Then he kissed her again with all the tangled emotion trapped in his heart. Her words had soaked deep inside him, healing wounds hed lived with for hundreds of years, shattering walls and defenses he hadnt even realized hed built against a pain he didnt think hed survive twice. A pain he finally understood and perhaps, at last, could relinquish.
In what might just turn out to be the last hours of his life.
With an aching heart, he pulled back from the kiss and stared into Delaneys precious face, into eyes he could drown in. Then he swept her into his arms and strode with her through the gym, out into the hall, and into the ritual room.
Delaneys eyes widened. What are we doing?
What I should have done the first time.
Deep inside him, the tiger gave a savage roar.
CHAPTER 27
Youre not going to try to marry me, are you? Delaney hooked one arm around Tighes neck, holding tight to her towel with the other, as he carried her into the dark ritual room. With his elbow he flipped a switch and lit the pair of electric sconces that filled the room with a golden glow.
She didnt want this, did she? He wasnt thinking clearly.
Tighe.
Hush, D. He carried her to the wide, cushioned altar that stood on the far side of the room and deposited her in the middle.
I dont think this is a good idea. She grabbed hold as he pushed the altar, with her on top, into the middle of the room.
Tighe yanked off his towel and tossed it aside as he strode to a small shelf on the wall and grabbed something. A lighter, she realized as he squatted and lit one of the ceremonial fires that had burned during their mating ceremony.
Can we at least discuss this?
No.
With a huff of frustration, she climbed off the altar, pulled her towel tight, and followed him to the second fire.
Tighe, you have nothing to gain from this and too much to lose.
He lit the fire, then moved to the third. Take off your towel, D.
Are you even listening to me? If they get the clone, youll be bound to me when you know I cant stay.
He rose from lighting the third fire and turned to her, taking hold of her shoulders. His eyes were the golden orange of the tiger, yet within those golden depths swam a sea of emotion and a will of steel.
He squeezed her shoulders gently. You asked me to bare myself to you, to show you my eyes and open my past as one last gift to you. Now Im asking for one last gift from you. Dont fight me on this, D. Its too important to me.
But why? What difference does it make?
Releasing her, he lit the fourth and fifth fires before answering.
The difference is, if Id bound myself to you in the first place, I would have heard your cries in my head when he first captured you. I would have been able to find you immediately. You wouldnt have had to endure
Turning away, he lit the sixth and final fire, then turned off the sconces. Firelight danced on the walls, once more transforming the room into a cave of old and filling the room with whispers of magic.
Tighe ushered her back to the altar and tugged at her towel until she let go of it, then pulled it from her body. She grabbed hold of his shoulders as his hands spanned her waist, and he lifted her back onto the altar.
Stepping back, he began to chant the same odd sounds Kougar had during the mating ceremony. Three times, Tighe circled her, his powerful, naked body glowing in the firelight with strength and life, his armband gleaming.
Her gaze reveled in his raw, male beauty even as her heart clenched with the knowledge that he could be gone in a matter of hours. He could be dead. How would she live in a world without him? Any world?
Finally, he returned to her and came to stand before her. Taking her hands in his, he raised them to his mouth, one after the other, and kissed her knuckles.
You asked why this is important to me. His eyes throbbed with emotion. Because I love you, D.
Bittersweet happiness twisted through her misery. Tighe.
He lifted his hand and caressed her head. I love you. Its not going to hurt me to bind myself to you. Because Im bound, whether through ritual or the emotion in my heart, Im yours. Always. No matter how long that is.
The tears started down her cheeks. Tighe, I love you, too.
His expression tightened into something close to pain. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her, the kiss shattering in its anguished tenderness.
The saltiness of her tears mixed with the sweet wildness of his taste as she kissed him back, running her fingers along the back of his neck and into his hair, holding on. Holding on.
Tighe pulled away. Lie down, brown eyes. Their gazes met, and for one awful instant, she saw the clone in his eyes. Her heart stuttered.
What is it, D? Youre scared.
ItsI felt like he was here. Like he was watching me.
He cant reach you here, sweetheart. But he swung away and went to retrieve a knife from the shelf where hed found the lighter. With a quick swipe, he slit open his palm. Bright red blood ran down his hand.
Delaney held out her hand, ready to do the same. Or at least, the human version of it.
Tighe shook his head as he grabbed one of the towels and wiped the blood off his hand. I would know the moment I looked in your eyes, D. I know youre not him.
Delaney frowned. I should have known. I shouldnt have had that moment of doubt either.
His hands slid into her hair. Theres a difference, brown eyes. I look like him. Plus the fact, he terrorized you. It would be surprising if you didnt have moments like that. Stepping between her thighs, he pulled her against him and gently stroked her head. Now, lie down.
As he stepped back, she did as he asked, positioning herself in the middle of the platform. Tighe pulled himself up from the end. She spread her legs, and he knelt between them. But the memory of the last time she was naked in front of a man stabbed at her, and she froze.
Tighe shook his head, his expression unhappy. Hes not here, D. Dont let him be here. Not now.
I cant help it. I cant forget.
I know, sweetheart. Maybe this is too soon. He sighed and moved as if to leave.
She reached for him. Tighe, wait. I need you to help me forget. Touch me. With your warmth. With your love. Touch me everywhere and erase his cold touch. Please?
A small smile flashed shallow dimples. Theres nothing I want more, brown eyes. Nothing. He grasped her ankles gently with his warm, strong hands, touching. Caressing. Slowly, he worked his way up her calves and her thighs, his touch warm and tender and so very different from that other touch. His hands slid over her hips, skimming her abdomen to tenderly cover her breasts. Like this?
She smiled for him. Yes. Exactly like this.
He caressed her breasts, softly kneading and plucking until her breathing became slowly ragged. One hand left her breast to travel between her thighs.
But at the first stroke, she flinched. Im sorry.
D. Look at me. Look into my eyes. He never looked at you with eyes like mine.
She stared into his golden tiger eyes and felt only warmth. Only love.
His warm fingers moved back to caress her inner thigh, sliding higher, one millimeter at a time, pulling her back to that place of heat and need.
Im going to touch you, sweetheart. Im going to slide my finger into your honey. Its going to feel good, as it always does when I touch you. Because I love you.
His finger stroked her lightly, then pressed, warm and gentle, into her, so different from that last cold invasion.
She shuddered with revulsion at the memory, even as she lifted her hips, embracing the touch of the man she loved. He probed her slowly, with infinite gentleness, then quicker as she heated, as her body opened and wept for him. Over and over he slid his finger in and out until heat coursed through her, until desire raged through her veins, until she was rocking her hips, gasping with need.
Finally, he withdrew his finger and came to her, bracing himself on his arms, yet not entering her. Not yet.
His gaze held hers. He didnt have to tell her this time to watch him. His eyes were so tender, so full of love, she couldnt have looked away if shed wanted to.
I love you, Delaney Randall. I bind myself to you, heart and soul. As he began to chant, he slid deep inside her, stretching her, filling her, then out again, in rhythm with the ancient sounds coming from his throat. Her heart took up the beat until it pounded through her, lifting her in passion and excitement as if she were part of something beyond the body, beyond the earth, far beyond anything any human had ever known.
As he entered her over and over, she felt the warmth of a hundred angel wings brushing her mind. And saw the tiger lift his head to the skies with a roar of keen satisfaction.
A flicker of a smile lit Tighes mouth as if he, too, felt the tiger watching. His eyes bored into her, holding her. Claiming her as he drove into her, driving her higher and higher, faster and faster, until the ritual pounded through her blood like ancient drums, lifting her, launching her
As she stared into those beloved tiger eyes, she screamed with the roaring rush of pleasure, then gasped as Tighes love rushed into her, embracing her like a tender warmth riding the wings of her soul, filling her with a fullness, a rightness, a completeness so perfect that chills raced over her skin and tears ran from her eyes.
Shed thought binding would enslave her. Instead, for the first time in her life, she felt whole.
Tighe watched her with moisture in his own eyes. He kissed her, and the sweetness, the passion, exploded inside her a hundred times more brilliant than before as if shed been living life in two dimensions, two black-and-white dimensions, and through this ritual, hed lifted her into a stunning new existence.
She felt transformed. Reborn.
Tighe lifted his face and stared into her eyes with infinite tenderness. Infinite sadness.
And the beauty of the moment shattered in bittersweet shards of truth.
Tighe was dying.
And even if, by some miracle, he survived, they had no future together. They both knew it. She saw the knowledge in the sadness in his eyes.
He gathered her into his arms, and they held one another, clinging to a dream that couldnt last.
You bound yourself to me, Delaney murmured, finally, against his collarbone.
With slow, lazy brushes of his warm palm, Tighe stroked her body. I did.
How? There was no blood.
The previous ritual paired us. Opening myself to you, in this place, was the only thing left to do. His lips brushed her temple. It was the most profound thing Ive ever done, brown eyes. The most perfect.
I never dreamed it would be like that. That it could be like that.
He brushed back her hair. Youre okay?
She shivered as his question brought back thoughts of the clone. Yes. But, I swear, for a moment there I felt like he was watching me. For an awful moment, I felt like he was inside you, looking out.
Tighe stiffened. She felt the energy going through him like a lightning bolt.
D, thats it! We see through his eyes, right? What if hes seeing through mine?
Delaney froze. Do you mean visions? Like hes seeing us? Me?
Why not?
Now?
I dont know. We see him when he feeds. I have a hard time believing hes seeing me when I eat. Dont get me wrong, I like to eat, but theres nothing powerful about it for me.
He said he loved me. And, Tighe, he knew my name. Just before he grabbed my head, he said my name.
Hes getting the visions when Im with you.
With me? Delaney croaked. As in?
Tighe squeezed her shoulder. Think, D. Maybe this is why he stopped feeding on people directly and moved back to fires.
She gasped. Of course. He realized we were getting visions of him when he killed. We were going to be able to trap him if he kept it up.
His hand clenched her shoulder harder. I know when it happened. It was while we were driving around after the Lincoln Memorial murders. He was killing the babies. I stopped at the light and looked down at you and told you what he was doing. And where he was. He stopped midstep. He heard me.
But you werent doing anything more profound than driving.
Wrong, sweetheart. I was looking into your eyes. And theres nothing more profound to me.
He sat up, then hopped off the altar and started pacing, studiously not looking at her. His hands raked into his hair. I was looking in your eyes the morning you told me you were going to meet Kara in the foyer. He showed up instead.
Delaney jumped off the altar and grabbed a towel. Maybe thats why he told me he loved me. Because he sees my feelings for you in my eyes. Hes reacting to that emotion.
Exactly. I was looking into your eyes when I gave you the cell phone and told you it had a tracking system.
Delaney looked at him in astonishment even as he carefully kept his gaze averted. How can you possibly remember all the times you looked into my eyes?
He circled behind her, then pulled her tight against him, his arm warm and comforting across her rib cage. Because every time I look into your eyes, I feel like Im drowning. Like my feet are being swept out from under me. Looking into your eyes feeds my soul, D.
She covered his arms with her hands and held onto him as he held her. Does that mean I cant look into your eyes anymore?
No. He squeezed her tight, and let out an excited whoop. It means we may finally have a way to catch him.
CHAPTER 28
Ten minutes later, Tighe paced the war room, adrenaline racing through his body on a riptide of hope. It might well knock his feet out from under him again, but for the moment, he had a chance at life, and that was all he could ask for.
Delaney sat at the big table, her back to him so they didnt accidentally make eye contact. At the table with her were Lyon, Kara, and Kougar. Jag and Wulfe were on their way and would be filled in later. Paenther and Foxx were still in the Blue Ridge. They only waited for Hawke.
As the warrior walked into the room, each man and woman pulled out a knife and cut his or her palm.
Lyon turned to Tighe, eyeing him with controlled excitement. Tell them what you told me.
Tighe nodded and turned to the others, then explained how he and Delaney had figured out the clone was seeing through his eyes.
So hes not seeing anything but Delaney? Hawke took his seat and leaned forward, his eyes flashing. But hes hearing whatevers said during that time.
Right. Full sound visions, just as mine are. Tighe stopped and turned toward the table, his hands going to Delaneys shoulders, his gaze skipping from one Feral to the next. We can use this to set him up. To set a trap.
Lyons brows rose questioningly. Do we know what he wants?
The other half of Tighes soul, Delaney said. He told me he was going to use me to get it.
Did he say how?
Unfortunately, no.
Lyons gaze swung to Hawke. Any clue?
None. All we know is he had her lying in a pentagram and he possesses at least some of the knowledge of the Daemons. His plan could be anything, but everything points to its involving either Delaney, or Tighe.
So were going to make it easy for him to catch us. Tighe waited until all eyes were back on him. Well pretend to be planning to trap him again. He looked at Kougar. One of your Daemon traps. Something that requires all the Ferals to leave Feral House. Ill tell D Im staying here with her as long as I can, then tell her something went wrong, and I have to leave to help you. If Im his target, hell have access to me when I cross the woods alone. If D is the target, hell have her virtually unprotected in the house.
Lyon grunted. Im not leaving Kara unprotected, but the clone doesnt have to know that. And the rest of them will be in their animals, hidden, watching you two.
Exactly.
He may not believe youd leave Delaney alone, Lyon said.
Delaney gave a soft snort. If theres one thing he doesnt understand, its love.
How would he get into the house? Kara asked. The doors are always locked.
His lifes on the line. Tighe kneaded Delaneys shoulders softly, gaining strength just from touching her. A locked house wouldnt stop me if I needed in. It wont stop him. Hell try. Well stop him before he breaks in.
Lyons gaze met his. Its a long shot.
Maybe not, Roar, Hawke said. The clone has to know hes dying, too. Im willing to bet hes already planning some kind of move. If he senses how close his soul is to crumbling, hes planning it tonight. By giving him our plans, or our supposed plans, well be giving him exactly what he wants. He nodded to Tighe. It might work brilliantly.
If we can pull off the acting job, Delaney said softly.
He squeezed her shoulders. Well do it. Midnight? he asked the others. When he received a round of nods he said, Midnight it is. Then he took Delaneys hand, careful not to meet her gaze. Lets go up to my room where we can concentrate.
A long shot, Lyon called it. And Tighe feared he was right. But it was the only shot they had. As he led Delaney from the room, his arm tight around her shoulders, apprehension knotted his gut. But it couldnt obliterate the hope that burned inside him.
Because he still had a chance to come through this alive. Not a great one, perhaps, but a chance.
If he did survive the night, the next task on his agenda was convincing Delaney to stay in his world instead of going back to her own.
He pulled her close and kissed her hair. One challenge at a time.
You ready?
Delaney shuddered, glad for Tighes arms tight around her. Theyd gone over what they needed to say and practiced it five times, now. But the thought of actually doing it was setting butterflies to flight in her stomach even as it covered her skin in goose bumps.
Because the goal was to let the clone see them. To let him see her. And the thought of bringing that evil presence into the room with them was making her ill.
He wont be here, D. Hell just be watching.
Have you started to read my mind now?
His lips brushed her hair. Not your mind. I can feel your emotions as if they were my own. The nervousness. But also the aversion. And the fear.
My fear doesnt bother you anymore? But it didnt. She could feel his emotions, too.
His hand ran slowly up and down her arm. All these years, fear has reminded me of that time with Gretchen. You stole its power over me today, D.
She tried to smile, but was too nervous to pull it off. Im glad.
Me, too. But enough stalling. We need to issue this invitation, or he wont make it in time. Then were really screwed.
She took a deep breath, trying to disperse the ants crawling over her skin. Okay. Lets do it.
Slowly, he turned her around in his arms. She expected him to look into her eyes, to draw in the clone. But instead he kissed her, strengthening her even as he calmed her. Smart man, he pulled back before the kiss got out of control and stole all thoughts from her head. Including the ones she needed.
Running his palms over her cheeks, he stared into her eyes.
And she felt the clone.
Her heart started racing. Tighes grip on her tightened.
D, he said softly. Its me, sweetheart. I know every time you look at me, you see him.
His words were a gentle reminder they were on camera. Hed told her just to think of it as a television camera. And she was going to blow the plan completely if she didnt play it right.
She gazed into his eyes, opening her heart, feeling Tighes love engulf her, calm her. Yet looking into those green eyes, badly streaked with black, her heart clenched as she was reminded of just how little time they had left. Of just how critical it was that she pull this off.
With a determination born of desperation, she gathered her wits and her thoughts. And said her lines with all the raw emotion in her heart.
What are we going to do, Tighe? How are we going to save you?
Kougar has a plan. Hes figured out what went wrong with one of the Daemon traps he tried down by the river last night. He needs more Ferals, more power. Everyones going at midnight tonight. Everyone but me.
She reached up, stroking his jaw. Why not you?
We never leave Feral House unprotected if we can help it. And with my soul deteriorating, my energys the lowest right now. If it doesnt work without me, theyll call me, and Ill have to go.
Once they trap him, will they kill him?
Theyll bring him to me to kill. Were not sure how far the soul can travel, but were taking no chances.
It was done. Theyd said all they had to say. But they hadnt discussed the last part, how to end the vision without simply turning away.
Tighe leaned in and kissed her, slowly at first, then with increasing passion, stealing the fear that lurked in her mind, stealing all thought. He pulled away, and without looking at her, tucked her head against him.
I love you, he murmured softly.
And I you.
She wrapped her arms hard around him and prayed for a miracle. Prayed for Tighes life to be spared so he could live another six hundred years, or another six thousand.
Even as she knew she could never be part of them. Even if she saved him, shed lose him.
Because she could never stay there with nothing to do, no purpose in life, growing old and wrinkled, watching her perpetually virile, perpetually young husbands interest in her die. No, she wouldnt be able to bear it. It was better to go back to her life, to the place she belonged, even if it meant feeling a hole in her chest where her heart used to be.
His world could never be hers.
Tighe pulled Delaney onto the bed with him and peeled off her clothes, then his own, needing to make love to her one more time. Every move was slow, unhurried. He wished those moments could last an eternity.
While she kept her eyes closed, afraid, he knew, of engaging the clone, he touched her, loved her, with infinite care. First with his hands, then his mouth, and finally with his body as she spread her thighs, and he sank deep into her heat, filling her. He felt their hearts engage in a sensual explosion of heat and love.
Her eyes flew open, widening.
The bond, he murmured.
A look of amazement creased her passion-drugged features. Its stronger than before.
From what Ive heard, itll grow even stronger over time.
Her eyes contracted with pain, with the reminder, he knew, that time was the one thing they might not have. She closed her eyes again.
Look at me, D.
But
Look at me. Its your eyes that strengthen me. He slid into her again and again, slowly, loving her with his body. And with his mind, his heart. His soul.
Afterward, he pulled her into his arms and held her as the hour until midnight slowly counted down.
Tighe was sitting on his bed, watching Delaney strap on her ankle holster when a knock sounded on his door. It was ten to midnight.
Hawke opened the door and stuck his head in. Were heading out. Give us twenty minutes.
Tighe nodded, rose, and went over to the man whod been a friend for well over a century. Understanding and deep friendship moved through Hawkes dark eyes as he met him halfway, embracing him hard.
Well get him, buddy. This isnt the end. But despite the positive words, worry riddled his eyes.
I hope to hell youre right.
Hawke left, with a nod to Delaney.
When she finished tying her boots, Delaney straightened, her gaze carefully not meeting his. Im ready to kick some Daemon ass.
He never tired of watching her, never failed to marvel at her strength and resiliency. She was a vision of beauty and power in the jeans and long-sleeved tee shed borrowed from Kara, the gun strapped boldly at her waist. Shed twisted her damp hair into a knot at the back of her neck, accentuating the feminine shape of her head and the long, graceful line of her throat.
Goddess, but he loved her. You know guns wont kill him.
A savage smile lifted her mouth. Im fully aware of that, sport. But when Im armed, I feel ready for anything. I could take on the world if I had to. She shrugged. Just maybe not this world.
Tighe chuckled.
Delaney scowled. I hate not being able to look at you.
Im drinking my fill of you, brown eyes.
He watched her gaze slide up his legs, lighting tiny fires along his skin as it went. Maybe Ive been a little too cautious.
If that gaze of yours travels any higher, you may blow the whole operation, Agent Randall. Youre going to make me forget everything. Everything but that sweet body of yours.
Her worry rolled over him, quieting the teasing. He went to her and took her in his arms, holding her, calming both of them as much as either could be calm when so much was at stake. If the clone didnt bite, what would they do?
Finally, he pulled away, again, careful not to meet her gaze. Its time for act two.
With a deep sigh, Delaney nodded and preceded him out the door and down to the foyer, where Kara waited. Kara gave Delaney a big hug, then came to him, sliding her arms around him. He hugged her tight. As he held Kara, he asked, Are you ready, D?
As ready as I can get.
He released Kara, then turned to Delaney, took her into his arms, and stared deeply into her eyes, all the way to her heart. The warmth rushed into him. He nearly closed his eyes to drink the sweet intensity of her love, but he forced himself to hold her gaze.
Slowly, he repeated the second batch of lines theyd rehearsed. I have to go, D. The trap isnt working. They need me to add my power to theirs.
Be careful, Tighe. I love you. The fear in her eyes was real. As was the love.
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her thoroughly. When his mind told him it was time to pull away, to leave, as theyd planned, his hands wouldnt let go. What if their plan failed? What if he never made it back to her before his soul was spent?
Goddess, but he needed just one more kiss. But then hed need another and another. With a massive force of will, he cupped her cheek and pulled away.
Tears glistened in her eyes. Be careful.
Always. Then he turned and left Feral House, stepping into the cool night wind.
As he ran across the circular drive at a slow jog, his body was tense and ready for the fight for his life. He just prayed hed timed this right, that the clone would come for him before the draden, before he had to shift. Prayed that hed come for him at all. Because if he didnt
Tighe clenched his hands as he ran. He might have just held Delaney for the very last time.
Tighe? Hawkes voice rang in his head. Was there a part of this plan you didnt tell us about? The part where Delaney runs out of the house on her own?
Tighe slowed, his mind scrambling. No.
Ill get her.
Out of nowhere, a dark cloud of draden descended, blocking out the treetops. Shit. He was going to have to shift. As he transformed into his animal on a rush of power, Wulfes curse rang in his head.
The damn draden are attacking the animals!
No sooner did Wulfes words register than the draden bit right through his tigers fur. Dammit. Just as theyd attacked Hawke and Kougar by the Lincoln Memorial.
Tighes blood went cold, understanding slamming him in one fell blow. Its the clone! The clone can control the draden. His heart clenched with fear, his mind screaming with pain. Goddess help her. Hes controlling Delaney!
CHAPTER 29
Tighe fought back the draden, gut clenching, terror pounding through his brain as he sent his heart outward, seeking Delaney.
A hundred times brighter than their old connection, the bond that bridged their hearts showed him the way. With draden clinging to him, he took off through the woods, following his sense of her, feeling her confusion and fear.
Goddess stone, he sent out to the other Ferals. Hes taken her to the goddess stone.
Well get there as fast as we can, Hawke said. Were fighting for our lives right now, buddy. The draden have got us good.
Abruptly, his tigers vision went black. He careened to a stop, slamming shoulder first into a tree. Draden tore at his tigers flesh, but the only pain he felt was in his heart and mind. Because he couldnt reach her. And the only reason hed be getting a vision was if the clone was about to feed.