Born of Betrayal Read Free Page A

famed for their blatant disregard of rules and social conventions as they were for their savagery. While they each wore different uniforms and styles of battlesuits, they conducted themselves like any disciplined army.
    She’d been told that they had their own set of laws they strictly adhered to, but she hadn’t believed it.
    Until now.
    This was impressive. And the one leading them was a huge, massive warrior. One equal in size to Talyn, which was quite a feat for any species. Tall and broad-shouldered with braided hair laced with bleached blond stripes, he was even more muscular than an average Andarion male.
    And that swagger …
    It was masculine and mouthwatering. Confident. She had no idea of his species, but whatever it was, he did credit to it.
    That was her thought until he stopped and stood with all of his weight on his left leg. She almost smiled at a commanding stance that was identical to one Talyn preferred, especially whenever he was uncomfortable with his surroundings.
    The Tavali’s gaze held hers hostage as he slowly reached up with one hand to lower the black and red mask that concealed his war-painted face.
    Andarion. That explained his white eyes.
    Just as she was sucking her breath in, in appreciation of his rugged handsomeness, recognition slammed into her. Yes, he was older and now sported three days’ growth of his beard, but she knew that proud jawline. Knew those perfect, gorgeous features and caramel skin that had once set her on fire.
    Actually, they still did. Only instead of lust, they filled her with raw, unmitigated rage.
    Reacting on pure instinct, she pulled her blaster out and fired. The shot landed straight in his chest where his missing heart should have been.
    Total chaos erupted as he fell to the ground and the other Tavali pulled their blasters out and took aim. As did the Andarion soldiers with her.
    Throwing himself in front of her, Talyn pulled the weapon from her hand. He and the ten Andarions he’d chosen as her personal guard formed a wall between her and the others.
    â€œMedic!” a human Tavali called out in Andarion.
    â€œArrest them!” a Sentella soldier demanded.
    Galene looked past Talyn’s shoulder to see Dancer Hauk, Fain’s younger brother, calling out for the soldiers to secure her and her team.
    Talyn moved in closer, to protect her.
    â€œNo!” She grabbed her son’s arm to keep him from doing something even more rash than her stupidity. “Stand down!”
    Talyn did, until a soldier went to cuff her wrists. “Get your hands off her!”
    Before she could catch him again, Talyn had eight Tavali and two of their own bleeding on the ground at his feet. With a blaster in each hand, Talyn held the others at bay as he kept himself in front of her. “Anyone else want a free trip to the hospital and paid leave?”
    â€œTalyn!” she snapped, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Enough! Everyone calm down.”
    Dancer held his blaster angled at Talyn’s head. “I believe you started this, Commander, when you shot my brother.”
    â€œAnd now I’m ending it. Everyone, arms down!”
    They all hesitated.
    â€œDancer!” Fain growled as he rose to his feet. “Drop your weapon.” Biting his lip, he grimaced and glared a hole through her. “I deserved it.”
    Only then did Dancer lower his blaster.
    â€œTalyn,” she said gently as she ran her hand down his arm and pushed his aim toward the floor. “It’s all right.”
    She felt his muscles flexing in debate before he glanced to her and let his weapons fall to the ground. The Tavali surged forward to handcuff him. Something he didn’t protest until they went to cuff her again.
    Faster than anyone could blink, Talyn knocked the two guards closest to him away and used his foot to kick his blaster back into his hand. He put himself between her and the others. “One hand to the commander and