Bound By Darkness Part 18

This time the young Paladin grinned, clearly loving the challenge. They both went at it full tilt, laughing when one or the other managed to score. Larem finally called a halt when he could tell the younger man was tiring. There was no use in risking injury to either of them by continuing.

Maybe next time their paths crossed, the encounter would be a peaceful one. To his surprise, Craig held out his hand.

"I apologize for my behavior the other night, sir. I'd heard that you and Barak were handy with a sword, but you're flat-out amazing. I appreciate the lesson."

Larem accepted the peace offering. "Anytime. And I mean that. You have great potential. If you and your friends would like me to work with you, don't hesitate to call me."

"I will, sir." Craig looked past Larem. "I guess I'd better go let Devlin pound on me some."

"Go easy on him, Craig. No use embarra.s.sing him in front of everybody."

Larem was fully aware that Devlin and Trahern had walked up behind him. His new friend tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin, a mistake he'd no doubt pay for with a few bruises. Luckily, his Paladin DNA meant he'd heal quickly.

Devlin gave them both a narrow-eyed look. "Craig, go guzzle some water and collect your buddy. I'll be ready for you in a couple of minutes."

Craig gave Devlin a sloppy salute. "Yes, sir."

But before walking away, he turned back to Larem. "If you meant what you said, I will be calling you."

Larem nodded. "I'll look forward to it."

When he was gone, Devlin smiled at Larem. "That was well played. Looks like you've gained a friend-and a student. You down with that?"

Devlin was well aware of Larem's conflicted feelings on the subject of helping the Paladins in a way that would be used against his own people. However, this was his world now, and he needed to feel useful.

"Yes, oddly enough, I am. Especially because with a little help, in a couple of months he'll rival you and Trahern on your best day." He wiped down his sword, checking for any nicks to be smoothed out.

Trahern looked skeptical and a little insulted. "Care to put some money on that?"

"Sure. Say ten dollars? In two months, he'll face one of you in a match and win."

"A measly ten bucks?" Trahern snorted. "That's what I thought. You don't think he can do it."

"Okay, make it a hundred." A bet Larem was sure he was going to win. "Unless you're afraid Brenna will kick your a.s.s when you lose the grocery money."

Trahern didn't rise to the bait. "A hundred it is. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to show these kids how it's done."

And he would, too, Larem had no doubt. The man was a legend among the Paladins as a killing machine with his broadsword. He tried not to think about what that meant for those Kalith who sought the light of this world, out of their heads with sickness and screaming for blood.

It was what it was.

Larem toweled off some of the sweat before putting his s.h.i.+rt back on. The whole time he forced himself to keep his eyes focused on his immediate surroundings instead of straying back up to Sasha. What was she doing there? Watching, obviously, but the real question was why? Was she worried or merely curious?

After putting his sword back in its scabbard, he sought out Hunter in the crowd. He spotted his friend standing off to one side with Penn and Lonzo, watching Trahern and Devlin square off against Craig and several others. Larem paused long enough to study the trainees, a.s.sessing both their strengths and weaknesses. Not bad, not bad at all. Working with them would be satisfying.

He walked up to Hunter. "You want to come to our place and chill for a while? Maybe get some carryout?"

"Sure. I've got time to kill while Tate hits the mall with Brenna and Laurel. I'll get my things. And, by the way, you're buying after making me look bad in front of my peeps."

"Fine," Larem agreed. "But how is it my fault that you left yourself wide open to attack?"

"Good point, but give me a minute and I'll figure out some way to blame you." Hunter headed back over to the bench to pick up his workout bag.

While he waited, Larem at last gave in to the need to see Sasha again, even if only from a distance. As soon as he looked up, she stepped back from the window, her attention now focused on something-or someone-on her own level. Why had her expression abruptly changed from curious to puzzled, even worried?

He checked the other windows along the balcony to see what had caught her attention, but all he could see were a couple of shadowy figures at the far end. They were standing at the wrong angle for him to see them clearly. But then it didn't matter who they were, not if they were bothering Sasha.

"What's up, Larem?" Lonzo followed his line of sight. "Who is that up there?"

"Sasha's standing by the far right window, but I can't see who's on the other end. But whoever it is, Sasha's not looking happy about it." He drew his sword again. "I'll be right back."

Lonzo blocked his way briefly. "Don't do anything stupid, Larem. I'll snag Hunter and we'll be right behind you."

"Fine."

That didn't mean he'd hesitate one second to skewer anyone who threatened Sasha. Lonzo and Hunter could provide backup if he needed it, but guarding that woman-his woman-was his job.

He rounded the corner and ran past the first staircase to the second one even though it cost him a few extra seconds. This route would bring him up on Sasha's end of the hall rather than risking her being trapped on the far side of a potential enemy.

The soft soles of his Kalith boots made only the slightest noise as he took the steps two at a time. He slowed his pace as he neared the top, not wanting to frighten Sasha by charging in, sword drawn. The stairs brought him up to the second floor just around the corner from where he could hear Sasha's voice along with the deeper ones of three human males. He didn't recognize the first two, but the third one was that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Duke.

Larem brought his sword down to his side and slightly behind him in case he'd totally misread the situation. He paused for a few seconds, hoping to determine what was going on. Clearly Sasha's temper was running high, but he had no way of knowing why.

He listened for footsteps coming up behind him. Lonzo appeared at the top of the steps armed with an automatic along with his sword. Hunter must have decided to come up the other staircase, flanking the enemy. Not for the first time, Larem thanked the G.o.ds for the privilege of having such fine warriors ready to fight beside him.

"Guards," he whispered and held up three fingers.

Maybe he should let Lonzo take the lead as they rounded the corner, figuring the guards would be less likely to immediately go on the offensive against him. But when he motioned for Lonzo to go first, the Paladin shook his head.

"It's your party."

All right, then. He started forward with his friend only a few steps behind. Sure enough, two of the guards had Sasha cornered, her back against the wall.

When she tried to shove Duke away, he caught her hands and pinned them over her head. He leaned in closer. "No need to get violent, Sasha. We just want a few of the fringe benefits you've been offering the Paladins-or at least their pets. Surely our needs should come before that alien sc.u.m."

Before Larem could rush to her rescue, Sasha jerked her leg up and kneed the b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Duke howled in pain and raised his hand to retaliate. The guard standing watch caught Duke's hand on the downward swing and signaled to his friends they were no longer alone. The three men immediately turned in Larem's direction. Their facial expressions changed from smirks to frowns, then looks of fury, but at least they put some distance between themselves and Sasha.

"What's going on here?" Larem demanded, aiming the question at Sasha. It was Duke who answered.

"We were just discussing some special requests we guards have for the new administrator." His laugh was ugly.

"I'm guessing from the way she handed you your b.a.l.l.s on a platter that the answer is no."

"Let's just say we tabled the discussion." The guard puffed out his chest and spat on the floor. "By the way, that was some freak show you put on down there, Other. It's a shame your buddy Hunter is too crippled to kill you while he had the chance."

Before Larem could respond, Sasha stepped right between him and the trio of a.s.sholes. "That does it! You've attacked me and insulted my friends. You three are suspended without pay pending an official hearing."

Okay, so much for keeping the situation from escalating out of control. Sasha wouldn't cower, but he'd hoped she'd at least use some common sense and stay out of the way. Now wasn't the time to tell these three that she'd back Larem over them, even if it did warm that spot in his chest that had grown cold since he'd left her bed.

While she was talking, Hunter appeared behind them. He'd obviously heard Duke's comment about his injured leg. Knowing the Paladin, there would be h.e.l.l to pay for that crack. The guard would be lucky if Hunter didn't carve him up and leave him standing there holding his guts in with his hands.

The irate Paladin stopped just short of where the guards stood. "Gee, Duke, I'm sorry you were so disappointed in my performance. Why don't we head back down to the gym right now so you can see if you do better against Larem than I did? Or maybe you'd rather face me?"

Duke's face went pale. He was in a no-win situation. If he refused the challenge, he'd look like a coward. If he accepted the challenge, he'd bleed. Duke knew it, his friends knew it, and so did Larem and the Paladins.

As entertaining as it was to watch the fool squirm, Larem's priority was to get Sasha out of the line of fire. When she started to speak again, he caught her hand in his and squeezed, hoping she'd take the hint. She did, but she clearly didn't like it.

"Tell you what, gentlemen," Larem said, keeping his tone reasonable. "If you apologize to the lady now you can at least walk away in one piece."

When they didn't immediately respond, he gave them one last chance. "The clock is ticking. In ten more seconds, either you're on your way home or we'll teach you some manners. Your choice."

Duke made his decision. "f.u.c.k you, Other. I'm not apologizing to any b.i.t.c.h stupid enough to spread her legs for the likes of you."

Chapter 14.

Sasha flinched as if the b.a.s.t.a.r.d had actually slapped her. She shot a look at Larem, a hurt question in her glance. Was she asking how the guard had found out or if Larem had been the one who'd talked?

All things considered, he didn't blame her for wondering; but d.a.m.n, she should at least know him better than that. He pushed the pain deep down inside to deal with later. He had far more pressing matters at the moment.

Starting with the fact that Duke was dead. The guard might not realize it yet, but he was already drawing his last few breaths. In the next few seconds, he would be nothing but a bloodstain soaking into cheap carpet. His two friends, too, if they got in the way.

Larem grabbed Sasha by the arm and shoved her back toward Lonzo. "Get her out of here. She doesn't need to see this," he ordered, knowing he could depend on his roommate to make sure she was safe.

Hunter already had his gun aimed at the guard closest to him. His leg might not be back to full strength, but that wouldn't interfere with his aim. Two shots would eliminate any problems Duke's buddies might cause.

"Larem, here. You'll need this."

Lonzo had the good sense to wait until Larem nodded before sliding his sword pommel first across the floor. Larem knelt down to pick it up while keeping an eye on the guards. He risked a quick peek back to see how Lonzo managed the maneuver without letting go of Sasha: the Paladin held her back with one arm around her waist.

When she spotted him looking at her, she renewed her struggles to break free. "Lonzo, let go of me! What are you three up to now? I won't have it, whatever it is."

"Sasha, go with Lonzo, please."

He wanted nothing more than to be holding her, soothing her, apologizing for her name being linked with his. "Go. I'll let you rip into me all you want later, I promise."

Duke obviously wasn't done shooting off his mouth. "Just wait until your father finds out what's going on. Do you think he and the other Regents will be happy when they find out what you've done? h.e.l.l, most of them know the Paladins are barely a step up from those animals themselves. I've always thought our job description should be zookeepers instead of guards."

It was definitely time to end this. "Lonzo, get her the h.e.l.l out of here."

Larem waited until his friend dragged Sasha around the corner and out of sight. Despite the difference in her size and Lonzo's, she was putting up a good fight. If he wasn't mistaken, his friend would have a nice collection of bruises on his s.h.i.+ns from where she'd tried to kick herself free. His woman had a strong warrior's spirit.

When the sounds faded, he picked up Lonzo's sword and held it out to Duke pommel first. The human looked around in growing panic, evidently only now realizing the trouble he'd stirred up may have turned lethal.

He stared at the blade Larem held out as if it were a snake. "What's that for?"

"That's so when I explain your death to Devlin Bane, I can tell him that I gave you a chance to defend yourself."

When Duke made no effort to accept the weapon, Larem knelt down and slid it across the floor anyway. A human stood little chance against a Kalith warrior at the best of times, but they both knew Duke stood no chance at all if he didn't at least pick up the sword.

G.o.d, what had he gotten himself into? "You wouldn't kill an unarmed man."

He could hear his two buddies backing away, clearly thinking he was wrong about that. Any second now they'd break and run for cover. He didn't blame them. He'd be leading the charge himself if he thought he had a chance of getting away. But even if his friends forgot that Larem still had another friend with him, the Paladin stood ready to remind them.

"Where do you two dumb f.u.c.ks think you're going?" Hunter Fitzsimon's words dripped with the brutal chill of death. "You started this, but we'll decide when it's finished."

G.o.d, Duke never meant for this to go so far. Yeah, he resented the Kaliths strolling around like they owned the place, playing sword games with the Paladins and showing them up. That didn't mean he wanted to challenge a swordsman of Larem's caliber to a fight to the death.

He bent down to pick up the sword, hating the way the blade shook in his hand. Even more, he hated the cold amus.e.m.e.nt in the freak's pale eyes when he saw the s.h.i.+mmer of quivering steel.

"I will convey your apologies to Ms. Willis." The Kalith b.a.s.t.a.r.d ran his finger along the curved edge of his sword. "I know you regret what you said to her, but unfortunately you won't be in a position to tell her yourself."

Duke flexed his fingers on the sword, trying to adjust his grip on the unfamiliar pommel. He prayed for his life, prayed for forgiveness, and prayed for a quick and merciful death. As p.i.s.sed off as Larem was right now, he would likely drag this out until Duke choked on his own blood and begged the freak b.a.s.t.a.r.d for release.

Larem switched his sword to his left hand. "There, Duke, to even things up I'll fight with my weaker hand."

Hunter's laughter rang out. "Oooh, nice touch, Larem. I like it."

Duke glanced back at his two friends. Oh, yeah, he was all alone in this. Even if they'd been interested in offering him a helping hand, Fitzsimon stood ready to stop them dead in their tracks. Literally.

Okay, Duke could die fighting or he could just die. A weird sense of calm settled over him. "You'll bleed, too, Other."

"So be it."

In a flurry of sword strokes that took less time than it took Duke to blink twice, he'd lost his weapon and found himself pressed up against the wall with the tip of Larem's sword staring him in the eye. The crazy f.u.c.ker stood there smiling as if it were an everyday occurrence to gut someone for the h.e.l.l of it.

"Duke, it would appear we've reached a crossroads in our relations.h.i.+p." Larem reached out to pat Duke on the cheek, smiling when he flinched.

"Hunter, why don't you let those two go? We wouldn't want their last memory of Duke here to be . . . tragic, would we?"

"If you insist, although it will certainly spoil some of my fun."

Hunter motioned for them to pa.s.s. "But just so you know, I will catch up with both you boys later."

The Paladin's comment was accompanied by the sound of two pairs of feet pounding down the hall and fading away in the distance. Duke knew every step they took diminished his chances of survival. No matter how cold-blooded the Other and his buddy were, they'd be less likely to slaughter him in front of witnesses.

Larem leaned in close enough for Duke to feel his breath. A vein pulsed heavily in Larem's neck, as if he were battling some d.a.m.n strong emotions.