Chapter Eleven
LORE KNEW THE time had come. He’d been thinking about it for days, ever since he’d felt the new and beautiful tie to Mandy and Zehn. He and Zehn had always connected in a way Lore didn’t with his clan. A love, a bond that could not be broken. With Mandy and her strange human energy, that fiery power that blazed in her soul, the tie grew stronger.
And it changed them all.
Zehn was a barbarian. Mandy a human. Lore, something more than barbarian. But together, their energy could be used to do other things. He sensed it, wanted to experiment when they got back.
Ifthey got back.
Mike, the offworlder, was a telekinetic. Zehn struggled to his feet, shaking off the blow. Mandy could have set the bastard on fire, but Lore didn’t want her to do violence, not with her mates and the clan there to protect her.
Can you lend me your flame,tonan?That I may do harm to the Earther’s power?
My head hurts. I don’t think I’ll be much help.
They watched Zehn engage the humans near him who tried to punch him. He tossed them both at Mike, who dodged, then retaliated with another telekinetic blow that snapped Zehn’s head back. Blood poured from his nose, but the rage in Zehn’s eyes was a thing of beauty.
Keep your energy, tight, sweetling. Lore projected. Shield yourself.
She grimaced.Yeah. Wouldn’t want to hurtthebaby.
Ah, sweet. That is all my fault. I will explain later.
If there is a later, she grumbled.Zehn won’t last much longer.
Behind them, the barbarians fought. Nasuhl to Vyctore, the numbers of warriors swelled over the jungle as blood spilled and insults flew back and forth. Never let it be said barbarians fought in silence. Dear God, but watching the others kill each other frightened her. Mandy had been around violence, but never to this extent. Even Mike and the others looked overwhelmed.
“Shit. We need to get moving,” one of them said. “Red’s waiting for her at the receiving dock.”
She swallowed. “Red’s here?”
Mike smiled at her. “Of course. Daddy wants to see his future daughter-in-law before we get started making babies. Just think how strong they’ll be with the power of fire and telekinesis at their fingertips. We’ll be the strongest crew in the city.” He looked her over as if she was a tasty piece of meat. “And I’ll have no problem fucking you until you get pregnant. And after.” He laughed.
She reached for Lore’s hand, ashamed to admit her terror of the human cretin.
Lore squeezed her hand.He will never touch you.
Never.Zehn stood and shook off another mental blow from Mike.
And then Mike was screaming as Lore delved inside his mind and crushed it. The humans, not understanding what was happening, decided to end the threat and aimed too many pulsers at Mandy and her mates.
Tired of feeling as if she had no control over anything, she let go of her power, embraced the pain at her temples, and somehow leaked some of her energy into her mates.
A jolt of connection passed between the three, and she saw Zehn’s eyes turn a bright green to match Lore’s. The humans screamed, fire burning them from the inside out. Zehn used their distraction to swing a long sword, chopping off flaming heads as he went.
Barbarians poured into their area, and anyone who drew too close ended up on fire, then stabbed with Zehn’s sword.
Seeing this, the Vyctore began herding the remaining Nasuhl toward them.
When she saw Skehl fighting a pack of Nasuhl, the group growing closer to her fire, she released the mental hold on Lore she hadn’t realized she’d forged. It was something stronger, beyond her mating tie.
The connection severed, the fire burned out. “Zehn, help Skehl. He saved me.”
Zehn saw the warrior she’d mentioned. “I don’t think he needs my help.” But he did tell the other Vyctore that Skehl was not to be harmed.
Dizzy, she wavered on her feet. Lore swept her into his arms, the warmth of his care easing the ache in her head. Phelthar, that connection he believed in, joined her to her mates on another level entirely. Beyond mind and body to a spiritual center so beautiful it made her cry.
“Shh. You’re okay,tonan.”
