Kidnapping and death if all else failed.
Men like him didn’t admire talent without deciding where it belonged—at their side, on their leash, or in the ground.
He knows about her.
The realization detonated in my chest.
I kept my expression frozen. "There's no one to meet."
“Hmmm.” Kazimir sighed. “I don’t know much about a dragon’s anatomy. Scales. Eyes. Fangs. Claws. Horns even. But what are the soft places on a dragon?”
I sneered. “There are none.”
"None?" Kazimir tilted his head. "Perhaps, soft places are easy to hide.”
“I would not know.”
“Me either, Kenji. But I do know that soft places have soft places of their own. Everywhere." His fingers twitched at his side. “Have you traveled much to the States?”
Reo was now closer to us. I could sense the readiness for battle radiating off him.
Careful, Roar. He’s only testing us for now.
“I’ve been to the States a few times, Kazimir."
“Such a big country with interesting cities. Historical ones. Charleston. New York City."
The ice behind my ribs spread to my spine.
He wasn't just talking about Nyomi anymore. He was talking about her blood. Her roots. The people she loved—people who had nothing to do with this world.
Misha had mapped her entire family.
Some of the Lion’s men drifted forward, sensing the shift in the air.
Kazimir raised one hand—casual, almost bored—and they stilled. "Relax. The Dragon and I are just. . .discussing anatomy."
His men didn't retreat.
Kazimir shrugged and looked back at me. "Forgive them. My men are always so hungry. Violence is food to their souls. And they haven't eaten in days."
Soul food. I caught that you piece of shit. You want to target my Tiger, Kazimir? Then, let’s fucking go. Right here. Right now.
My sneer must have told a clear story of violence because some of his men drifted forward.
“But back to your not having any soft places.” Kazimir quirked his brows. “Are you sure about this?”
"Just like I’m sure of one of myfavoriteproverbs.”
Kazimir leaned his head to the side.
“You’ve heard it. Curiosity killed the cat."
For one heartbeat—just one—rage flashed within those beastly eyes.
His men were close now.
But my Fangs and Scales had stepped forward too, mirroring their distance.
