Thrasher: Science Fiction Romance (Enigma Series Book 9) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Thrasher

  Warning

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Epilogue

  Zyen

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Titles by Ditter Kellen

  Scruples Series

  Secret Series

  Time Travel Series

  Enigma Series

  Eyes Without a Face

  The Billionaire’s Baby

  About Ditter

  Follow Ditter on Social Media

  Thrasher

  By Ditter Kellen

  www.ditterkellen.com

  Copyright © by Ditter Kellen

  All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Ditter Kellen. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  Published in the United States of America

  This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  Warning

  This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. This e-book is for sale to adults ONLY as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers

  Dedication

  For my precious friends, beta readers and admin of my groups, Cathe Green and Amy Bingham. I love you both so much. You’re the best friends a girl could ever want.

  To my Tribe, that have helped me and loved me along the way. Thank you, ladies for being so wonderful, patient and helpful. I love you all to the stars.

  And for my husband, AKA the Beast. Thank you for your support, love and understanding. I couldn’t do any of this without you. I love you more than you will ever know.

  Chapter One

  Thrasher impatiently paced the floor of his apartment that lay deep in the belly of Aukrabah. He’d been prepared to leave for Cuba since his initiation into the Bracadyte brotherhood several days before. But King Klause had preferred to wait on word from President Pratt.

  It was no secret to Thrasher that the Cuban waters weren’t safe to travel at the moment. Cuba’s President, Ramone Mendoza, blamed the Americans for the Incola virus as much as he blamed the Bracadytes.

  Luckily for Oz, his name had been kept out of the media as a known friendly to the dwellers of Aukrabah. He and Maria had been able to return to Cuba without incident.

  The fact that Rueben Howell had infiltrated Cuban waters undetected remained a mystery to everyone. The ex-president obviously had more allies than the CIA was aware of.

  Thrasher rubbed the back of his neck, his mind wandering back a few days to the initiation he’d gone through to blood bond with the Bracadytes.

  Born Melvin Escabar, he’d been given the name Thrasher by the Bracadytes after he’d fought the Arkadians in the training room. The meaning of the word wasn’t lost on Melvin either. To move in a violent and convulsive way.

  Melvin wasn’t so sure about convulsive, but he was more than aware of the violent streak that rode just below the surface in him at all times.

  He’d grown up in a home where violence was the norm. Melvin had watched his father beat on his mother while in a drunken stupor more times than he cared to remember…until Melvin had become old enough to stand up to his old man—or so he’d thought.

  Melvin’s father, Manny Escabar, had been drinking one night when Melvin attempted to intervene on his mother’s behalf.

  Manny had beaten his son to the point, Melvin had to be hospitalized for his injuries.

  June Escabar, Melvin’s mother, had begged Melvin not to tell the authorities who’d caused his injuries for fear of his father’s retaliation.

  After sobering, Manny had pleaded with Melvin to forgive him for his abuse, claiming he would never drink again. That lasted all of a month.

  Once the beatings to his mother started anew, Melvin began working out, growing stronger by the day until he’d become strong enough to take his father down. Manny eventually left and ended up in prison for killing a family of four while drinking and driving.

  Melvin managed to finish school and eventually joined the service, where he remained until he’d been sought out by the CIA.

  June never remarried. She’d lived out her days in Melvin’s childhood home until losing the battle with cancer a few years back.

  Pain tightened Melvin’s chest with the memory of his sweet mother’s face. Though she’d always had a smile and kind word for everyone that she met, Melvin had seen the sadness that lurked in her eyes, heard the loneliness in her voice. No matter how strong she’d attempted to be, he knew she battled depression until she took her last breath. And for that, he blamed his father.

  Melvin had hoped the rage he felt inside him would weaken over time, or possibly even dissipate altogether, but it only grew in strength. So, he’d channeled that violent emotion, reserving it for those who took advantage of the weak, until he’d become the best at what he did. And that was to fight.

  “Thrasher?”

  Tony’s voice, slipping through his mind, caught Thrasher off guard. And Thrasher was his true name, Melvin silently admitted. It had been since the moment he’d shared blood with the Bracadytes.

  “Hey, Vaughn. What’s up?” Thrasher sent back.

  “May I come in?”

  Thrasher moved toward the foyer, still finding it strange to communicate with his thoughts. “Of course.”

  The curtain opened and Tony stepped into the room. “There’s been word from President Pratt.”

  Nodding toward one of the chairs at the kitchen table, Thrasher responded while waiting for Vaughn to sit. “It’s about time.”

  “No shit,” Tony growled, spinning the chair around and straddling it. He rested his arms across the back. �
�Klause is calling a meeting in half an hour to inform the others.”

  Thrasher’s eyebrows shot up. “How is it that you know and the others don’t?”

  “Wrong place, right time.”

  Staring at Tony without blinking, Thrasher took a seat and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for Vaughn to elaborate.

  Tony shrugged. “I happened to be with Braum when he was asked to take the call.”

  “There’s now phone service in Aukrabah?”

  “Just in the clinic and lab. But I’d venture a guess there will be service throughout the living quarters before too long.”

  Thrasher let that sink in. “If Klause isn’t careful, Aukrabah will become tainted with mankind’s ideology.”

  “Agreed,” Tony muttered, holding Thrasher’s gaze. “I’ve already spoken to Naura about it.”

  “And what are her thoughts?”

  Tony rolled his shoulders. “She thinks I should voice my concerns to Vaulcron and Hauke.”

  “I think you should too,” Thrasher agreed. “It’s only right since Vaulcron is next in line to be king. And if something were to happen to Vaulcron, his son Regium would eventually be crowned. Either way, the talk needs to happen.”

  Tony pushed to his feet. “You’re right. And I think we should do it today right after the meeting with Klause.”

  “We?” Thrasher stood as well. “You’re family to them, Vaughn. I’m not so sure they would appreciate my interference.”

  Tony pinned Melvin with a serious stare. “We’re both family to them. They see you as their brother, Thrasher, and so do I. Now, let’s go.”

  Thrasher followed Vaughn into the hallway. “Have the Arkadians left yet?”

  Annoyance sparked in Tony’s eyes. “Not yet, and I doubt they will leave without Kaspyn. She is, after all, their king’s daughter.”

  The mere mention of the white-haired princess, thoroughly pissed Thrasher off. “What do you mean by that? Has she made plans to stay for a while?”

  Tony shrugged. “I heard rumors that she intends on accompanying us to Cuba.”

  Thrasher slowed his steps, his hand gripping Tony’s arm, forcing him to stop. “What the hell would she want to go to Cuba for? She’ll only get in the way.”

  “She’s a warrior,” Tony stated in an agitated tone.

  Growing angrier by the second, Thrasher retorted, “You mean she’s a princess. A spoiled rotten brat who gets what she wants by throwing her name around. Well, her name means exactly shit to me. And she’ll be going to Cuba over my dead body.”

  Tony’s eyebrows lifted. “Careful, Escabar. If Kaspyn gets wind of what you said, she just might oblige you.”

  “She can damn sure try.”

  “Why do you hate her so much?” Tony questioned the moment the two of them began moving again.

  Thrasher blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t hate her. I don’t particularly like her, but it’s not hate that I feel.”

  “Really?” Vaughn murmured. “Then what is it?”

  They arrived at the great hall, saving Thrasher from answering.

  Gryke, Rykaur, and Braum stood at the entrance with solemn expressions.

  “What’s with the long faces?” Thrasher muttered a second before stopping in front of them.

  Rykaur jerked his gaze toward the doorway, saying without words what had them all in a mood.

  Thrasher followed Rykaur’s lead, swinging his attention in the direction of the long table situated in the great hall. And there, seated to the king’s right, sat Kaspyn; her long blonde hair pulled back away from her face and her gaze locked on Thrasher.

  It took Thrasher a moment to realize that he stared back. He plucked his Ray-Bans from the top of his head, put them on, and entered the room, taking a seat directly across from the beautiful yet infuriating Arkadian.

  With a nod to the king, Thrasher returned his attention to Kaspyn, greeting her through clenched teeth, “Princess.”

  “Parasite,” she shot back without blinking.

  His shaft filled with blood. Son of a bitch.

  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 qui
ckly 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.

  Chapter Three