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’d done well as a youth in training camp, and he was considered an exemplary soldier despite it being early in his career, but he’d accomplished his gains through dedicated effort. He never turned his nose up at shit work. He often volunteered for it. His attitude of getting the job done, whatever it took, had been what had made him stand out rather than his brains.

Nonetheless, he felt something was terribly wrong when it came to the skinny and haunted Imdiko boy he’d taken to a quiet eatery, where they sat on floor cushions at a low table on the pleasant patio. Not physical abuse. Other than the bruises the shitheads from the local training camp had inflicted on him, he’d stood up against them rather than cowering readily enough when they’d confronted him.

It was obvious he’d been on his own for a short while, but it didn’t account for how underfed he appeared. His clothes, while dirty and torn from days’ wear, fit him properly. Even now, he picked at the food Sletran had ordered for him when he’d failed to choose from the menu. It wasn’t fancy fare since the Nobek couldn’t afford such, but it wasn’t bad. The kid had eaten ravenously for the first few bites, then had become listless. His shadowed eyes peered at Sletran through heavy waves of hair…no longer nervously, thank the ancestors, but watchful. Evaluating. He was on guard, and Sletran sensed it was more 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 to Sletran’s questions when he answered at all.

“How old are you? Twelve? Thirteen?”

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

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

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

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

“Fifteen. You aren’t really a kid then.” He was, but Sletran wanted the teen to like him and feel he could confide whatever had gone so badly 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 be protected.

His young companion shrugged. They were back to his stubborn silence.

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

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

Sletran’s stomach squeezed tight on the food he’d wolfed down. He had no idea what to do if the kid burst into tears or begged him not to 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 tears back before they could fall. He pushed his platter aside. “I know.”

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

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

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

The teen gazed at him, some of the lost aspect easing off to allow 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 come easily.

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

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

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

“Okay. I’ll try for you.”

* * * *

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

Nobek Sletran never took Imdiko Conyod’s infatuation seriously when he rescued him years before. When Conyod shows up in his life again as a strong and successful man instead of a traumatized victim, Sletran has to reconsider the one he once rejected and now can’t imagine life without.

Conyod has never given up on the man he considers his hero. Sletran is all he’s ever wanted for a clanmate, and he’s determined to win him at last. But the past refuses to be laid to rest. When Conyod convinces Sletran to see him for who he’s become, will who he was resurface and destroy the love they’re building?

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

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

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