“You know the answer to that question, Abby.”
“You’re going to kill them.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want you to do that.”
There it was, the knife in my heart I’d been waiting for from the moment I met her. She was young and compassionate and innocent. I could not blame her for not wanting to be mated to a killer. “I do what must be done.”
“But—”
I released her hand and stood, catching my brother’s eye as I did so. He would know what the nearly imperceptible tilt of my head meant. I walked away without a backward glance, fearless in the face of our enemies. Terrified of what I might see if I looked back at hers.
Styx followed me out of the community area to weapon storage. He arrived as I entered the security code that would open the door.
“I saw Shade speaking to Amora. Did he give us what we need?”
“Yes.” I walked inside and pulled two blades free from the wall. I added an ion blaster as well, even though I had to assume they would be wearing the same advanced armor that would make the weapon useless. “Did you send word to Commander Karter about the base on Latiri 4 as well as the new armor the Hive have acquired?”
“I did.” Styx groaned as he pulled his own set of blades from the walls. “He took the news well, considering.”
“You did not tell him about the Atlans.”
“Of course not. As we agreed.”
“Good. I would not want Abby upset with you.” I grinned as I changed out of my civilian clothing into my hunting armor. “I would have to kick your ass to make her happy.”
My brother laughed. “You can try, brother. We have not tested your ability to beat me since I was eight and you fifteen. If I recall, I kicked your ass even then.”
It was my turn to chuckle. What he said was true. But I had allowed him to best me and we both knew it. That fact had not prevented him from using it against me every chance he got.
We prepared in silence. I had known he would come with me, not as the leader of our legion, but as my brother. I was surprised, however, when the other Enforcers walked in and began suiting up as well. Blade, Silver, Kohn and Ivar changed quickly, their faces grim.
Silver, Blades equally deadly sister, finished preparing first. “So, scum hunting tonight?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“And our blasters won’t work because they stole our tech?”
“Yes.”
“And sold it to the Hive?”
“Yes.”
“And they’ve been kidnapping Hyperions and selling them for experiments?”
I shoved a third knife into place in the holster on my left leg. A fourth on my right. “Yes.” I looked up and met the gaze of each of them before continuing. “They tried to kill me and half our legion with that bomb.” My voice dropped as I allowed the rage to bubble up from the deep well within me. “They nearly killed my mate.”
Silver smiled at me, which would have been lovely on any other female. On her it was a threat. “Understood. You do your thing, and we’ll work clean-up.”
I nodded and led the way out the door. I knew exactly where these fuckers had their safe houses in the neutral territory. Their location would not save them tonight. I would bathe in their blood and pray my mate could forgive me.
* * *
Two Hours Later
The threat to Abby had been eliminated. As promised Silver and the others had followed me to finish off anyone I missed.