toward each other and met in the middle, the thuds of their bodies punctuated by the clatter and crash of the vid equipment they ran over to get to each other. Karil’s knife went spinning through the air. Monstrous as Japohn had become, he’d wisely made disarming his foe the first order of business.
In the next few minutes, Bacoj found unwilling respect for Karil’s fighting abilities. Perhaps the addict was aided by the drug he’d taken, heightening his energy and ability to disregard pain. There was some skill too, and at the start of their contest, he gave the bigger Japohn a run for his money, matching him blow for blow as they careened about the room.
However, it soon became clear who was the stronger and smarter of the combatants. Japohn was a wonder to behold as he deflected Karil’s attacks and landed far more of his own. For such a muscled bruiser, Japohn was remarkably agile and far quicker than his slighter opponent. Indeed, Bacoj thought Japohn was swifter than anyone he’d ever seen fight. The Nobek was a study in precision and grace. No move was wasted, no punch or kick sloppy. He damned near floated as he picked Karil’s defenses apart.
The end came swiftly, with Karil lying helpless on the floor, where Japohn pinned him. The furious Nobek throttled Bacoj’s tormentor, his fangs showing, spittle dripping on Karil’s blue-hued face.
Vax’s cry rang out as the Imdiko ventured into the chamber of horrors. “Don’t kill him, Japohn! No more deaths. Please.”
Though Bacoj would have sworn their bodyguard wouldn’t stop until Karil was dead, Japohn immediately stopped choking him. The Dramok was impressed anew. Despite the vicious, violent battle, Japohn hadn’t descended into mindless slaughter.
Bacoj had no more opportunity to consider his savior. Vax sped to him, kneeling by his side. He fought to untie him as he sobbed over the Dramok’s wounds. He blubbered a litany of, “Don’t die. Don’t die. I love you. Don’t die.”
I love you. Had Vax really said that? Or was it a sweet hallucination he’d heard as another tidal wave of unconsciousness bore down upon him?
“Whatever you want, my Imdiko,” Bacoj croaked. Hurting but smiling, he let the room gray out again.
* * * *
I love you.
Bacoj’s eyelids fluttered, the wisp of a voice singing through his head. He woke to a dim room, smiling at the fading dream.
His first real thought was how no matter what world one woke to, a hospital room was immediately recognizable. The stark surroundings, the antiseptic smell, the gleam of machines near the bed…all familiar, even though he’d only been in Kalquorian hospitals to visit others. Until now.
He felt no panic to be lying in a medi-bed on Dantovon. Nothing hurt, and that was more than good enough for him. The heaviness of his limbs and his unwillingness to move were okay too. A sense of serenity lulled him. He realized he was probably dosed up on painkillers.
Remembering the reason he was in such a situation failed to rouse him as well. Karil had beat the living shit out of Bacoj. Then Japohn had arrived, followed by Vax, who’d said he loved him. At least, Bacoj believed that Vax had spoken those wonderful words.
Bacoj set aside the urge to sleep again, his gaze searching the shadowed room. He didn’t have to look hard. Vax sat next to his bed, his arms crossed on its surface next to Bacoj’s hip, his head pillowed there as he slept.
My Imdiko. Bacoj knew it in his heart. In his very being. Whatever it took, he’d clan Vax.
A big, beefy arm draped over Vax’s shoulders. Japohn also sat next to Bacoj’s bed, sleeping with his head resting next to Vax’s. There was no sign of the familiar scowl that often settled over his features. Nor was there any vestige of the primitive fury he’d worn as he’d throttled Karil.
Japohn was a handsome man when he managed to relax. Or when that rare smile appeared. Most importantly, he was a hell of a Nobek…a hell of a protector.
I owe you everything. Bacoj had told him that after Japohn had come out of nowhere to save Vax. That obligation was doubled now that Japohn had raced to the Dramok’s rescue as well.
It wasn’t just obligation or gratitude that made Bacoj wish he could summon the strength to reach out to Japohn. To wake him by stroking that ebony flood of hair, by stroking that handsome face.
You’re a true hero. You deserve a clan. Along