Exiled 01 - Nazaryth

by Lynn Hagen

  Holding up the tube in his hand, Theo shook it back and forth as the contents rattled. “Anybody up for a game of LCR?”

  “What’s that?” Dog asked as he jumped up from the sofa, grabbing the cylinder from Theo’s hand.

  “Oh, it’s just a game where I can take all of your money.” He chuckled and then held up a roll of quarters. “Tell me you guys have ten dollars in quarters to play with.”

  “All right,” Ruthless said as he slapped his hands together, rubbing them back and forth as he stood. “I’m in. I love taking other people’s money.”

  Theo helped Vydeck and Wolf set up the table, grabbing chairs from where they could find them. There seemed to be an excited buzz around the room as everyone gathered around the table. Layne brought in beers for everyone as Tyson grabbed some snacks.

  Running into the kitchen, Theo grabbed a bowl and then set it in the center of the table. “Okay, listen up,” he said as he held up his hand. The men quieted down as Theo cleared his throat and continued. “This is how it’s played.” Theo held up the three dice. “An ll means you give a quarter to the person on your left, an R means the person on your right, a C means the money goes into the basket in the center, and the single black dot means you keep your money. Got it?” Everyone nodded.

  “What if you roll more than one letter?” Ruthless asked. Theo rolled his eyes at the obvious. “Whatever the dice say, do it.”

  “What’s the object of the game?” Renato asked.

  Theo grinned as he sat the dice down. “The object is, the last person with a quarter gets the basket. And since there are twelve of you sitting here, that’s enough money for papa to buy himself a brand-new hat.”

  “What the hell do you need a hat for?” Silo asked as he took a seat, setting his quarters in front of him.

  “Never mind. Let’s get this game started.” Theo sat down and rolled the dice, letting the game begin.

  “Ha!” Ruthless yelled as he jumped up, pointing at Theo’s dice.

  “Give me my quarters, baby!”

  Theo grunted as he slid two quarters to his right. “That’s all right, I still have a whole roll of them,” Theo pointed out amusingly. “Bring it on, buddy.”

  As the game went on, the guys around the table were becoming more rowdy, shouting, laughing, or growling when they won or lost their money. Theo was having a great time. It had been too long since he had fun like this. Sadness stabbed inside of him when he realized the last time he had played this game.

  It had been with Dorian and their friends.

  Theo knew that playing this game would bring up old memories, but he wanted to get to know his new family.

  And what better way than gambling?

  Ruthless’s fist slammed down on the table, making the quarters and drinks jump as he growled. “Dammit!” he shouted angrily as he shoved three quarters Theo’s way. Theo chuckled as he rubbed his hands together.

  “Don’t be a baby, loser. I’ll take real good care of your money,” he teased. “Oh, wait a minute, I meant my money.”

  “You won’t have that smug smile on your face when I walk away with that basket!” Ruthless said as he pointed to the basket in the center of the table.

  “We’ll see about that,” Theo challenged as he rolled the dice.

  “What the hell is going on in here?”

  Oops.

  Everyone stilled as the room fell silent, no one making a sound.

  Theo saw Nazaryth glaring at everyone as he stood in the doorway, his arms over his chest. “Why are you out of bed, zaterio?” Nazaryth demanded as he walked closer to the table. “You should be resting.

  Not out here…” Nazaryth glanced down at the table, his brows pulled down into a frown. “What exactly are you doing?”

  “Oh, dude, you so have got to play this,” Silo said as he stood, grabbing a chair for Nazaryth.

  “Hey, he can’t get in!” Ruthless shouted. “We’re already halfway through the game.”

  “You are so damn competitive,” Theo said as he waved Nazaryth over to the empty seat. “Chill the hell out. It’s just a game.”

  “Says the second most competitive man at this table,” Ruthless retorted.

  “He can get in on five bucks since we’re halfway through the game,” Silo offered.

  Ruthless grunted as he took a seat. Theo wanted to laugh at the scowl on the man’s face. It was only a game, but Ruthless was dying to make Theo go down. It was hilarious.

  “Get in on what?” Nazaryth asked, looking at Theo in confusion.

  Theo leaned up, kissing Nazaryth before tossing an arm over his shoulder and pointing to the table. “Let me explain how this is played.”

  Nazaryth glanced down the table at his mate as Theo picked up the dice and rolled. Had he ever seen Theo so happy before? The man wore a smile on his face that lit up his beautiful amber eyes, making them almost glow. His zaterio looked his way, winking at him.

  Nazaryth was stunned by the way Theo was acting. The man treated the other beasts as if he had known them for years, chiding them, shouting or laughing at them. It was an amazing sight.

  And his men? They were treating Theo like their little brother.

  Nazaryth grinned when Theo whooped, shouting about giving papa his money. He’d rather have his zaterio in bed, resting, but the glow that surrounded his mate was stunning.

  It looked like Theo was having a great time, which pleased Nazaryth. The only thing he wanted for Theo was to be happy. It seemed this game was bringing out all kinds of emotions, from not only his mate, but all the men in the room.

  He had no clue how competitive the men truly were, but he was seeing it firsthand now, and it was actually quite funny.

  “God dammit, if I roll one more C, I’m going to knock somebody out!” Dog yelled as he tossed his quarters in the basket. “Now I only have four quarters left. What in the hell am I going to do with four fucking quarters? I can’t do a damn thing with four quarters.” Damn, and Dog used to be the quiet one.

  “Stop crying,” Theo said as he grabbed the dice from Dog.

  “Maybe I’ll roll some ll s for you…or maybe not!” He laughed and then whooped when all three dice showed black, solid dots.

  This game was pretty fun. Nazaryth would have to make sure they played it again. He got up from the table and walked into the kitchen, tossing his empty beer bottle into the trash and grabbing two cold ones from the fridge.

  He sat one down next to Theo, kissing him on the temple before taking his seat again.

  “I need a beer,” Silo said as he pointed to his empty bottle.

  ‘Then go fucking get one,” Nazaryth snapped. “What the hell do I look like, your damn maid?”

  “Why does Theo get one?” Silo pouted.

  “Because he’s fucking me,” Theo answered for Nazaryth. “That’s a no-brainer.”

  The room erupted with laughter as Nazaryth, for the first time, felt his face heat with embarrassment. Theo had been so blunt about his answer. Not that Nazaryth cared what anybody thought, he had just been caught off guard with his zaterio’s answer.

  “Does that explain it?” Nazaryth said as he narrowed his eyes at Silo.

  “Loud and clear,” Silo said as he jumped up and ran to the kitchen.

  Nazaryth rolled the dice when they came his way, tossing his last quarters into the basket. “Looks like it’s down to you and Ruthless,” Nazaryth said as he took a long draft of beer, noticing that Theo and Ruthless were glaring at each other.

  “You’re going down!” Theo said as he scooped the dice into his hand.

  “You can only have two dice, Theo. You only have two quarters left,” Ruthless pointed out.

  Theo tossed the extra die into the basket and then blew into his fist, letting the remaining dice fly. He shouted when he rolled two black dots.

  “Lucky bastard.” Ruthless snarled as Nazaryth growled.

  Ruthless’s head shot sideways, his eyes growing wide. “It’s just a game, man. Just some
friendly bantering. I meant nothing by it,” he said as he swallowed.

  “Keep that competitive talk down before I remove your head for talking that way to my zaterio,” Nazaryth threatened.

  “He’s fine,” Theo said nervously and then blew Nazaryth a kiss.

  Nazaryth forgot his protest as he saw the apprehension tightening Theo’s features. He sighed and nodded then focused his glare at Ruthless.

  “Let him say what he wants,” Theo said with a wry grin. “I’m going to be the one walking away with that basket.”

  “Like hell,” Ruthless growled as he grabbed the dice, plucking the one out of the basket. “I have three quarters, you have two. That means I’m winning.”

  “And the tables could turn oh so quickly,” Theo argued.

  Ruthless grabbed the dice, shaking them in his hand when the perimeter alarm went off. Everyone’s head turned as Nazaryth got up from the table and walked over to the monitor. “Fucking dogs are back, and this time they brought some friends.” Nazaryth turned toward everyone in the room. “Get ready for battle.” The room cleared, the men going after their weapons, leaving Theo standing there at the table. A serious expression suddenly came over Theo’s face. “How many?”

  Nazaryth blocked the monitor, not allowing Theo to see the hounds. “Five in all.”

  Theo nodded as he came around the table. “Then I guess we better get ready.”

  “No,” Nazaryth said firmly. “I want you in our room where it’s safe.”

  “Like hell!” Theo argued. “I’m not hiding. Even though their bite is poisonous to me, I’m not a coward.”

  Theo started for the hallway, but Nazaryth blocked his path, cupping his zaterio’s face. “Theo, please.” Nazaryth was begging for the first time in his life. “I’m asking you to please stay in our room.” It was actually the second time. The first would be when Nazaryth begged Theo to live. But since no one had heard him the first time…

  Theo didn’t look too happy about Nazaryth’s request. His zaterio refused to look at him, his eyes cast downward. Nazaryth hated to see Theo this way. He wanted to see that brilliant smile back on his face but knew that it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. He ran the pads of his thumbs over the stubble lining Theo’s jaw, dipping his head for a kiss.

  Theo finally nodded when Nazaryth pulled away. “But I’m not staying in our room. I’m going to watch you on the monitor and the first time I think you’re in too deep, I’m coming out to help.” Nazaryth wanted to argue, but he could see the resolute expression in Theo’s amber eyes.

  Nothing was going to stop Theo from coming out if he thought Nazaryth was in trouble. So he just needed to go out there and kick some ass. That was the only way he was going to keep his zaterio inside where it was safe.

  “Deal,” he said as he took a step back. Theo walked over to the table, grabbing a chair and bringing it back. He sat down in front of the monitor, crossing his arms over his chest. Nazaryth wanted to growl at the man’s stubbornness, but he needed to get outside.

  “Tell Ruthless we have a game to finish when he gets back.”

  Nazaryth grinned at the obstinate look on Theo’s face. “I’ll tell him that.” He shot down the hallway, hating that he had to leave Theo behind as he used the exit in his bedroom to get outside.

  He came out on the other side of the mountain, giving him the advantage as he flew up to the top of the mountain, looking down toward the hangar. Not only were Morbius and Rythicam there, but they had three other hounds with them.

  Nazaryth leaned over the precipice, listening closely.

  “The entrance is around this hangar somewhere,” Morbius said as he ran his hand over the rusted metal. “We just have to find it.”

  “Why don’t we just tear the damn thing down?” one of the hounds that Nazaryth didn’t recognize asked.

  “Because we can’t,” Morbius said in frustration. “Nazaryth has some sort of warding spell over this damn place.”

  “Is that why I feel like turning around and walking away?” the man asked.

  Morbius growled as he cuffed the guy in the back of the head.

  “What the fuck do you think? That’s what a warding spell does, moron. Now figure out a way in. I want his zaterio.” Nazaryth suppressed a growl when Morbius’s words floated up to him. If that dweller went anywhere near Theo, he would hang the man by his own entrails. Nobody was going to get their hands on his zaterio. He would give his life to ensure that Theo stayed safe.

  But he’d rather give Morbius’s instead.

  Nazaryth saw the other winged beasts coming out of their private exits, crouching down low, taking in the scene by the hangar. Dog glanced over at him, a ruthless smile on his face as he winked at Nazaryth. “They’re dumber than a box of rocks.” He chuckled.

  Normally Nazaryth would agree with his best friend, but Theo was inside and he didn’t find the situation the least bit funny.

  Scooting closer, Nazaryth accidently kicked a rock, sending it careening down the side of the mountain, alerting all to the beasts’ presence.

  The hounds’ heads snapped up as they spotted Nazaryth and his men. “Why don’t you send your pet out here?” Morbius shouted up to Nazaryth.

  Just as soon as he lay cold and dead on the ground. “Not likely,” he shouted back.

  The hound shrugged, giving Nazaryth a lecherous smile. “Sooner or later I will have him. Why don’t you save me the time and hand him over?”

  Nazaryth knew that Morbius was antagonizing him, trying to provoke him into fighting. Nazaryth knew a ploy for distraction when he saw one. Morbius didn’t really want to fight him, but pull his attention away from the other hounds trying to get into the hangar.

  He wasn’t falling for it, but did need to get them away from the hangar. Although a remote was needed to get in, once again Nazaryth agreed that some creatures were born with dumb luck.

  “Why don’t you come up here and play?” Dog shouted as he stood. “I have a long and thick stick up here you can play fetch with.” He grabbed his crotch as he sneered down at Morbius.

  Nazaryth rolled his eyes.

  “What?” Dog asked as he released his crotch. “I never claimed to be a saint.”

  Morbius turned a crimson red as his lips thinned and his eyes narrowed at Dog. “Fuck you.”

  “Not even on my most desperate day.” Dog hooted with laughter.

  “You ugly fuck,” he added.

  Nazaryth listened to the two taunt each other, but he was also watching the hounds carefully. He saw one of the other hounds that had accompanied Morbius and Rythicam pull something from his jacket.

  Nazaryth realized what it was too late. The hound opened the bottle and threw the content toward the hangar, making a hole in his warding spell. Morbius howled with triumph as the hounds opened the hangar door.

  “Shit!” Nazaryth, along with the other beasts, was down by the hangar in seconds, fighting the hounds to keep them out. He sent a silent prayer to the gods that Theo wasn’t stubborn enough to come racing out of the passageway. A hound’s bite had no effect on a winged beast, but Nazaryth wasn’t sure Theo would survive a second one.

  Pulling their weapons free, the beasts fought until the three unknowns were lying in a pool of their own black blood.

  Morbius and Rythicam retreated, running off in their hound forms.

  “What do you want to do about this?” Tyson asked as he waved at the broken door. “They have a way in now.” Nazaryth knew that it could have only been King Zephyr who had given that hound the counterspell. “I need to go see an old friend.

  Move my zaterio to a safer location until I return.” He was going to pay a visit to the man who had given him the warding spell to see what he could do about securing his home. Nazaryth wasn’t going to move. He refused to run.

  “Done,” Dog said as the beasts opened the passageway and descended down the steps. Nazaryth wanted to go to his zaterio and explain to him what was going on, but he knew Theo a little too well no
w. The wolf would argue to go with Nazaryth, but the journey was dangerous and he wasn’t going to have Theo in harm’s way.

  He sighed deeply as he stepped from the hangar, looking up at the darkened sky before he walked away.

  Chapter Nine

  “Come in,” Ruthless shouted and then hissed as he pressed the cold, wet cloth into the bite mark on his thigh. If he found out which hound had bit him, he was going to neuter the bastard. If it wasn’t one of the dead ones.

  It hurt like a bitch.

  He glanced up to see Theo entering his bedroom.

  Ah shit.

  Why was he the one who was going to have to explain to Nazaryth’s zaterio about where the commander was? Nazaryth hadn’t come back in with them, and Ruthless had seen the despondent look on Theo’s face when the men had come back in without Nazaryth.

  Ruthless prayed Theo wasn’t about to cry in his bedroom. A downhearted zaterio he couldn’t handle. He wondered where in the hell Nazaryth was as he cursed the ugly bastard for not telling Theo anything before he took off.

  He leaned back against his dresser, waiting for Theo to say something. Theo pointed to Ruthless’s leg. “Are you okay?” Did he look okay? He had a damn bloody towel pressed against his leg. “Yeah, it’s just a bite,” he said instead, keeping the sharp comments to himself.

  Theo’s eyes widened. “Are you going to get the fever?” he asked nervously as he approached Ruthless, squatting down and pushing Ruthless’s hand away, peeling back the towel. Ruthless’s eyes fell to Theo’s hands as the guy probed the bite mark.

  He wasn’t sure what to say. Nobody had ever cared about his wounds before. Ruthless had taken care of them himself his whole life, even stitching his own skin at times. It felt strange having someone so concerned over a mere bite wound.

  He cringed inwardly at the soft feelings he had toward the guy who he considered a family member now. “I’m fine. The bite doesn’t affect us like it does others,” he said as he moved his leg away. “What do you need?” he asked more curtly than he intended.

  Theo stood, glancing around Ruthless’s room.