Chapter Two
Kaspyn watched the land walker known as Thrasher stroll into the room and intentionally take a seat across from her. She had no doubt he did it to intimidate her. Little did he know, she wasn’t easily intimidated. Especially not by the likes of him, a human.
He’d referred to her as princess, and though the title happened to be correct, he’d meant it as an insult. He thought her pampered and useless. Well, she would show him.
“Some of the Arkadians will be accompanying you to Cuba,” Klause began. “Kaspyn, Zyen, and Pyre to be exact. Syrina will stay here in Aukrabah.”
Thrasher gave the king his attention. “With all due respect, sir, I don’t think taking the Arkadians is a good idea. In fact, if Howell isn’t apprehended, and he gets wind that there are more Bracadytes out there besides the ones in Aukrabah, that could mean trouble for Arkadia. Up until now, the Arkadians have managed to remain undetected, that will change if their presence becomes known. I think—“
“No one asked you what you thought,” Kaspyn interrupted, malice lining her words. “And what do you care what happens to us?”
Thrasher slowly cranked his head back in her direction. “I don’t give a damn what you decide to do with yourselves, but if you bring trouble to Arkadia, we will be to blame for it. We’re trying with everything we have to form an alliance between the humans and the Bracadytes. Your presence could very well throw a wrench into our plans.”
“Those are your plans, land walker, not ours.”
Thrasher pulled his Ray-Bans from his face and pierced Kaspyn with a glittering stare. “Whether you want to believe it or not, I’ve become brother to the Bracadytes. Their blood now flows through my veins. What hurts them, hurts me as well.”
An odd sensation ran through Kaspyn at his words. She leaned forward with her palms flattening on the table. “If you have become brother to the Bracadyte, and you truly want to help, then you will have no problem with me going to Cuba. I can be of more help there than here.”
“She speaks the truth,” Klause murmured, breaking the tension weaving between Kaspyn and Thrasher. “Kaspyn is a great warrior with gifts that possibly rival Zaureth’s.”
Rykaur, Gryke, and Braum suddenly entered the room, as did Tony and Brant.
“Where is Zaureth?” Klause inquired to no one in particular.
Rykaur spoke first, taking a seat next to Thrasher, “He had a birthing to attend. He will be along shortly.”
Klause glanced around the room. “And my sons?”
Vaulcron and Hauke picked that moment to arrive.
Once everyone was seated around the table, Klause began. “As you all know, the human ex-president Howell has recently been seen in Cuba. Though his death is a priority to us, we also have children here in Aukrabah that need protecting. I have three grandchildren of my own who have made their way into this world. I cannot, nor will I, leave them unprotected.”
“What are you proposing?” Gryke rumbled from his position behind the king.
Klause’s gaze touched on everyone seated around the table. “I am aware that Zaureth would be a good asset to have with you on this mission. His abilities are unparalleled and he grows stronger with every passing moon. And for that very reason, the healer’s presence is needed here in Aukrabah.”
“Understandable,” Thrasher responded.
The king nodded his thanks. “With that being said, I feel that it would be wise to take Kaspyn with you in his stead. She and Zyen will travel with you by boat.”
It was Rykaur’s turn to sound surprised. “Why would we need the Arkadian female’s help?”
Klause glanced at Kaspyn. “Perhaps you should demonstrate?”
Instead of acknowledging Rykaur, Kaspyn locked her gaze on Thrasher. With a slight narrowing of her eyes, she lifted her hands from the tabletop and opened her palms toward him.
A humming noise penetrated the air that quickly turned into a deafening roar.
Thrasher gritted his teeth, holding Kaspyn’s gaze as blood began to trickle from his nose, but he didn’t back down. His gaze continued to bore into hers with a determination that surprised her.
“Enough,” Klause barked, his voice sounding as if it came from the distant end of a tunnel.
Kaspyn immediately pulled from Thrasher’s mind.
The evident pain in Thrasher’s eyes left as quickly as it came. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth to remove the excess blood, never breaking eye contact with her.
“You have a strong will, land walker,” Kaspyn grudgingly admitted. “More than a lot of Bracadytes I have known.”
A muscle ticked along Thrasher’s jaw. “If you ever do that again, I will show you exactly how strong of a will I have.”
“You dare threaten me!”
Klause was on his feet in an instant. “I do not know what has happened between the two of you, nor do I care. Finding Rueben Howell is my main concern at the moment. Do you think that you can put your differences aside long enough to bring me that man’s head, or do I need to send someone else?”
Kaspyn lowered her gaze in the presence of the king’s anger. “Please forgive me, King Klause. It was not my intention to cause strife. It will not happen again.”
“And you?” Klause growled, shifting his gaze to Thrasher. “Do you think that you can hold your tongue with Princess Kaspyn long enough to get this job done?”
Though Kaspyn could feel the animosity coming off of Thrasher, no outward signs of rebellion could be seen.
Thrasher nodded to the king and then stood, extending his hand toward Kaspyn. “My apologies.”
A tiny spark of respect blossomed inside her. She rose to her full height, reached out and accepted Thrasher’s palm. “My apologies as well.”
Thrasher tightened his grip, telling her without words how he felt about her empty words.
She squeezed back. Hard.