Clan Beginnings: Clan and Crave - Chaper Two, Scene Two

 

Releasing May 31. Pre-order now: Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, print

Sletran works hard to earn a runaway's trust.

* * **

Sletran, age 26

Sletran didn’t consider himself wise by any stretch. He’ddone well as a youth in training camp, and he was considered an exemplarysoldier despite it being early in his career, but he’d accomplished his gainsthrough dedicated effort. He never turned his nose up at shit work. He oftenvolunteered for it. His attitude of getting the job done, whatever it took, hadbeen what had made him stand out rather than his brains.

Nonetheless, he felt something was terribly wrong when itcame to the skinny and haunted Imdiko boy he’d taken to a quiet eatery, wherethey sat on floor cushions at a low table on the pleasant patio. Not physicalabuse. Other than the bruises the shitheads from the local training camp hadinflicted on him, he’d stood up against them rather than cowering readilyenough when they’d confronted him.

It was obvious he’d been on his own for a short while, butit didn’t account for how underfed he appeared. His clothes, while dirty andtorn from days’ wear, fit him properly. Even now, he picked at the food Sletranhad ordered for him when he’d failed to choose from the menu. It wasn’t fancyfare since the Nobek couldn’t afford such, but it wasn’t bad. The kid had eatenravenously for the first few bites, then had become listless. His shadowed eyespeered at Sletran through heavy waves of hair…no longer nervously, thank theancestors, but watchful. Evaluating. He was on guard, and Sletran sensed it wasmore from habit than an actual concern the Nobek might prove dangerous.

“You’re a runaway. Trouble at home?” he prodded.

The boy shrugged. It was the only answer he’d given toSletran’s questions when he answered at all.

“How old are you? Twelve? Thirteen?”

At last, he rewarded Sletran’s attempts with a response inan insulted tone. “Fifteen.”

Sletran kept his expression composed, though he wassurprised. He’d given an estimate higher than what he’d guessed the kid’sactual age to be in an attempt to make him feel complimented. Most boysappreciated it when they were seen as mature for their ages. His effort hadbeen way off the mark, but for good reason.

He’s too damn small for a fifteen-year-old. Don’t hisparents feed him?

Maybe. The boy’s plate was still more than half full, andthey’d been sitting there half an hour.

“Fifteen. You aren’t really a kid then.” He was, but Sletranwanted the teen to like him and feel he could confide whatever had gone sobadly for him to have left home. Imdikos who’d done so were serious business.As the fewest and most sensitive of Kalquor’s male breeds, they were to beprotected.

His young companion shrugged. They were back to his stubbornsilence.

“At your age, you’re aware I can’t simply let you wanderoff. I have to take you to the authorities to sort out and send you home.”

The boy stopped shoving food around on his platter. Hislower lip trembled. His blue-purple eyes brightened. Tears threatened.

Sletran’s stomach squeezed tight on the food he’d wolfeddown. He had no idea what to do if the kid burst into tears or begged him notto take him to law enforcement. The Nobek sat stiff on his floor cushion,waiting for the storm and wondering how he was supposed to handle it.

Instead of sobbing or pleading, the teen blinked the tearsback before they could fall. He pushed his platter aside. “I know.”

The defeated tone hurt worse than Sletran had imaginedcrying would. He’d never heard anyone speak so hopelessly.

I have to know what happens to him. I need to know he’llbe okay when he gets wherever he’s going.

“Since it’ll come out anyway, would you at least tell meyour name?”

The teen gazed at him, some of the lost aspect easing off toallow a tinge of hope. “Will you stay with me as long as the authorities allow?I trust you to make sure I’ll be okay. You won’t let anyone be…cruel.”

“Sure. I’m on leave a couple days, so it isn’t a problem.”He felt pride to have earned the kid’s confidence. He assumed it didn’t comeeasily.

“My name is Conyod, son of Clan Tuher.”

Sletran smiled. For a wonder, Conyod returned it. The youngImdiko’s version was wan, but it was a smile.

“It’s very good to meet you, Conyod. Do me a favor and tryto eat a couple more bites, then we’ll go to the local precinct.”

“Okay. I’ll try for you.”

* * * *

Heneeded a hero and found two. Can love rescue him again?

NobekSletran never took Imdiko Conyod’s infatuation seriously when he rescued himyears before. When Conyod shows up in his life again as a strong and successfulman instead of a traumatized victim, Sletran has to reconsider the one he oncerejected and now can’t imagine life without.

Conyod hasnever given up on the man he considers his hero. Sletran is all he’s everwanted for a clanmate, and he’s determined to win him at last. But the past refusesto be laid to rest. When Conyod convinces Sletran to see him for who he’sbecome, will who he was resurface and destroy the love they’re building?

Sletran’scommanding officer Dramok Erybet is instantly fascinated by Conyod when thesoldier brings his love on base for a visit. However, Sletran isn’t the NobekErybet feels is right for him. When he rejects the Nobek, he risks losingConyod too.

Againstthe backdrop of heartbreaking childhood tragedy, a ghost who haunts Conyod andhis grief-stricken family, and military brass determined to oust Erybet fromthe rank he’s worked so hard to reach, three men must come to terms with whothey are. When tragedy strikes, the nightmares of the past must be faced andburied once and for all. Conyod, Sletran, and Erybet must dare everything tofind redemption and hold on to each other.

Releasing May 31.  Pre-order now: Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, print