“The ones you keep kidnapping?” Paxton asked. “Why don’t you explain that one to me? We are cousins, after all.” The thought made him want to puke up more blood.
Drake studied him, his metallic-green eyes sober. “It’s odd. I was surprised, but I guess it makes sense. Our people turned to science long before the Realm did.” He shoved his hands in his black cargo pants. “As for my temporarily collecting enhanced females, you’re not going to live long enough to worry about it.”
At least the soldier was finally laying it on the line. “You’ve been a liar all these years, and I’ve known it.” Pax stepped closer to the bars. If he could just break one open, he could get to this asshole.
Drake’s expression twisted into a smirk. “Yes, it has been necessary. Hope’s a sweet girl. She’ll make a fine queen if she’ll just accept her lot.”
“She’ll never be your queen.”
“Then she dies,” Drake said simply.
Pax wouldn’t let that happen. He didn’t know how, but there was no way he’d fail the woman he’d always love, in life and most probably in his imminent death. “She belongs to the Realm. You need to let her go.”
“You believe she belongs to you?” Drake asked.
A rock-solid fist seemed to strike Paxton’s gut. He didn’t need anybody else to beat him up—he could do a fine job himself. “No, Hope is way too good to be mated to a half Kurjan.” He knew that fact to his soul, and part of him had always known she’d never be his. His role in life had been to protect her, and it would no doubt be the last thing he ever did. He would get her out of there. He would get her to safety, and then fate could take him. If his heart didn’t heal, he didn’t have a long time to live, anyway.
Drake laughed. “So you admit you’re not good enough for her?”
“There’s nobody good enough for her,” Paxton drawled, his eye socket finally popping back into place. “But no, definitely anybody with Kurjan blood should be kept as far away from Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood as possible.”
“At least we’re partially on the same page.” Drake looked at his watch. “I believe the general should be finished with Hunter within the hour. I’m sure he’ll be back for you.” He turned and walked away.
“Can’t wait,” Paxton muttered, going to work on his heart again. He had to repair the organ before the general drew out his knives once again. He worked in silence for about another hour, hoping the general would hurry up and finish with Hunter so the kid could heal himself.
A door opened, and more heavy footsteps thumped down the stairs. He turned his head. To his surprise, Vero came into view.
Paxton didn’t know the young warrior very well, but the blue eyes intrigued him. “Hello, brother,” he drawled.
Vero snorted. “That was quite a surprise.” His gaze sought Paxton, as if looking for something.
“I bet,” Pax said. There was a kindness about the young Kurjan that he hadn’t felt in many of the soldiers. He stepped toward the bars again. “I’m surprised your cousin didn’t tell you the truth.” It didn’t make sense to him. Even though his family sucked, he’d seen how Hope’s cousins treated each other, how brothers and sisters covered each other’s backs. It was sad it wasn’t the same in the Kurjan nation.
Vero shrugged. “It’s who he is.”
Paxton might never get this chance again. So he took it. “Apparently, we share a father. What was he like?” Curiosity took him. Even though his body was in so much pain, it was difficult to breathe.
“He was not a nice male,” Vero said slowly. “In fact, he was a real jerk. He hit, he kicked, and it was almost a relief when he died.” Vero’s face lost all expression, making him appear even more dangerous. “Until I went to live with Uncle Terre, who was just as bad.” He shook his head. “You know, the only father I’ve never seen hit his son was Dayne, Drake’s father. He was proud of him and looked forward to Drake taking over the Kurjan nation someday.”
“It’s too bad Drake turned into such a jackass,” Paxton replied.
Vero cleared his throat. “It’s like that everywhere, correct?”
“No.” Pax forced blood to his broken hand. “Even though my fake father liked to hit, the warriors in both the demon and vampire nations don’t beat their children.” He wiped at a wound on his elbow. “Neither do the shifters. You and I didn’t have the best of examples.”
Vero exhaled. “I would like to find a better way.”
That was exactly what Pax had hoped to hear, but one thing at a time. “You’re a decent guy, Vero. I can feel it whether you like it or not. Tell me you’re not going to let Drake force Hope to mate him. You wouldn’t let him rape her, would you?” He was as blunt as he could be, trying to make an impact. It was possible to force a mating bond, and the act would be brutal.
Vero stepped back. “No, I don’t want to see Hope hurt, but Drake is the leader of the Kurjan nation.” His voice was low and hoarse with a thread of pain.
“He shouldn’t be,” Paxton said. “Anybody who thinks that’s a way to form an alliance or a family has no business leading. You know that.”
Vero studied him. “My entire life I wished for a brother. I tried to turn Drake into one, but his ambition and his alliance with Ulric prohibited that.”
“I wanted a brother too,” Paxton admitted as his spleen finally mended itself. “I’ve seen some of the Realm kids with their siblings. Not a lot of them have brothers or sisters because it’s so hard for immortals to procreate. But the ones who do, it looks like…” He trailed off.
“A safety net,” Vero supplied. “Someone who always has your back.”
Pax had spent eons wanting that kind of support. He’d had a taste of it working with Hope’s team the other day. Being Kurjan guaranteed he’d never work with them again. “Exactly. Hope and her cousins are like that as well,” Paxton said. “I don’t think I have long to live, but I’m happy I have a brother, even for a short time.” He wished he had more time left to get to know Vero. He had a younger brother. A surprising sense of responsibility and duty settled on his shoulders, but he cast it away, knowing it was too late. Still, maybe he could set Vero on the right path. “I’m going to save Hope, and you can help. Be the hero here, Vero. Let me out.”
“I can’t.” Vero looked over his shoulder and down the tunnel. “Even if I wanted to, there are guards at every station. You wouldn’t make it five feet, and then I’d end up in there.”
It was a good point. Vero couldn’t help Hope if he was imprisoned. “Then go free her. Get her to a vehicle and then step back.” Pax’s girl was a speed demon, and she knew how to drive. He just had to give her a chance.
“She’s guarded as well,” Vero murmured just as his watch dinged. He read the face and then concentrated once more on Pax. “I must go. If nothing else, I’m glad we found a chance to meet and speak with each other.”