Kenyon, Sherrilyn - One Silent Night.html by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

wanted to insult him for his womanish maudlin. But the truth was it touched a part of her that she'd reserved only for her daughter. She actually wanted to comfort him for his losses. Her worst fear had been to watch her daughter age and die.

    Luckily, Medea was stronger than that.

    "Does Medea have any children?"

    Zephyra steeled herself against the pain that innocent question evoked. The bitter memories that burned deep inside her. "She had a son."More beautiful than any baby ever born. Praxis had been precious and sweet. Always laughing. Always hugging.

    "Where is he now?"

    She forced all emotion out of her voice. "Dead."

    Stryker's eyes darkened at her monosyllabic answer. "Her husband?"

    "Ironic really. Against my wishes, she and her husband were members of the Cult of Pollux." Those were Apollites who believed in doing nothing to circumvent Apollo's curse. They lived peacefully among the humans, waiting to die horribly on their birthdays. Each member of the cult took a vow to harm no human or any other life-form.

    "Her husband was killed by the same angry humans who feared his fangs. He tried to distract the humans so that she and their child could get to safety. They beat him down and ripped his heart out of his chest, then they captured her and tortured her for days. They tore her son out of her arms and killed him before her eyes." Indignant rage burned deep inside her. "He was only five years old. And they would have killed her, too, had I not found her in time.It's what made her the warrior she is. She hates all humans for their cruelty, just as I do. They are all animals fit for nothing but slaughter, and I enjoy wholeheartedly playing the butcher."

    Stryker understood those sentiments. He'd seen their cruelty firsthand against his people and his children. It was why he had no sympathy for mankind. Why he had no mercy on them. Why should they live in peace while his own people had no future?

    But her words confused him as he looked around the stone temple where the walls were decorated with peaceful scenes of women dancing with deer. This was where Artemis's human worshipers still paid tribute to her. "Yet you live here with them?"

    "Only a small group. Servants to Artemis who gave us shelter when we needed it. They have watched over us for centuries, and so we let them live."

    He scowled. "Why would the goddess do that?"

    "Artemis has always been good to us. And in return for her shelter, I do a few odd jobs for her."

    "Such as?"

    "Killing you."

    Humor flickered in his eyes as he drew near her. "Back to that, are we?"

    "We will always come back to that."

    "Fair enough." He sighed. "Come, Phyra, let's find our daughter." He held his hand out to her.

    She curled her lip in repugnance. "You can keep
that
"—she sneered at his proffered hand—"to yourself."

    He tsked at her. "There was a time when you would have kissed my palm with loving tenderness. But in all honesty, I have to say that I'm surprised at you. A clever enemy would kiss my hand, then stab at my back while I was distracted."

    She scoffed as she shoved his hand to the side. "A coward's action. Truly. Don't insult either one of us with such a suggestion. I don't believe in petty juvenile attacks. I go after what I want, and when it's the life of an enemy I don't want there to be any mistaking my intention. If you're worth my hatred, then you're worth my letting you know that I'm coming for you."

    Stryker smiled at her angry words, grateful to hear them from her. "A true warrior's code." He respected her all the more for it. "Take my hand, Zephyra."

    She spat at it.

    Unamused, Stryker grabbed her and pulled her close. He wanted to strangle her for her obstinacy. Most of all he wanted to kiss her.

    "I'm going to gut you," she warned.

    He wiped her spittle off on her shirt even while she slapped at his hand. "So long as you do it naked, you'll have no complaints from me."

    "You're a faithless pig." She moved to slap him.

    He