Maybe it was the lingering effects of the pills but Matros moved faster than I could follow. I saw a tensing of muscles and blinked once. In the grey nighttime air, his wide hand went around Nate’s throat. Then he yanked him off the ground.

Some movies or comics like to show a man lifting someone up high. Mostly it’s impossible. The leverage is wrong and the human body – especially one as muscled as Nate – weighs too much. Most men can’t do it.

Matros wasn’t most men or even a normal one. Over six-feet of warrior muscle combined with anger is plenty.

Nate’s wide eyes told me he had questions but no way to ask while fingers dug deep into his throat. His legs continued to kick in the nighttime air. Several times, his foot glanced off Matros’ kilt and upper body. If Nate hurt him – which I doubted – he gave no sign. Only a grim expression while he leaned in. For one of the few times, a human and Volardi stood eye to eye. From Nate’s reddened expression, he couldn’t appreciate the historical moment.

From behind, I heard Pa and Becky approach in a run. My Pa was the first to speak. “We saw the flash of light. What’s going...”

Becky’s hands went toward her mouth and her eyes widened. I was new to Omegahood. There were some lingering questions about my connection to femininity, but I recognized the look of panic – maybe sorrow. I was male and she female, but men could penetrate and impregnate us both. We were both smaller than most men.

Women don’t go out in the dark by themselves and there in front of them was the reason why. I was on the ground with a nearly naked Nate nearby. Becky and I had issues, but she was never stupid.

It was a guess, but I’m sure I saw the plea in her eyes. The question she couldn’t bear to ask out loud. ‘My brother’s new at knowing how monstrous some guys can be. Please tell me he didn’t learn that lesson the hard way.’

I almost did...

In the grey murk, I saw my Pa aim his black revolver toward both men. He wasn’t an idiot either, but beyond that, I didn’t know his plan.

His accent was normal to me, but I swear I heard it thicken. “You put that boy down.”

Thanks to the implant, I never was sure if I heard Volardi or English. Volardi is almost musical to my ears as were the English words they used. Not now. Matros’ voice was a near growl. “This... human attacked my mate.”

“... and my son,” Pa said.