Chapter Five
Thrasher returned his Ray-Bans to his face, and watched Kaspyn march from the room. The stiff set of her shoulders told him that she regretted what had taken place between them, but her reaction to his kiss told a different story.
He’d meant the kiss as an intimidation tactic. He hadn’t expected to actually like it. Hell, who was he kidding? He’d loved it, and would still be kissing her now if not for Pyre’s untimely arrival.
Thrasher ran his tongue along his bottom lip, tasting the essence of Kaspyn that remained there. Damn, but she tasted good.
“What can I do for you, Pyre?” Thrasher studied the Arkadian warrior from behind the lenses of his Ray-Bans.
Pyre stood around seven feet tall. His platinum white hair was pulled back into a ponytail and his amber colored eyes were narrowed in suspicion.
“Klause has ordered Zyen and Kaspyn to accompany you on the boat to Cuba.”
Thrasher merely nodded, waiting for the Arkadian to get to the point.
Pyre hesitated. “I wish to ride along with you as well.
Keeping his expression blank, Thrasher asked, “Why would you want to go by boat when you would be a hell of a lot safer beneath the water?”
Another hesitation from Pyre. “I do not think it wise that Zyen accompany you to Cuba.”
Curious as to where Pyre was going with his warning, Thrasher gestured for him to continue.
“It is no secret that the Arkadians hold a certain resentment toward the land walkers. We have our reasons. But some have more animosity than others. And Zyen definitely dislikes you.”
Thrasher propped his hip against the rock table he stood next to. “Not that I’m not aware of his hatred for me, but why are you telling me this?”
“Purely selfish reasons, I assure you. I want to learn your fighting techniques, and if you die, those techniques die with you.”
Thrasher appreciated his honesty. “You and Kaspyn both. And since the two of you despise my person, it would be rather careless of me to teach you what I know. I believe I’ll pass.”
Pyre rested his hands on his hips. “Though, I am not fond of land walkers and their ways, I do not despise you, Thrasher. I find you curious and interesting. And since the humans outnumber us by billions, I do not see where we would be a threat to you. But I do see us becoming extinct if we do not learn the ways of the human.”
Thrasher felt a grudging respect for the male. It took a lot of courage for Pyre to lay his pride aside and approach him. Thrasher could at least respect him enough to give him a chance. “Alright. You will accompany me to Cuba. Say nothing to Zyen. I will speak with him in the morning.”
Pyre extended his arm, the way Thrasher had seen other Bracadytes do. “Many thanks.”
Thrasher accepted the Arkadian’s gesture of thanks by gripping the male’s forearm. “Meet me in front of the great hall at zero four hundred hours.”
At Pyre’s confused look, Thrasher amended. “I haven’t gotten used to the differences down here. No one wears a watch or keeps time at all. They go by sunrise, sundown and noonday. Meet me just before sunrise in front of the great hall.”
Pyre spun on his heel. “I will not be late.”
* * * *
Thrasher arrived at the great hall before daylight the following morning to find Pyre, Kaspyn, Zyen, Brant, Rykaur, and Gryke standing near the ATVs.
Vaughn lounged in the arched doorway, eyeing Thrasher as he approached. “Are you ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Thrasher stopped in front of him and dropped his bag onto the floor. “And you? I figured Naura would have you hogtied by now.”
Tony pushed away from the archway. “She’s not happy, that’s for sure.”
Thrasher could feel Vaughn’s emotions as if they were his own. “You don’t have to do this, Tony. Stay here with your mate and child. No one would fault you.”
Vaughn shook his head. “As much as I hate leaving them, Naura and Tauren will never be safe as long as Howell and Kerik are slinking about. I’ll breathe a hell of a lot easier once those two animals have been caught.”
Zyen boldly approached, a look of irritation on his face. “We are ready to depart when you are finished with your female chatter.”
Though the Arkadian stood about six inches taller than him, Thrasher was instantly in his face. “If not for Klause, your ass wouldn’t be going anywhere but to bed. I don’t want you on this mission. In fact…I doubt anyone does. So, I suggest you step back and close that hole under your nose before I close it for you.”
Kaspyn was suddenly there, pushing herself between them, her back pressing against Thrasher’s front. She faced Zyen, her stance stiff and angry. “Go back to the ATVs and wait for us there!”
And just like that, Thrasher found himself erect once again. Son of a bitch.
Zyen hesitated for a second and then stormed off.
“You’ve got him well trained, Princess.”
Kaspyn spun around to face Thrasher, anger sparking in her exotic eyes. “Do not taunt him, human, else he will cut your throat in your sleep.”
“He won’t be cutting any throats from his position in The Gulf. He’s not traveling with us.”
She stared back at him, unyielding and unmoving. “My father has ordered Zyen to stay by my side. He goes where I go.”
Was that jealousy tightening Thrasher’s gut? Surely the hell not. “Vaughn and I are in charge of this mission, not your father. Zyen will swim to Cuba with Gryke and Rykaur. You and Pyre ride in the boat with us mere humans.”