A deep growl came from Dusti’s left. She tried to turn her head but Aveoth prevented it when he wrapped his fingers around her throat. He didn’t cut off her air but he had a secure hold on her. He lifted his other hand and held it up, almost a signal for something to stop.
“Hello, Drantos. What are you doing in my territory without calling first to inform me you wanted to visit? I knew someone approached from half a mile away. You attempted to stay upwind but my senses are too keen not to hear that lumbering body of yours, no matter how skilled you’ve become at sneaking up on a target. And the wind shifted once to reveal your identity.”
Dusti strained against the hand still wrapped around her throat, just enough to see a sight that left her trembling on shaky legs.
A huge, black, hairy beast crept out of the edge of the woods and onto the path they stood in.
That’s what he looks like when he’s a hell beast, her mind acknowledged. The trembling grew worse since Drantos was a terrifying sight. Aveoth released her throat and gripped her hips to steady her. It helped.
She couldn’t stop gaping at Drantos. He looked similar to the scary beasts she’d already seen, only bigger, with those same evil-looking black eyes. He lowered his head so they weren’t staring at each other anymore. Bone popping noises began and she squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see him transform. It sounded painful and very uncomfortable.
“That woman belongs to me.” Drantos had his voice once he’d turned back into human form. “That asshole is mine too. I’m going to kill him for stealing her away from my family.”
“No.” Aveoth smiled coldly. “You may kill the male but you won’t touch her.”
“She’s mine.” Drantos stalked forward, snarled viciously, but halted. “Don’t do this, Aveoth.”
“Do what? Not allow you to harm Margola’s descendant?” The GarLycan’s voice deepened into a rumble that threatened violence.
“She’s my mate. I’d never hurt Dusti. I’d kill to protect her.”
“She doesn’t smell like you.”
“She’s wearing my cousin’s coat. That’s his scent you’re picking up. She was cold and it was the only thing available.”
He narrowed his gaze on Dusti. “He’s the one you spoke of? The cheater?”
Drantos snarled again. “Yonda wasn’t my girlfriend.”
Aveoth glanced between them but he cocked his head finally, arching one eyebrow at her in question.
She was too afraid not to answer. “He was seeing someone before we met. I didn’t know and I got upset when I found out.”
“She doesn’t understand,” Drantos rasped. “Dusti thinks like a human. I was trying to ease her into our world before I told her too much.”
Aveoth turned his head, watching Drantos. “You haven’t completely bonded to her yet. She doesn’t carry your scent.”
Drantos paled. “Please, Aveoth. I’ve bedded her and we’ve exchanged blood. We’ve begun the mating bond.”
A calculated glint flared inside Aveoth’s dark gaze. “You have the sister who is not human? I will trade your mate for her.”
“No!” Dusti blurted.
Drantos growled softly. “Silence, sweetheart.”
“No.” She glared up at Aveoth. “My sister is not a bargaining chip, nor will she agree to be your lover. Bat would castrate you the first time you fell asleep if you forced yourself on her.”
“Damn it, Dusti. Shut up,” Drantos ordered.
“You don’t speak for my sister.” She didn’t glance his way to see Drantos’s reaction. She wouldn’t deny being his mate if it got her away from the big GarLycan. “My sister is a person, not a thing to be traded.”
“I want her.”
That statement from Aveoth chilled her blood. “Too bad.”
“Dusti,” Drantos warned. “Please trust me and stop talking. You are only going to make the situation worse.”
“How is that even possible?” She gripped the strange leather arm guards Aveoth wore, avoiding the sharp silver spikes. “Please let me go. I can stand now.”
“No.”
“I said please.” Her temper flared. It wasn’t her life on the line at that moment. It had become about Bat’s. She’d face the devil himself to protect her sister. She pointed at Craig. “That asshole over there thought he could claw my leg open and get away with it. See that blood on him? I did that. Now please let me go. I am fed up with being manhandled.”
“Dusti,” Drantos pleaded. “Don’t, sweetheart. He’s not someone you want to get mouthy with. Just be quiet and allow me speak.”
Aveoth surprised Dusti by chuckling. Amusement sparked in his gaze that started to turn bright blue again. His hands on her loosened but he didn’t remove them from her body. “This is becoming entertaining.”
“I’m glad you think so. She’s been raised human.” Drantos kept his tone soft. “Dusti has no understanding of others, our laws, or how to show respect to any type of authority. She and her sister have a distinct talent for saying anything that comes to mind.”
“Is the sister similar to her?”
Drantos hesitated to answer.
“She’s way worse,” Dusti informed him. “She’s a defense attorney from Los Angeles. Her law firm had to hire Bat her own personal security team because she’s pissed off so many people she gets death threats on a daily basis.” She took a breath. “I am not kidding about that castration if you were to force her into going to bed with you. She’d actually do it, and probably buy a case to carry your balls around in her purse just for the meanness of it.”
“Dusti,” Drantos rasped, “stop.”
Aveoth laughed again and released her, backing up. He studied Drantos. “She’s got spirit.” His gaze lowered down his body. “I see you still have your balls.”
Drantos sighed. “Yes. Dusti’s the sweet one.”
All humor disappeared from Aveoth’s features. “I want to meet Batina.”
“She already has a mate.” Drantos kept his voice very low. “He’ll never allow you to have her.”
Dusti turned her head to gape at Drantos. “Who?”
He met her gaze. “Kraven.”
Her mouth fell open. “No.”
He gave a sharp nod. “He hasn’t informed her yet but it’s true.”
“Oh, that poor bastard.” Dusti winced. If it was true, her sister would hurt the guy. Bat had obviously liked Kraven enough to consider fooling around with him but her sister didn’t do long-term relationships.
“Your Kraven?” Anger tinged Aveoth’s voice.
Wariness tightened Drantos’s features. “Yes. My brother.” He shot a glare at Craig, still on his knees. “That one and several others attacked my family to steal my mate, and my brother was injured protecting Batina.”
“How bad was he hurt?” Aveoth’s skin seemed to darken to that dusky gray again and his flesh appeared to harden.
Drantos cautiously inched closer until he reached Dusti’s side. He wrapped an arm around her waist, hoisted her against his naked body, and backed away from the GarLycan.
“He’ll live but it was pretty serious. They tried to rip out his spine and almost succeeded. He couldn’t defend himself because he was holding on to Bat to protect her.”
Aveoth’s head snapped in Craig’s direction. “You attacked VampLycans from another clan? I forbid fighting amongst the clans.”
“Decker ordered us to retrieve his granddaughter Batina at any cost. Those were his words. He said to bring Batina to you, regardless of who we had to kill to do it.” The guy’s voice shook with fear. “He specifically stated even if we had to kill VampLycans.”
In the blink of an eye, Aveoth was gone. He moved so fast that it just seemed to Dusti as if he’d teleported. He appeared in front of Craig for a second then suddenly turned around. Dusti choked back a scream when she realized what she was witnessing.
Craig’s head rolled in the dirt, his body slumping in another direction.
Aveoth had avoided th
e blood spray by taking one step to the side. He’d beheaded the guy.
Drantos snarled and transferred her from his arms to behind his back. She knew he did it to protect her, just as surely as she knew he didn’t stand a chance against a GarLycan. Aveoth could move too fast. An image of Drantos ending up that same way flashed through her mind, his head removed from his neck…
She didn’t think. She just reacted by lunging around him and throwing her arms up, putting herself between him and the threat.
What am I doing?
She wasn’t sure, but Aveoth hadn’t killed her when he’d had the chance. He’d said he wouldn’t hurt a descendant of Margola. She prayed he’d meant that.
Drantos gripped her hips but she just pressed back against his front tightly and clutched at his bare hips to keep him from moving her. She didn’t want Drantos to die. Even if that meant using her body as a shield. She stared at Aveoth, praying he wouldn’t come at them next. He was a terrifying sight with his slate-gray skin, appearing more stone than flesh.
“Please don’t hurt him,” she pleaded softly.
Drantos growled and tried to lift her. “Release me and be quiet.”
“No.” Her nails dug into his skin and she shoved her back against him harder. “You shut up.”
Aveoth didn’t move but he did watch Dusti closely. “She protects you? Interesting.”
“She is unique,” Drantos said, sighing again. “Are we going to fight?”
Aveoth’s gaze lifted to Drantos. He waved a hand at what used to be Craig. “He deserved it. He attacked another clan against my orders, stole a woman, and his scent is on her leg. He drew her blood. I hate anyone who would abuse a woman. The fact that she’s so human and helpless to defend against him really riles my sense of vengeance.”
“Understood. I would have liked to kill him myself, though you were kinder than I would have been for drawing my mate’s blood. I wanted to make him suffer first.”
Dusti wondered if either of them realized how cold they sounded discussing the dead corpse on the ground. She refused to glance at what used to be Craig. Throwing up would ruin the image she wanted to display of being tougher than she really felt.
“You killing him may have caused tension. I do it and it’s justice. These are my lands and my laws were broken.” Aveoth took a deep breath. “Speaking of laws, what does your father think of you mating to someone who smells so human? You’re the eldest son and it’s your duty to produce strong offspring. You risk failing with her.”
“It doesn’t matter what he thinks. She’s mine.”
“He could reject her.”
Drantos softly growled. “I don’t care.”
Aveoth studied Drantos with a frown. “I believe you.”
“I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“Are you still close to your father?”
“Yes.”
“But you’d defy him if he rejects her as your mate and you’d leave your own clan?”
“I’m not giving up Dusti.”
“So possessive.” Aveoth smiled. “Go. Take her and leave.”
“Thank you.” Drantos wrapped his arms around Dusti’s middle. “Did you know Decker planned to use Batina to blackmail you, to help him start a war between our clans?”
Aveoth’s skin seemed to harden more, darkening to a dull gray. “No. You believe he still plots a war?”
“I’m certain of it.” Drantos hesitated. “We still get a few families every so often seeking asylum from Decker. He murders his own clan members who show stronger Vampire traits. He also deems any younger siblings a loss, assuming they will mature and become the same. He’s beheaded toddlers and babies.”
Aveoth narrowed his eyes. “You’re certain this is true?”
“Yes. We’ll give you access to speak to the survivors and witnesses if you find it as horrifying as we do.”
Aveoth said nothing. Dusti felt horrified too, even if the man turning to stone in front of her didn’t. Her grandfather was way worse than anything she’d ever imagined.
Dusti was in his arms but Drantos didn’t feel as if she were safe yet. Aveoth was a danger to her. The GarLycan leader had changed a lot over the years. He’d grown bigger, stronger, and fierce. Traces of the young man he’d once been where there too, faint as they may be.
“What happened to you?” Drantos stared at Aveoth, hoping for an answer. “Why?” He didn’t need to say more. They both knew what he asked. They’d been best friends once, close as brothers. Then Aveoth had shut him out of his life.
Aveoth regarded him for a long moment, only his eyes revealing any emotion. The silver in his gaze turned blue. “Our childhood ended and my responsibilities began. It was best if we didn’t speak any longer. I have earned enemies. It would have put you in danger, being my friend.”
“From who? I heard about your father. I know he wouldn’t have approved of us spending time together.”
Aveoth’s gaze grew brighter blue. “You mean you learned that I challenged and killed him.” He inclined his head.
Drantos couldn’t comprehend how anyone could do that. He and his father had plenty of disagreements but he’d never attack him or take his life. Especially to take control of the clan.
Aveoth’s eyes lightened, the silver bleeding through. “Don’t look at me like that, Drantos. Lord Abotorus and Decker Filmore are of the same ruling mindset. Cruelty and fear are what kept or keeps them in power.” He glanced at Dusti, then back at him. “They both believed their children were acceptable pawns to use in a political game. I no longer wished to be a part of my father’s.”
“I’m sorry.” The meaning behind the words Aveoth had spoken was grim. There had clearly been no love between father and son.
“I have the same problem with some of the full-blooded Gargoyles that I had with Lord Abotorus. They feel the mixing of bloodlines has weakened our clan. They fear I’ll be too lenient with VampLycans because of our shared Lycan blood.”
“I think Craig would disagree if he still had a head to talk with,” Dusti muttered.
“Quiet,” Drantos whispered.
“Now Decker wishes to try to use me for his own political gain.” Aveoth’s irises turned almost white. “And I still don’t want to be used. I have no desire to go to war with VampLycans, Drantos. I like the peace.” His tone deepened, his anger clear. “You are not my enemy.”
“I do miss my friend,” he admitted.
Aveoth broke eye contact and turned, putting some space between them. Drantos thought he’d leave but the other man paused, glancing over his shoulder at him. “I wish you and Kraven well. I have fond memories but times have changed. A close association with you would be seen as a weakness. I can’t permit that.” He slowly turned his body to face them once more. “Tell Kraven I have no interest in Batina.”
Drantos relaxed. “Thank you.” His relief upon realizing Aveoth wouldn’t go after Bat, that Kraven wouldn’t have to fight to the death to save his mate, was immeasurable.
Aveoth inclined his head and actually smiled. “I’d like to keep my balls exactly where they are and not inside a box in some woman’s purse.” He glanced at Dusti, then back at Drantos. “Protect your mate better.”
“It’s been a bad few days.”
“We were in a plane crash,” Dusti added.
Aveoth looked surprised, staring at Drantos for confirmation. “A plane crash?”
He nodded. “I don’t have your wings. I wished I did when we were about to slam into the ground. All Kraven and I could do was wrap our bodies around them and hope it would be enough. We’ve been trying to get them to our territory ever since but Decker sent enforcers to attack us while we were vulnerable.”
“I’ll handle Decker.” Aveoth’s tone took on an icy edge. “He’s attempted to blackmail me for the last time. I know you have your own reasons to go after him but again, it will be considered justice when I kill him.”
Drantos had no argument with that. “I just want the threat to end.”
“I agree.” Aveoth glanced at Dusti again and his smile returned. “I like her.”
Drantos tensed, prepared once more to fight to keep Dusti.
Aveoth didn’t attack, but said instead, “Listen to me well, Drantos.”
He expected a threat.
“I’m giving you the gift of knowledge. Old Vampire masters keep their made children in the dark in more ways than one. They don’t share their secrets, believing the fear of the unknown will help them stay in power over their nests.” He paused. “Lycans tend to send their young and females of breeding age to safety when they face a battle. That means their elderly are often killed when they remain behind to fight, so much of their history is lost.” He paused. “Gargoyles, however, are record keepers—and we have thousands of years of knowledge written down, everything we’ve learned from both races.”
Drantos frowned, not sure how this was relevant to him.
Aveoth chuckled, seeming to sense his confusion. “VampLycans are children compared to some of my ancestors. I spent many a year in our libraries reading.” His expression turned grim. “I didn’t have a happy childhood, but my time spent amongst the records was helpful.” He paused again and glanced at Dusti, then Drantos. “All the reasons your father might fear you mating to her wouldn’t be a problem…if you were to share your blood with her generously while she carries your line. Do you understand?”
“You’re saying my blood will—”
“Yes,” Aveoth cut him off. “Exactly. I would hate to see you leave your clan and venture into the human world. You belong here. So do your offspring. They’ll be as strong as you are.”
“You’re sure?” If Aveoth was right, his children could still be born with the ability to shift if he fed Dusti blood on a regular basis while she was pregnant.
“I’m certain. It’s been done for generations with Gargoyles. It’s why all of us retain our bloodlines so strongly, regardless of the race of women we breed with. That information is for you and your family only. Do you understand? Never repeat where you learned it.”
“Thank you.”
Aveoth stared at Dusti. “She is tempting. I miss the blood so much.” He looked at Drantos. “Take her and go now. I have a corpse to dispose of and a few more to make.”
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