Roaring in frustration, Hauk pressed his face between the bars to glare at Telise. “When I get out of here, I’m going to feast on your organs.”

She pressed the prod to his stomach and blasted him.

Hauk growled as a violent shock went through his entire body. But he refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing his pain. He stayed on his feet, glaring at her.

That succeeded in putting fear in the bitch’s eyes.

Unsettled, she stepped back and turned toward her friends. She handed the prod to the smaller of the two. “If he gets out, open fire and call for backup.”

Hauk fanged them again as he cursed himself for allowing the women to get the drop on them. “Hey!” he called to the two who eyed him like the vicious predator he was. “There was a woman with me. Where is she?”

Pheara cleared her throat. “We took her weapons and left her where she fell. Why? Is she yours?”

“My niece, and if any harm comes to her, I swear by every god who protects Andaria that I will rain down a hell on you so severe you will beg me for the mercy of death.” He kicked the door again.

They backed up.

“I’m going for more guards.” Pheara took off running, leaving the other woman to watch him with a bug-eyed stare that would be hysterical if he wasn’t so enraged.

Wanting blood, he turned toward the men behind him. They were even more afraid of him than the women. He rolled his eyes at the typical human reaction to his kind.

Bastien shook his head at their fear. “Don’t worry. We fed him earlier. He’s not hungry. Right, Hauk?”

He glared sullenly at them all. “Feeling a bit peckish, suddenly.”

That only frightened them more.

No wonder Fain couldn’t stand living among humans for long. His brother constantly risked his life to live on Andarion outposts and colonies so that he wouldn’t have to deal with humans wetting their pants in fear every time he cleared his throat.

Stupid bastards.

Returning to the door, Hauk eyed the woman with menace. When he went to kick it again, Bastien stopped him.

“Why don’t we try something a little less violent and more productive?”

Hauk eyed him irritably. “Blood. Mayhem. Violence. That’s my go-to happy place.”

“How ’bout we try to find a new one?”

“Such as?”

He plucked a wire out of his cuff. “Picking the lock.”

“I’d rather kick it open.”

“You would.” Bastien snorted. “How ’bout we save it for beating on our captors?”

Ignoring him, Hauk kicked the door again. Suddenly, something sharp stabbed him. With a hiss, he looked down to see another dart in his arm.

Crap. Three more hit him.