Born of Night

  "Really?" The hopeful look on her face hit him like a blow to his gut. Damn, she was beautiful when she smiled.

  He nodded.

  Her face fell an instant later. "But I can't make my charity drop?"

  Why did he even give a shit that she sounded so disappointed?

  But he did. "As long as you're quick about it."

  The light returned to those amber eyes as she smiled once more. "I will be. I promise."

  "Then get dressed and we'll leave as soon as the stores open."

  She got up and started to leave, then paused. She turned to give him a look that tugged even more at the heart he'd thought was dead. "Thank you, Nykyrian."

  He'd never heard anything more wonderful than the sound of his name rolling off her tongue with her lilting accent. Inclining his head to her, he stepped back so that she could leave.

  His gaze went to the table and her barely touched food. Hauk always said he had a way of ruining even the stoutest appetite. It looked like he was right.

  With a heavy sigh, Nykyrian set about cleaning it up.

  Kiara paused in her dressing as she heard Syn talking with Nykyrian in the main room. He must have come in while she was showering.

  Tilting her head, she tried to hear what they were discussing, but it did her no good. They spoke a strange language she couldn't understand even though she listened very carefully for her name or any other word she might recognize.

  Whatever they discussed, they sounded very serious about it.

  She sighed. Well at least Nykyrian's harshness seemed to fade a tad around Syn. She liked seeing some reaction from her bodyguard other than shrugs and clipped retorts.

  As she entered the main room, Syn turned around in his chair and almost fell out of it as he scanned her body. He cleared his throat and cut an appreciative look to Nykryrian. "Dayum . . . woman be hot."

  Nykyrian didn't react at all.

  Kiara's cheeks scalded over both their reactions. Syn's for being so overt. Nykyrian's for being nonexistent. "Thank you," she said to Syn.

  Nykyrian came to his feet with a grace she admired given how heavy his coat was. He looked lethal and gorgeous. "We've already loaded your drop in the transport. Are you ready?"

  She nodded and thought Nykyrian would at least take her arm to keep her near him, but all he did was open the door and scan the corridor before waving her out of the flat.

  She glanced back at Syn who hadn't moved a muscle. "Is Syn staying here?"

  Syn's laugh answered her. "Yeah, Kip gets to guard you and I get to house-sit. Life bites the big tee-tawa."

  She frowned. "The big what?"

  "We won't be gone long," Nykyrian cut in before Syn could answer. He shut and locked her door.

  "That was rude," she chastised.

  He took her tone in stride. "Rude would be my translating what he said. Never ask Syn what half his vocabulary means. He was raised by animals and most of it's too obscene to be translated even for hardcore soldiers and prostitutes."

  She smiled at his humorous warning, but curiosity was riding her hard. "Tee-tawa?"

  He pressed the button for the lift. "Unless you want your face as red as the shirt you're wearing, don't go there."

  The doors opened with a soft whir. "So what's your favorite Synism?" she asked, stepping into the lift.

  A corner of his mouth twitched. For a moment, Kiara thought he might actually smile, but he just tucked his hands inside the pockets of his long, black coat and the doors closed with a ping. "Duwad," he said at last.

  She smiled. "Which means?"

  "You're not old enough for me to answer that. Hell, I'm not even old enough to say it."

  Kiara shook her head at his dry wit that he delivered in a perfect deadpan monotone. He was strangely entertaining in a lethal, 'I'll rip out your heart and eat it' kind of way. "Why did he call you Kip? Is that an insult, too?"

  "The answer to that is another of your allotted questions about me, mu Tara. Is that really what you want to waste it on?" He led her from the lift, through the lobby, and outside to the curb.

  Kiara walked up to him, deliberately invading his personal space. To her surprise, he didn't back away. "I still would like to know."

  Their transport, which was driven by a beautiful woman dressed in blood red, pulled up to the curb, its brakes squealing.

  He opened the door for her. "It's a Ritadarion term for a brother in war, blood, spirit, and fire."

  She slid inside and waited for him to join her. "And are you?"

  "In many ways." He jerked his chin toward their driver as he shut the door. "Kiara, meet Jayne."

  There was an air around Jayne every bit as dangerous as the one that clung to Nykyrian. Kiara held her hand out toward her, not quite sure how the woman would react. "Nice to meet you."

  Jayne smiled warmly as she shook her hand. "Same here. So where to, princess?"

  Kiara didn't know why, but she had an instant liking for Jayne. "I'd like to do the drop first, if that's all right with you two."

  Jayne pulled out into traffic with such force, Kiara was thrown against Nykyrian's hard body. He gently put her back on her side of the seat.

  "Sorry."

  He ignored her apology. "Jayne? For once, could you drive like you didn't just knock over a bank?"

  Jayne laughed. "Sorry, boss. Old habits die hard."

  Kiara arched a brow. "She was a bank robber?"

  Jayne signaled her next turn. "I prefer the term 'wealth redistributor.' After all, a woman has needs, and I have more than most."

  Kiara was aghast and impressed, and a little scared. "You really robbed banks?"

  Jayne winked at her in the rearview mirror. "My father was Egarious Toole. He had me on the job with him from the time I was four, and he taught me well."

  definitely impressed, Kiara grinned. Egarious Toole was one of the most renowned thieves ever born. But unlike most of his ilk, he was also known as the Gentleman Bandit because he was always so polite to those he robbed.

  The only thief more notorious was . . .

  C.I. Syn.

  And unlike Toole, he was known for being brutal and nasty. The most accomplished and the most lethal.

  Her stomach flip-flopped as a bad feeling went through her. "Syn . . . is he . . ." she couldn't even bring herself to say it.

  "He doesn't do that anymore," Nykyrian said. "But yes, he's an old colleague of Jayne's father, who was in the same line of work."

  She let out a long breath in fearful respect. "He doesn't look old enough to have his reputation."

  Jayne glanced behind before she changed lanes. "Expertise doesn't have an age requirement."

  No, she supposed it didn't. "So are all of you wanted criminals?"

  Jayne laughed at her bluntness. "Basically, yeah. It's why we're so good at what we do. We know how criminals think because . . . we are they."

  And Kiara was amazed her father had hired them. "Does my father know?"

  "As long as we keep you safe, he doesn't care." Jayne glanced back at Nykyrian. "Amazing how that happens, isn't it, boss?"

  "Never ceases to amaze me. Everyone's dearest held morals and values have a price on them. It's just a question of how much."

  Kiara didn't miss the low-key venom in that statement. "Do you really believe that?"

  "I know it for fact." He glanced askance at her. "But some are a little more noble in their reasoning than others."

  Such as her father being willing to contract with outlaws and thieves to keep her safe. "What would you sacrifice your morals for?"

  "I have no morals to sacrifice."

  "I don't believe that."

  Jayne snorted. "Believe it, little sister. You are sitting next to the most lethal creature ever born. Don't make him angry. You won't live long enough to regret it."

  Kiara arched a brow at that. "Is it even possible to make him angry?"

  Nykyrian answered. "Oh, it's more than possible and as Jayne said, you definitely don't want t
o be there when it happens."

  "Why?"

  "Because, the last person who made him mad, Nykyrian ripped his heart out with his bare hands and fed it to him."

  Kiara shrank back from him. "You're both messing with me."

  Jayne shook her head slowly and seriously. Nykyrian didn't respond at all.

  Suddenly scared of them both, she sat back in her seat and focused her attention on the people and buildings outside the window.

  Nykyrian smelled Kiara's exotic perfume and yearned to bury his lips in the sweet, scented flesh of her neck. What is wrong with me? He'd briefly been around more than his share of beautiful women, not the least of which was Jayne, who was extremely attractive, but none of them had ever appealed to him the way Kiara did.

  He found it difficult to breathe with her so close to him. Steeling himself, he dared a glance at her.

  His breath caught in his throat. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared out the window, and displayed to his casual glance was the top swell of her breasts covered by the black lace of her undergarment. From his vantage point, he could practically see all the way to her lap, and that did nothing to alleviate his erection.

  C'mon, Nykyrian. Stop it. It wasn't like wanting a woman was anything new for him.

  True, but being this close to one for any length of time was.

  Finally, the car stopped in front of the shelter where Kiara had wanted to go. Nykyrian got out first and checked the street before he helped her out.

  Jayne grabbed the bags of clothes and followed them into the small shop where a handful of people were shopping. The manager smiled when she saw Kiara and then it faded as her gaze went past the dancer to Nykyrian.

  The moment the woman saw him, fear darkened her eyes and she literally recoiled.

  "Should we ask him to leave?" one of the cashiers asked her.

  Hortense gulped. "Are you going to ask him? 'Cause I don't want to die."

  "Maybe he'll leave on his own."

  "I hate Andarions. They smell funny."

  Hortense nodded. "I don't like them either, but I don't want to anger him. He might eat one of us if we do."

  Kiara froze as she saw and heard Hortense's reaction and that of the other shoppers who mumbled similar comments. She'd grown so used to Nykyrian that, while she knew he looked lethal, she wasn't afraid of him anymore. Even before she'd really known him, she hadn't been that afraid.

  And she'd never criticized his race.

  What was wrong with people?

  Nykyrian took it in stride. "I'll wait by the door," he told Jayne. He went to stand post so that he could watch the store and the street.

  Kiara saw the anger on Jayne's face as she took the donated clothes to the counter and all but threw them at Hortense and her staff. "Chratna po kah."

  Kiara had no idea what Jayne had said to them. The tone, however, told her it wasn't complimentary.

  Hortense scowled at her. "That was rude."

  Kiara lifted her chin. "But not nearly as rude as what you just did to my escort. In the future, I'll take my charity work to someone a little less close-minded."

  "Princess, wait."

  Kiara didn't. She walked back outside without even waiting for Jayne.

  Nykyrian brushed past her to open the transport door and then waited until she was in before he joined her. "Sorry."

  Kiara scowled. "Why are you apologizing?"

  "I should have sent Syn with you."

  Jayne got in and started the engine. "Never thought I'd have respect for an aristo, but good girl, Kiara. I think I could learn to like you."

  Kiara ignored her praise. "Why do people act like that?"

  Nykyrian shrugged. "People judge. It's what they do. You get used to it."

  Do you? She couldn't imagine ever getting used to people reacting that way to her. Judging her for something she couldn't help. How offensive. "I'm sure not everyone is like that."

  "Want to see the playback of the look on your face the first time you met me?"

  Her stomach hit the floor at his question. She had recoiled from him. The horror of that memory made her ill. "I'm sorry I was stupid."

  Nykyrian was shocked by her apology. Most of all, he was shocked by her sincerity. It was completely unexpected. Unsure of how to deal with it, he turned his attention to the street outside.

  They remained silent until they reached the small shopping complex.

  Nykyrian hung back. "You two go on ahead. I'll be scoping the back."

  Kiara wasn't sure about that, but she did as he said. Jayne, who was unbelievably tall for a woman, cut through the crowd in a way Kiara envied.

  "Wow, you're good," Kiara said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

  Jayne smiled. "I hate crowds. I hate shopping and I think shoppers know that so they give me space lest I break out into a killing spree."

  "I think it's because you're really tall." She had to be at least six foot four.

  "That might have something to do with it, too."

  Kiara paused outside of a gift store to window-shop for her gift.

  "Cannibal!"

  "Killer."

  "What's he doing here?"

  "Should we notify the authorities?"

  "C'mon. Let's leave."

  Kiara glanced through the crowd to see them eyeing Nykyrian. Mothers literally picked up their children and fled.

  One woman even spat at his feet as he walked by. "Filthy animal. Andarions sicken me."

  He ignored the other shoppers as he kept his attention on them and any threat to Kiara.

  The hostility appalled her.

  "We should go," she said to Jayne.

  She saw the sympathy and pain in Jayne's eyes as she watched his stoic acceptance of people's behavior. "Honestly, princess, he's used to it. Believe me, he's not thinking anything about it right now. You and I are the only ones feeling the pain."

  Kiara didn't believe that for a nanosecond. "There's no way this doesn't affect him." And yet as she watched him, she realized that Jayne might be right. He didn't react to any of the insults or actions.

  Just like in The Sentella headquarters, he appeared immune. But how could he be?

  Grab a present and get out of here.

  Trying her best to ignore the imbeciles and their prejudice, she made her way to the women's store next door and found a jacket that was on a display right up front.

  Nykyrian hung back in the crowd, but not quite enough to keep her from hearing and seeing how he was mistreated. She felt so bad for him, and yet, true to Jayne's words, he seemed completely oblivious to it all.

  It took several minutes before Kiara could find a clerk who would wait on her. "Excuse me," she finally said, cornering one before the woman could escape to another department. "Do you have this in a size thirty?"

  The clerk's eyes drifted over her shoulder to where Nykyrian was eyeing the crowd and Kiara wanted to shake the woman for the unwarranted fear. The clerk's gaze returned to Kiara and the jacket. "I think so."

  She took it from Kiara's hand and disappeared into the back. Kiara's eyes narrowed in anger.

  After a minute, the clerk returned with the right size. "Will this be all, ma'am?"

  Kiara nodded, her teeth clenched. Jayne said nothing as she remained by her side.

  After ringing the order, the clerk leaned over the counter and whispered, "Where did you find an Andarion? I've never seen one on Gouran before. Aren't you afraid to be with him?"

  Kiara tossed a strand of hair over her shoulder as if she were completely vacuous. "Why no, I'm not afraid. He's already had his daily feeding."

  "What do you feed him?" the clerk asked with an audible gulp.

  Kiara narrowed her gaze on the idiot. "Babies. Lots and lots of babies."

  The clerk shrank back.

  Jayne laughed.

  Kiara glared, unable to believe the nerve. Snatching up her package, she left the store with Jayne, who was still laughing, in tow.

  "Babies,"
Jayne repeated. "I have got to remember that one. Oh, I definitely like you, princess."

  Kiara was glad someone was amused. She, on the other hand, wasn't. "I'm ready to go home now."

  Nykyrian inclined his head to her as Jayne led the way back to the transport. What amazed her most was the fact that he didn't make a single comment about what had happened.

  "Do people always act this way around you?" She got into the transport first.

  Joining her, he shrugged as if it were just a normal occurrence to be overlooked. "You should have seen the reactions when I wore a League uniform. Those were actually comical. Except for the ones who lost control of their bowels. Then it was just messy."

  She ignored his sarcasm, even though a part of her wondered if he was being honest. "Do Andarions react the same way to you?"

  He paused before he answered. "I should live long enough to see them be so kind."

  "Why?"

  He shrugged. "Humans fear me because they think I'm going to feed on them at any minute, Andarions look at me like a pitiful, weak giakon."

  "Which means what?"

  Jayne answered as she pulled away from the curb. "A castrated coward."

  Her mouth formed a small o. No wonder he'd closed himself off from people. He was caught in the middle of all the hatred and fear of both races. "Has anyone ever attacked you for your mixed blood?"

  "You can deduce that without my help."

  She sighed at his emotionless tone. "I just don't understand why people behave this way."

  Nykyrian folded his arms over his chest. "They fear for themselves. I'm a reminder humans and Andarions aren't two separate species, as they like to pretend they are, but derived from the same genetic makeup. Unfortunately, neither race wants to admit it could possibly be anything like the other, so they see me and I'm an easy target to attack. I quit blaming them for it years ago. As Syn would say, it is what it is."

  Coldness consumed her as she thought about what it would have been like for him growing up anathema to everyone. "What about your parents?" she asked. "How did they cope?"

  He took a deep breath. "They didn't. My mother abandoned me when I was five."

  "And the commander?"

  "I wasn't his natural son."

  Kiara smiled as she considered Huwin's kindness in adopting him. She remembered Nykyrian's father from a few of the political trips he'd made to Gouran when she was a child to meet with her father. Though stern, he'd always brought her presents and had been very cordial and kind. "He must have loved you dearly."

  "Never assume anything."

  This time, there was no mistaking the emotion in his voice. Hatred, cold and simple.