"Shut your goddamn mouth, old man!"Gus snarled."That swollen bitch was begging for it."His eyes raked over Ancelin like physical hands."So, Vallex—how much for a turn with this bitch?I've got currency.Haven't seen anything this prime since Mars.Is she broken in proper?Or does she still fight?"
"Is he serious?"Ancelin breathed, her pulse hammering in her throat.
Krevan's silver eyes met hers, and something ancient and predatory flashed behind them.The air around him seemed to vibrate with barely contained violence.His lips barely moved as he whispered, "I'm going to tear his throat out."
“No.Let’s leave,” Ancelin whispered, her hand tight on Krevan’s arm.“I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Krevan remained immovable, a living mountain.“Sit,” his voice sharp as obsidian.“I can’t run—you’d still be pursued.This ends now.”
In a heartbeat he was behind Gus, steel fingers clamped around the man’s neck.“Gus,” he snarled, voice low and deadly.“I’m Vallex—I’m the mistake you’ll regret for the rest of your days.”
Silence slammed the shop into frozen stillness.Patrons held their breath, sweat beading on brows.Ancelin’s heart pounded—she sensed the demon he became when roused.His tone could chill souls.
He tightened his grip.“You insulted my mate.I don’t want to kill you in front of her—she begged me to spare you.She wants this world to be civilized.Yet you’ve shattered our morning, and that… enrages me.”His eyes burned.“Leave this store.Never return.Hell, leave Verrian entirely.Cross my path again, and I’ll end you.”
Gus’s face twisted.“Fuck you!”He yanked a dagger from his leg.Ancelin gasped.
In a flash, Krevan wrenched the blade free, and flung it across the room.His fangs slid out, sleek ivory knives.Gus swung blindly—his fist crashed into Krevan’s mouth with a sickening crack.
Krevan didn’t flinch.“You’re a fool.”
Gus's body convulsed as he staggered backward, his punctured hand held aloft like a burning torch.Blood erupted between his fingers in violent pulses, each spurt darker than the last.The scream that ripped from his throat wasn't human—a shrieking, primal sound that shattered the air.His legs buckled and twisted beneath him as he collapsed, writhing on the ground."MY VEINS ARE ON FIRE!"he shrieked, his face contorting, veins bulging at his temples as sweat poured down his ashen face.
Krevan's tongue flicked casually across his fang, tasting Gus's blood."Self-inflicted," he murmured, eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction."My venom liquefies tissue from the inside out.When I'm angry, it flows stronger and works faster.Even children know better than to strike a Triaxen's mouth."He shrugged.“I’m truly sorry.The venom will kill you.I didn’t plan on it—didn’t want to upset my mate today.”
Gus writhed in pain, convulsing face-first into the floor.
“That’ll teach him to respect women.”Krevan stepped to the counter.“Krammer, call the authorities and report this.He drew a knife on me, then struck me.I did nothing.He brought this on himself.”
He slid onto the stool beside Ancelin.“Morning ruined?”he asked gently.
Ancelin, wide-eyed and pale, took the offered plate.“It’s not your fault.”She drew in a shaky breath—and began to eat.
"No need to involve the authorities in this.This is Verrian," Krammer said, wiping his hands on his apron."Nobody'd bother coming anyway.”He shrugged.“We'll handle the remains once folks finish eating.That fool had it coming, especially after what he tried with Kellie.I’ve had to hide my wife to keep her safe.Everyone here witnessed what happened, right, fellas?"
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, punctuated by several firm nods.Ancelin cut into her eggs, steam rising from the yellow center as though nothing unusual had occurred.Krevan swiveled back to face his empty plate, then tapped it with his fork.
"Krammer," Ancelin said as the man returned with Krevan's second helping, "I brought something for Katie."
"She can come out now—all clear."Krammer turned toward the kitchen and shouted something about safety.The swinging doors parted, revealing a young woman who edged into the room with the caution of someone expecting trouble.
A young woman with a blonde pixie cut stepped through the doorway."Mr.Vallex," she nodded, "glad that tire situation worked out."Her gaze flicked to Gus sprawled on the floor, assessing him with the same casual interest she might give a fallen branch after a storm.Then she turned to Ancelin, her face warming."You must be the Mrs.Vallex everyone's talking about.Happy birthday and welcome to our little corner of Verrian."Her cheerful tone seemed bizarrely disconnected from the corpse at their feet.
"Just Ancelin is fine," she replied, tilting her head."People talk about me here?"
"Your handsome husband.”She smiled.“I talked to him yesterday while he was collecting your furniture delivery.Those tires—" Katie gestured toward the man on the floor."Probably his handiwork.He's been trouble since he showed up.Grabbed Kellie inappropriately, and when she defended herself, he struck her stomach.Can you believe that?”
“No, that’s awful.”
“Yes, it was.Derrick nearly lost his mind.That man pulled a knife, threatened to gut him.It was only going to end one way—either Derrick or him.Kellie had to practically drag Derrick away."She shook her head."Been waiting for him to come after me next.So...good riddance, honestly."
"I'm starting to see that now.Is Kellie alright?Her baby too?"Ancelin's gaze swept over the other men, her eyes narrowing to slits.They averted their eyes immediately.She turned back to Katie, her voice hardening."No planet should tolerate this.Not assault, not rape—none of it.What happened to Kellie makes my blood boil."Her expression suddenly brightened."I'm throwing her a baby shower tomorrow.Here—" She pulled an invitation from her bag."For you and your husband.Just bring something small for Kellie if you can.I'll handle all the food.We'll have lunch, dinner, the works—and not a single bully in sight."
"Wait, isn't tomorrow your birthday celebration?"
"Technically yes, but I'm making it Kellie's day instead."Ancelin tilted her head."How did you know about my birthday?"
Katie smiled, gesturing toward Krevan with a nod."Your husband mentioned it."Across the counter, Krevan watched them over the rim of his coffee cup.
