"Kurt," Krevan said, his voice flat."What brings you all the way out here?"
The tallest of the four men sauntered forward, gaze sliding past Krevan as if he were merely furniture.His eyes fixed on Ancelin with unmistakable interest."Neighborly visit, Vallex.Word travels."Yellow-brown teeth appeared beneath his cracked lips."Figured the lady might want to meet us.Not many females around these parts."He thrust a hand toward her, fingernails rimmed with black dirt."Welcome to our humble settlement, Miss."
Krevan shifted closer until his shoulder touched hers, his body rigid against her arm.Ancelin fixed her lips into what she hoped was a pleasant smile while hugging herself tightly."That's very kind of you."
The tall man's fingers curled back into his palm as he lowered his unshaken hand."Got a name to go with that pretty face?Me and the boys would love to show you around, help the new girl...find her footing out here."His words stretched like taffy on the last phrase, leaving something sour in the air between them.
"Ancelin is under my protection," Krevan said.The rumble in his chest made the words vibrate through the air between them.The other men shuffled backward, their eyes finding sudden interest in their mud-caked boots.Ancelin stepped forward, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes."Gentlemen, I appreciate your welcome, but we've got work before the next downpour.Maybe we'll cross paths in town sometime."
Kurt's gaze slid past her as if she hadn't spoken."Come on, Vallex.We're not after your property.Just being friendly to the new arrival."His smirk twisted beneath calculating eyes as he folded his arms across his chest.
"This is private land," Krevan's words fell like stones."And she's with me.Don't return.Don't approach her."The temperature seemed to drop several degrees.Ancelin instinctively moved behind Krevan's broad shoulders as one of the other men took a deliberate step forward.
"Why don't we let the lady speak for herself?"The man with the sparse beard took a step closer, his boots making wet sounds in the mud.Something rumbled from deep in Krevan's throat—a vibration so primal it raised goosebumps along Ancelin's forearms.She recognized that sound from nature programs about apex predators.The visitors' gazes darted between them, bodies repositioning with calculated menace.A silent signal passed between two of them as their hands inched toward what might be weapons.Ancelin moved swiftly, pressing against Krevan's side and feeling warmth pulse through the fabric of his shirt.She let her fingers drift to his abdomen, drawing lazy circles against the taut muscle.
"Darling," she called out, making sure her voice reached across the yard, "I think our guests need to leave before that storm hits.Remember what we discussed about finishing our work early?"She tilted her head up, her mouth a whisper away from his ear."I had something special planned for tonight."
Another man lunged forward.In a blur of motion too fast for Ancelin to track, Krevan's hand shot out.The man's feet left the ground, his body suspended by Krevan's white-knuckled grip on his jacket.A sickening crack echoed as the man's spine hit the ATV hood.Krevan's fingers clamped around the man's throat, cutting off his gasp.The veins in Krevan's forearm bulged as he leaned in, his face inches from his prey.His eyes—no longer green but molten silver—reflected nothing human."Get.Off.My.Land."Each word dripped with lethal promise."Touch her again and I'll wear your skin."When he released him, the man collapsed, gasping.The others scrambled for their vehicles.Kurt's engine roared to life, but he couldn't resist one final taunt through his window.
"Four of us would hurt her less than one Triaxen—" The rest died in his throat as Krevan's fist punched through the windshield.The glass didn't just break—it exploded, raining down in a glittering cloud that caught the fading light like diamonds.
"I warned you, Kurt.I’d rather spare my woman the gruesome sight of your head coming off, so get off my land.And don’t even think about trying to hit me with this vehicle.I'll crush it with you inside."With those final warnings, the men shifted their vehicles into reverse and sped off Krevan’s property.
Ancelin watched them go, her body trembling with adrenaline.A light mist of rain turned into heavy drops, and in moments, it was pouring down on them.Suddenly she was swept off her feet, Ancelin blinked at the swift movement.When she reopened her eyes, Krevan was holding her inside the garage, looking out at the torrential rain through the open door.
"The other house will have to wait until tomorrow.For now, let's get you to the greenhouse—it connects directly to the main house."Krevan lowered her to the ground with unexpected gentleness.The world tilted beneath Ancelin's feet, her equilibrium still catching up to the sudden movement.She swayed, and his hand found her elbow, his grip firm but careful."Steady there.Are you alright?"
"You're like a blur when you move," Ancelin said, her mind still reeling from everything that had happened.
"I’m a Triaxen," he replied with a shrug, his hand at the small of her back as he ushered her inside.
The sky split open with a crack that shook dust from the ceiling beams.Ancelin flinched but noticed the strange absence of lightning—just that unnatural gray glow pressing down from the sky above.
"Please tell me this storm won't get worse," she said, eyes tracking the swirling mass of clouds.
Krevan's mouth tightened."Verrian’s meteorological system is predicting winds strong enough to flatten buildings.Class-five designation.Never seen anything like it since living on Verrian."He glanced at the reinforced walls around them."Don't worry.I designed this shelter to outlast even the planet's worst tantrums."
They hung their dripping jackets by the door and left their mud-caked boots on the mat before padding into the kitchen.Krevan filled two glasses with water, which they drank gratefully before he guided her down a hallway.The corridor ended at what could only be described as a glass-walled haven.Raindrops pelted the transparent ceiling and walls, turning the gray sky into a shifting canvas.When the glass doors opened, warmth wrapped around them immediately, carrying the rich smell of soil and growing things.Everywhere she looked, plants thrived—broad leaves in emerald and jade, flowers unfurling in colors she couldn't name—each one evidence of someone who had tended them with extraordinary care.
"This is where I escape when the weather turns or I want to relax," Krevan said, unexpectedly taking her hand.He guided her toward seedlings at the far end."These will be ready soon—a variant of Earth's tomatoes.Remarkably resilient plants and their fruit is delicious."He reached for a watering can, tending to his plants with gentle precision.
Krevan's expression brightened as he swept his arm toward the vista beyond the greenhouse.Words tumbled faster from his lips while his fingers traced phantom furrows in the air.Those powerful hands—the same ones that had splintered glass moments earlier—now cradled a fragile seedling.Ancelin's throat tightened.The man who had hoisted another human effortlessly was now misting delicate sprouts with the gentleness of a parent.Conflict twisted inside her.Had he protected her, or merely marked his territory?And what other capabilities lurked beneath his controlled exterior?
"What do you think, Ancelin?"Krevan's question snapped her attention back.He inclined his head, expectant.
"It's...remarkable," she offered, scanning the verdant space."The scale of it, the variety—I'm stunned you've managed alone."A thunderclap boomed, startling her.For an instant, she almost pressed against him.She retreated hastily, warmth flooding her cheeks at the memory of his solid frame shielding her outside.
“Let’s leave the greenhouse.The glass structure is more susceptible to damage.”Krevan gently guided her by the arm, leading her back into the main house.As they entered, the drier and cooler air greeted them.“Thank you for appreciating my work.I haven’t shown it to anyone before, and it truly makes me happy that you like it.”
Ancelin cleared her throat."Let me make you dinner tonight."She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear."You said something about missing home cooking, and I'd like to return the favor after..."Her voice trailed off, the confrontation with the men still hanging in the air between them.
"I'll show you what we have."Krevan's fingers found hers, engulfing her hand completely.The calluses on his palm rasped against her skin as he led her through the corridor.
Ancelin followed, suddenly aware of her quickened pulse."Before I start, though—is there a Satphone I could use?Just to let Lena know I'm safe."She glanced at his profile."Then I promise to work some culinary magic with whatever we find.Even if it's just protein packs and dried herbs.I think you’ll be pleased."
"I'd like that."Krevan's fingers tightened gently around hers as his lips curved upward."Let me show you where you can make that call privately."He led her down a corridor to a set of wooden double doors that swung open at his touch.Inside, leather-bound volumes lined floor-to-ceiling shelves, their spines catching the light.A massive mahogany desk anchored the space; its surface polished to a mirror shine.The room stood frozen in time—an antique heart beating within the modern shell of the house.
Krevan lifted a sleek device from the desk."The Satphone," he said, placing it in her palm."I need to secure some things in the greenhouse before the storm intensifies.Take all the time you need.When you're done, find me there and we'll sort out dinner.Do you know the Earth codes?"
