Dray had managed to get a firm hold on the goblin and was trying to pull it back, but it was taking all of his attention and she could feel the muscles of Grim’s arm tensing once more. She wouldn’t be able to hold him back and she knew it. She had one of his arms pinioned, but he was more than capable of throwing a solid punch with either arm.
There was a scuff of movement behind her, but she couldn’t spare her attention to see who it was coming to help. She doubted either Shade or Madren had the physical strength to break up the fight completely, but maybe with their help the men could at least be restrained. A hand moved gently past her to rest on Grim and she felt the muscles in his arm go slack at the touch. With a squeak she realized she was falling as Grim collapsed, but strong arms caught her before she could hit the floor. Neither Grim nor Neph were so fortunate however. Both had fallen boneless to the cold stone floor. Neph had the benefit of sliding down the wall, but Grim had hit hard. In a daze she stared up at Shade’s face and her eyes widened at the look of cold fury lighting his features. She had never seen him angry before and the sight was more terrifying than Neph’s temper had ever been.
He didn’t spare a glance for her as he gently sat her on her feet behind him and knelt before the two men. Calmly he turned both of their limp heads to face him and stared down at their dumbfounded faces. “I am so bloody sick of watching my friends attempt to kill each other and finally I’ve reached the end of my patience. I don’t have time for this kind of idiocy.” Shade began in a low voice with tightly restrained anger lacing each word. “You both consider me a * because I don’t participate in your male dominance crap. Well guess what? You are both lying helpless on your backs and as far as male dominance goes, you are both my bitches. I could kill you with the flick of a finger.” He traced a clawed finger across both of their throats to emphasis his words. “I’m not a complete ass though, and as much as I would like to simplify my life by doing so it’s because I’m pissed and I’m rational enough to realize that.” He pulled his hands back from them and leaned back on his heels. With a heavy sigh he rubbed his face and flexed his jaw as if testing it to see if it was fully healed. “I’m not sure exactly why you greeted me with a right hook Neph, but if you ever strike me again without warning you will wake up with the words Shade’s Bitch carved into your forehead. As for you Grim, while I do appreciate your support I can handle my friends. This is the third time today that you have torn into one of them, although the first two times it was only verbal assault. Where my enemies are concerned I am grateful for your support, but leave my god damn friends alone.” Shade’s last words came out as more of a snarl and he took another moment to rein his anger in. Letting out a long slow breath he pulled a hand down across his face much as a frustrated parent that was faced with a wayward toddler. “Neph may be a complete ass, but I am more than capable of handling him as you can see. I know you are frustrated and angry due to other circumstances, but if I can’t trust you, I will leave you behind.” He finished in a voice that was only a bit calmer.
The look of subdued fury still glinted in his dark blue eyes and Zoelyn could see how much restraint it was taking for him to speak rationally. It didn’t quiet her curiosity though. The fact that Shade had brought both men down with a simple touch was beyond shocking too her.
“What did you do to them?” Zoelyn whispered finally unable to keep silent any longer. Neither man had made any attempt to rise during Shade’s long speech and she was beginning to wonder if they would be able to. It didn’t seem possible that Shade had disabled them so thoroughly but the proof was before her eyes.
Shade flexed his clawed hands once more and then rose slowly to his feet. He continued to stare down at them for a long moment and then glanced back to her. His anger had faded a bit more, but he still wasn’t smiling. “I paralyzed them. The venom should wear off soon.” He answered calmly before turning his attention back to the prone men. “This is how it’s going to be. When the venom wears off we are going to talk like rational adults and sort through whatever issue you apparently have with me Neph. You can both snarl and growl all you like but if either of you so much nudge the other in a fashion I don’t approve of I will drop you both to the stones again, and if you wake up again it will be because I spent my last bit of patience and mercy in allowing you to live. Got it?” He gazed at them both for another long moment and then slowly crossed the room ignoring the silence that followed him.
Zoelyn gazed down at her brother for a moment then looked back to Shade who was pouring a small glass of what looked to be whiskey for himself. Dray stood just behind her still holding the goblin and both of them wore identical expressions of shock. It was clear that she wasn’t the only one amazed by Shade’s actions, even Madren seemed frozen by the events of the past few minutes.
Shade drained the glass and poured another one before turning to look at them all with a raised eyebrow. He gave a faint sigh and sat down on the edge of the table. “I am Morcaillo.” He announced with disgust. “We don’t fight unless we know we can win, and then only when it’s to our advantage. I don’t brawl, snarl or snap at others because I don’t need to and I prefer to voice my anger or push it aside rather than act on it. There are times when even I lose my temper though and I apologize to those who had to witness it.” He bowed his head in her direction and then to Dray and Madren. “But not to those I unleashed my anger on. You both bloody well deserved it.” He added in a harsher tone as his gaze fell on Neph and Grim.
“You bedded a Nightblade.” Neph’s voice was weak and the words were hesitant as he slowly pushed himself up against the wall. Grim was moving now too and a bit more quickly than Neph though he didn’t seem to be any steadier.