Page 11 of Barbarian Daddies

“We can’t just walk up to the gates and say give us the city.”

“I’m not suggesting that, but we must play our cards right,” I reiterate. “We need more reconnaissance, first of all. I want a clear confirmation that the research lab is functional and useful. There’s no point in focusing on Sapphire City if the lab is defunct. I believe we agreed on that.”

“Yes, we did.”

I get up and stretch my arms, letting the morning sun bathe me in its hot, reddish light. “We will have a better chance of taking the whole city if we convince some of its residents to help get us in unnoticed. At least a small group of us. We can disable their defenses from the inside and make it easier for the troops to lay siege upon the northern and southern gates.”

“What can we offer them in return?”

“A promise that no civilians will be hurt. Or that we’ll do our best to shield them from the violence,” I say. “A promise that they’ll have a voice in how we govern the city once we take it. It’s the most we can offer, and I have a feeling it’s more than what they’re getting from their current leadership.”

Maur scoffs, leaning back against a black rock. “I hear Selina entertains some of her younger soldiers in the privacy of her bedroom when she’s bored.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Though I’m still shocked as to why she hasn’t found her own mates. A living Sunnaite woman is a rare gem these days.”

“Cynthia has some theories,” Maur says. “One involves Selina being a psychopath. And seeing how brutal her men were during our last skirmish, I’m starting to think her psychopathy may be rubbing off on her troops.”

“It’s a mystery worth looking into, don’t you think?”

“What is?”

“Selina’s inability to find mates,” I reply, the wheels turning in my head. We’ve been dealing with so much lately, and there are so many steps to plan prior to the actual campaign of retaking Sapphire City that some of these precious details might still slip through the cracks. “Our spies should start asking this question when interacting with the civilians there. I am curious about the rumors. I’m sure there are plenty circulating about it.”

“You’re not the only one asking this question,” Maur says. “But I have an even greater concern on my mind right now.”

I give him a wondering glance. “Go on.”

“There are still dissenting voices among our own people about the human women. Binzen and Izzo’s victory against Umok and his mercenaries may have swayed more of the Fire Tribe toward protecting the girls, but every other day, I pick up on conversations here and there in our territory, people wondering if we’d be better off if we joined the Sky Tribe in their effort to bring more Earthlings here.”

“Those people wondering about such things are either delusional or idiots, and they might end up getting us killed,” I reply bluntly. “Firstly, the Sky Tribe don’t want us as partners. They’re arrogant enough to consider themselves superior and therefore consider us as competition. They don’t want us mating with their Earthly catch. Second, kidnapping women from Earth is cruel. Look at how much Cynthia and her friends have suffered over this. Sure, Amber has adjusted beautifully, and it’s only a matter of time for the rest of them to follow in her footsteps, but—”

“But there is no guarantee other human women will do the same,” Maur sighs deeply. “I agree, I’ve said the same thing. I’ve tried to get the point across on more than one occasion. But some of these men refuse to listen.”

I turn around to face my brother, my brows pulled into a concerned frown. “We need to be careful about this, Maur. About our own people. Dissenting voices could easily turn into traitors if they’re not monitored and prevented from putting their concerns into actions.”

“Are you suggesting we spy on our own men?”

“No, I’m suggesting caution going forward. The last thing we need is the majority of us pushing forward and a handful of idiots pulling us back. The Sky Tribe will obliterate us if we don’t stand united on every front.”

A few minutes later, we agree to go for a walk down the river, both of us feeling the need to move more. Last night was so beautifully intense, but it did challenge our bodies to a whole new level. Making love to a human woman requires more care and self-restraint until the bond is fulfilled by both flesh and soul.

Once that connection is made, the woman’s body begins to adjust to ours. Binzen and Izzo confirmed that much when they first bonded with Amber. I don’t want to hurt Cynthia by accident, so Maur and I have to work in order for nature to take its course as smoothly as possible.

“We’ll need a plan for the next recon mission,” Maur says after a while. “A cohesive strategy and a careful selection of the men we take with us.”

“What do we do with Dahlen?” I ask, remembering the last time we let him join us on a mission. There are nights when I can still hear those traveling merchants’ screams in my dreams. The foolish boy. “I can’t trust him in the field.”

“Me either, but how will he ever learn?”

“What do you suggest?”

“We take him with us strictly to observe. Under no circumstances is he allowed to interfere. He will carry no weapons, and he will… hold on, I’ve got a better idea.” Maur pauses, his eyes twinkling as he looks at me with a mixture of fear and excitement. “Though I don’t know what you’ll think of it.”

“Try me.”

“We should take Cynthia with us,” he says. My first instinct is to say no, but I give my brother an opportunity to better explain. “She can confirm the research lab is good for her to use if we get her close enough. It’s the purpose of this particular step anyway, isn’t it?”

“Her medical knowledge and quick wit may prove useful in that sense, yes.”

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