You had me. Why didnt you come to me?
She was slow to answer, uncertain what to say. I dont know. Those days were a blur. I was numb. Moving in a daze. Shock, grief, depression, I dont know. I started to get weak, having spent too much time corporeal in the Crystal Realm, but I couldnt turn to mist to leave. It was almost too late by the time I found the last remaining moonstone manacle, wove a transport spell into the silver, and locked it around my wrist.
I traveled to the surface, and sat in the temple until I was strong enough to go back. Over the course of months, I sent my dead friends off to the next world, one by one. And I tended the unconscious ones as best I could. Time ceased to mean anything. Nothing meant anything.
Im sorry, Kougar said quietly, his thumb stroking her ribcage. I wish Id known, Ariana. I would have helped you, you know that.
She turned, meeting his pained gaze over her shoulder. I know. I wasnt the woman youd loved anymore. I wasnt . . . anyone. I was dead inside. Lost. Settling back against him, she looked out over the small pool and continued. Finally, the maidens whod survived began to waken. They were still terribly weak, but they pulled me back into the world of the living. Almost two hundred years had passed by then, Kougar. Two hundred years that are little more than darkness in my mind. It was another eighty or ninety years before my maidens finally returned to full health and strength, able to move freely between mist and flesh. It was nearly three hundred years after the attack that Melisande strapped on her knives and set out to cut out the heart of the Mage sorcerer whod nearly destroyed our race.
She didnt find him.
No. Shes hunted him ever since and come so close numerous times, but lucks never been on our side. Its just a matter of time. But I guess time isnt something we have anymore, is it? It wasnt until Melisande began hunting Hookeye that we realized the world thought we were extinct. Once Id started thinking clearly, Id wondered why Hookeye had never attacked again. I couldnt be sure, but I thought he could probably reach me again even with the mating bond severed. Now I knew why. Like everyone else, he thought I was dead. We knew we had to keep it that way. As long as he didnt know the truth, Melisande might be able to get close enough to kill him.
I would have happily killed him for you.
She pulled out of his arms and turned to face him. I never forgot you. I always intended to find you again, when it was over.
His eyebrow shot up. A thousand years?
Ariana flinched. I never dreamed it would take so long. Melisande was always so close to finding Hookeye. A few more weeks, a few more months, and it would be over. Except it never was.
And you didnt think you could trust me with your secret?
It wasnt that simple. She dropped her gaze to his shoulder. I dont even know how to explain it. I still loved you, but . . .
But?
Slowly, she lifted her gaze to his. Hookeye never would have attacked us if not for our mating. What I felt for you was no longer as simple as love. It was a tangle of grief and bitterness, regret and guilt. And so much time had passed. I told myself that someday Id have to resolve things with you, but not when it could possibly hurt my maidens again.
Emotion flared in his eyes. Anger, or perhaps pain.
Ariana turned away. She couldnt undo the past, however badly she might want to.
One of your maidens died on the battlefield soon after you left that day, he said, his voice quiet. She was, as you said, crazed. She told us all the Ilinas were dying. It wasnt moments later that you severed the mating bond. I was afraid it was true, but I had to know. I went to the temple.
Ariana jerked around to face him. You climbed the Himalayas in the eleventh century?
I had to know. The Wind and Horse accompanied me.
How long did it take you?
Nearly a year. We were weak as newborn kittens from lack of radiance by the time we got back to Feral House. But in that temple, which Id visited with you only once, I found the fires out, the magic gone. No evidence of life, and I believed you were gone.
Remembered pain sliced through his eyes, and, for a moment, she glimpsed the terrible grief shed put him through. She reached for him, her hand going to his cheek.
Im sorry.
The pain in his eyes disappeared, shuttered behind strong male pride. But he lifted her onto his lap and held her, setting up a deep ache in her heart as she wished things between them could be simple.
As she wished he could be hers again.
Wulfe led Xavier into the kitchen, the young man grinning with an untempered emotion most seeing individuals would have long ago learned to mask. With his hand on the young mans upper arm, Wulfe led him to the center island, then pulled up as Pink glanced around from where she was working, mixing ingredients into a bowl.
Xavier offered to give you a hand, Pink.
The bird-woman stiffened. Though she said nothing, it was clear hed offended her.
Wulfe cleared his throat. Let me put it another way. Xavier is human, and blind, and we cant steal his memories.
Pinks bird eyes tightened with understanding.
Our options are limited. Wulfe shrugged. I thought maybe you could use an assistant.
He didnt have to spell out the alternative if she refused. Pink might look as odd as they came, but she had a quick mind and a good heart.
Then Id be happy for the help, Xavier.
Cool! The human felt the space in front of him carefully, then extended his hand in her direction as if wanting to shake. Its nice to meet you, Pink.
Pink didnt move. As Xaviers smile died, his hand slowly dropping to his side, her gaze flew helplessly to Wulfe.
Hell, just because the kid couldnt see didnt mean he didnt need to know. He laid his hand on Xaviers shoulder and explained. Pink should have been a shape-shifter, Xavier, but an accident before her birth killed the animal within her and left her an anomaly. Shes half woman, half flamingo. Her hands are like ours, but covered with pink feathers instead of skin.
Xaviers smile covered his face. Cool. If you dont want to shake my hand, Pink, just say so. I cant read your expression or body language, so subtle doesnt work with me. Just tell me what you want me to do, or dont want me to do. Or you can hit me over the head with a rolling pin or something. Ive got a hard head. Just ask my sister.
The kid grinned. You cant hurt my feelings. Believe me, Ive heard it all. That Im too weird, that my eyes go every which way, that I smile too big, and my expressions arent normal. Its hard to mimic normal when youve never seen it. He smiled a soft, friendly smile. If you can handle my strangeness, I promise I can handle yours.
Yeah, they were going to have to find a way to keep this kid alive.
Xavier? Pink said quietly. Id be happy to shake your hand.
The kids grin widened as he reached out slowly, as if not wanting to startle her. As Pink slid her feathered hand in his, the humans expression changed to one of delight and amazement. Though Wulfe knew both he and Pink were watching for it, he saw not an ounce of revulsion.
Your feathers feel . . . soft. Really nice.
Thank you, Xavier.
Xavier released her hand with a laugh. So, tell me what you want me to do. Im slow at first, until I learn my way around, but I can do anything. Especially vegetables. Im great at chopping vegetables.
Chopping? But . . . Her voice trailed off.
Hey, blind people can chop. When you get going with the knife, you cant tell me youre watching and measuring every cut.
No. I suppose Im not. A pause. Then Ill give you vegetable duty. Ive only recently added them back into the menu on a regular basis.
Wulfe grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator and strode through the swinging doors back into the dining room, where he settled his big frame on one of the chairs, out of their way, yet close enough to listen. He wanted to see what happened when he wasnt in the room. Xavier was a talker, and he wondered how long it would take the quiet Pink to tire of it . . . and him. But as he listened, he was surprised to hear Pinks soft words.
Do you mind if I ask you a question, Xavier? Ive never met a blind person before.
Ask away.
How do you cook . . . when you cant see?
Lyon and Jag strode into the dining room. Lyon stilled at the sound of Xaviers voice, scowling. Whats he doing up here?
Xavier can cook. Wulfe took a swig of his beer. I thought Pink could use a little help around here.
No.
We cant clear his memories, Roar. Wulfe rose to face his chief, eye to eye. He can stay here.
No. Its too dangerous.
The bird could use some help, Jag said. At Wulfes look of surprise, Jag shrugged. Our numbers are growing, and while she lets the women help her, I can tell she doesnt like it. It makes her feel uncomfortable. Like she no longer has a purpose.
Xavier needs her, Wulfe said quietly. Just like her, hes stuck here. And he can help her.
Lyon shook his head. If he escapes, or is even just spotted outside, the human authorities will be crawling all over Feral House before we know whats happened. I dont have to tell you all the ways that could turn into a disaster.
Lyon wasnt budging, and Wulfe was getting desperate. Even though Natalie would never know, he didnt want her brothers blood on his hands.
We can bind him, Roar. Skyes people might be able to come up with some kind of cuffs like the Mage used on Paenther that will keep him tied to the house and away from the phones and computers so he cant tell anyone hes here.
Can blind people use computers? Jag grunted. Wouldnt they need braille keyboards or something?
Not the point, Wulfe growled.
Lyon shook his head. Its too danger
The sound of laughter stopped him cold. A sweet, high-pitched laughter as rare as a blue moon. Pinks.
Jag smiled, cutting Lyon a look that said the chief had just lost, and they all knew it. Sounds to me like the bird has a new friend.
Lyons growl was one of pure frustration. Find a way to secure him. One slip, and he dies. No second chances.
Wulfe nodded, fighting back his own smile. Yes, sir.
Lyon lifted a brow, then swung away.
Jags smile was slow and satisfied. Good job . . . Dude. With a chuckle, he slapped Wulfe on the back, then headed into the kitchen.
Wulfe let his own smile loose. As screwed up as everything else was, at least one thing had gone right. He lifted his finger to trace the newest scar on his cheek. Natalie had given him a gift in her smile, in her laughter. Most of all, in her lack of fear and revulsion.
Hed given her two in return even though, if all went as planned, she wouldnt remember. But he would.
Hed never forget.
CHAPTER 15
Kougar woke suddenly, his feral senses and warrior instincts taking in the situation in an instant, telling him they were in no immediate danger. He and Ariana were lying, spooned, on the cool temple floor, her body warm and tensed with pain beneath the curve of his arm. And he knew, now, what had awakened him. She was getting another memory download.
He lifted his arm off her and stroked her hair, marveling that hed actually slept. Not that he hadnt needed the sleep. He had. But, goddess, they were hardly safe down here, not with the Mage a mere two stories above, trying to reach them.
Ariana had suggested he sleep while she waited for Hookeye to dream, but he hadnt thought hed actually do it. He hadnt thought he had that kind of trust in anyone but another Feral.
Apparently, he trusted her more than hed realized.
He continued to stroke her hair until the tension slowly left her body. You okay?
Yes. Im remembering. The wonder in her voice eased his concern, lifting his pulse and his hopes. Ive remembered something important.
She sounded preoccupied, as if she was watching a movie he couldnt see. Which was probably exactly what she was doing. A movie in her own head.
He relaxed, sliding his hand up and down her arm in slow, soft movements while he waited impatiently for her to tell him.
When she began to speak, her voice was quiet and far away. The Temple of the Queens was built in the Himalayas for a reason. This mountain actually breaches the Syphian Stream, the same mystical energy stream in which the Crystal Realm was built, although the Crystal Realm is far from here and high above the Earth.
That had always been incomprehensible to himhow a castle had been built in the air, in the clouds. Then again, the women whod built it were themselves mystical creatures of light and mist. And magic.
The queen who first discovered the wormhole into the Daemons spirit trap lived during those dark days of the Daemon Wars. Shed been badly injured in a Daemon attack, unable to live without regular infusions of that mystical energy. Her name was Rayas. And the crystal through which she channeled that energy, much as a Ferals armband channels the power of the Earth, kept her alive.
To reach the Syphian, Rayas stood atop the temple, at the very crown, lifting her hands into the air to draw down the power she needed to survive. One day, while she was up there, she turned to mist and found herself able to merge with the energy stream. She found the wormhole by accident and followed it down into the spirit trap. Shed known the Daemons possessed such a trap, but none had ever known where it was or how to breach it. Now she knew.
So its true. Olivia, Jags mate, seemed to think theres only one actual trap. That its accessed through various wormholes.
Yes, theres only one. As the wars escalated, and word came of Mage or Therians whod been caught in the trap, she went in and pulled them out. Often, she was too late with the Mage. Their souls and bodies were separated quickly. But not so the Therians, who, in those days, were all shifters. The separation of animal from body took days.
Eleven days, if the seventeen were anything to go by. Eleven days, of which eight had passed for Hawke and Tighe. The knowledge felt like dragons breath on the back of his neck.
Ariana pulled away from him to roll onto her stomach, lifting onto her elbows. Her eyes shone like a pair of gems. I know where that crystal is, the Crystal of Rayas.
Finally, something was going right. He lifted onto his elbow. Lets get it.
Its not here in the temple. Its in the Crystal Realm. And I cant leave the temple until its through with me. It answered my plea this time, but I guarantee if I walk away now, it wont again. I cant leave until Ive retrieved all the memories Ive lost.
You can get into that spirit trap and rescue them.
The light in her eyes died. She sat up, turning her back on him to face the pool. I still cant turn to mist, Kougar. Now I know what to do once I can, but thats all.
They had one answer but not the other. He sat up beside her. Still no idea how to solve that piece of the puzzle?
She glanced at him, her expression pensive. No. But I can feel the gathered energy still waiting to strike me with more memories. It may take days for me to sort through them all.
Hawke and Tighe dont have days.
Her eyes softened, saddened. I know. Im trying, Kougar. Im as desperate to defeat this thing as you are.
He reached for her, cupping the back of her neck. I know. He pulled her toward him. When she turned to him, he covered her mouth, losing himself in the feel of her warm lips against his, her sweet taste and scent. The need to do something, to save his friends, was eating a hole in his gut. But kissing Ariana, he could almost forget anything and anyone else existed.
He stroked her bottom lip with his tongue, and she opened for him, her tongue sliding over his lips greedily. Blood began to pulse through his veins, pressure building in his head, in his chest. He pulled her tighter against him, the need to hold her, to be one with her, a pounding in his body. How had he survived a thousand years without her?
His fingers dove into her silken hair as his lips moved over her cheek, her jaw. Her taste was nectar on his tongue, her soft moan, as he trailed his mouth down her throat, the sweetest of music.
Fire burned inside him, a need as much of the soul as the body. A need to touch and hold, to be one with her.
Soft palms slid over his cheeks, her fingers curling around the back of his neck as she pulled him down to take one perfect breast in his mouth. He drank in the sweet scent of lilies of the valley mixing with Arianas unique, seductive mating scent as he pulled her to him and suckled her soft flesh.
Some part of his brain warned him not to give in, that he was in serious danger of losing all perspective, of losing himself, if he didnt pull back. But his cat hissed, ears back, urging him to take her, to claim her all over again. And thats exactly what he wanted to do.
Sweeping her into his arms, he laid her down, his gaze locked with hers, the question asked and answered in a lush, carnal smile.
He told himself to take it slow this time, and he tried. But when she spread her thighs, lifting her arms to him, he was lost.
Holding her gaze, he came to her, entering her, tumbling into the beauty and fire and strength that was Ariana.
Over the next few hours, he made love to her twice more and held her through three more painful memory downloads while she waited for Hookeye to sleep. He was lying temporarily sated in her arms when she tensed beneath him. Not with pain, this time, but excitement.
He lifted off her, and she sat up, her eyes glowing with triumph. The bright chaos just turned dark. Hookeyes asleep. Her eyes gleamed. Are you ready for a bit of dream walking?
Hell, yes. A feral smile lifted his mouth. Anything I need to do to prepare?
Her gaze trailed seductively down his body. Hell see us exactly as we are now. Im getting dressed. She slid her fingers up his erection. Up to you.
He purred at the feel of her fingertips on that highly sensitized flesh. It didnt matter how many times hed come inside her, if she was anywhere near him, he wanted her. Especially when she turned on her sirens charms. Goddess, if she kept touching him like this, he was going to come again, right there in her hand.
If they hadnt waited so long for the bastard to sleep, he might take her first, but dreams didnt last.
Wrapping his hand around her wrist, he lifted that talented little hand of hers to his mouth and kissed her palm. Can I shift when Im in the dream? He licked her palm and watched with satisfaction as she shivered, her mouth twitching at one corner.
I dont know. I guess well find out. She pulled her hand from his and leaped to her feet to retrieve her clothes.
Kougar joined her, dressing quickly, then sat cross-legged on the smooth stone floor beside her. He eyed her quizzically, feeling a frisson of unease. How exactly does this work? Goddess knew how anything worked in the Ilina world.
A hint of a smile played at her mouth. Youll see. But the smile didnt reach her eyes. As she took his hand, he understood. Her hand was damp, a faint trembling deep in her bones. The thought of facing the creature whod caused her so much pain had her rattled as he suspected little ever did.
He squeezed her hand, reminding her silently she wasnt going alone.
Close your eyes and keep them closed, she told him.
He did as she asked, and, a moment later, an odd sensation hit him, a brief moments dizziness not unlike Ilina travel for him now, a dizziness that was gone almost as quickly as it came. And suddenly he was standing beside Ariana in a firelit cave the size of his bedroom at Feral House. The hair rose on the back of his neck.
Along the walls, corpses hungfive adults and a small one that must have been a child, though he was hard-pressed to tell how many were male, how many were female. They were dressed in the simple, gowned peasant garb of millennia ago, a manner that had been largely unisex. But though their garb appeared unharmed, the flesh of the people had been all but burned away as if theyd died in a fire that had left their clothing unscathed.
The cave was clearly a living space, a cooking pot hanging over the central fire. To one side sat a table laden with bowls and vials and colorful, plastic containers. Kougar frowned at the anachronism of plastic in an ancient cave until he looked at the man standing behind the table, reminding himself he was in a dream.
The man was short, his build slight, his appearance unassuming for one whod caused so much pain and death. His thin brown hair was cut around his face at odd angles as if he were in the habit of hacking off whatever got in his way with the nearest knife. He was dressed, not as the victims around him, but in the green sorcerers robes the Mage had taken to wearing in recent centuries. On his wrist he wore a modern black resin sports watch.
The Mage looked up as if seeing them for the first time, then back down at what he was doing as if they were just figments of his imagination. But in that brief glance, Kougar had glimpsed his eyes. Copper-ringed Mage eyes, one of which had a pupil that appeared to have bled through the iris in the shape of a hook.
Bingo. Hookeye.
Beside him, Arianas hand spasmed in his, then fell away as she stepped away from him. A knife appeared in her hand, from where he wasnt sure, but a quick glance told him exactly what she meant to do with it.
If shed felt any anxiety about facing the bastard, it was gone, replaced by a seething hatred.
He grabbed her upper arm. Wait.
They didnt survive. Hookeyes tone was conversational. But they rarely do. He glanced up, his gaze meeting Kougars. Im the poison master, you know. But you know. That gaze turned amused as it flicked to Ariana, then back down at his work.
The scene shifted suddenly, the room and victims changing as if the walls of a Hollywood set had been yanked away, another shoved into place with all the accompanying vertigo. An old castle, this time, built of bare stone. Once more, bodies hung, chained and tortured. The four surrounding them now were covered in the swollen buboes and dark patches of subdural hemorrhaging that reminded him all too well of the dead from bubonic plague.
You collected plague victims?
Hookeye smiled absently. No. This one I caused. One of my more spectacular successes, though it only affected mortals, which was a shame.
The bastard had caused bubonic plague. Kougars mind reeled. And how many other devastating human diseases?
It was well known that the Therians had often been the target of Mage poisons, though few had ever died from them. Tighe believed his childhood enclave had been the victim of one such attack, but such successes were rare, or the Mage would have wiped out the Therians long ago.
You were my greatest failure, Queen of the Ilinas. Hookeye chuckled, but the sound was ugly. Except you werent, were you? His tone hardened. You just made me think you were.
Ariana stilled beneath Kougars grip. You meant to control me.
Yes.
Why?
Hookeye shrugged one scrawny shoulder, still concentrating on the vials and liquids he mixed together like some kind of medieval alchemist.
To turn you against the Feral Warriors, of course. He picked up a vial and shook it, peering at it closely. Ill succeed this time, you know. His gaze flicked to her, evil shining in those copper-ringed depths. Youll bring the Feral Warriors to me.
Never.
Kougars impatience for battle cooled with the chilling words. How will you succeed, Mage? He growled. How will you succeed in capturing the Feral Warriors?
The way I always do. Im the poison master. He turned away, scraping away a bit of flesh from one of his victims into a plastic container.
But as he turned back to his table, the walls of the room shifted yet again. The new ones were eerily familiar, glittering with inlay on ivory-colored stone.
The Temple of the Queens. Kougars heart began to thud in his chest.
Beside him, Ariana gasped. His gaze slammed into hers as understanding arced between them. To dream of the temple, Hookeye had to have been there. But when?
Recently?
As if in answer, a cat ran through the room. No ordinary cat, but a small, dark-spotted jaguar.
Jag.
Kougar stared at the animal, chills racing over his skin, triumph flaming in his mind. Hookeye had been in the temple when Jag raced through with him a few hours ago.
Hes here now. We have the bastard!
Get us out of here, Ariana, he said under his breath. The moment they were free of the dream, hed get the other Ferals and attack. This was the break they needed.
Ariana made a sound deep in her throat, a sound of denial, her body tensing to be free of his restraint. Clearly, shed had enough. She jerked free of his hold and sprang at the man who was little taller than she, lifting her knife as if she would cut out the Mages heart.
But Hookeye was more aware than he appeared. Before Ariana could reach him, his hand flung out toward her, palm out. Ariana stopped as if shed hit a brick fence with a guttural cry that was half fury, half pain. And suddenly she shot three feet into the air, her head flinging back, a look of agony on her face.
With a roar of fury, Kougar leaped at the Mage, shifting into his cougar in midair as he soared over the table and slammed into him, his jaws clamping around the bastards neck. His fangs sank into the Mages jugular, but no warm blood filled his mouth. Hed forgotten it was dream.
A dream that ended abruptly. He found himself once more sitting beside the pool in the queens chamber far beneath the temple. Beside him, Ariana collapsed, her hands clawing at her throat as she gasped for air.
Kougar reached for her. Whats the matter?
Whatever . . . he did . . . was real.
The pounding of his heart deepened into a sickening thud. He has you. Hes locked onto you with his magic. Can you break it?
No.
Dammit. He needed to break out of the lower chambers and go after the damned sorcerer. But Ariana came first.
He shot to his feet, lifting her into his arms. Then were getting out of here.
How? He set her back on the floor. Go, Ariana. Transport yourself back to the Crystal Realm. Once youre there, I can follow.
She met his gaze, then nodded, her hand sliding over the moonstones as she choked out the magic that would carry her to the Crystal Realm without turning to mist. A moment later, she was gone.
Focusing on her through the mating bond, Kougar curled his hand around his Feral armband and whispered the same incantation. Moments later, he was sitting in the Grand Corridor of the palace in the clouds, Ariana seated on the floor beside him.
Unlike a moment ago, she no longer gasped for air.
Are you okay?
Yes. She took a deep unsteady breath. He must have known we werent part of his dream.
He knew.
Kougar rose to his feet and pulled Ariana up beside him just as Brielle came rushing into the pine-scented corridor.
Did you reclaim the memories? Brielle asked, her face radiating a desperate hope he was certain every Ilina shared.
Ariana glanced at him, the truth thick between them that she hadnt gotten them all. And now, probably never would. A truth they would keep to themselves for the time being.
Yes, Ariana said, glancing at him, then back at Brielle. Yes, I reclaimed the memories. Im sorting through them now.
A smile bloomed on Brielles delicate face. Wonderful. She clapped her hands together. We must celebrate, Ariana. Weve not had a true celebration in far too long.
Ariana dipped her head, a small gesture that was all Brielle needed. She hurried away, shouting out names, a four-star general calling her troops.
Ariana turned to him, her eyes at once hard and haunted. Hookeye has to die.
And hes going to. Right now. Gather your maidens, six of them, and meet me at Feral House. Were going to need transportation back down to the temple.
Ariana frowned. What? Wait. You cant kill him. Not until we know whether killing him will help or hurt our ability to destroy the poison. She took his hand. Wait, please? I may have the answers we need once I sort through this mess in my head.
Hes there, Ariana. In the temple. We cant afford to let him get away.
Wheres he going to go? Hes on the top of a mountain in the Himalayas. She gripped his arm. We cant attack him. Not yet. I know that.