Page 99 of Twin Warriors
“All of it was orchestrated by Shadow. After he fled the Arusian military, he found Huruk, the barbarian Zelosian that was at the fortress when we attacked. Huruk introduced Shadow to Urom, Grom’s second in command and the Korok. That was when he learned of you and the Iron compound. Smoke suspects it was the Zelosians that had fitted him with the enhancements we saw in return for a way to destroy us. It looks like our fight with the Korok and the gangs had gotten the attention of the Zelosians as well. They need the slaves the Korok bring them, and the Korok refuse to land on the ice planet. So, they used Mura to trade, but we kept getting in their way.”
“What of the Zelosian chancellor?” Cole asked.
Lace turned to face the male. “He’s dead. His body was found on the frozen wastelands above ground on Zelos three days ago. Huruk is set to take his place. I believe Shadow is hiding on Zelos.”
An echo of growls came from all the males at the thought of hunting Shadow on a frozen planet so cold, even an enhanced warrior could freeze to death in a matter of hours.
“What of the Korok forces here in Mura?”
“Scattered,” Dio said, pushing off the wall, “Many have fled to the sands, and some have taken to their slave ship for fear of being hunted down by us. The few that remain have surrendered.”
“And the gangs?”
“They are still doing what they always do,” Lace answered, “Urom is pushing the Western territory hard. He wants the business district under his control, but our warriors are holding them off for now. I don’t think he will push for much longer. I believe he is using it as a distraction to take the focus off him and his involvement with Shadow.”
Iron sat forward, resting his elbows on the metal table. “I want him found. He was a part of the attack that happened here, and he will pay for the lives lost.”
A long silence fell over all the males in the room as they all remembered the night they were attacked.
“How many dead?” Cane finally asked.
“Twenty-one dead. Fifteen critical, including six children that were in the medical unit for treatment when the explosion happened.”
Lace rolled his fingers into fists on his thighs, pushing back at the insanity that clawed at his mind. He was so close to the edge that he worried the others might see it.
As a Arusian male, he could succumb to madness if left without a mate for too long. The chemical imbalance in his brain would drive him to do unspeakable things in desperation and anger. Hearing that so many of his fellow warriors had perished in an attack on his home left his mind fighting to repel the darkness.
“We will hold a day of remembrance tonight for those lost. Then we'll begin rebuilding. This is our home. We will make it better and stronger. Once we know where to look, we will hunt down Shadow and anyone involved and kill them. I will not let any more of my family be hurt or die because of that male.”
With mumbles of agreement from everyone, Iron excused them all. Lace stood to leave, but Iron stopped him before he could exit the office.
“Lace?”
Lace turned to face his commander, “Yes?”
Iron waited for the others to leave and motioned for him to close the door. Once he did, Iron stood and moved to the window.
“How close to the edge are you?” Iron asked.
Lace lowered his eyes to the ground, not wanting to see the disappointment in his friend’s eyes. He and Iron had served together in the Arusian military for years before coming here. Iron was not just his commander; he was a friend and a brother.
“I am still in control,” Lace said in a low voice, unable to look up.
“You are a brother to me, Lace, you know that right?”
Lace nodded, “Yes.”
“And as your brother, I will do what needs to be done when the time comes. I know that you would never be able to live with yourself if you hurt a female. It is not in you to do something like that. But if the madness comes, I give you my word, I will protect you from that act. By any means necessary.”
Lace let out a long breath, raising his eyes to Iron. “Thank you, Iron. I can feel it pushing at my thoughts, demanding to be set free. For now, I have control over it, but I fear I will not be able to stop it for much longer.”
Iron came over to him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “I have you, brother.”
Lace gave him a weak smile, before he shrugged out of Iron’s grip and left his office. He needed air. He needed to breathe, to run… to fight. To do something to get his blood pumping and his mind off the thoughts that wanted to invade him.
He moved fast as he almost ran down the long hallway leading to the gardens outside. He would find a few new warriors to train with. Maybe that will take his mind off things.
His heart pounding in his chest, Lace rounded the corner and ran right into the small figure walking down the other end of the hall.