Finally, something to kill. It makes Ms. Beast very happy. With the Mortuary sword held high, I go after a hellhound larger than the ones we see on the island. And fresher. I don't stop to think about what this creature really is. It wants me dead, and that's enough for me to end its existence. Toxic saliva drips from razor teeth. Creepy, intelligent eyes don't blink when it charges. Sword held in my massive claws as I've been trained, I swing. A large spray of blood covers me, and the hound's head sails through the air until it hits a tree with a loud, wet smack. "Yes," I cheer at the same time spinning to see what else needs to die. Kill, Ms. Beast yells into my head when the first person I spot is Garret. I lift my sword higher, and I'm almost on him when Axel's clawed hand grabs my arm. "Marinah!" he shouts. It startles me, and it's enough to clear my head. This has never happened before. I didn't recognize Garret as friend, and I'm not sure why. "Thanks," I mu

It's unfair and not getting my way turns me peevish. I was a very spoiled child throughout my formative years. It taught me to use tears and plain old stubbornness to get what I wanted. Usually it worked. Unfortunately, I don't feel my sad, moping eyes popping from my Shadow Warrior head do the trick this time. I do need rest, and I have guard duty tonight. King assigned the duty to me to avoid another tantrum. Smart man. I'm almost asleep when I overhear Labyrinth whisper to Beck, "What, no temper tantrum because she isn't getting her way and luring the Federation out?" Beck's reply is priceless. "She's right, and our mighty leader is wrong. She knows she'll get her way." I smile against King's chest. "Don't get any ideas," he mumbles sleepily. I sleep until Labyrinth wakes me. King tightens his hold then releases me and rolls over. I would smooth my hand over his head, but I would probably take out one of his eyes. Even in sleep the man is imposing. Add in

I watch Marinah like she's prey. She looks around, trying to figure out how to keep herself occupied, and sex is all I have on my mind when I look at her. Her eyes find mine, and I see the moment she realizes I'm going to pounce. She's quick, and even though I had every intention of catching her, she eludes me. She crouches low several feet away, her breathing heavier, her focus entirely on me. "Taking you here isn't happening," I say while slowly circling her like the predator I am. She turns with me. "What is happening?" "It's been two minutes, and you're already going stir-crazy. I thought some sparring was in order." She shakes her head. "That's not the look I see in your eyes." "I'm not surprise-" I attack before finishing the statement. She uses a leg block and twists her body to the right. I've seen her pull the move before, and I'm ready. I grab her low at the waist, my head at her hip, and drive my legs into the floor while bringing her legs

Another flash to my left and I spot Garret going after the second guard. He's good and quietly assists the dead man to the ground. I almost think we're in the clear when a shot fires at King and the men when they reach the metal shipping containers. I don't spot the shooter until another muzzle flash. After a small inhale, I take him out. King drops the beam in place then runs for the edge of the makeshift barracks. I don't hesitate to take out two men running from the building. King reaches the door, staying against the thin aluminum siding. A bullet can go straight through the steel, and I'm not happy with King's choice of locations. Another set of doors is thrown open from a building to the right of the Warriors, and gunfire erupts. It's what the men in the building nearest King were waiting for, and they pile out together shooting at air. I take out two more before King and the Warriors attack. With my heart in my stomach, I turn and check the remainder of the camp again. Tw

Axel says all we can do is wait. We'll know about Garret in the next day or so. I'm resting with my back against the short roof wall and staring at our prisoner. He has crazy green eyes that look too large on his thin, filthy face. With his broken arm, he's little threat now that Beck hobbled him. He's not dressed in Federation military fatigues, and his clothes have seen better days. His skin is mostly black with grime. He has slight swelling on his forehead from a boot to the head when he pulled the gun on Beck and Labyrinth. He's staring at me too. "Pretty butterfly," he finally says. King gives him a kick to the thigh to shut him up. My mate isn't happy with the loss of Smythe and especially my shifting. He's gone into full-on royal highness mope mode. And the men accuse me of throwing tantrums. My fits have nothing on my mate when he decides on a king-sized funk. Giving the prisoner a wide berth, I circle to King. "I'm heading to check out the lower floors, w