Lyon joined them. Karas going to pull the radiance to melt the snow so Skyes feet dont freeze. His hand went to Paenthers shoulder. Wish you could join us, B.P. Maybe if this works
Skye shivered, and Paenther pulled the leather coat hed loaned her tighter around her. All she wore beneath was a thin, flimsy sleeveless silk gown. A ritual gown, Kara had called it. Kara and Delaney had taken her aside to dress her, choosing a beautiful gown of a vibrant blue they said brought out the color in her eyes.
Once were ready, well call down the power of the panther. Lyon looked at her. I want you to wait outside the circle with Kara and Delaney until I call you. Then you can dowhatever it is you do.
Skye nodded, leaning back against Paenther as she watched the other Ferals gather around Kara, the five huge males dwarfing the woman. Lyon took Karas hands while the others touched her neck or arms or ankles.
Skye had seen this once before, in her prison cell, and looked for a repeat with anticipation.
Ready? Kara asked.
Do it, little Radiant, Lyon replied quietly.
Just like that, Kara lit up as if shed swallowed two dozen lightwicks. The effect was even more amazing outside beneath the clouds. She looked like an angel come to Earth. Or the sun in human form.
Amazing, isnt it? Delaney breathed, standing beside her, the collar of her own coat turned up against the wind. Ill never get used to this stuff.
Skye met the other womans gaze, seeing warmth and intelligence, a strong soul and friendship in those dark eyes. She smiled warmly in return. It is amazing.
Around Karas and the mens feet, the snow melted as if someone were warming the stone from within. When Karas light went out, the men stepped back, stripping to the waist. Golden armbands wrapped around thick arms glowed dimly beneath the heavy clouds. To a man, the Ferals were beautifully built, powerful and strong. But the only one who set her heart to racing was the one at her back.
Paenther gave her a squeeze, then released her to turn her in his arms. The warmth of his hands seeped into her bare flesh beneath the coats leather. Are you ready?
The warm scents of leather and male cut through the cold air, heating her blood. As she stared into his dark eyes, she told him the truth. Im scared that I might not help you. Otherwise, Im ready.
He squeezed her shoulders. Youre going to do the best you can, Beauty. Thats all any of us can ask.
Ready, B.P.? Lyon called.
Paenther kissed her, a quick peck that sent his soft black hair sliding against her cheek. Then he released her and pulled off his shirt, and went to join the circle.
Kougar led the chant as the Ferals cut their chests with a sharp knife, one after the other, slapping their palms to the bloody wounds. Finally, Paenther cut his own chest, bloodied his hand and shoved his fist into the air. One by one, the other Ferals slapped their hands on top of his in a savage ritual of blood and power.
Skye, join us, Lyon called.
She shrugged off the long leather coat and handed it to Delaney, then stepped out of the borrowed boots. Taking a deep breath for courage, she walked barefoot across the wet rock to enter the circle and stand before Paenther.
He stared down at her, his gaze falling to her knees and rising again, slowly, male appreciation warm in his eyes. Then he tilted his head back and yelled to the clouds, his deep, strong voice ringing out over the rocks and wind, Spirits rise and join. Empower the beast beneath this sky. The others joined in, the words drifting and sliding around her. Thunder rumbled. The rock beneath her feet began to shake.
Dance, Skye. Paenther threw back his head, and roared, Empower the spirit of the panther!
As the energy flowed around her, Skye closed her eyes and spun, her feet moving as she chanted the words Ezekiel had taught her.
Stop! Paenthers voice barked in her ear as his rough hands clamped onto her shoulders, stopping her abruptly. Her eyes flew open and she stared with horror at the Ferals around her bent double with pain.
She jerked free of Paenthers hold and spun to face him. What happened?
Those are not the words Ezekiel taught you, he growled, his own face a mask of pain.
They were. Her trembling hand went to her forehead. I thought they were. She whispered some of the syllables.
No. Those are the words I heard in the cavern.
Violent quakes tore through her body and she covered her face with her hands. This was the very thing shed feared! That shed hurt them. That Birik and his darkness had stained her soul.
Shh Paenthers strong arms went around her and he pulled her against him, holding her too tight, his body strung taut with pain. Soft in her ear he said the words hed heard as many times as she had last night.
Skye began to whisper the words with him, over and over, louder as she pulled out of his hold and turned. The Ferals straightened, their faces slowly clearing of the terrible discomfort.
Deep within her she felt the power begin to rise. Praise the Mother. But as she spun, the pain attacked her instead, a sudden searing wound through her chest as if someone had stabbed her with a dagger. She clutched her chest, forcing her feet to keep moving, but the pain intensified until it was a searing mass of fire and she couldnt breathe. She stumbled, gasping, dizzy with pain.
Paenther gripped her shoulders, holding her upright. Whats the matter? I could feel it working.
My chest. And suddenly she understood. The cantric. It wont let me she gasped. Damn him. Damn him! She looked up. Help me. Say it with me.
No. Not if its going to hurt you.
Say it!
His jaw tightened, but he said the words with her, helping her dance when she could barely stand upright, when her vision threatened to fail. When she could hardly speak.
She felt his panther fighting to get back to him. But the harder she struggled to keep going, the worse her own pain became.
Paenther stopped her. Thats enough, Beauty.
No! Its not. His panther growled, demanding her help. And she would help him!
Thats enough, Skye. I feel better. Stronger. Its enough.
The panther inside him howled with frustration.
Its not enough! Hes trying to reach you. I can help him reach you.
His face went hard and he hauled her against him, pinning her to his body. No. This is killing you. Im okay.
Paenther Slowly, the pain in her chest ebbed to a throbbing ache. I need to heal you.
Look at his eye, Tighe said.
Your Feral marks are back, B.P. See if you can shift on your own again.
Skye pulled back and looked up into Paenthers face. The scars across his eyes were indeed back. She released him and stepped back as he shed his pants then, with a flash of sparkling lights, shifted into the panther. A moment later, he returned to human form and donned his pants.
Lyons voice rang with quiet satisfaction. Thank you, Skye.
She nodded, but deep inside Paenther, his animal continued to charge at her frantically, begging her to continue.
Shed helped him.
But not enough. Not nearly enough.
Its not working! Paenther growled, hours later. The rage inside him twisted and turned like a living thing.
He and Skye were back in the Blue Ridge, standing behind the Market with Tighe, Delaney, Hawke, and Wulfe. It was nearly dusk, the gray sky growing dark. Vhyper, Jag, and Foxx only had a handful of hours left. But try as they might, they couldnt get through the warding.
Hed found the Market as hed known he could, but getting up the mountain was proving impossible. Three times Skye had tried to lead them and each time, just past the place where hed made love to her that day, things had started to fall apart. They started becoming disoriented. Confused. Hawke had shifted and tried flying over the warding, only to wind up spiraling to the ground, breaking his wing.
The last time, he and Skye had gone alone, but it was no use. Unless she could carry him, and she sure as hell couldnt, she wasnt going to get them into that cavern. Unlike some of the other Ferals, he had no ability to change the size of his animal. When he shifted, he was a large, full-sized panther. Period.
Tighe, Delaney, and Hawke sat on the remains of a discarded sofa. Kougar leaned against the brick wall of the Market while Skye sat beneath the trees on the hill, surrounded by the creatures of the forest.
Paenther paced. Ideas? he threw out to the group.
Theres one, Skye called softly, then rose and came down to join them. I remember the counterspell. I can go in alone and try to free Jag and Foxx.
No.
If they escape, Birik probably wont bother to sacrifice Vhyper. The death of one Feral wont be enough for what he wants.
Youre not going in there alone.
She looked at him helplessly. I cant get you in.
A chill slid down his spine. You can take me in the same way you did before. Enthrall me.
Tighe growled. Dont even think about it, B.P. Youll just wind up sacrifice number four.
He met his friends gaze. Its a chance.
A hundred things could go wrong.
Skye stared at him, her eyes alight with worry and misery. Tighes right.
It may be our only chance. Can you unenthrall me once we get inside?
Not easily or quickly. She clasped her hands together in front of her. I had to open your mind to unenthrall you when I helped you escape from the cavern. Sex with an enchanted man isnt quick, and Birik will know Im back as soon as I walk through the warding on the doors. I doubt Ill be able to get you up and off before someone finds us. And Ill have lost any way to pretend Ive returned on my own. Well both wind up in chains and be of no use to anyone.
So the only way is for me to go in as your prisoner.
Shackled. Again. Fury threatened to rage through his body at the thought of it, but he had to get in there, dammit. He had to save his men.
Yet his only chance at success was if Skye went with him to get him out of the shackles. He stared at her, memorizing every line of her face. If he failed, shed go back to being a captive and slave to that monster.
Skye slid her hand into his. I dont like this plan, Paenther. But it may be the only one.
He pulled her around and cupped her shoulders. I cant give you back to him.
He wont kill me. She reached for him, pulling his head down where she could kiss him. He let her, feeling the soft, tender brush of her lips before she pulled back. In her eyes he saw his future and his past.
I know what will happen if you hold back and do nothing, she said softly. If you let Vhyper die when you might have been able to save him, youll die inside, little by little, until theres nothing left. She stroked his cheek. I cant be the cause of that. We can do this, Paenther. Trust me to do my part. Ill give you the chance you need to do yours.
Tighes right. A hundred things could go wrong.
I know. But we dont have a choice. Birik really might succeed in freeing Satanan tonight. Against that possibility, the risk to our lives means nothing.
He gathered her close to his heart and held her, burying his nose in the scent of violets. All he wanted to do was keep her safe. He didnt care about the risk to his own life.
Her hands slid over his back. Im stronger than I look, Paenther. No matter what happens, Ill be okay.
He couldnt deny her strength. It was he who was hesitating. Because he couldnt bear for anything to happen to her.
It dawned on him that hed barely blinked at the prospect of intentionally letting a Mage witch enthrall and capture him. He trusted her. Completely. Implicitly.
Her safety was his only concern, and while it was huge, his little witch was right. There was no choice but to try.
And pray that fate was on their side tonight.
They were going to need all the help they could get.
CHAPTER 22
This is as far as we go. Paenther stopped beside the very tree against which hed first made love to Skye and pulled her into his arms. Night was falling fast, and the draden would be out soon. It was time to get into that cavern.
The thought of letting himself be enthralled again, of walking into the enemys lair blind, deaf, witless, turned his blood to ice. But his men were depending on him. He was their only hope.
Skye locked her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest. He knew she was scared. Hell, he was terrified. A hundred things could go wrong. He was a man who survived on rigid control, yet he was relinquishing every ounce of it into anothers hands. He was a man who trusted few and had hated the Mage for centuries.
Yet he willingly placed his life and the fate of the Feral Warriors, if not the entire world, into the hands of the Mage witch in his arms. Amazingly, he did so without a qualm. She would do everything she could to help him pull this off.
What terrified him was that it wouldnt be enough. That she wouldnt be able to free him, and hed never get a chance to fight. Every warrior expected to die in the midst of a blazing battle. It was the only way to go. The thought of dying like a fly trapped on flypaper, unable to save his friends, let alone himself, made his muscles tense with fury. The thought of being unable to save the woman he loved from the monster who had hurt her so many times nearly claimed his soul.
But he was out of options.
He buried his face in Skyes fragrant hair and drew strength. This is going to work, he murmured against her temple. Whatever you have to do, Beauty, get me free.
She pulled back and looked up into his face. I wont fail you. I promise.
Looking down into those blue-and-copper eyes, he saw his future. His world. And he knew that somehow, despite everything, he would find a way for them to stay together.
I love you, he said softly, falling head over tail all over again.
And I love you. Tears formed in her eyes. Doubts swam with the tears, but she didnt voice them out loud. Instead, she pulled one of his hands from her cheek and placed a kiss in his palm, the tears running free.
He knew what he had to do. There was only one way for her to enchant him and even if there wasnt, he needed to make love to her at that moment more than he needed to breathe. One hand cupping the back of her head, he kissed her, the taste of her tears on his tongue.
Skye kissed him back with a fervor and a tenderness that filled him with love and raked at his heart. He couldnt lose her. He wouldnt. He loved her. How could that single emotion make him feel so powerless, yet at the same time fill him with the strength of the gods?
The passion that erupted every time they touched one another rushed over them, turning the kiss hot and needy. Paenther slanted his mouth over hers, needing to reach farther into her mouth with his tongue, needing to be one with her in every way possible.
He unfastened her jeans and helped her out of them and her panties, then slid his hand beneath her thighs as she opened for him. Her flesh was warm and soft, the core of her damp and ready. As much as he wanted to make proper love to her, they were out of time. He freed his erection then pulled her against him, pressing his cheek to hers.
Hold on to me, Beauty, he whispered against her ear, then lifted her. As she wrapped her bare legs around his waist, he pushed home, burying himself in her warmth, her love, in the only place he wanted to spend eternity. His gaze locked with hers. Love blazed between them.
I love you, warrior, she said as he came. The veil of enchantment once more fell over his mind.
Skye straightened both their clothes, then led Paenther through the woods to the main entrance of the cavern. She could see no reason for subterfuge. Birik would know she was here soon enough. Her heart thudded until she thought she might be sick.
The smell of damp limestone and lightwick smoke greeted her, filling her with bitter memories as she led Paenther down the steep cavern stairs. If this failed, if after knowing freedom, she wound up trapped here again, her soul would shrivel and die. Then again, her heart would already be dead. Because the only way shed be trapped here was if Paenther were no longer alive.
If he lived, hed find a way to save her. She knew that.
A sentinels shout echoed off the stone, relaying the news of her return with a prisoner. The sound would surely call Birik to her in a heartbeat. The knowledge made her hands damp with sweat.
If only she had the powers of a television witch. Shed blink Paenther and the other Ferals out of there, then send one of Biriks snakes to eat out his heart.
Her gaze caught a flash of white hair on the stairs below, and she knew he was coming for her. Her legs began to shake. She squeezed Paenthers hand tightly, gaining strength from the feel of his warm flesh against hers and his strong, masculine presence, even if there was nothing he could do to protect her.
As Birik neared, Vhyper close behind, part of her, the part of her that had fought him so stubbornly all those years ago, wanted to stare him down and refuse to quake in his presence. But her only chance of freeing these men depended on his believing nothing had changed. That she hadnt changed.
Fortunately, acting fearful around him was all too easy. Unfortunately, it was no act at all.
The two men reached her, Vhyper towering over the smaller man, his bald head gleaming beneath the floating lightwicks.
Birik stopped three steps below her and stared up at her with curiosity and suspicion. Youre back.
Vhyper smiled, a cruel, smug smile. Paenther might have been tricked once, but hed never make the same mistake twice. He let you enchant him this time, didnt he, little witch? He wanted back in here.
Skye looked away, her pulse racing. Yes.
Birik lunged forward two steps and grabbed her jaw, squeezing until pain shot through her skull.
What is his plan?
Tears blinded her. He wanted me to hide him until the enthrallment wore off so that he could find his friends and escape.
She looked up at Vhyper, meeting his gaze. his friends, she added softly, praying Paenther was right and that the Ferals soul still lived behind those eyes.
Vhyper snorted. Hell of a way to hide him, parading him right through the front door.
Skye looked away before either of them saw the lie in her eyes. I knew I couldnt hide him. I told him that, but he insisted I try anyway.
Birik scowled. Fool. Why would he ever think he could beat me?
Vhyper chuckled. Ferals are a stubborn lot. I told you hed be back, didnt I? Out of some misplaced sense of honor and justice, he thinks he owes me his life for my role in saving his years ago.
Without warning, Birik backhanded her across the mouth. Why did you escape?
Skye pressed the back of her hand to her throbbing, bleeding lip. I didnt. He took me against my will. The truth.
You released him?
He came out of the enthrallment before I had him locked down. A lie. Hed come out of the enthrallment buried deep inside her.
You showed him a way out.
He forced me. He would have killed me otherwise. Truthfully, it had been Birik, not Paenther, whod forced her. By unleashing those Daemons on innocent people, hed forced her to make some hard choices. Choices she would never regret.
Birik stroked her cheek. Meek little mouse. And he forced you to come back here.
No. I offered to help him. I had to come back. She allowed her fear to break in her voice. I just want the punishments to stop. Please, Birik. Please. I never meant to thwart you. He forced me to leave, but I came back. And I brought him to you.
Who removed his shackles?
The Shaman. It wasnt entirely true, but it was close enough. And Vhyper was likely to believe it.
I dont really care why hes here. Now that I have you both again, that blade will almost certainly open tonight. And nothing will be as it was before.
Birik grabbed Paenther from her and motioned to two sentinels nearby. Get rope and escort the enchantress into the forest, he told them. I want four deer, fully grown, tied and delivered to the Hall of Feasts at midnight. Do not let her out of your reach. Where theres one Feral, there are likely to be more. Once she has the deer, lock them all in her cell until midnight with a guard at the door.
He grabbed her jaw one more time until she was seeing stars. Youll not escape me again, Skye. If you try to thwart me in any way, Ill have you begging me to give you to the Daemons just to end your torment.
A moment later, she stared at Biriks retreating back. His orders rang in her ears. She was to be locked in her cell until midnight. With no chance of finding Paenther. No chance of freeing the Ferals from their shackles until the very last moment.
A moment that might well be too late.
Welcome to the party. Great rescue, Geronimo.
Paenther fought his way out of the fog of enchantment, following the sound of Jags caustic voice. Slowly the mist parted, and he found himself in a small alcove in the cavern rock. He was standing upright, at least, but chained with his hands above his head. Beside him, chained in the same manner was Jag. And beside Jag, Foxx.
Foxx frowned at him. Did you really come back here on purpose?
Paenther met his gaze. What do you think?
Superman to the rescue, Jag drawled. Couldnt get the rest of the war party to join you, Cochise?
Paenther growled low in his throat. Theres only one way in, and thats enthralled. And the only way Skye can enthrall is by opening a mans mind.
Jag grunted. Couldnt stand the thought of anyone else fucking her, could you?
No way in hell. He tested the chains, struggling against them as hed done a hundred times the last time he was here, but as before, they didnt budge.
Being chained like this, with two others, brought back memories of those days in Ancretas dungeon. Vhyper, or Vincent, as hed known him then, and Frederick, had kept up a steady stream of pattermost of it black humor. Paenther had never joined inhis personality had always been more seriousbut theyd sometimes made him smile with their antics, which in turn had made them chortle with glee.
Frederick shouldnt have died.
He looked at the two men with him now, Foxx, whom hed known a couple of years, and Jag, whom hed known almost the entire time hed been a Feral. Sometimes he wondered if he knew Jag at all.
Yet they were his brothers.
His only goal was to save their lives and Vhypers, and to get Skye to safety. To get them all out of this cavern alive. If he were able to reclaim the Daemon blade while he was at it, all the better. But the men were his reason for being here. Especially Vhyper.
Howd the Mage get you? he asked his companions.
Jag scowled. The cub turned on me!
I did not! Foxx shot back.
Paenthers brows lowered as he looked from one to the other. What happened?
Jag frowned. We were running to the grocery for Pink when Mr. Intuition here got a feeling there were Mage in the neighborhood. Of course, he didnt tell me why we were driving down Jefferson until we were on them. Two Mage. I called it in, we shifted and took them on. As we were taking care of them, two more showed up. Then suddenly fox-face forgot who he was supposed to be fighting, upped his size until he was bigger than my jaguar, and went for my neck. The Mage slapped shackles on both of us while Foxx had me pinned, and the next thing I knew, I was here.
I didnt attack you, Foxx said sullenly.
Jags jaw dropped. Are you trying to say your fangs accidentally went through my neck? Do you think Im a fucking moron?
Paenthers gaze went from one to the other, not liking what he was hearing. Not liking it at all. What do you remember, Cub?
The kid met his gaze, a mix of anger and confusion in his eyes. I wouldnt have attacked him!
But you dont remember.
Foxx looked away. No.
Paenther looked at Jag and saw the same disquiet in his eyes as he felt himself. They enthralled you, Foxx. Thats the only explanation for it.
The cubs head swung around. In my animal form? Without ever touching me? He scoffed. Thats impossible.
Do you have a better explanation for what happened?
Foxx struggled against his bonds, the chains rattling on the stone. No! But how? The Mage cant enthrall us through our animals. Everyone knows that.
The Mage can do fucking anything they want these days, Jag grumbled.
Maybe not. Paenther looked at Jag. They didnt enthrall you.
Foxx scowled. What are you saying?
Im saying Zaphenes control over you may have extended beyond what we realized.
Im their puppet, now?
I dont know, Cub. Paenther and Jag exchanged a look of foreboding. If they could no longer trust Foxx, they were in deep shit.
CHAPTER 23
Paenther wasnt sure how much time had passed when Vhyper walked into the small cell, grinning the old Vhyper grin, his bald head gleaming. But no warmth lurked in his eyes.
No humanity.
Looks like old home week. Nice of you to join us, B.P. I told Birik to set a place at the ritual table for you, so to speak. I knew all he had to do was let you know wed all be losing our heads tonight, and youd come riding to the rescue. Do I know my friend, or what?
You fucking turncoat, Jag snarled.
Hes not Vhyper, Paenther said evenly. Vhyper is as trapped by the evil as we are.
Vhyper snorted. You wish. Im who I always was, but changed. He lifted one ironic brow. In a good way, of course.
Youre wrong. The man I would give my life for is still inside you. And he isnt going to let us die.
Right. The word was dry, Vhypers eyes hard. Even if you were correct, and I could be saved, it wouldnt be enough to get you out of here. Im not the only Feral weapon in the Mage arsenal.
Paenther glanced at the cub. Were aware Birik can control Foxx.
Oh, hes doing a lot more than controlling him, B.P.
Foxx made a sound of disbelief. What do you mean by that?
Thats the beauty of it, Cub. Vhyper tugged on his earring. Even you dont know what youve become. Which is what made you such a powerful weapon.
Paenthers blood turned cold.
What have I become?
Zaphenes pawn that Birik claimed once she was dead. Zaphene carved out your soul but left your conscience and personality in place so none of us knew. Not even you. Your youth combined with your intuitive talent made you especially malleable. You killed Beatrice, then switched the Daemon blade for the ritual blade that night on the goddess stone when we called the power of the lion. I lost my own soul that night thanks to that blade.
When I found the Mage and turned over the blade to Birik, I told him about you. I knew Paenther would come looking for me. I suspected, correctly, that hed bring you and your intuition. Of course, it wasnt really your intuition that led you here. All the time, you were acting on Biriks commands. He ordered you to come to the Blue Ridge and to stop at the Market, where Skye was waiting to choose a Feral.
Paenthers head was beginning to pound. Meeting Skye was no coincidence. It had never been an accident. Foxx had delivered him into her hands.
Why are you telling us all this? Jag grunted. Youre starting to sound like some movie villain, spilling your guts like this.
Jag Paenther groaned. If he ever got out of here, hed string that cat up by his tail.
Vhyper glanced at Jag with a smirk. Just thought youd like to know. But when his gaze swung to Paenther, something moved deep in his eyes. His friend. The real Vhyper was the one spilling the plan. Hoping Paenther could use the information?
So I didnt escape capture when Skye caught B.P.? Foxxs voice rose with his mounting disbelief.
Of course not. They called you into the caverns, fucked with your mind to make sure you were firmly under Biriks control, then stole your memories of the mountain and sent you away so the Ferals wouldnt find us. Vhyper grunted. Birik misjudged the grit of his little enchantress and B.P.s determination to escape. Once they left, he sent minions to call Paenther back through the shackles, but when that didnt happen, he called you.
To Jefferson Street, Jag muttered.
Vhyper shrugged. The rest fell into place as I predicted, with B.P. riding to the rescue and Skye his only way back in here. His look turned smug. Now everythings in place, ladies and gents. Tonight, we just might free Satanan.