Born of Ice (League #3)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

His father was the notorious filch and assassin, C.I. Syn. His mother the legendary Seax, Shahara Dagan.”

After all, he was a Wade through and through. And if Wades were anything, they were staunch survivors. May the gods have mercy on anyone dumb enough to come at him, because he wouldn’t.

Devyn Kell is the devil himself. He will not take mercy on you, and he will kill you if he finds out who you are and why you’re there. Trust me. I’ve buried every agent we’ve sent in after him—male, female and everything in between. Since he can spot an operative three seconds after he meets one, maybe a civ can bust his ass wide open.

The one who’d spoken had to be a good six foot four in height. Built in perfect proportions, he was lean and ripped. Broad shoulders tapered down to narrow hips and what had to be the finest butt she’d ever seen in her life—she could bounce a credit off that.

The mecha glared at the one who’d spoken. “My name is not ‘Dammit, Vik’ and I find it ironic that you think I can commune with all metal beings when you can barely communicate your point of view to your own parents. And they birthed you. I did not give birth to this ship. Last time I checked, I was male and that would be impossible on a multitude of levels.”

“Excuse me, scary people. Your rear stabilizer’s down.”

That was one reason Devyn understood. Something about the dark tranquility of space seemed to comfort even the most troubled of souls.

“Shut up, Sway.” Devyn checked the ID and flipped off his friend. Yeah, it was his mother . . . probably because his heart rate was elevated.

“Trust me, baby. There ain’t enough woman in that boy’s body of yours to ever entice a real man.”

Her father’s mocking voice echoed in her mind. No man wants a woman like you. Hell, you’re more man than most of us with a penis. And look at yourself . . . all grimy and greasy. What man wants that? You’re lucky the crew gets desperate enough to use you, though to be honest, I’d rather masturbate.

He dropped the bottle and ground his teeth as pleasure ripped through his entire body. Cupping her face, he reveled in the sensation of her hot mouth caressing him while he watched her taste him. It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen and it set fire to every molecule of his body.

“That’s it, baby,” he breathed in her ear. “Come for me.” He drove himself in deep to punctuate those words.

His heart broke for her. What kind of selfish bastards had she been with that they hadn’t even thought about her needs? Damn it. Had he known that, he’d have taken a lot more time with her.

“You want me to sleep naked . . . with you?” “Not like I haven’t seen you.” “What about Sway and Vik?” “I don’t want to sleep naked with them.” Her face turned bright pink. “That’s not what I meant.”

Her basic philosophy is, ‘I brought you into this world and I will take you out of it.’ ” He returned to holding her close.

Damn, what had they done to her that she couldn’t comprehend a man making her food after he’d slept with her? He turned off the stove and pulled her into his arms. “Sweetie, this is how the people I’ve been around behave toward each other. Cooking you breakfast after the night you gave me is nothing. You wore me out and I need energy for the day ahead. Now eat up before it gets cold.” He let go of her and put the bacon on a plate before he held it out.

She was his enemy. And people like Devyn killed their enemies . . .

Vik moved stiffly, like an old-fashioned robot. “Watch . . . child. Watch . . . child. Does . . . not . . . com . . . pute.”

“Uh-uh-uh.” Taryn cut Vik off. “You’ve done enough damage, mech. Just sit there and be quiet before we organics seek revenge.”

Her face a mock mask of pain, Zarina placed her hand over her heart. “Oh, hon, you have been so deprived.” She took her hand and pulled her down the corridor into a makeup store.

Devyn chuckled. “It was a lamp, Vik, not a girlfriend.” Vik sighed wistfully. “I really loved that lamp. She lit up my entire world.”

Vik cuffed Devyn on the back of his head. “Respect your elders, embryo.”

He’s too good a man for you to betray.

“Kill her, baby! Don’t let that bitch hurt you.” Devyn grinned

“Easier said than done. She’s already suited up and ready to meet you at your next stop so that she can kill Alix herself. I’ve had to disarm her three times since I started the search—which is why it took me so long to find it all. You’re making my life a living hell, buddy. Don’t get hurt or I’ll never live it down.”

“Other than being stuck with Zarina, yeah. Taryn wants me to head out to you in a fighter so that you have at least one of us at your back.”

“I’m sure he did it to keep you out of trouble.” “Yeah, but damn . . . I’m seeing stars . . . Oh wait, I am seeing stars. I’m looking at the course trajectory. Heh.”

Omari frowned at him. “We’re crashing?” “Yeah,” Devyn said ominously. “We’re crashing.”

Devyn ignored him. “Vik?” Silence answered him. Devyn’s heart stopped as raw panic set in. Had the mecha been hurt in the crash? Or worse . . . killed? “Vik!” Again nothing.

Devyn passed a proud look to her that warmed her through and through. “I think she’s adorable and her mouth is one of the things I find most enjoyable. In more ways than one.”

His heart heavy, he turned and left the room, then headed down to where the largest group of soldiers were waiting outside the building. The moment they saw him, they swarmed.

Nero rolled his eyes. “You have the pot watching the kettle? I swear, Jayce, you must have gotten brain damage when Adron shoved you down the stairs when you were a toddler.”

“I have to try. I can’t leave him there. You don’t understand, Vik. I love him, and I can’t let him pay for something I did. I don’t care what it takes, we have to save him.” “Those words, little girl, just saved your life.” Alix turned at the woman’s voice that came from behind her. Tall, slender and beautiful,

“I know you’re not going to pin this on me, Shay. I didn’t raise the embryo. You did. It’s what you get for teaching him things like honor, love, courage and loyalty.” He made a mocking noise. “If you’d left him a scared little snot-nose, he’d still be living in your basement.”

And it was then that Merjack fully understood as he saw the procession behind the guards. Emperors Nykyrian Quiakides and Caillen de Orczy, along with Darling and Ren Cruel. They led Shahara and Syn into the room. Yeah, that was the power-player brigade that no one in their right mind would cross.

“Syn!” Shahara shouted. “Devyn’s going into cardiac arrest.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Nykyrian said in an emotionless tone. “We have a contract for his life. His death is considered a public service by The League.”

Shahara leaned into her husband as she looked at Alix. “I think you’re definitely right, Syn. His heart is much stronger now.”

“Bitch, bitch, bitch. Most people would just be grateful they’re alive after all you went through.”

“Me, either, but I would rather we be naked.”

And she’d had nothing until the day she’d found him. Now . . . now she had a life worth living and she intended to spend the rest of it loving all of them.