“Good night.” Darkness turned away.

Fury howled with rage, the only warning he got before the male attacked. He spun in time to catch a fist to his jaw. It sent him reeling back. The force of the blow almost made him fall. He regained his balance and braced his legs.

“Stop it!” he yelled.

Fury shook his head and raised his fists. “I’m tearing down that wall even if it means we both end up bloody, in Medical.” He threw another punch.

Darkness jerked his head to the left, barely missing a direct hit to his mouth. He threw out an arm and nailed Fury in the ribs. The male stumbled back and snarled. He advanced. Darkness retreated.

“Stop it. This is immature.”

“Brothers sometimes fight.” Fury waved his hand toward his chest, urging him to come at him. “Let’s figure out who is the toughest, bro.”

“Goddamn it,” Darkness hissed.

The fight was on. Fury grabbed his shirt and nailed him in the ribs with a knee. He groaned but regained the upper hand when he managed to land a blow to the male’s chin. Fury stumbled back but Darkness didn’t retreat that time. The male wanted to fight and he was up for it. He tackled Fury around the waist, taking them both to the ground.

They rolled, exchanging punches. He heard someone approaching but ignored the audience they seemed to have drawn until males pulled them apart. Security had surrounded them quickly. He glared at Fury, who was being held by two other males.

Fury actually grinned. He had blood around his mouth. “Tell me that didn’t feel good.”

“What is going on here?” Jinx glanced between the two of them.

“A little harmless competition,” Fury announced. “Release us.”

“Harmless?” Jinx shook his head. “You’re both bleeding.”

“We’re bleeding the same blood type though, aren’t we?” Fury arched an eyebrow at Darkness.

“Release us,” Darkness repeated. “The fight is over.”

“But the discussion has just begun. I’ll be back tomorrow night and every night after until we work this out,” Fury warned.

“You’re crazy,” Darkness accused.

The males restraining Fury released him. “No. You could have done a hell of a lot more damage to me if you wanted but I’m your brother. You were playing with me or I would have broken bones. I’ve seen you fight.”

“You caught me by surprise.”

Fury snorted. “See you tomorrow night. Talk or it’s on again.”

Darkness watched Fury walk away and ordered the males to go with him. The male had lost his mind if he thought they’d fight again. It amazed him when he found himself smiling though. He admired Fury. He even liked him. He turned to go into his home to shower.

Kat stood on the grass next to her patio. He could see her shocked expression and tell she was upset by the way she hugged her middle. His good humor died, knowing she’d witnessed the fight. She approached him cautiously.

“Are you okay?”

He didn’t want to deal with her or more questions. He spun and stalked toward the pond. He lifted his shirt and wiped at the blood on his mouth and forehead with the material. It was mostly from split knuckles. Fury had a point. Their blood was shared, even if it was just from their human side.

His keen hearing picked up soft footsteps and a female curse. He slowed his pace. Kat followed him. It was tempting to leave her behind. She wouldn’t have a chance of finding him if he sprinted off but curiosity rose. He reached a shadowed area under a tree and sat on the ground, staring out at the pond. Lights reflected off it, the water slightly rippling from the wind.

She approached but he didn’t turn his head. When she reached him, he glanced at her once, really taking in her appearance. The oversized T-shirt she wore was three times too big and thin cotton pants hugged her legs. Her bare feet caused him to frown. They were probably too tender to go barefoot outside since humans were rarely without shoes. It wasn’t his concern though. She’d made the choice to follow him into the night.

A sudden weariness settled in. He was tired but it wasn’t the kind that sleep could cure. Fury had been right. He’d carried a burden alone and the male deserved to know the truth. He might not like the answers he received. It might even make them enemies.

Was he willing to risk it? He almost wished he could go back in time and just tell Fury the truth. Then he’d know for sure. It wasn’t as if things could get worse. He was a loner at the NSO. There were mental walls he had put in place. Perhaps it was time to tear them down, as Fury had suggested.

Kat sat down under the tree next to the brooding man she’d followed. Darkness turned his head. Enough moonlight peeked through the trees for her to make out most of his features.

“Hi.”

“I allowed you to trail me and you did. Why are you here?”

“I was worried about you.” She shrugged, getting more comfortable. “Are you all right? That looked pretty intense. Do you fight with other New Species often?”

He sighed, looking away. “I’m different.”

Sympathy welled. “Because of what was done to you by that guy who took you and your brothers?” She really hated Darwin Havings at that moment and hoped he’d screw up soon and make it possible for the authorities to capture him. He’d never know freedom again once the government got their hands on him.

“Yes.”

Darkness wasn’t the most talkative person. She glanced around. The park was abandoned at night and the water in front of them looked pretty and the muted sounds were soothing. She looked at him.