Chapter Seven
ZEHN HAD EXPECTED to run into the Nasuhl at some point. The six raiders they met would be easy enough to dispatch…so long as they didn’t encounter any more. He wanted all attention on him and Lore, not on a side party looking for the delectable female scent marking him.
“Where is the female?” one of the enemy asked. “Bring her and we’ll end you quickly.”
This one’s less intelligent than the others,Lore said.
Yes. But there’s something about the way he’s posturing that’s concerning. Be careful.
Always.
They fought four of the group, each of them taking two with ease. Sleeper holds and grappling maneuvers that came second nature disabled the lesser warriors in no time. Normally Zehn would kill his enemy, but with Mandy watching, and the fight so easy, it didn’t feel right. His victory allowed him the choice of enemy punishment. In this case, he’d let them live to rub their noses in their easy defeat.
But the two Nasuhl who remained were more powerful. Deadly. He felt it.
Lore’s chest patterns weaved, moving, and one of the Nasuhl’s did the same.
While Lore engaged with the taller male, testing and probing, Zehn took on the leader. He was as large as Zehn, his one eye full of hatred, the other a scarred, empty socket.
“We will let one of you live,” the bastard growled. “That you may take back a message to your weak leader—that offal, Talzec. My alpha would have words with him before he takes Talzec’s worthless head from his neck.”
“Morlo has a message for my alpha? Amazing he’s found the time in between running like the coward he is.”
The male gritted his teeth and lashed out at Zehn, his speed remarkably fast.
Zehn used his agility to avoid the kick to his face. He ducked and made contact with the enemy’s chest. The barbarian staggered back but did not go down. A worthy opponent, shockingly. They drew close again, dancing around each other, and the male inhaled the scent of woman from Zehn’s chest.
“Ah. Such a ripe flower. I am Garnuk, and I will have your female under me while you watch. She should feel the cock of a real man before she dies.” He smiled, his canines razor sharp.
Zehn knew some of the other clans sharpened their teeth to look more brutal in battle. While yet others sharpened them to better tear at the meat of their defeated, a truly repulsive tradition no one civilized indulged.
“She has known real warriors, not the sad leavings of Daveen’s hopeless boys.”
Garnuk seethed with hatred, the feel of malevolence saturating his tattoos.
“Your clan is a blight on the Cloud Tribe,” Zehn said, the insult plain. “You have no honor and no need for a female. Your children would be a curse upon the land.”
Garnuk answered by withdrawing a whip from behind his back and unrolled it.
Not good. Especially because Mandy’s presence, so close to danger, distracted him. The instinct tugged at him to take his mate. In the presence of other males, the drive to claim her was overwhelming.
He hadn’t anticipated that.
He’s got a whip.Lore noted.Have care.
I see that. I’m not blind.Zehn forced himself to concentrate.
He felt his bond-mate’s humor.Our mate watches from above. Impress her.
I plan to…to make up for your disaster of a claiming. What were you thinking to tell her she belongs with us? That’s like hunting flehik by stomping around, letting them catch your scent before charging them. Stupid.
I’m sorry.
You should be.Pain lanced his side as Garnuk’s whip bit into his flesh.Finish with your challenger, then go protect Mandy. I’ll take care of this piece ofauhleh.And no more talk of thirds with our mate. We hunt this prize with stealth, Lore. Not aggression.
“Okay, I’m sorry,” Lore growled, annoyed enough to speak aloud.
That taken care of, Zehn put a burst of speed and power into his attack.
