Her pensive, fathomless gaze finally rose to his, pressing into his chest, into his heart.
Its been a long time since I had someone to talk to. Someone who offered a little sympathy. She bent and laid a feather-soft kiss on his chest.
A pressure built inside him, squeezing at his heart.
Thank you, she said softly.
He met her gaze. Youre welcome.
She turned and started toward the door.
Where are you goingSkye?
To the woods. She glanced back at him with pensive eyes. I need the woods. A sanctuary and the protection he couldnt provide.
As she disappeared around the corner, he stared at the empty doorway for a long, long time. A hundred dire problems pressed on his mind, yet all he could think about was her. Skye.
Without a doubt hed been enchanted. The question was, by magic?
Or by the woman herself?
Hours later, Skye finally left the forest to return to the caverns, another doe by her side and a plump woodchuck in her arms. Though it was a day away from another midnight, she felt the need for their company. As she descended the cavern stairs, a pair of crows circled her head. Two more squirrels scampered around her feet.
She set the woodchuck down and slipped into the kitchen to fetch her Feral some food. She knew he had to be hungry though he hadnt asked for anything. Besides, she felt this soft need to bring him something. A gift in return for his kindness. Not the gift he wanted, of course. She couldnt free him. But food she could manage.
She wrapped several thick strips of roast venison in two pieces of cheesecloth and slipped one wrapped package into each of the deep pockets in the seams of her dress.
With the woodchuck once more in her arms, she led her little troupe down the stone stairs that ran throughout the cavern. Spying Birik deep in discussion with two of the sorcerers and the Feral, Vhyper, her heart lurched. The doe, feeling her distress, pressed her head against her hip.
As always, she tried to pass without drawing his attention, but Biriks hand snagged her arm roughly, dislodging the woodchuck. The creature fell to the rock at her feet with a squeal and waddled behind her as Biriks flat eyes pinned her fast.
It worked, he said coldly.
Skye nodded, holding the mans gaze for only a moment, before looking away. She fought not to tremble.
Vhyper laughed darkly. I told you it would. Paenthers too much of a knight not to come to the aid of a damsel in distress. His gaze flicked to her hip. I smell food. Taking him lunch? A treat for a performance well done?
Yes. She glanced at him briefly, seeing the same coldness in his eyes she saw in everyones these days. Everyone except Paenthers. She liked that she knew his name, now. In Paenthers eyes she only ever saw heat. The heat of fury. Or passion.
Vhyper nodded, that cold humor lifting his mouth. He was a big man, taller than Birik by a good six inches. Youll have him eating out of your hand. He turned that gaze back on Birik. As I knew she would.
Birik pulled her closer, his hand tightening painfully around her upper arm. It wasnt enough, enchantress.
She started, her gaze jerking up to his as understanding rushed over her. The power shed raised with the Feralwasnt enough? The orbs had been spitting with more power than shed ever seen. How could it not be enough?
Ill try again. Instead of dismaying her, the thought released a rush of heat low in her body.
No. Leave him alone. I have something else in mind. He released her with a flick of his hand. Go. Feed your pet. Then return to me.
Skye blinked, bewildered and not a little worried.
As Birik turned his back on her, she hurried away, her pulse too fast. He was planning something. What?
Her heart sank to her toes. Surely he wouldnt kill him. Surely not that. But she knew all too well Birik was more than capable of such savageness.
Her Feral couldnt die.
Yes, he was a rare and beautiful creature. And, no, she never wanted any of her creatures to die, but this was different.
He was different. Strong, powerful. A knight, Vhyper called him. A warrior of honor and courage, capable of treating even his enemy with gentleness when hed been coerced into feeling pity for her.
For the first time in years, she was reminded there were those still in possession of a conscience. Warriors with goodness in their hearts.
With souls.
And she would not see this one destroyed.
Nor, selfishly, did she want to lose him. For so long shed lived in the cold, shed almost forgotten what warmth felt like.
His fury with her for capturing him had turned to fury over her beating. A precious gift. When shed been hurting, hed not only accepted her body but helped her take him without pain.
For so many years shed been alone. Without sympathy. Without care. Those shed loved, the friends, had all been sent elsewhere. Or changed, transformed for the strength of the Elementals, Inirs, army.
Not in years had someone cared that shed been beaten. Not in years had anyone tried to ease her misery.
Not until shed captured a dark-eyed panther with hatred in his eyes and honor in his soul.
Now she feared Birik meant to take him from her as hed taken everything else. All in the name of power.
CHAPTER 5
Skye finally returned, smelling of roast venison. Paenthers stomach rumbled even as he watched her, drinking his fill of the sight of her. Her hair and dress were damp, as if shed been caught in the rain. Her quiet, delicate beauty did something to him, flowing through him like a calming river even as it heated his blood.
Once again, animals surrounded her, though a different collection than before. As before, she ushered the smaller animals into a pair of cages and tied the doe with a rope at the wall. Then she came to him, her eyes at once troubled and lit with a warmth that slid softly across his heart.
I brought you something. But as she pulled the wrapped venison out of her pocket, her gaze went to his wrists, sticky with his blood. Her brows lowered unhappily. Youve been struggling.
Always.
Her eyes pleaded. Accept your fate, warrior. Theres nothing else you can do.
He shook his head. Never quit fighting, little witch. It means the death of your soul.
Those troubled eyes of hers darkened as she unwrapped the meat in her hand. I thought you might be hungry.
I am.
She gave him a rueful frown and cocked her head. Are you going to bite me again?
No. He thought of the way shed curled around her injured arm after hed attacked her, the blood soaking her dress. Im sorry for that. I thought you deserved it. Ive changed my mind.
Her mobile mouth shifted into a semblance of a smile as her eyes softened. Im glad. She held the meat to his mouth for him to take a thick, juicy bite.
She stroked his chest with her free hand, nearly making him purr. Yet even as she touched him without wariness, he smelled fear in her. He could hear it in the racing of her heart.
I wont bite you, Skye.
Her gaze flicked to his. I believe you. She tried to feed him again, and he shook his head.
You first. Youre too thin.
Im not hungry.
He scowled at her. I find that hard to believe. But those shadows in her eyes were darkening. Tell me whats the matter.
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and looked away. Nothing.
Youre afraid.
Im fine.
Are you afraid of Birik? Her tiny jerk at the mention of his name told Paenther what he wanted to know. Hes threatened you again.
No more than normal. She met his gaze, unhappiness etched into every line of her face. This time hes threatened you.
How? Paenthers jaw clenched, his muscles flexing against his bonds. He was all for a battle, but to fight, he had to be free.
I dont know. He said the energy we raised wasnt enough, but when I offered to try again, he said no. He had something else in mind. It cant be good.
Paenther captured her gaze and held it fast. Get me out of here, Skye. Ill take you with me. Youll be safe from him.
And where would you take me? Your people have been at war with mine forever.
What difference does it make? He wouldnt beat you anymore.
She shook her head, fisting her hand on his chest. I cant leave. I dont have a choice.
We all have choices, Skye. He stared into her eyes, willing her to hear him. His life might depend on it. Whether we choose to face them or hide from them defines who we are. Whether we choose to let evil live, or we fight to destroy it, defines our lives. Choose, Skye. Choose.
A spark of temper lit her eyes. You dont understand.
Skye
She pulled away from him. You cant possibly understand! I have fought him. Over and over Ive fought him, and all Ive done is end up bloody and broken. Hes too powerful! And his reach is too long. Even if I managed to get away, and I wouldnt, hed hurt me until I begged to come back to him just to end the misery.
Ill protect you.
You cant! She whirled and fled the room, his dinner still in her hand.
Skye!
He waited, praying shed return, but she didnt. He cursed himself for a fool. She was his only hope of escape, his only company other than the animals chirping and whistling with agitation in the cages in the corner. Hed pushed her too hard, too fast, and scared her away.
He was still kicking himself for it sometime later when he heard heavy footsteps in the passage outside the room. The moment the pale-haired Birik stepped into the room, a green snake curled around his neck, Paenther knew this was it. The time had come.
Though for what, he didnt know.
The Mage studied him with dark curiosity. Tonights your big night, Feral. A night youll never forget. The Mage reached for him.
Paenther fought to free himself, struggling against his chains, but there was nothing he could do to stop the cold press of the bastards palm to his chest.
Or to stop himself from spinning into the net of enthrallment.
Wake up, B.P.
Paenther heard Vhypers voice as if from a distance. The hard kick to his ribs sent pain shooting through his body, propelling him into the thick, mind-sludge of partial enchantment.
Impressions bombarded his struggling brain. He could tell he wasnt alone with Vhyper by the murmur of other voices and the squawk of crows. Smells drove into his senses. Old blood, new fires, and violets.
Skye.
As before, he was on his back, but the rock beneath him felt different. Cool puddles of water gathered beneath his left calf and right shoulder. He tried to move, but he was caught as firmly as before, the chains clanking on the rock beneath his head.
Finally, his vision broke free. As he looked around him, he saw that everything had changed. He was on the floor this time, in a different, larger room within the cavern. A room that was dark except for a small shaft of moonlight breaking through from high above and the glowing embers of banked fires in vessels scattered around the room.
Though the floor was bare, the walls glowed with whitewash and graphic symbols he recognized as part of the ancient language of the Mage. Among the symbols, he knew only one. Sacrifice.
The rage that lived in his blood boiled over. He was not an animal to be chained and slaughtered! He struggled against his shackles. With a furious growl, he called on the power of the animal inside him and once again tried to shift. Like before, nothing happened.
Fight it all you want, Vhyper drawled, standing at his side, his voice floating down from high above him. You arent going anywhere, B.P.
With his furious gaze, he searched the room. At one end stood nearly a dozen Mage sorcerers in ritual robes.
Ritual robes. Goddess, he smelled layers and layers of old blood in here. Was his about to coat these stones, too?
He searched for Skye and finally found her in the corner, stroking the agitated deer.
Vhyper squatted beside him, his forearm on his knee, his gaze on Skye. Shes a pretty little piece, isnt she, with those big doelike eyes? I told her you were a sucker for a damsel in distress. Wasnt that how Ancreta trapped you all those years ago?
Paenthers eyes narrowed as he tore his gaze from the woman to look up at the man whod once been his friend.
A malicious smile hovered at Vhypers mouth. I told her all she had to do was play the victim, and youd be eating right out of her hand, giving her whatever she wanted.
Play the victim? A chill of foreboding rolled down his spine.
Vhyper shrugged. Birik may have overplayed his role a bit when he beat her. Hes been doing a shitload of groveling to make it up to her, but I hear the ploy worked like a charm. You not only let her fuck you, but you helped her enjoy herself. He grinned and pretended to high-five him. Way to go, B.P.
Paenther stared at him. He was supposed to believe that beating was an act? A lie to gain his cooperation? No way in hell. Hed seen the bastards face. Hed seen the pain and bleakness in Skyes. No woman could be that good an actress.
That chill in his spine leached into his blood.
Except perhaps a witch.
With a bit of magic, she could make him believe he was seeing whatever she wanted him to see, couldnt she?
Hell. Denial roared through his head. Had he really been taken in all over again?
Or was Vhyper the one lying? How in the hell was he supposed to know? The only thing he knew for certain was, he couldnt trust either of them.
And if this night ended as he feared it might, it wouldnt matter. Nothing would matter once he was dead.
The smoke of the banked fires teased his nose. He stared up into his old friends eyes, a growl grumbling deep in his throat as he saw no glimmer of the Vhyper he knew.
Am I staked out for slaughter?
A cruel smile slashed across Vhypers face. What fun would it be if you knew what to expect?
Youve turned into a bastard, Vhyper.
Oh, Ive turned into a lot more than a bastard, B.P. Vhyper rose. Looks like its time to begin.
As the Mage circled the perimeter of the room, Skye stood. With quick, nimble hands, she pulled off her dress and tossed it aside as if perfectly at ease with her nudity among so many men.