The tips of five long talons poked through Heizhan’s shirt. He stopped, looking up into Ekion’s burning red eyes. “Claws extended already. Someone feels threatened.”

Ekion raised his other hand, talons poised to slash. Heizhan held very still.

After one long, tense moment, Ekion retracted his talons – mostly.

“I don’t feel threatened. I just want to kill you.”

“We only want to kill that which we fear. I should know.”

“Really.” Seriousness looked odd on Heizhan, Ekion thought.

“Unless, of course, you are a cannibal, and were planning on killing me for food.” Heizhan grinned, and Ekion felt oddly relieved. This Heizhan he could deal with.

“Can you?”

Ekion stared. Did he just -

“Read your mind?” Heizhan’s grin took on a distinctly feral edge. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re just really transparent.”

Ekion choked back a screech of anger, and took a step forward.

So did Heizhan. Before Ekion could blink, the green-eyed killer reached up, took Ekion’s face in his hands, and pulled the guardsman down so they were eye-to-eye.

“I won’t hurt him,” Heizhan said, and released Ekion just before Ekion could summon the will to strike out.

“Why not?” Ekion asked as Heizhan reached the doorway.

Heizhan turned. “I have no idea.” He vanished out the door.

“He’s lying,” Nathan commented from the shadows. Ekion turned to look at his lover.

“I know,” he replied.