“Nope.” Baikal ordered a drink, waiting for it to be poured and delivered by the bartender before he asked, “What brings you here tonight?”
Kelevra shrugged. “Boredom.”
He hummed casually, but in his head made a mental note to himself to warn Kazimir to tread carefully if he happened upon the Imperial in the coming days. A bored Kelevra meant blood at random in the streets, and while Kal wasn’t squeamish, covering up murders he didn’t personally commit was never his idea of a good time.
“I’ll drink to that.” He clinked his glass against Kelevra’s and gulped down half the contents in one go.
“I don’t know,” Kelevra smirked at him knowingly, “didn’t seem like you were having a bad time when I walked in.”
“He’s Brumal claimed,” Baikal warned, keeping his tone light despite the way his insides seemed to coil and want to physically strike the man.
“Daddy dearest approved of that?”
“My father doesn’t get a say in things like this.”
“Things like?” Kelevra lifted a curious brow.
Refusing to answer, Baikal sipped at the rest of his drink.
“I’m messing with you,” Kel told him with a shake of his head. “Interesting choice, that’s all. Is this plaything going to be a new permanent fixture?”
“That’s the plan.” Baikal grinned. “I just have to snare him first.”
“Friction on Saturday?” As he was wont to do, he changed topics without skipping a beat.
“Can’t.”
“More important things to do than ensure the future rulers of the planet continue getting along?” Kelevra was only partially being serious. Friction was a place where the members of the Brumal Baikal’s age and the Royals whom Kelevra was forced to interact with could get together to blow off steam.
As in, they’d beat the shit out of each other and call it “passing the time”.
“Ask Kaz,” Baikal suggested. “Maybe he’s free.”
He considered. “He rarely says no to a fight.”
“The two of you have that in common. It’s a wonder you aren’t closer.” Kazimir and Kelevra only got on because they’d been told to by their parents and for no other reason. If not for Baikal between them, one or both of them would have ended up dead by now, and even though they were family, Baikal’s money would have been on Kel coming out as the winner.
Kazimir didn’t stand a chance against the sociopathic Imperial currently lounging at Kal’s side.
“Do something about that,” he stated. “Whenever you’re bored I end up getting a call in the middle of the night wrecking my beauty sleep.”
“Hate to break it to you,” Kelevra said, “but you aren’t all that attractive to begin with.”
“How very like a politician of you, Imperial Prince.” Baikal finished off his drink and set the glass down on the table with a clack. “You’re all good liars.”
“It takes one to know one, Heir to the Brumal throne,” he shot back.
Baikal flipped him the bird as he left, shaking his head when he heard Kelevra laugh. He felt lighter as he made his way to the parking lot, knowing that he’d placed a claim on Rabbit and the Imperial wouldn’t interfere from here on out.
He pulled out his multi-slate and sent a quick set of instructions to one of his grunts, Rhodes, just as he reached his hovercar.
It was hunting season, and he had his eye on one particular bunny.
Chapter 4:
It felt like his chest was about to explode.
Rabbit pressed against the spot over his heart and squeezed his eyes shut, focusing on his breathing like the doctor had instructed when he’d first begun exhibiting signs of panic attacks. Both he and Rabbit’s mother thought he’d gotten past them, but really he’d just gotten better at dealing with them on his own.
