dancer dearly. For any Andarion male to do such was an incredible testament of loyalty and love.

  For Dancer, that risk was so much higher.

  He already had a mark against him. One more, and he would be relegated to an Andarion class even worse than the one Fain was in. Fain knew of no other who would risk that.

  Not even for a full-blooded brother.

  But then Dancer was the bravest male he'd ever known. He lived his life with reckless disregard for the fact that he was mortal. And there was absolutely nothing he wouldn't do or risk f or those he loved.

  Smiling, Fain clapped Dancer on his back. "For you, anything. Any time."

  Hauk watched Fain leave with a heavy heart. At his departure, Darice started to shout something to him, but the sight of a guard carrying Thia's pink floral rucksack for her distracted him. His jaw gaped even wider than Thia's had a moment ago. "Seriously?" he said to Hauk. He gestured after the guard who was headed for the shuttle to deposit his cargo. "She can't even carry her own pack?"

  Thia flashed him a sweet, adorable grin. "That's what I have you for, punkin'. Didn't you know?"

  Hauk heard Fain's insidious laughter as his brother vanished. "Just like his arrogant father... Not enough Tondarion Fire in existence to make me take that brat across the street, never mind do an Endurance with him. Good luck not choking the little bastard, Dancer."

  Hauk actually whimpered as he heard his brother's mumbled words. Thanks a lot, Fain. If his brother really loved him, he'd do this for him.