A shocked silence filled the air as they watched in varying degrees of horror as the blood continued to spread over the ground, leaving blackened earth in its path.
It was as if her blood held a wildfire that destroyed whatever it touched.
Chillingly aware of what was going to happen next, Talon fiercely called on his cat, overcoming the lingering malachite with grim resolution.
In a blur of power he shifted, lunging forward before anyone could react to his abrupt attack.
His roar shook the ground as he rammed into one of the guards who’d dare to hurt Isi, using one brutal swipe of his paw to knock him unconscious. Without hesitation, he was slamming into the second guard, catching him before he could shift and defend himself.
His teeth sank into the man’s flesh, but before he could rip out his throat, Raphael was at his side, yelling directly into his ear.
“Wait. Dammit, Talon, look.”
Slowly the words penetrated the red haze that filled Talon’s mind with the need to kill, forcing him to release his prey and glance where Raphael was pointing.
Astonishment jolted through Talon, jerking him from his cat form to human. Instinctively he moved to stand as a barrier between Isi and the elders, his frantic gaze watching as the blackened earth trembled, as if a powerful force was surging from beneath the ground. Then tiny, tender sprouts of green began to break through the crusty dirt.
“It’s starting regrow,” he breathed. “She’s healing the land.”
There was the sensation of furious disbelief as the mist around the elders shimmered in the torchlight.
“It’s her death—”
“Stop.” Talon took his life in his hands by challenging the powerful females. “You see what’s happening.” He swept his hand toward the tender green shoots that were beginning to spread. “Are you going to let your stubborn belief that you’re always right destroy our hope for the future?”
Raphael moved to stand at his side, his arms folded over his chest. “Talon is right. Until we understand what is happening, we can’t risk destroying the female.”
There was a long silence, as if the elders were arguing among themselves. Talon swiftly used their distraction to turn back to Isi, using a claw to slice through the ropes that bound her to the pier.
His heart clenched as she tumbled into his arms. She was barely conscious, her body trembling from a combination of pain and shock.
God dammit.
He’d failed her. She was his to protect, but he’d allowed her to be stolen from him and injured.
“Talon.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her face in his throat.
He scooped her off her feet, cradling her against his chest. “I’ve got you, darling,” he swore, his gaze locked on the elders. No one was taking her away. Not ever again. “And I’m never letting you go.”
“You have made your point, Talon,” the elder with white fur spoke in his head, taking the lead for her sisters. “Although we are not convinced she is harmless, there is enough doubt to delay her death until we have a greater understanding of what is occurring.”
“I think I might be able to help.” Stepping from the shadows at the edge of the sacred land, a male Pantera offered the elders a low bow. “May I approach?”
The elders spoke in unison. “Welcome, Xavier.”
The tall, mocha-toned man with startling blue eyes moved gracefully forward.
Talon felt a leap of hope at the sight of the leader of the Geeks. If anyone had managed to coax the secrets from the computers Talon had brought from Baton Rouge, it would be this brilliant Pantera.
“What did you discover?” he demanded, ignoring the annoyance of the ancient females who clearly felt they should be in charge.
He didn’t give shit who he had to piss off.
He was going to do whatever necessary to protect his mate.
Xavier walked forward, his gaze flickering toward the fresh green vegetation on the ground before moving to Isi who remained cradled in Talon’s arms.
“I know who our enemies are searching for.”
Talon felt a tingle of premonition inch down his spine as Xavier’s dark gaze remained locked on Isi.
“Who?” Raphael at last demanded.
“Chayton,” the Geek revealed. “Father of Isi and Ashe.”
XAVIER
By Laura Wright
CHAPTER ONE
Sweet freedom.
Pool cue in one hand, margarita in the other, Amalie strode across the dusty floor of The Cougar’s Den.
Hot damn, she was emancipated.
Granted, it was only for three days and nights, but she planned to make the most out of every second. Clad in her tightest jeans, black high-heeled boots, and a white tank that showed off her young, Hunter’s body and plenty of cleavage up top, she felt every male eye move over her as she passed.
Well, every male but one.
Stopping in front of the pool table, she dropped her cue on the playing surface and lifted her glass to her lips. Salty sweet goodness rolled over her tongue and down her throat. She wasn’t a big drinker. Shoot, she wasn’t a big anything. In fact, this was her first time in The Cougar’s Den. For years, she’d heard all about it from the other Hunters. Listened as they regaled her with stories about drunken nights, hard-won pool games, hook-ups with hot males or females. While she went home.
Not tonight, she mused, draining her glass, then eyeing the bartender. Tonight she was cutting loose. Tonight she was going to know what it felt like to play hard, drink hard and just be a ready and willing single female.
“What do you say, darlin’?”
Mal glanced over her shoulder, spied the male who’d just spoken to her. He was tall, blond and human, and his mouth curved into a wicked smile. “Dance?”
She turned around and faced him. “I didn’t know this place had a dance floor.”
“They don’t,” he said. “Not yet anyway.”
The male whistled to one of his buddies and the pair grabbed a few tables and pushed them aside.
He turned back to Mal and shrugged. “Nothing fancy, but it’ll do. What do you say? I like this song and you’re smoking hot.”
Mal’s heart fluttered in her chest. Sure, she was a kickass Hunter who was capable of bringing down several full-grown males with one hand tied behind her back—part of her training—but in the Wildlands no one ever talked to her like this. Looked at her like this. Like she was desirable and available. It felt so good.
Alcohol snaking through her blood, making her warm and bold, she followed him out onto the makeshift dance floor. The bartender had cranked up the music and a few other couples had already taken advantage of the space.
“Name’s Beau,” the male said over the music as he started to move.
Mal grinned as she sidled up close to him and started to sway her hips. “Nice to meet you, Beau.”
“You too, darlin’.” His eyes traveled down her body. “Never seen anything as sexy as you come in here.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” she said on a husky laugh, her head feeling deliciously fuzzy. “But I appreciate it anyway.”
He laughed with her, his dark eyes glittering with interest. They were a handsome set of eyes, deep and soulful, and she could probably get lost in them if it wasn’t for the breath-stealing, knee-weakening crystal blue orbs of a certain Pantera male in the room. Eyes she’d been lusting after forever.
Seeing those piercing, highly sexual eyes in her mind, and fueled by inhibition-killing margaritas, she turned her head.
Such a big mistake.
He’d only been in The Cougar’s Den for maybe a half hour, but it was enough for him to cause a stir. Not like he could help it. Females just couldn’t seem to catch their breath around him, and males were understandably intimated by his size.