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

  The erection that Thrasher had been fighting since he’d spotted the infuriating Kaspyn seated at the table had only strengthened the instant she retaliated with the death grip on his palm.

  He held onto her hand for a moment longer before releasing it with a quick, tight squeeze.

  She didn’t flinch, but his erection did.

  Damn her, he silently cursed, returning to his seat to find Rykaur smirking next to him.

  Pyre and Zyen stepped into the room and skirted the table without a word.

  Thrasher immediately noticed two things at once: Zyen’s arrogant gaze narrowed in Thrasher’s direction; and the big, blond warrior practically shoved his way past Pyre to sit next to Kaspyn.

  Leaning back in his seat, Thrasher replaced the Ray-Bans over his eyes and studied Zyen from behind the mirrored lenses.

  Thrasher had learned to keep his feelings hidden at an early age. Whether behind a mask of indifference or a pair of sunshades. He’d found the best way to gauge others’ emotions or intensions was to hide his own. The only person who’d been able to see beyond the wall he’d erected in his young life had been his mother, June; God rest her soul.

  “Zyen, Pyre,” the king acknowledged before addressing the table’s occupants once more. “I have communicated with President Pratt about the situation with Rueben Howell. Pratt has informed me that he cannot send troops into Cuba to retrieve Howell. In fact, he has been warned by the Cuban President, Ramone Mendoza, to stay out of Cuban waters all together.”

  Thrasher abandoned his staring contest with Zyen and shifted his gaze to the king. “Mendoza is leery of Pratt’s involvement with the Bracadytes.”

  Klause nodded. “He is. Which means that the warriors going after Howell will need to remain hidden while in Cuba. Oz will see to it that lodging is made available to all who make the journey.”

  “When do we leave?” Tony asked from his seat at the other end of the table.

  The king studied Vaughn for several heartbeats. “I do not think it wise for you to go, mate of my daughter. You have a son to protect, as does Hauke and Vaulcron.”

  Tony remained quiet for a moment before responding. “And if that piece of shit Howell isn’t destroyed soon, we will never be free to live in peace. There are no two individuals more qualified to take him out than Thrasher and myself. Not that the Bracadytes aren’t strong and capable, but they won’t blend in. We can,” he finished, jerking his chin in Thrasher’s direction.

  Vaughn then flicked his gaze toward Brant. “Are you going or staying?”

  “Going,” Brant answered immediately.

  Klause ran a hand down his face. “Naura will not be happy about your decision to leave, Anthony Vaughn. But you are correct. The three of you will have a better chance at blending in, as you say. I would like for you and Thrasher to take the lead on this mission.”

  Murmurs of disagreement echoed throughout the room, but quickly dissipated with a stern look from Klause.

  “Now that it’s settled, who all will be going to Cuba?” The question came from Brant.

  The king’s gaze touched on everyone in the room, save for Gryke who stood behind him as he always did. “Thrasher, Kaspyn, Zyen, Pyre, Vaughn, Brant, Gryke, and Rykaur will go.”

  Klause went on to explain, “Braum has a daughter on the way. Vaulcron is next in line to the throne and has a young son as well. Hauke should stay to protect Arcanum and Abbie since their lives remain in constant danger. Fiona has a son as well. I feel that since Brant and Gryke are going, someone should be here for the boy, someone he knows as family. And Zaureth will stay behind to aid in protecting Aukrabah.”

  “When do we leave?” Thrasher inquired, attempting to block out the emotions slamming into him from the warriors in the room.

  The king took a deep breath, a solemn look on his face. “Before sunrise on the morrow. Though it was not made official, Pratt has agreed to have transportation procured for those who cannot make the swim. A man will be waiting at Aukrabah’s entrance to take you to a boat tied off in the Destin harbor. You are all dismissed.”

  Thrasher nodded and rose to his feet. “We should all get some rest and then meet in the training room at sundown to make plans.”

  Everyone else followed his lead, standing and exiting the great hall one by one.

  “May I have a word with you?” Kaspyn lightly touched Thrasher on the arm on her way out.

  Thrasher’s stomach clenched from the brief contact. What was it about the Arkadian princess that had such an effect on him? She was beautiful, sure, but lots of women were beautiful. Yet, her damned tongue… ah, that tongue could cut a man to the bone with one word. Spoiled, prissy ass princess.

  “My apartment,” Thrasher barked, storming past her. “And hurry, we have shit to do.”

  Kaspyn quickly caught up with him. “What is shit?”

  Her question caught Thrasher off guard. He cut a quick glance in her direction, noticing the sincerity in her eyes, and he almost laughed. Almost. “It means things. We have things to do.”

  “Oh, I see. Then I have some shit to discuss with you before we do anything.”

  Thrasher’s lips twitched.

  Chapter Four

  Kaspyn could fairly feel the tension coming from Thrasher on their brief walk to his apartment. He resented her, probably as much as she resented him.

  But why? she wondered, side-eyeing his profile.

  She was a Bracadyte princess, and he—well, he was a land walker. A handsome land walker, but a land walker nonetheless.

  “What did you want to see me about,” he snapped, the second they entered his dwelling.

  Kaspyn opened her mouth to snap back when her gaze landed on a framed image of a pretty woman with dark hair and sky-blue eyes. A strange feeling overcame her, an unfamiliar sensation.

  She gestured toward the image. “Is that your mate?”

  Kaspyn hated the contraption Thrasher wore on his face. It hid his eyes from her, preventing her from gauging his reactions.

  He shook his head. “It’s my mother.”

  For some reason, that information relaxed her somewhat. “What is the purpose of an image of your mother? Why is she not here with you?”

  “She’s dead,” Thrasher responded in a flat tone, leaving no doubt that he preferred not to discuss it.

  Gesturing to a chair at the table, Thrasher rumbled, “What is it that you wanted to talk about?”

  “Us.” Kaspyn lowered herself into the chair.

  Thrasher sat as well. “Us?”

  “Yes, us. I feel that we need to be clear on a few shits before we leave for Cuba.”

  Though she couldn’t see his eyes, she could hear the humor in his next words. “Clear on a few shits?”

  Her mind repeated what he’d explained to her in the hallway. “Did you not tell me that shit meant things?”

  He barked out a laugh, a rusty sound that didn’t fit his brooding nature. “Yes, that’s exactly what it means, please continue.”

  Kaspyn wiped her palms on her sharkskin shorts. “It is no secret that you do not like me. Suffice it to say, your very presence here in Aukrabah does not sit well with me either. But I can be of use on this mission to Cuba. I would suggest that we put our differences aside for the time being and do what must be done.”

  The infuriating land walker simply sat there without speaking.

  “Would it be too much to ask that you remove the barrier in front of your eyes?” she bit out, growing more frustrated by the second.

  Thrasher reached up and pushed the contraption onto the top of his head, revealing his own sky-blue eyes.

  Kaspyn swallowed hard, instantly regretting her suggestion. He had the most beautiful eyes she’d ever encountered.

  Clearing her throat, Kaspyn nodded her thanks. “Well, what say you?”

  “I don’t dislike you, Kaspyn. I realize that you are a princess. But this is war, and war caters to no one. Not even a princess.”

  Indignation reare
d its head. “I am not some pampered daughter of a king who thinks to prove herself by running off to war. Regardless of what you think.”

  “You said it, I didn’t.”

  Kaspyn leaned forward, fighting back a snarl. “I will have you know that I have been training to be a warrior since I was old enough to dress myself.”

  Thrasher moved with lightning speed. He jumped from his chair, flew around the table, and had a knife to her throat before she could gasp. “No matter how great a warrior you think you are, or what unnatural abilities you possess, I could have slit your throat and left you to bleed out before you realized what had happened.”

  Though it infuriated Kaspyn to be at the land walker’s mercy, she knew he spoke the truth. And speaking of truths, if she were being completely honest with herself, she would admit to being impressed with his speed and skill with that blade. “Teach me.”

  Lowering the knife, Thrasher placed it on the table and stepped back. “Teach you how to use a knife?”

  Kaspyn took a patient breath. “I know how to use a knife. I want you to teach me how to fight as you do. How to use speed to my advantage.”

  “There’s no time to teach you. We leave for Cuba before daylight.”

  She got to her feet and turned to face him. “Then you will teach me upon our return.”

  He held her gaze for long moments. “Get Vaughn to show you some moves. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

  “I do not want Vaughn,” she softly replied. “I want you.”

  Thrasher stepped in closer, his voice barely a whisper. “Why?”

  Kaspyn’s heart pounded as the feel of his body heat penetrated her skin. She took a step back, attempting to put some distance between them. “Does it matter?”

  Thrasher stalked forward, effectively backing her against the stone wall of his kitchen. He planted his palms on either side of her head and leaned in until his nose nearly touched hers. “Don't play games with me, princess. You will lose.”

  Her chin lifted even as her defiant gaze slowly lowered to his lips. “I never lose.”

  “You will in this,” he growled, closing the distance.

  His lips slanted across hers in a kiss no doubt meant to punish her. It had the opposite effect.

  Kaspyn could feel her body go pliant against her will. Thrasher’s taste and scent swirled through her like a roaring fire, devouring everything in its wake.

  She found herself kissing him back, moaning against his mouth with the first swipe of his tongue against her own.

  He moved in closer, his hands sliding from the wall to hold her face hostage as his lips claimed hers again and again.

  “May I enter?” a male voice called out from the hallway.

  Thrasher jerked back as if burned, his hooded gaze boring into hers for a moment longer before putting some distance between them. “Come.”

  Pyre stepped into the room, his gaze flicking between Kaspyn and Thrasher. “I had hoped to have a moment of your time.”

  Kaspyn pushed away from the wall, her breathing slightly unsteady. “I was just leaving.”

  She strode from the apartment without looking back, disbelief settling inside her. She’d done the unthinkable. What more would she have done had Pyre not shown up when he did? Kaspyn, daughter of King Kryten had found herself in the arms of a land walker. And she’d enjoyed it. Man, did she ever enjoy it…

  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, p
ushing 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.”

  Chapter Six

  Kaspyn ground her teeth in anger. It wasn’t so much that Zyen wouldn’t be accompanying her on the boat that angered her. No, she could care less if he swam all the way back to Arkadia. Her resentment was a result of the infuriating human standing in front of her barking out orders as if he were the king himself.

  She almost opened her mouth to tell him where he could shove his meaningless orders, but then he lifted the mirrored lenses from his eyes and all thought fled.

  “Do you know how to drive an ATV?”

  It took her a second to realize that Thrasher had asked her a question. She swallowed her irritation at herself for ogling him and shook her head. “I do not.”

  “Then you will ride to the entrance with me.”

  She watched as Thrasher and Vaughn spoke softly to one another before Thrasher addressed the rest of the group. “Pyre? If you’re not familiar with the ATVs either, you can ride in the mule with Tony. Brant will follow.”

  “And me?” Zyen growled, his massive arms crossed over his chest.

  Thrasher barely spared him a glance. “You will swim with Gryke and Rykaur.”