Kyele's Passion: A World Beyond Book 4 by Michelle Howard Page B

spun on his heels and retraced his steps. Easing the cracked door to the balcony wider, Kyele scanned the trees and their surroundings to make sure all remained clear. “Hold tight.”
    Her arms squeezed in a punishing grip and her long slender tail curled around his waist but he didn’t complain. She wasn’t strong enough to do him any real harm. Kyele’s steps shuffled to the edge as he leaned over the barrier surrounding the small space. The distance to the ground seemed greater with the precious burden in his arms. He cancelled his original plan to rappel down.
    “The two patrolling guards outside are out,” Markus announced in his ear. “I must have tripped an alarm though. There’s activity in the house.”
    “Lights are going on,” Creed added.
    Steps thundered up the stairs from inside along with muffled shouts.
    “Hurry, Kyele,” snapped Stefin.
    Kyele set Suravi in the furthest corner of the balcony and pointed a gloved finger in her face. “Stay here and close your eyes.”
    She giggled, brown lids closing. “Eyes closed.”
    Her sweet voice did something to him and rage gathered like a gale force wind. This wasn’t his first mission dealing with children but it was his first with one this young. She couldn’t be more than five and was smaller in size due to her race. Terrorizing children was a sore point for Kyele. He patted the top of her head, then made sure to close the door behind him as he re-entered the room.
    Calm settled over his nerves. Bending to grab his knife from the dead man, Kyele stepped over the body into the main hall. At the top of the stairs three men halted abruptly, bumping into one another. Definitely Bexe. They wore they hair shorn, eschewing the natural lengths of their mane. Harsh yellow stripes bisected their feline features, drawing attention to their glaring dark eyes.
    “Who are you?” The one in the lead barked out, his tail whipping about.
    Kyele gave them their only warning. “Jutak warrior, lower your weapons.”
    They didn’t listen, much to his satisfaction. Kyele misted before their eyes and tore into them. They screamed and begged. With nothing more than the energy it took to breathe, he slid from one form to another, pausing only to swipe out with his blade.
    One of them coiled his tail about Kyele’s leg and slammed him against the floor on his back. His attacker sneered and leaned over him thinking he had the upper hand. Kyele stared and raised his right arm, deliberately taking his time. The dark eyes shifted, following the motion and Kyele brought his knife down into the meaty flesh of his throat. Blood spurted as Kyele turned his face away and pushed the limp body off of him.
    He jerked his leg back and the tan-colored tail fell from his booted ankle. A roar of misery and anger sounded behind him. Kyele ducked and the second kidnapper flew over his head to plow into the railing. An ominous crack followed and the body continued over the edge falling to his death on the lower level. Kyele shifted to his alternate form and faced the next.
    The last man dropped to his knees, palms up. “Please. You’re Jutak. I’ll face the justice system.”
    Kyele stopped, and resumed his physical form, chest heaving. Jutak code dictated he take the man in to face formal charges for kidnapping and a barrage of other claims. He thought of the little girl tucked away in the cold, far from her family and her home because of this man.
    Forcing back his personal feelings, Kyele straightened and sheathed his weapon. “You will be remanded under Jutak custody. We will take you in for the kidnapping of Suravi Ilamon, daughter of Ambassador Ilamon of Trin. Do you confess your crimes?”
    Eyes wide, the kidnapper nodded eagerly. “Yes. I confess.”
    “You will be restrained for transport.” Kyele gestured for him to stand, never letting his gaze stray from his target. “What is your name?”
    “Sooner.”
    Kyele’s brow dipped into a frown and he couldn’t hide the