He pushed his worry about Kira to the back of his mind. He needed to keep his full attention on the situation at hand. Nabby wasn’t known to fight fair. The bastard would try to kill him, using any means necessary.

Chapter Eleven

The sound of a fight drew Lorn to his enemy. Nabby and a mated male were exchanging blows. A female backed away with a small child in her arms.

Lorn recognized the couple immediately. Reso and Ahlu had mated four years before, and she was pregnant with their second child. Reso had probably tried to sneak them out to avoid being separated from his family.

“Enough!” Lorn snarled.

Nabby spun, glaring at him. “Keep out of this.”

“He’s a tradesman. And you’re pathetic. What did you plan to do? Beat Reso to a pulp in front of his mate and child in the slowest, cruelest way? You haven’t even unleashed your claws.” Lorn allowed his to slide out. “You want to fight? Pick on someone with your skill.”

Reso quickly moved to get in front of his mate and child. Lorn held great respect for the VampLycan. He wasn’t a fighter, instead earning income for the clan and his family by creating wood carvings, beautiful works of art. Everyone in the clan had their own special skills.

Nabby lowered his gaze to take in the blood still on Lorn and sniffed. His expression turned menacing as he met Lorn’s gaze again. “What have you done?”

“I’m taking control of the clan.”

“No, you aren’t.”

“Who’s going to stop me? You?” Lorn stepped closer. “Skin or fur. Pick.”

Nabby glanced at Lavos and Kar.

“Don’t worry about them,” Lorn informed him. “They’ll stay out of it. They’re just here to make certain this remains a fair fight. And I hope you aren’t waiting for Yenis to help you take me down. You’ll see him soon though, in hell—where you’re going.”

“You killed him? I smell his blood.”

“It was a fair fight. He died for you and stayed loyal to the end.” Lorn noticed Nabby didn’t even ask about Xelor. He decided to mention him. “Your brother lives.”

“He won’t for long. I’ll take care of him after I’m done with you. He’s spineless and weak.”

“You mean he’s not a bully without heart, or willing to harm women or children. It’s called ‘honor’. I’m grateful someone in your family knows the meaning.”

“You bastard!” Nabby spat. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, your brother, and your friends. Hell, I’ll put your heads on posts inside the lodge just to make you an example to the rest of the clan.”

The threat amused Lorn. “Try your best to take my head. Skin or fur? Decide. I challenge you.”

“Skin.” Nabby threw back his head and let out a howl.

“You call for help? Are you that certain you can’t win in a fair fight against me, Nabby? Pathetic.” Lorn snorted. He didn’t look away from Decker’s enforcer as he spoke to Lavos and Kar. “Watch the woods. We’re about to have company.”

“We’re ready. Take off your shirt and those boots, Kar. They’ll likely shift without warning so be prepared.” Lavos sounded amused. “Let’s kick some ass.”

“Do we just injure them?”

“No mercy, Kar,” Lorn stated. “Kill if they try to help Nabby take me down.”

“Kill fast,” Lavos added. “I see incoming.”

“Fuck,” Kar growled. “I spot five.”

Nabby lunged forward and tried to take Lorn unaware. Lorn jerked to the left, Nabby’s clawed fingers missing his throat. He drove his fisted hand upward as their bodies slammed together, his own claws ramming into Nabby’s chest. The enforcer gasped in pain. Four of Lorn’s claws had imbedded deep into one of his lungs.

Lorn twisted his fist, knowing it did more damage. He shoved hard, separating them. Nabby stumbled back, clutching himself where the blood flowed. His head snapped up as he regained his balance. Shock etched his features.

“I’m faster than I was as a youth.” Lorn casually shook his claws, blood flicking off them onto the ground. “To the death. This is going to be a pleasure.”

“Don’t play with him,” Lavos snarled. “Seven incoming now…and shit, two of them are elders. A little help here, Lorn. They’re almost on us.”

Lavos and Kar would be greatly outnumbered, and the elders were skilled fighters. Lorn snarled too and lunged forward. He usually would have waited for his enemy to take the first step but he didn’t have time. He’d be damned if his brother was killed because this VampLycan without honor hoped to stall for time, waiting for more backup to come.

Nabby jumped back but he wasn’t fast enough. Lorn sliced open his chest with the first swipe of claws and caught Nabby’s arm with the second one. Blood flew and Nabby roared in rage. Lorn twisted, kicking out, and landed a blow to Nabby’s stomach. The VampLycan went down. He hit the ground hard and lay there, still seeming dazed by Lorn’s strength and speed.

“Get up or die on your back!”

“Uggggh!” Kar suddenly went flying in the air but the VampLycan landed in a crouch. He rose up fast, fur sprouting over his chest, arms, and face. “Dickhead move, slamming into me at a full run, Gordy. My turn.”

He shot forward out of Lorn’s view. Snarls ensued. Lorn didn’t look back, not stupid enough to be distracted away from Nabby.

Nabby rolled and began to shift. Lorn cursed, knowing it was another stall tactic. He raced forward, grabbed Nabby by his hair and the back of his pants, and threw him at a tree. The VampLycan slammed into it, the shift stopping.

Nabby fell to the ground and shook his head. He got to his feet slowly, glaring at Lorn.

“You called skin. Stay in it and keep your word for once.”

Nabby roared again and ran at Lorn. His features were twisted in rage, his mouth open and prepared to bite. His fangs would do just as much damage in skin as in fur.

Lorn leapt, catching Nabby by one wrist. His feet hit the ground and he threw his weight in the opposite direction Nabby had been running, so the VampLycan’s momentum wouldn’t knock him over.

It halted Nabby with a jarring jerk and spun him so they faced each other.