The panther sighed. “Do you accept my terms or not?”
Rage rippled down Jordan’s back. How the hell could Gerald turn against him like this? Not for a second did he think the Kayrs men would kill Katie. He, on the other hand, was probably fair game. Especially since his life expectancy wasn’t too great.
“You’re asking me to trade one brother for another,” Dage hissed. “You don’t want to do this.”
Surprise grounded Jordan. The Kayrs men considered him family. All of a sudden, the last hundred years of his leading alone, solitary and tough, seemed like a waste. “Take me out, Dage,” he whispered. “I’m going to die anyway.”
“No.”
He shoved Dage out of the way. “You don’t want Katie. She can’t shift, she can’t fight ... she’s no threat to you. But the king will kill me.”
“No, I won’t,” Dage muttered softly. “This won’t work.”
Gerald chuckled, flashing sharp canines. “Katie has to be taken out, and I promise I’m the guy to do it. Unless, of course, the king wishes to save his youngest brother before the demons turn him into an unrecognizable psychotic.”
Jordan struggled to remain in control. If his enemies ever found out about Katie’s pregnancy, there wouldn’t be a place on earth she could hide. Good thing his woman could fight. His claws shot out, and he kept them away from the tablet. “Prove you know where Jase is.”
“All right.” Gerald reached behind him, grabbing a man’s necklace featuring a silver Celtic knot. “I believe you recognize this.”
Neither man next to Jordan twitched a muscle. Their faces gave away nothing. Yet anger popped the oxygen and tension vibrated almost strong enough to see. He recognized the pendant, too. Conn’s wife had given the charm to Jase for his birthday about five years ago, first blessing the metal as only a witch could. The youngest Kayrs brother wouldn’t give it up willingly.
Anger wasn’t going to get Jordan anywhere. “The demons consider shifters to be fun pets. They’re using you right now, and they’ll continue to do so until they get bored. You’re a dead man if you align with them.”
The bastard’s gaze hardened. “For now, they have the power. Soon I’ll take over the feline nation and help the demons finish destroying the Realm ... and then the Kurjans. Vampires and Kurjans have existed long enough in this world, and we’ve waited long enough for you two to finish each other off. Apparently you both stink at war.”
“I will find you,” Talen growled, “and when I do, you’ll wish Jordan had found you first.”
Gerald licked his lips. “Your choice.”
The screen went blank.
Dage tapped his ear communicator. “Conn? Find Gerald Shotlam—he’s aligned with the demons and might know where Jase is.” Clicking off and pivoting around, he pierced Jordan with a glare. “Don’t fucking die.” Without another word, the king disappeared inside.
Jordan clapped Talen on the back. “Remember your promise.” He’d gotten vows from all his men as well as the Kayrs family to protect Katie and their cub. “My child.”
“My life.” Talen gave a short nod.
That was as good as a vow could get. Jordan nodded, wishing he could spend what little time he had left with Katie. Man, she was going to be mad when she awoke. “I need to check out my little room of hell.” It was right off the entrance, just in case his brain started to explode and he needed to escape. But his friends didn’t know he had no intention of escaping into the moon. Shackles remained under the one cot to keep him in place.
He’d never turn into a beast.
Hustling to the small room, he dropped to sit and catch his breath. While his grand plan included staying underground until his head exploded, he knew with a certainty that Brent would find him.
Their final fight would happen that night.
Chapter 26
Katie snuggled her nose into the pillow, the masculine scents of cinnamon and oak bringing a smile to her face. “Jordan?” She sat up, her breath stilling as her arm caught on metal. In slow motion, she glanced down at the handcuff around her wrist. Confusion had her following the other side to see it secured around the metal bedpost.
Surprise had her glancing back and forth from the post to her hand.
Then anger flashed through her so fast her cheeks burned. He’d handcuffed her to the bed.
Humor, unexpected and absolutely inappropriate, bubbled up from her stomach. She gave one short laugh. He’d actually handcuffed her to the bed. “What a moron.”
Stretching, she enjoyed the odd flair of intimate aches. Even making love, even so very gentle, Jordan had left small bruises on her hips. Bruises from the pads of his fingers. Reality smacked her in the face. Spent candles lined every surface in the room. The clock on the wall promised the moon would soon be rising. She needed to get to Jordan and fast.
Biting her lip, she checked out the area. Not much was around. With a shrug, she snarled, shooting her canines down. Pleasure burst through her at the simple act. She’d missed it so much.
Ducking her head, she angled a fang into the lock of the handcuffs. A couple of twists, and the metal released her. How silly of Jordan to have forgotten her fangs. Of course, she hadn’t had fangs in a decade.
She yanked up her jeans, quickly yanking on her bra and shirt. What if Jordan didn’t survive the moon?
A folded note on the table caught her eye. She grabbed it.
Kate—
I know it probably took you two seconds to unhook the handcuffs. I couldn’t help myself. Seeing you cuffed to the bed has been a fantasy of mine for quite some time. Please stay down in safety tonight. It isn’t because I don’t trust you. I do. You’re a fighter, and you’ll be an amazing leader to our people. But there’s a chance, if the beast gets loose inside me, that I could hurt you and our cub. I’d rather die. In addition, I’d prefer you didn’t see me descend into a beast. Please. Remember me as we were tonight. I love you. Always. J.
She took a deep breath. He was trusting her and asking her to understand. Asking her to let him deal with the moon. One last request from her mate.
Choices.
Ten years ago, she would’ve heeded his wishes. Wanting to please him, to make him happy, to show her trust in his decisions, she would’ve stayed below.
She wasn’t the same woman.
Stronger than even he knew, she’d fight for him. She’d fight with him. Telling Janie to follow her instincts had been the right advice. Katie would follow hers, regardless of the consequences.
Panic had her struggling to focus as she slipped on her shoes. If nothing else, she’d throw him under the moon. If werewolves could evolve, then maybe he’d have a chance. The scent of spent wax and hopeless dreams filled the living area of the quarters as she dodged around the couch and ran into the hallway, smack into a strong chest.
Bouncing back, she gave Baye her meanest glare. “Making sure I stay inside?”
Lines of stress cut beside his mouth. “Jordan ordered me to guard you. I said you’d make it outside somehow.” Baye glanced down the empty corridor. “What’s your plan?”
“I’m going to find him ... hopefully save him.” She put both hands on her hips, her lungs compressing. The moon would be rising within the hour.
Baye nodded. “I’m so damn sorry about Lance. I mean, I knew he had a small crush on you, but I had no clue ...”
“That he’s freakin’ crazy?”
Apology and sorrow turned down Baye’s mouth. “I’m so sorry.”
Katie grabbed his arm. “Not your fault, Baye. I didn’t see it. Nobody saw how crazy Lance is—though we’re gonna need to get him help. We’re good.” Something to worry about another day. Time was running out. “I need to get to Jordan. Are you and I going to fight?”