Page 22

M y anger simmers. I didn’t intend picking a fight with Dante, but the nova-second I saw the nevver, unconcerned about his earlier behavior and the fact he nearly killed us all—it overwhelmed me.

Our fight remains unresolved due to Dalox. I should leave the addled creature to his own devices. Dante has enough problems of his own, given what’s going on in his head and the narcotics he uses. But the fact he put my mate in danger is still rankling within me.

Even if it is entirely in character. Even if I should have anticipated it. It’s easier to blame him than to look past my own shortcomings.

Which now include the rut. A rut which means I brought Kerra with me because I can’t bear to be parted from her. A rut which means any damage Dante did to me has healed almost instantly. A rut which will be my end if she is not claimed.

Dalox reaches into the pit and plucks Dante by his neck, slinging him as if he’s nothing across the room where he slides to a stop where he started. Dante rolls onto his back and laughs before getting to his feet and continuing to eat as if nothing has happened at all.

I shield my Kerra with my body from the gazes of Dalox and Driok.

“Any sign of Dexx?” Dalox asks, throwing his bulk into the pit.

“He says he’s busy,” Driok replies, collecting two goblets of ale-wine and dropping into the pit, offering one to Dalox, who takes it and drains it in a single gulp.

“Not as busy as Darax.” Dalox lifts his head, his tail tapping, the fire which has continued burning in the pit reflecting off his dark scales. “Who has brought a live meal with him.”

I can’t help but snarl loudly. “Not a meal.”

Driok chuckles under his breath, leaning back on the cushions, clearly ready to watch the show. He’s the one warlord I’d never turn my back on. Driok had a reputation before we came through the wormhole. Butcher of Haldane . It follows him here, to this galaxy.

“A mate then.” Dalox doesn’t change the tone of his voice.

“You know what taking a mate means to us.”

“I do, which is why I am surprised at your recklessness, Darax.”

“That is not your concern, Dalox ,” I snarl at him, knowing I take my life into my hands by doing so.

Dalox reveals long fangs as he laughs without mirth. “And there was only one?”

“There was. And she belongs to me.” I lift Kerra’s chain, rattling it at the room.

“The rut is rotting your brain already,” Driok rasps, “if you thought to come and parade your female when there are none for the rest of us.”

Kerra bristles next to me, so I curl my tail around her ankle in the hope of reassuring her.

“I came because of the anomaly we found in the far reaches,” I explain. “Whilst we were dealing with the Bloar ship and trying not to get blown up in the process,” I fire at Dante. “The reason we were there in the first place.”

He gives me yet another of his insane grins. I want to kill him all over again, but this is more important.

“You said if we found anything, we were to bring it to the clan hall,” I add pointedly.

“Yes, we were.” Driok stares directly at me, his eyes sliding to Kerra and back again. I ignore him.

“It’s not the first anomaly we’ve reported either. But then, given my clan are out there, obtaining supplies and dealing with nevving pirates like the Bloar, the chances of us seeing anything are far higher than the rest of you.”

There’s a chorus of growls, but as I glare around, no one disagrees.

“This means it’s possible the wormhole is still in the galaxy. It’s the strongest evidence we have.”

“That thing is gone,” Dante growls, licking at his claws. “Even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t take my chances.”

“Why?” Driok says. “Because you’re feral enough already? We all are.”

“We are Sarkarnii,” Dalox snarls. “This galaxy was made for us.”

“But what we lost getting here…I don’t believe it was worth it,” I spit out. “If there’s half a chance of returning…”

Dalox has always moved quickly for his size, but even so, when he appears in front of me, it’s all I can do not to shift to my Sarkarnii form, something which is forbidden within the clan hall.

“It was worth it,” he says, voice a harsh rasp. “And if I find you’ve been keeping things from me, Darax, you will find out how much your hide is worth to me.”

I glare at him. If Dalox wants a fight, he can have one. With Kerra at my side, after I have sheathed myself in her, I can do anything.

Even defeat Dalox if I have to. I might enjoy the success of my own sector, but I have no desire to be lord of all Vorostor. I’ll leave that to a nevver like Dalox, who prefers the sound of his own voice.

That way, I can be as feral as I want to be and put Dante down without fear of reprisal.

That nevver loves a fight anyway.

Dalox stalks out of the clan hall. Driok glares at me before following him.

“What just happened?” Kerra asks.

“They don’t want to know, unless it involves you, because even if we think they don’t know about the rest of the females, there’s a pretty high chance they already do,” I say under my breath. “And I can’t trust either of those nevvers not to make a move.”

Dante guzzles the last of the ale-wine and sways slightly, attempting to focus on me.

“I like your female,” he says.

“I expect you like your tail more,” I respond. “One more word, one more look in her direction, and you will lose it, Dante. You have my bond.”

He lifts his hands in supplication and belches some flame.

“Always good chow here,” he says, although it’s not clear whether he’s changed the subject due to my threat or because he’s Dante. “Good meeting.” He rolls into the center of the pit, legs in the air and wings outstretched before he starts snoring.

“Nev the lot of them,” I snap. “It’s time to go.”