Lorn punched him in the throat, his claws tearing deep. He couldn’t waste any more time. He used brute strength to twist his fist and force his claws to tear through the side of Nabby’s throat.

He stared into Nabby’s terrified dark brown eyes as his enemy realized it was a killing injury. Half of Nabby’s throat was torn out. Blood sprayed from both sides.

Nabby’s knees collapsed and he grabbed at Lorn’s wrist with both hands.

Lorn briefly glanced up and saw that Lavos and Kar were fighting back to back, with five VampLycans attempting to take them down. Kar had fur but he’d remained in mostly human form. Four of their attackers were in fur, attempting to use wolf-pack tactics to tear them apart. Both Kar and Lavos were bleeding but holding their own.

Lorn was almost dragged down by Nabby still gripping his wrist when the bastard totally fell over, his body jerking on the ground. Lorn ripped out of his hold and dropped to his knees next to the man’s head and shoulders. He leaned forward a little to peer into Nabby’s terror-stricken gaze.

“This is for all the pain and terror you’ve caused others.”

Lorn shoved both sets of claws into what was left of Nabby’s neck and separated his head from body. It took real effort to sever through bone, but he had motivation. He rose up and snarled, racing toward Lavos and Kar.

The two elders who’d held back from the fight turned as one, coming at him. They unleashed their claws, their intent to attack clear.

“No honor!” Lorn yelled, beyond pissed. “What the hell is wrong with you both? You’re supposed to be examples for our youth!”

They halted just feet away. So did Lorn. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lavos slash open the belly of one of his attackers who tried to leap on him. Lavos and the beast hit the ground but Lavos got up fast. The shifted VampLycan didn’t.

Lorn’s full attention returned to the elders, the warning from his mother about Amos foremost in his thoughts as he faced him.

“What are you doing, Lorn?” Amos glared, pointing at him. “You overreach.”

“Decker’s reign of terror and abuse is at an end. I’m taking the clan. Stand down or die. I’ll consider it a challenge if you attack me.”

“Insolence of a child!” Muller spat. He tensed, as if planning to lash out at Lorn.

Amos touched the other elder on his arm. “Wait.” He sneered at Lorn. “Decker shall return. You, your brother, and Kar will die for the offense of killing Nabby. He was favored.”

“He was a bully. Now he’s dead. You will be too if you challenge me.”

“You do overreach,” Amos hissed. “The other clans won’t stand for someone so young attempting to lead this clan. We don’t need a war with them until Decker and his enforcers return. You’re going to destroy our clan while we’re vulnerable!”

“The other clans asked me to step up. I’m preventing a war. Decker went too far, Amos. They’re prepared to disband our clan and they are supported by the GarLycans. Lord Aveoth was present at our meeting.”

Surprise widened Amos’s eyes and he sucked in a sharp breath.

A body landed a few feet away. Lorn glanced at it. Gordy no longer lived. He took a split-second to check on Kar and Lavos. They were fighting with only two VampLycans now. Two other bodies lay sprawled near their feet. He focused on the elders again.

“Decker is never returning. He broke VampLycan law by attacking Velder’s clan and attempted to blackmail Lord Aveoth. There will be no forgiveness. The other three clans agreed, along with Lord Aveoth. Do you understand?”

Amos and the other elder glanced at each other, sharing something unspoken. They regarded Lorn. It was Muller who spoke first.

“We will not be led by your kind.”

Lorn knew it was meant as an insult. “What kind is that? Someone who respects peace and doesn’t wish to rule by terrorizing the very people it’s his duty to protect? Decker’s needs always came above those of all others. He was greedy, selfish, and twisted in his mind.”

A scream of pain pierced the air. It cut off fast.

The two elders turned their heads at the sound, and Lorn glanced toward his brother and Kar as well, relieved to see them both standing. The other VampLycans who’d attacked them weren’t moving. Lavos met his gaze and took a few menacing steps in his direction. Kar followed. Both of them were covered in blood.

“Stay back,” Lorn ordered. “Don’t interfere. Lavos, you’re my lead enforcer. It’s official.” The message was clear. Kar would stay out of the fight if both elders attacked Lorn, but his brother was welcome to even out the odds. “Kar, stand guard.”

Both of them stopped. Kar jerked his head in a nod and turned his back, watching the woods, on alert. Lavos glared at the elders and wiped his bloodied claws on what was left of his pants.

The elders stared at Lorn again. He waited to see what they’d do next.

Muller growled, his eyes beginning to glow. “They take orders from you? You are no leader. You’re a youth playing a deadly game of pretense. Outrageous! You will stand down and take the punishment you deserve! An elder will lead if Decker doesn’t return.”

Lorn shook his head. “You began this clan, helped shaped it, but you’ve allowed Decker to twist it since the beginning into something vile. You allowed him to cull clansmen who showed more Vampire traits than Lycan. Their deaths are on your hands too. You even stood by him when he planned to murder other VampLycan leaders and anyone who stood against such a grievous act. He was sick inside, and you both fed into the rot that filled his mind.

“I acknowledge your age and position but you have gained no wisdom or respect. You’d keep things the way Decker ran them. Times have changed—and so will this clan. We will live in peace. I won’t stand down or step aside. Challenge me or get the hell out of my clan!”

Running feet caught their attention at that moment and two more of Nabby’s friends came bursting out of the woods. The blond one saw the bodies on the ground and snarled, claws unleashing. “You’re dead!”

Amos attacked without warning. Muller did as well.

Lorn jumped back to avoid the slashing claws from both men. They separated, one getting behind Lorn. He tried to edge out from between them but they moved with him. Lavos and Kar tackled the VampLycans who’d just arrived.

Amos nearly stabbed Lorn near the heart with the first blow but missed a direct hit, cutting him instead of doing any fatal damage. Advanced age could be a benefit to a VampLycan over the younger ones. They gained fighting skills every year they lived, and Amos had lived for over two hundred years. Lorn kept that in mind as he used his claws to block Amos from tearing out his throat next.