Free Untamed Hawaiian Heat (Rift Hunters) by Shay MacLean Page B

the side of his head. Gathering his magic, he focused it until his right arm was engulfed in electrical currents, then swung it straight at the cyborg’s stomach.
    The cyborg stumbled back, then changed direction and came at him again. “They warned us it wouldn’t be long before the Ternion sent one of you assholes.” The cyborg threw another punch, which Tiaki deflected with a magic shield. Then it added, “Figures it would be you.”
    Tiaki sidestepped a blast from a laser gun affixed to the cyborg’s arm and spun around behind him. “What the hell do you know about the Ternion?” He fired an energy bolt at his opponent’s back.
    The cyborg jumped out of the way just before it hit. The energy bolt collided with the tree behind him instead, exploding, then engulfing the trunk in flames.
    Tiaki focused his thoughts and imagined the fire being extinguished.
    The cyborg laughed, the sound ringing eerily off the surrounding hills. “You don’t recognize me, do you, Hunter?”
    Tiaki fired off several bolts in quick succession, trying to catch the cyborg off balance. “Why would I know who you are? I make it a point to dismiss vermin from my mind. I have better things to think about.” He threw up an energy shield to block the rounds from the laser pistol the other man aimed at him, aware his magic was reaching out to connect with Mateo, who was getting closer.
    “I guess you wouldn’t recognize me. You never could accept the fact our mother loved me more. Could you, tuakana ?”
    Tiaki froze, stunned for the briefest moment. There was only one person who’d ever called him elder brother. “Thanos?”
    The cyborg bowed, though it was obvious it was meant as an insult. “In the flesh.”
    Tiaki threw another bolt and blocked the return volley of laser fire. “So you sold out, then?”
    Thanos met his eyes. A strange light glittered in them, making them shift from blue to red and back again. “I don’t see it as having sold out so much as accepting a raise in pay and benefits. I mean, look at me.” He held up his hands, now engulfed in an eerie greenish-yellow light. “Now I’m able to command that which was denied me, just like you. Plus, I get to travel the universe.”
    Tiaki focused his magic, determined to create an energy bolt strong enough to blast through Thanos’s armor. “And how much will it cost you in the end when Aizik decides he doesn’t need you anymore?”
    Thanos laughed.
    The sound sent a chill down Tiaki’s spine.
    “You really think Aizik is the one in charge?” He doubled over for a moment as laughter shook him. When he finally caught his breath, he rose up again. “Oh, they’ll be very pleased to know everything’s going according to plan despite your presence here. The Ternion has no idea what’s going on, and by the time they do, it will be too late.”
    Mateo shouted, causing Tiaki to glance over at him.
    Tiaki felt his magic reaching out, sending waves of energy to connect with Mateo’s.
    “Hmm…now that’s interesting,” Thanos murmured as he shot Mateo with his laser pistol infused with the tainted energy he’d pulled from the earth. He opened a rift beside him, stepped inside it, and disappeared.
    “No!” It was all the warning he was able to give Mateo of the impending danger.
    But it was too late.
    Mateo fell to the ground, clutching his chest.

    Chapter Seven
    Tiaki didn’t realize he’d moved until he found himself kneeling at Mateo’s side. He could hear his blood pounding in his ears while his magic screamed in horror at the sight of Mateo lying so still on the ground. “Mateo?” He grasped the hand his mate held over the wound and pulled it away. His heart stopped for a brief moment at the sight of the seared flesh.
    Mateo tried to push him away. “Leave me the hell alone,” he sputtered right before losing consciousness.
    Tiaki clenched his jaw and started to move away. He didn’t like the idea of leaving him wounded as he was, but he would