Born Of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Author:Sherrilyn Kenyon [Kenyon, Sherrilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-03-07T06:00:00+00:00

Nine

"Where are we?" Kiara asked as they docked inside a brightly lighted bay on a planet she had never seen before.

"The city of Verta," Nykyrian said, switching off his engines.

"Verta?" Kiara repeated, a thrill rushing through her. She had always wanted to visit the infamous shops lining Paraf Run, but her father had always claimed it would be far too dangerous. Every manner of questionable merchandise— including slaves— was bought and sold here by some of the universe's most dangerous beings.

"Are you sure this is safe?" she asked.

Nykyrian released the hatch. "Very. I'm well known here and no one is stupid enough to cross me."

An impish thought occurred to her and she couldn't resist asking, "What if some highranking aristocrat sees me and demands my private services?"

His hands tensed around her safety strap. "I'd rip his heart out and feed it to him."

Kiara wasn't sure if she liked his answer. She swallowed as an image of Arast's death played through her mind.

After freeing her of the safety straps, Nykyrian helped her down and led the way out of the bay, into a crowded street. "Stay with me," he said, wrapping an arm possessively about her waist.

Kiara scanned the street, amazed at the variety of beings and cultures represented. She saw everything from wealthy princesses arrayed in the finest materials available, to filthy street urchins who barely wore enough to cover their nudity. One bedraggled little boy ran past them.

Nykyrian released her. "Jana!" he shouted and the boy skidded to a halt.

Kiara watched in amazement as Nykyrian showed the boy to a hiding place barely a heartbeat before an angry Keeper rounded a corner, his club swinging. The Keeper looked in all directions, then spied them.

He pushed his way through the crowd, glaring at Nykyrian. "Have you seen Jana The Thief?" he snapped.

Nykyrian crossed his arms over his chest. "No, why?"

By the Keeper's face, Kiara could tell the man thought Nykyrian was lying, but he said nothing more. With a grimace in her direction, he slowly made his way down the street.

Kiara bit her bottom lip, wondering what was going on. Nykyrian reached into the shadows and pulled the boy out by his arm.

"What were you doing?" Nykyrian demanded in a firm, yet gentle voice.

The boy looked sheepishly at her. "I didn't do nothing, Nykyrian, I swear it on my life!"

Nykyrian's stern face softened. "What did they accuse you of doing?"

The boy licked his lips and lowered his head. His thin shoulders shook and Kiara realized he was crying. "Me mama died two days ago," he sobbed. "They want to take me to a work home."

That familiar, angry twitch began in Nykyrian's jaw.

To her utter amazement, he pulled the dirty little boy into his arms and held him. "It's all right, Jana. I won't let them do that to you."

A lump choked Kiara as she watched the tender way he lifted the boy in his arms. Jana's thin little arms encircled him while he sobbed against Nykyrian's neck.

"For a man without

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