Russell closed his eyes briefly, trying to shut out the pain, but of course, it didn’t work. There was no help for it. God help me. He teleported behind his brother, grabbed him before anyone had time to react, and took him to the palace throne room.
Jia and Rajiv had the silver chain stretched out, each of them holding an end, and they immediately jumped at Han to wrap the chain around him. He struggled, but Russell held him tight from behind.
“I’ll knock you out if I have to,” Russell warned him.
“Russell?” Markos grew still. “No need for the silver. I’ll stay. I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
Russell released his brother as Jia and Rajiv looped the chain around him a second time.
Markos grunted as the silver burned the silk material of his sleeves. The Kevlar vest protected his torso. “I said I would stay. Don’t you trust me?”
“No.” Russell shoved his brother’s hood back, then ripped off the black mask and tossed it on the floor.
Even though Russell knew what to expect this time, it still made his heart clench to see his brother’s face. Markos’s eyes and hair had always been a darker brown than his own. But the shape of his jaw and nose were almost identical. They were the same height, same build. They’d grown up in the same house with the same parents. So why had they become so different?
Russell searched his brother’s eyes, trying to find the younger brother he knew.
Markos gave him a wry look, then glanced at the were-tigers. Tenzen had his sword drawn. Rajiv passed the ends of the chain to his cousin, then drew his sword.
With a smirk, Markos turned his attention to Jia. “You again. Tell me, did it hurt to die?”
She yanked the chain tighter, so that it sizzled against his arms.
He winced, then shot Russell an annoyed look. “These damned cats. You kill them, and they just keep coming back.”
Jia narrowed her eyes. “When you killed my parents and brother, they didn’t.”
“Oh?” Markos gave her an inquisitive look. “Did I hack them into itsy-bitsy pieces?” He shrugged. “Too bad I can’t remember. There have been so many, you know.”
With a hiss, she pulled a knife from her belt. Rajiv took a step closer with his sword.
“Shut the fuck up,” Russell muttered. “Before my friends decide to kill you.”
“Your friends?” Markos snorted, then angled his head toward Jia. “So, is she your pet kitten? Do you make her purr?”
Russell seized his brother by the neck. “Shut up, or I’ll kill you myself.”
“Is that why I’m here?” Markos sneered. “Don’t tell me my noble brother has turned into a lowly executioner.”
Russell released him with a shove. “I brought you here so I could talk to you.”
“Great!” Markos cleared his throat and switched to English. “So, are you over your shock yet? Last time, you looked like you were going to barf.”
“I feel sick every time I think about my brother being a mass murderer.”
“Aw, does it offend your noble sensibilities? Get over yourself, Russell. You were a soldier, too. We were mass murderers by profession. How many villages did you wipe out?”
Russell gritted his teeth. “It was war. How you handle the aftermath is up to you. As far as I’m concerned, I have done nothing to be ashamed of. I was fighting for freedom. And for my country.”
“So am I.” Markos’s mouth curled up with amusement. “But now, the country doesn’t belong to some corrupt government in Washington. This country is mine!”
Russell scoffed. “It was never yours. You stole it.”
“To the victor go the spoils.” Markos’s face grew harsh. “You were an officer. You never knew what it was like to be a grunt, and to have an idiot officer over you treating you like expendable meat. I wasn’t going to take it anymore! I’m in charge now!”
“And now you consider your soldiers expendable? How many more have to die for you, Markos?”
He shrugged. “They volunteer. They want the superhuman abilities that come with serving me. And they want to be a part of my greatness. Why should I deny them?”
His greatness? Russell groaned inwardly. His brother was more than an asshole. He was certifiable. Illusions of grandeur and no conscience about the death and suffering he caused.
Markos grinned. “I’m going to take over the world. Not bad for a farm boy from Colorado, huh?”
“You think Dad would be proud of you?”
Markos’s smile faded. “That idiot. He always acted like you were Mr. Perfect. Ha! You’ll be working for me now.”
“You’re delusional.”
“Not at all.” Markos waved a dismissive hand. “I know exactly how you are. You always had to be the leader, the noble protector. And you expected the helpless little brother to follow.”
“I did what I was supposed to do. I was older than you.”
“So I was doomed never to be in charge?” Markos sneered. “Why do you think I kept you in a coma for so long? I knew I wanted you to rule by my side, but I couldn’t risk you taking over. So before waking you up, I had to make sure I had everything under my control. Now I’m the one with more experience. I’m the older one now.”
Russell stepped back as if he’d been hit. “You . . . you destroyed my life over a fucking case of sibling rivalry?”