Mars Colony

Dagan was pulling the saddle off his gryffid when it became skittish, and as he tried to control it, Magnar guffawed with laughter and tossed the reins of his own unruly beast to two of his underlings before marching up the steps of the Winner mansion. By the time the motorized vehicles that Winner and his crew rode arrived in the courtyard, Dagan had managed to tie up his animal. The father and son seemed to be in a very good mood, so Dagan wondered what filthy pie they had their fingers into.

Although he was loath to enter the mansion, the food served at Winner's table was the only edible meal he could get since Magnar's gryffid had killed and consumed his cook. When Dagan now entered, he saw Magnar already stomping up the wide, carpeted staircase to the next level, two grimy, scrawny females tucked under his arms. The other brigands were also finding women amongst the many frightened, starving females whose men had been fed to the boreworms. Dagan's lip curled in disgust, and he turned away to head directly to the dining hall where Winner had lead his own crew.

Quatre waved to Dagan, and shoved away the woman on the seat beside him. She skulked away like a beaten dog and was quickly snatched by one of the other men. "Kael, I am glad to see that you have returned and that you are conscious. Sit beside me and tell of your adventures."

Adventures? Dagan had little to tell. Fifty men dragged to their deaths to the north, another fifteen to the west. Seeing Malik Winner suck down a small tube of the vile liquid that had been processed from the waste of the boreworms made him wrinkle his nose. Dagan had to hold his breath and look away in order to regain his appetite because the stench emitted from the drug churned his gut.

Dagan told Quatre of their progress over the last ten days with as little detail as possible, then turned his attention to his food. As he ate his first decent meal in days, he considered these despicable people and their way of life. If he could be assured of Shamara's safety, he would rid this place of the evil that infected it. Though Dagan didn't know where to find Shamara, he was certain she had arrived in a craft capable of taking her home again. When he found her, he would put her on it and send her back to Calabria, even if it was to marry Avar of Teralon. At least she would be safe.

"So, father, did you find Dr. Nelson's lips as sweet?" Malik had pulled a woman onto his lap and was squeezing her as if testing her ripeness. Although there was fear in her eyes, she gave him easy access while pilfering food from his plate. Dagan heard that women who gave themselves to Malik Winner were quietly disposed of when he was through with them. Who would miss them anyway?

"Very much so, and they were so much sweeter having tasted them in front of Duo Maxwell's face." Quatre snorted with laughter.

Duo Maxwell? Dagan had been right! Shamara was still in the care of the moon's governor who was reputed to be one of the strongest imperial guards of Calabria. That was encouraging.

"He is going to be a problem," remarked Malik. The younger Winner picked up a knife and despite a cry of dismay from the woman, he sliced into her bare thigh. "Did you see how he looked at me? After all the trouble I've gone through of gaining the confidence of Quynn's mother, now he arrives!" He rubbed the blood around on her leg, then licked his fingers. "Tasty."

Dagan looked down at his food, then closed his eyes and concentrated on crushing a growing need to blast these obscene humans from existence. The woman was now whimpering as Quatre chuckled, and Dagan opened his eyes to see that Malik didn't care what people watched his disgusting attentions to the female. As he grunted over her like an animal, biting a wound into her neck from which he sucked greedily, she moaned and stuffed food into her mouth.

Unable to bear it any longer, Dagan shoved his plate away and started to stand, but Quatre grabbed his wrist and forced him back down. "Duo Maxwell is a lord on the Calabrian world," remarked Quatre casually as if there weren't an abominable act taking place at his right elbow.

Dagan swallowed back bile. "He is a governor and friend of the emperor himself. Lord Duo Maxwell has earned the respect, and fear, of many."

"Maxwell won't leave Mars without the remains of Prince Dagan or the man himself." Quatre's blue eyes were icy cold. "I expect he will be dropping by soon to identify the body. Perhaps you could point it out to us."

A thud drew Dagan's attention back to Malik. He had dropped the limp, lifeless body of the woman on the floor and wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand before raising a glass of sparkling amber liquid to drink. "Delicious champagne, father. Did you, per chance, import enough to bathe Dr. Nelson in it as you suggested? I wouldn't mind joining her in such a bath."

"Don't get too eager, son. You can have her after I'm done with her, and only after." Quatre glanced at the body that the cowering servants were dragging from the table. Dagan knew it would be tossed out to feed the gryffids. "I hope you intend to leave enough of the lovely Quynn for me to enjoy."

Malik laughed. "I will have her properly trained and tamed for you."

Dagan cleared his throat. "I will identify the prince's body for the governor." And in doing so, he would somehow make him aware that he should remove Shamara from this place of corruption as soon as possible. Dagan did not dare to hope the Calabrians could help him. Quatre was far too suspicious of him and watched him constantly.

"That will not be necessary," he said now, proving Dagan's suspicions. "The bodies are so unrecognizable by this time that he will not know one way or the other."

"It's a shame the princess may be wasted on a spoiled prick like Zieben," commented Malik. "I'd like nothing better than to see that pampered brat at my knees and hear her begging for mercy."

Dagan clenched his fists and tried to calm himself to indifference when what he really wanted to do was burn a hole through Malik Winner.

Although Shamara had proven herself capable of taking on the most hideous and frightening beasts in their trances, Dagan didn't know if the princess could hold her own against a demon like Malik Winner. She was so naïve that Malik could easily charm her, just as he had Quynn Nelson and her mother.

"Don't worry about Zieben Peacecraft getting his hands on Trey of Calabria's prized possession. Long before he can even get here, you will have made her your wife."

"I don't want a wife," snapped Malik.

"You merely have to put on a show, Malik. Trust me, it isn't that difficult."

Malik snickered. "You put on quite a good show with my mother."

"Yes. It's too bad she started to develop some scruples."

"A little late." Added Malik as he smiled. "But I did enjoy watching her die slowly, just as I enjoyed blasting Lars Nelson into little bits."

Quatre stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I hope you didn't leave any loose ends at L12."

"I am sure there were no witnesses. The guard I paid to look the other way when I wired that device into his shuttle has as much to lose as I if I am ever caught. It's been a year, so I think his silence is assured. I later went to the hanger to wish Nelson a safe trip, and the bastard had the audacity to tell me he thought it best if I stopped seeing Quynn. He didn't give me a good reason, so I think he must have discovered something about our operations."

"We disposed of him at an opportune time."

"And I thought it was just because you wanted his prudish wife to put out." Malik drank more champagne. "Removing the beloved spouse hasn't helped your cause. In fact, I think it has hurt it."

"The arrival Duo Maxwell won't help either." Quatre took a quick drink from his own glass, then slammed it down so hard that it shattered. "I haven't worked this hard to get her so that he can come in to make the kill!"

Malik smirked. "Considering that he is Quynn and Stryfe's father, I think he's already bagged that bitch."

Dagan sighed. "If you will excuse me, sir, I would like to get some rest." He had heard enough.

Quatre turned his icy stare on him. "I insist that you stay at the mansion. Besides, I have a little surprise for you that may sweeten your attitude towards us." He pushed himself away from the table. "Come along, Kael. I'm sure that you will be pleased."

The only thing Winner could do to please him would be to put him on a ship and send him back home, but Dagan knew he was too valuable an asset to Quatre Winner. When he had revealed his powers in that mine to save his life, Dagan had sealed his fate. The last village needed only to see him riding with Magnar to be terrified. The women fled with their children, and the men surrendered rather than see their homes incinerated by Dagan's powers. Each time he watched the men herded into the boreworm pits, Dagan felt certain that the gods were angered by his acts. When the time came to face them, he would have to answer for his crimes against innocent humans.

Dagan followed Quatre up the staircase without speaking. He wondered what pitiful creature was going to be provided for his entertainment and how he was going to refuse her without annoying Winner.

"Some of my men found this beauty wandering in the forest. She claims to have hidden on the Calabrian ship that landed at the spaceport a few weeks ago." Quatre stopped at a guarded door, and the man stepped aside after opening the door for him.

Dagan entered before Quatre who waved his hand in an order to do so. At first he didn't see her, and when he did, his heart seemed to collapse in his chest. "Oxana!"

She had been standing at a window, but she turned, and seeing him, she hurried forward and threw herself in his arms. "Prince Dagan! They said you were dead!" Oxana dragged his head down and covered his face with kisses.

Dagan returned her kisses until he realized she had revealed his true identity. Releasing her and pushing her behind him to shield her, he spun to look at Quatre who was leaning against the door frame with a sly smile on his lips. "What do you intend to do?"

Quatre raised his brow. "I really don't know what you mean, Kael. As long as I continue to have your full cooperation, I really don't give a damn who you really are. Right now I intend to leave you alone with this lovely creature. You have seemed to be unhappy, and so I hope this gift will please you." He shut the door, and Dagan heard a lock click into place. The guard had no doubt resumed his patrol outside the door, so they were trapped inside.

He turned around and put his hands on Oxana's shoulders. "What are you doing here? Don't you realize how dangerous this place is?"

Tears glistened in her eyes. "I couldn't bear to believe that you were dead! When I heard that the Calabrian princess was coming here to find you, I knew I had to find a way to get here."

Dagan regretted his scolding of her and he softened his grip on her shoulders. "How did you ever manage such a feat? I doubt Princess Shamara agreed to pick you up."

"Master Nazzar convinced your royal father to allow him to join their expedition. I hid in one of his trunks." She smiled. "I fear Master Nazzar will be missing many of his things."

Dagan sifted his fingers through her pale, soft hair. "You are a brave woman, Oxana."

She stretched up to press her cheek to his. "I would do anything for you, my prince," she breathed into his ear.

There were no more words between them as he lifted her and carried her to the bed. She was as eager to be with him as he was with her, but when she cried her love for him and begged to hear the words from him, Dagan found them slow in coming. Oxana would not be denied, and in the end, he vowed he would love her forever before she surrendered to him completely.

Long after she had fallen asleep, Dagan stared at the ceiling of this lavish room. He didn't feel the same sense of oneness with Oxana as he had in the past. Dagan decided that he was simply worried about her safety. They had been so eager to be together that he hadn't had any time to ask if they had harmed her. Dagan could not imagine Malik Winner keeping his hands off any beautiful woman caught up in his power, but Oxana seemed unmarred. Dagan reasoned that Winner must have realized her importance and kept her safe. If she were maltreated because of him, Dagan would not be able to forgive himself.

Instead of watching her sleep as he usually did, Dagan left the bed and paced for a moment before going to the barred window. The two small moons illuminated the skies, and Dagan looked to the forest. He now knew where Shamara was: at the healer's clinic, and she was protected by a strong imperial guard. What had Oxana said? Master Nazzar was here as well? Dagan sighed with exasperation. How was he supposed to help them all when he couldn't even help himself? Now he was responsible for Oxana's safety! The Winners would hold her hostage as insurance that he continued to follow their orders without question. Dagan was miserable.

Suddenly he felt warm flesh pressing against his back, and Oxana slid her arms around his waist. "Why did you let me sleep?" she scolded him softly. "I want to please you, my prince."

He turned and she fitted herself to him. "You have pleased me well, Oxana."

"Come back to bed and I will show you how I have missed you."

The promise in her eyes was impossible to resist. But when Dagan took a step from the window to follow her, he heard the cry of an eagle. Whipping back around, he peered out the window and saw the huge bird soaring over the backdrop of one of the moons. Was this a sign from the gods?

"Dagan?"

She was lying on the bed, waiting for him to return.

He was already infuriating the gods. What harm could come of enjoying what Oxana had to offer?

"Are you tired, princess?"

Shamara had sat down on a rock to catch her breath. She was tired. Tired of searching for the cave, tired of being away from her home. Ten days had come and gone since waking from her trance, and she hadn't had another since. She thought Dagan was staying away deliberately, a typical male who made promises he didn't want to keep, but when Duo returned and informed her that he had been presented with the Bayman prince's remains, she realized that Dagan was most likely dead. If not before, he had been killed since their last encounter. Why else would he not come to her? And why did she feel such a crushing loss in her heart for that buffoon?

Now she looked at Taeron. "I would just like to rest a moment."

Elder Hardane came to stand over her. "Princess, does any of this terrain look familiar to you?"

She looked around. "Everything seems the same." Trees and overgrown vegetation that didn't look any different from the trees and vegetation they had passed through each day in the search for the elusive cave surrounded them.

Duo had gone ahead to slash a path for them, but Shamara wondered if it was useless to continue. Perhaps it would just be better to return to Calabria and accept her father's choice for a husband. She trusted him to do what was best for her because he already knew her fate. Then why did he all but send her here? What use would it be to her to discover Dagan's body? Was he trying to teach her a lesson about heartache? Shamara knew there had to be a more logical reason!

"Princess?" Elder Hardane was holding his rolled scrolls. Master Nazzar had stayed behind at the clinic to prepare what the beasts of the planet had left of Dagan's body to be returned to Bayman. She wished the older teacher of the prince had accompanied them because his presence was reassuring.

Sighing, Shamara closed her eyes. She had to concentrate on finding the cave. She was sure there was some link between that cave and her trances.

But when she opened her eyes, she found herself sitting on a grassy hillside beneath a tree. Her heart began to beat faster when she saw a man approaching, his hooded cape whipping around him. "Dagan?"

He reached her, then pushed back the hood. Disappointment stabbed through her heart when she saw the golden hair of the man before her. "Who…who are you?"

Holding out his hand to her, he said, "I am disappointed that you do not remember me, my love."

His eyes were compelling, and she slipped her hand in his. He raised her to her feet and drew her against him, folding her in his arms. "I have missed you, so."

Although his identity was still a mystery to Shamara, she felt a familiar comfort in his embrace. "I…I am sorry, but I still do not remember…"

"Quiet, my dearest heart." He was stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head. Shamara closed her eyes and rested her face against his chest. "You have traveled long and far to join me here. Let us enjoy the moment."

"At least tell me your name," she asked, raising her face to look at his. He was so handsome that she was mesmerized.

"Camrin," he said softly.

"Camrin." The name seemed familiar, and yet she did not know where she had heard it before.

He lowered his head to hers, but she moved her face to the side to avoid his kiss. Being in his arms felt right, yet there was still something terribly wrong. "I do not remember you, Camrin."

His lips grazed her neck, spreading heat throughout her. Camrin lifted her in his arms, then knelt and laid her on the grass. "You do not fear me, princess."

"I do not fear you," she heard herself repeat as his gaze held hers. There was a light in the depths of his eyes from which she could not look away.

He pulled off his cape and after spreading it on the grass, he laid on it and drew her against him. "I love you, my beloved Ulfyna."

This time she did not protest when he kissed her. She was so lost to his kiss that she was unaware when he had managed to unwind the belt to her tunic. When he laid her on her back and sat up to look down at her, she thought her heart would burst, it was beating so fast. He reached down to touch the edges of her garment, lying loosely closed against her heated skin. "Do you want me, Ulfyna?"

Shamara could not take her eyes from his, and for a moment she would agree to anything he said, but something in the very depths of his eyes made a chill sweep over her.

"Ulfyna?"

"I…I am not Ulfyna," she managed to say although she found it difficult to form the words with lips that were numb.

"Shamara!"

The call came from the distance, and she recognized Dagan's voice. At the bottom of the hill, the wolf was at his side, but it dashed away from him towards her, growling and snarling, teeth bared. Shamara jumped to her feet, and red-faced, she then turned to Camrin to explain to him that he had been mistaken about her identity, but he was gone. The wolf tried to attack the air where he had been, then yelped and scooted away with its tail between its legs.

Dagan reached her. "What did you do to her?"

"Where have you been?" she demanded, grabbing his arm. "I have been worried sick about you!"

Dagan lowered his head as if he were ashamed, but then he looked at her face. "Princess, what have you been up to?"

She looked down and saw her garment hanging open. With a squeak, she pulled it closed, then found her belt and turned away from Dagan as she wrapped it around her waist. "I…I think I was dreaming!"

"Do you often lay about half-naked in the grass dreaming?" Dagan's brows were raised. "I might suspect you of rolling around on the hillside with a man." He walked around the tree, stood under it and looked up. "But I don't see anyone."

"There was a man in my dream," she confessed to him.

Dagan folded his arms over his chest. "And what were you doing with this man in your dream?"

"He mistook me for another woman."

"Was that a good circumstance for you, or a bad one?" He was teasing her.

Shamara lifted her chin defiantly. "A very good one! He kissed much better than you!"

"He probably had a lot of practice with the woman he was seeking." Dagan chuckled. "I hope he wasn't too disappointed to learn of his mistake. Your kisses are nothing to brag about."

"You interrupted us when things were getting interesting!" Shamara wanted to kick Dagan. Did he not care that she was with another man?

Dagan sat down near the still whimpering wolf. "Did you kick her?"

"No, I did not!"

"Something has frightened her. And where is your eagle?"

Shamara realized she hadn't seen the bird, and she now looked around. "I do not know."

Frowning, Dagan looked around as he petted the wolf. "I feel another presence."

Shamara sat beside him. "My dream man?"

Dagan glanced at her. "Can you be serious, princess? Can you not feel the thickness in the air, the chill? There is an evil presence."

She laughed. "Don't be silly, Dagan! There is just you, me and your wolf."

Dagan's eyes met hers.

Do not trust him, Ulfyna!

"Who said that?" demanded Shamara as she looked around. She half-expected Camrin to be standing nearby for it had been his voice.

"Who said what?" asked Dagan with a raised brow.

"I've heard voices!"

"The gods!" Dagan stared at her in awe. "What do they tell you?"

She frowned at him. "That you are a worthless fool and that I should go back home to Calabria. Then again, I don't need the gods to tell me that!"

Dagan grabbed her shoulders. "What did you hear?"

Shamara realized that he was serious, and the look in his eyes was almost frightening. She started to tell him, but suddenly he blurred before her eyes and she was seeing two Dagans.

Look away, Ulfyna!

Shamara realized she wasn't seeing two of the same man. The second man seemed older than Dagan did, and there was great sadness in his eyes. He raised his hand to her.

"I am here, Ulfyna."

"Shamara?"

She continued to stare at the other man, unable to take her eyes from him. He seemed both sad and joyful at the same time, then the image drifted toward Dagan again, and the two became one. Shamara felt faint and didn't realize she had collapsed until she felt Dagan holding her close and stroking her hair.

"Are you all right, princess?"

She slid an arm around him and drew closer. Shamara felt safe in his arms.

"You are trembling," he observed softly.

The screech of the eagle overhead suddenly reassured Shamara. She raised herself away from Dagan and looked at him carefully. Could the evil presence Dagan had felt been a part of him?

"Shamara, wake up!"

She opened her eyes and realized she had been dreaming and not in a trance. Yet she was disappointed because it meant that Dagan was most likely as dead as when she fell asleep. Where had she dreamt up the other two men and why did she feel such sadness upon waking?

Duo was standing over her, and seeing her rub her eyes and yawn, he sighed with relief. "For a moment I thought you might be fighting zombies again." He helped her to her feet. "While you have been snoozing, I have found the cave."

"You found the cave?" Shamara was amazed. The odds had been against them considering the size of the planet, but somehow they had managed to find the diamond in the sand.

Now as Duo led her down the path he had created, she had the sense of having been there before. When they reached the cave in the clearing, she noticed that there had been a recent fire that had scorched the surrounding vegetation and the side of the tree facing the cave. A shiver ran down her spine as the meaning came clear. She had been here already. Her trances were transporting her to far off places. How was it possible to be in two places at once?

She could hear Elder Hardane weeping with joy, so she knew he had found the images carved into the wall. Shamara approached the cave, then drew back as she felt a chill prickle across her flesh. Then she noticed that there were no sounds of animals in this clearing.

"This is a place of evil," she whispered.

Duo looked at her. "You smell that stench?"

Taeron exited the cave gasping for breath. "This is a vile planet! I do not know what manner of beast lives in that cave, nor do I wish to meet it."

"Leave the scholar to his work. Take Shamara back, and I will wait for Hardane to finish copying the script on the wall.

"I want to stay until he finishes. Perhaps he will have something to tell us." Shamara sensed that Elder Hardane might understand what was happening to her on this planet or at least discover some information in the strange writing in the cave.

As they waited outside the cave, Duo and Taeron talked for awhile as Duo rubbed down the sword he had used to clear the path. Shamara was glad that they were getting along although she sensed that Taeron didn't trust his father to ignore him once they returned to Calabria. But he didn't speak of his feelings, and Shamara did not intrude by using her touch. Unlike Taeron, she did trust Duo. He would be proud to claim Taeron to anyone who would listen.

Duo's problem was not with Taeron. Shamara knew of the deep feelings he had for Trynity because she had touched him enough to soothe the aches of his heart. Yet he denied his love by word and action. During the times Trynity touched Shamara to give her care, Shamara read the hurt and confusion in her heart also. Shamara couldn't meddle. Her mother had told her many times to keep the things she discovered with her touch to herself. In this case it was a burden that Shamara found difficult to carry because she wanted so badly to help Duo.

Taeron settled against the tree and closed his eyes for a nap. Shamara wished she could rest as easily as he could. Instead she had to fear that the next time she closed her eyes she would be drawn into a trance. And now her dreams were invaded? What kind of fantasy was she having with the handsome Camrin, a man she had never seen in her life, before Dagan interrupted? Had Dagan entered her dream? Was it a dream or had it been another trance from which she easily emerged. It had to have been a dream! A man could not disappear into thin air in her trance. If that were possible, she felt sure Dagan would disappear rather than suffer her presence.

And why had Dagan seemed so uncomfortable around her?

She sighed and reminded herself that Prince Dagan was dead. If that young man were not Dagan, then who was he? Camrin had warned her against him. Well, not her, but rather Ulfyna, his beloved. Was it possible that she had completely misjudged the man who claimed to be Prince Dagan? Was that man still alive, and did he carry an evil presence inside him?

A noise at the entrance of the cave started Shamara, and Taeron immediately awoke and drew his sword. Duo hadn't moved, having seen that it was only Elder Hardane. But the scholar was pale and shaking.

"We must leave!" he cried out in terror. He hurried to Duo and grabbed his arm. "You must take the princess from this place! Her very essence is in danger!"

Duo signaled to Taeron who collected the scrolls that Hardane had dropped in his frenzy to leave the cave. "I think we've had enough of Mars Colony. Have you learned what you hoped, Hardane?"

Elder Hardane stared at the scrolls, then looked back toward the cave. "I have left one inside."

"I'll get it."

But the scholar hurried past Duo and plunged back into the cave. Only a moment passed before Shamara heard his scream, and could see him charging to the entrance. He plunged through the opening, and scroll clutched in his hand, but suddenly a huge beast shot out, and Shamara gasped as it's gigantic mouth opened to catch Elder Hardane in it's teeth. The man was crushed in its jaws so quickly that Shamara doubted he felt any pain.

Duo had drawn his sword, but the creature slithered back into the cave, satisfied with its meal.

Taeron dropped to his knees. "By the gods! Are we doomed in this evil place?"

Duo hurried to grab Shamara's arm. "We had better get out of here before it decides the elder was just an appetizer."

Shamara noticed the scroll Hardane had returned to the cave to retrieve. She snatched the blood-splattered papers as she stumbled along with Duo's quick stride back into the path he had cleared. Although they had come a long way to find the cave, they did not pause once in their flight.

When they arrived back at the clinic, Shamara was out of breath and shaking. She collapsed on the ground clutching the scroll. The door to the clinic opened, and Stryfe called back inside that they had returned and needed care. Trynity appeared almost instantly, pushing past some of the men, women and children waiting to see her. Quynn came from behind the house accompanied by Malik Winner.

"You're hurt!" cried Trynity with distress.

Shamara noticed that there was blood on Duo.

"It's not my blood."

"Where is the Calabrian scholar?" asked Malik as he and Quynn joined the group.

Duo gripped his sword and started to raise it. "What is he doing here?"

Quynn put herself in front of him. "He just dropped by to say hello!"

Taeron grabbed Quynn's arm and dragged her away as Duo quickly swiped his sword upward to put the point at Malik's throat. "If you value your life, Winner, you will leave now. Should you dare come here again, I will not hesitate to cut out your rotting insides and send your miserable, stinking carcass back to your father."

Malik swallowed nervously then paled when the movement pushed his neck into the tip of the sword and he was cut. Quickly he stepped back, and after a longing look at Quynn, he scrambled to his vehicle and sped away.

Quynn tried to twist out of Taeron's grasp. "Let me go, you jerk!"

"You are a shameless female! How dare you dishonor our father's house!"

All her attempts to escape had brought Quynn to her knees when Taeron did not let up on the grip he had on her. Tears glistened in her eyes as she turned to her mother. "Mom! Do something!"

Trynity didn't know what to do. Both Duo and Taeron were furious, and Trynity blamed herself for the advice she had given her daughter. But she still thought they were being unreasonable in their protection of Quynn. A top recruit at the academy, Quynn didn't need any man's protection, but now she had two men who felt honor bound to do so.

"I am to blame," she finally said, looking at Duo. "I told her she could continue to see Malik."

"You what?!" Duo was furious.

"I know Malik like you do not!" Why wouldn't he listen to reason? "He spent more time with Lars and I than he did in his own home. We were like his second family. Hell, we cared about him more than Quatre and Dorothy. How can you come into our lives and make judgments as you have?"

Duo thrust his sword back into its sheathe. "Maybe I see him from a different perspective!" He nodded to Taeron who released Quynn.

She tried to hit him, but he easily avoided her blow. Then she marched to Duo and came close, raising her chin defiantly as she glared at him. Trynity cringed as he returned her stare. Quynn had never argued with Lars. In fact, she had adored him and he may have spoiled her. In the days since Quynn had learned the truth, Trynity thought her daughter was warming to Duo Maxwell.

Now she poked his chest with her finger. "I do not belong to your so-called house! Butt out of my life! I can make my own decisions about who I see and who I will not see."

Duo grabbed her wrist, and Trynity was infuriated to see Quynn wince with pain. She might have gone to him had not Taeron stepped in front of her to block her interference. "You may do as you please when you prove that you are a judge of character."

"You're hurting me!" She tried to get free, then to kick him, but Duo easily held her at bay with just one hand.

"Stay away from Malik Winner. If I see him here again, I will kill him."

He released Quynn and she stumbled back. Quynn rubbed her wrist, and after a glance at Trynity, she ran to the house. Trynity heard her sob, and she was filled with anger. Who did he think he was? What right did he have to dictate to them? Trynity was going to tell him exactly where he stood.