Chapter One

Grrrrrrrr.

Nick crushed the empty can of ale and cast it into the recycling bin. He should try to sleep, but as usual, rest eluded him. Thoughts of his past filled his head.

Devine might have been Dragomir’s blade, but then Nicholas had been his hammer. Not as refined a swordsman as his brother, he’d used pure bulk and muscle to carry out the evil Chief’s commands. His strength had always been his blessing and curse.

No Dragon on the Isle of Pain had bested him in a single challenge. It had gotten to where he’d been fighting almost nonstop. Even now, his beast could not rest, always waiting for the next throw down.