The Moon- Tigress by the Tail

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

Tease Publishing LLC www.teasepublishingllc.com

Copyright ©2008 by Teresa D'Amario First published in 2008, 2009 NOTICE: This eBook is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution to any person via email, floppy disk, network, print out, or any other means is a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonment. This notice overrides the Adobe Reader permissions which are erroneous. This eBook cannot be legally lent or given to others. This eBook is displayed using 100% recycled electrons.

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The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

CONTENTS Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five 3

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

Epilogue ****

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TIGRESS BY THE TAIL BY TERESA D'AMARIO

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The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Tease Dark Tarot: Tigress By The Tail A Tease Publishing Book Copyright© 2008 Teresa D'Amario Cover Artist: Interior text design: Stacee Sierra All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Tease Publishing LLC www.teasepublishingllc.com PO BOX 234 Swansboro, North Carolina 28584-0234 Tease and the T logo is ã Tease Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

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The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

Dedication To all those who are reading this now—this one is for you. For the reader of Paranormal, who loves the beast within. May you find your inner Tigress [Back to Table of Contents]

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The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

Chapter One It is difficult to obtain the friendship of a cat. It is a philosophical animal ... one that does not place its affections thoughtlessly." ~Theophile Gautier Consciousness came slowly. Darkness surrounded her in a dreamless sleep. When her eyes fluttered open, it was to the musty dankness of a dark basement. Cassie dragged herself up on the soft mattress. She licked her lips and tried to swallow, her throat raspy and dry as if she'd swallowed a bag of cotton balls. The real stuff, not the candy. She slid to the side of the bed. The motion rocked through her, dark pulsating pain exploded in her head. She clutched her temple to still the throb, but the pounding continued like a jackhammer cracking holes in her skull. She could get rid of the pain if she wanted—once she was safe. Until then, she'd have to live with it. Squinting against the shards of sharp light which pierced her eyes, she glanced to her left. Lin, her best friend, lay beside her. Sleeping. Or was she unconscious? Cassie couldn't tell. Questions flooded her brain. Where were they, what happened? The only answers were fuzzy flashes of memories. A puzzle she had to put together. And like any puzzle she'd ever worked in her life, some of the pieces were missing. She'd 8

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

been with Lin at a local bar, celebrating. Celebrating what? Damn, why can't I remember? Something about a raise at work. Yes, that's it. Lin got a raise at the advertising agency she worked for. They'd gone out for a few drinks. They'd been to the bar before, and never had a problem, but something had happened. A man. Cassie couldn't remember anything but the wide smile on his face. His scent hadn't shown he was hiding anything, so when he offered them drinks to help them celebrate, they'd accepted. Besides, he was human. Normally that wasn't a big deal either. Humans hung out at bars a lot, even ones frequented by shifters. After all, what could the barkeep do? Say "Sorry you can't be here, shifters only?" Especially since humans didn't know shifters existed. However, this time they hadn't visited a shifter's bar. They'd gone instead to a local pub close by Lin's apartment. Just like the man, she couldn't remember much about the drink. She did remember sniffing the wine, a natural behavior for any shifter, checking out their food with their senses. Everything seemed normal. She'd been wrong. Lin moaned. The girl was two years Cassie's junior, though with Cassie only in her mid twenties, that didn't say much. Everyone still treated them like children. "Where are we?" Her friend sat up, her hair a dark curtain, hiding all but a glimpse of a wan face as her own hands grabbed her head with a moan. Cassie sniffed. Dust, mold and mice. She wrinkled her nose. The mice she didn't mind. At least if they were here for 9

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a long time they wouldn't exactly starve. It was the rest that screwed with her senses. She met her friend's gaze. She hated scaring her, but there was nothing to be done about it. "I haven't got the foggiest clue. All I know is we're screwed." While Lin moaned and complained about the pain in her head, Cassie paced the square room. It resembled the basements of her childhood. No windows, and the only light was from a naked light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Total darkness would be better, giving her tigress eyes the chance to adjust. Instead, the glare from the bulb pierced her retinas, making worse the already throbbing pain in her head. She glanced behind her. Lin sat on the old brass bed, her head still in her hands. "How's your head?" she asked Lin. "I'll live. Just long enough to regret it, I'm sure." Cassie couldn't help smiling before turning her attention back to the problem at hand. "Look, there's a door over here. Maybe we ought to get out of here before someone comes." Lin stood, grimacing, with one palm pressed to her forehead. Her long dark hair was mussed and Cassie figured her own was a mess too. Both still wore wrinkled clothes from the bar. Clothes which reeked of cigarette smoke. It was early evening. The shifter part of her had an innate sense of time, so she didn't need a window to tell that the time of day. At least whoever took them prisoner wasn't in any hurry. She and Lin had slept the day away. "Just wait till I get my hands on that bartender," growled Lin. "How could he let someone just walk out with us unconscious? He knows me." 10

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"Wrong," groaned Cassie. "He knows you're a pretty girl who might have drunk too much." "Maybe." Lin grimaced, conceding. "But he should watch his clientele more carefully." Cassie glared at her, until she sighed. "Ok, let's get out of here, girl. This place gives me the creeps." Lin wobbled across the floor, one hand still holding her head. "I'll second that." Cassie moved toward the door. She tried the knob. Nothing. "Looks like this is has to be the old fashioned way." She tapped the metal. The sound echoed through the room. It was hollow. Good. A sniff at the door brought the metallic scent of steel, combined with the same musty odors as those locked within. No shifters and no humans. In the distance she heard chanting. Cassie cocked her head while Lin and she listened. A sound vibrated in the distance. Men's voices, chanting the same lines over and over. She couldn't make out what they were saying. The words muffled by the thick walls and the metal door. "I don't like the sound of that," Cassie said. Lin grimaced. "Me either." "I guess it's time then." Cassie inhaled, letting the musty air fill her lungs, then reached for the door, one hand on the knob, the other high, her palm flat on the door jamb for balance. She closed her eyes, picturing the muscles of her arm, concentrating with everything she had. She pushed the air from her lungs, and in 11

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

her mind the flesh changed, expanding, strengthening. Then in reality, it happened. Her forearm muscles grew, bulging beneath her pale skin. Golden hair sprouted over warm, pink flesh, hiding the delicate femininity of her human arm. Dim light encompassed her body, heating her blood. The transition was temporary. Just a partial shift from human to animal form to give her strength. Keeping her fingers human was the hardest part. Only the strongest of shifters were able to do a partial shift, and she was asking her body to be even more specific. The tigress inside her fought for control, but she pushed back, forcing away the pads and claws struggling to take form. With excruciating slowness, the clawed hand returned to human form. She closed her fingers over the door knob, and with a firm yank, pulled. A horrendous groan filled the room. The door hinge gave way with a shriek of metal and only Cassie's strength kept it from hitting the floor. She set it to the side. Please don't have let anyone hear. She let her body return to human form. Slow and easy. "Let's go." She grabbed Lin's arm. Lin, the one and only friend she'd had all her life. Both girls were shifters, living in the world of humans. One tigress, the other leopard. Their differences had them always in danger, so they avoided human relationships, and instead, stuck together like glue. Even in college the two were inseparable, though one majored in marketing and the other business. Cassie's father called them the Bobbsey Twins. Ha. She didn't understand the reference until she was digging through 12

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her mother's things after her death five years before. Inside a dusty chest she found an old book, published in 1960, the story of two sets of fraternal twins. It was signed by the author, Howard Roger Garis, writing as Laura Lee Hope. Who knew such a cute series could be written by a man. At last, the long time reference made sense. The difference was Cassie and Lin always struggled to find ways to stay out of trouble. Until today. The two girls inched into the hallway. The glare from the white walls sent shards of pain through Cassie's eyes, conditioned to the darkness of the boxy basement, and she squinted at the brightness. A narrow stairwell led only one way. Up. Cassie sniffed the air and listened. In sync, Lin peered through the bright hallway searching for signs of life. Chanting. It was the only sound. The voices grew louder as they ascended the steps, vibrating down the metal handrail. Lin threw her a puzzled glance, her brow furrowed. With the stealth of her species, Cassie climbed the stairs. One at a time, keeping her movements lithe, prepared for sudden changes in movement. She balanced on the balls of her feet, her body crouched and ready. Patience. Stalking, listening, learning. The same traits which kept the tiger alive in the wild. They moved to the next floor and tried the door. Locked. "I don't know what's on the other side," she whispered, "but I could open it if I had to." Lin pointed up the stairwell. "Let's keep going. We can always jump out a window if need be." 13

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Cassie nodded, and they continued upward. Neither spoke, and they moved with stealth and precision. They climbed up another ten steps. The sharp clang of a heavy door slammed beneath them, the sound ringing through the stairwell. They froze. Every muscle tensed, both girls prepared to run or fight. A quick glance down sent Cassie's heart into overdrive. A human male, dressed all in black entered and looked up. His eyes widened when they met hers. Caught! "Run," she growled. They charged up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. They could shift now and outrun him with ease, but there was no way to hide themselves long enough to do so. Their secret would be exposed for all to see. There was no choice but to remain human. "In here!" The masculine shout sounded below, and the sound of pounding footsteps on the stairs echoed through the stairwell. "I found them." Three flights later, the human was slowing, his breath now in heavy pants and gasps. With a twist of Cassie's wrist, the door knob on the next floor turned. The two girls charged ahead. It was as if they entered a new world on the other side. A huge space, with the ceiling stories above them, stadium seats stood empty to the left and to the right. Scents assaulted them even before they were able to see. Animal excrement. They ran until they reached a railing, and looked down below, their breath even and controlled. Their eyes met and 14

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Cassie saw the same confusion reflected in Lin which rested in her own mind. "It's a coliseum," said Lin. Cassie nodded. Her eyes scanned the room. Row upon row of seats circled the arena, each arranged for a perfect view of the ring of sawdust below. Cassie inhaled. Blood filled the air. The metallic scent heavy in her lungs. The cat inside her reared her head and snarled. Animal blood, intermixed with human blood. A fighting ring? She suppressed a shiver. Humans could be such cruel creatures, and if she wasn't careful she'd be their next target. "This way." She took off down the aisle between the rows of seats, searching for a way out, with Lin right behind. No time to be careful, it was now or never. The scent of the blood from below haunted her, keeping her tigress on edge. A man stepped from the darkness, and Cassie stifled her scream as she crashed into him. Powerful hands gripped her arms, steadying her. She searched for his eyes, her head tipping. Not something unusual for a woman as short as she, though she didn't tip her head far. He couldn't be more than five feet, ten inches tall. Short in her world, but tall enough to catch her attention. A badge of some sort flashed on his chest beneath the artificial light. "Easy there," he growled. The instant he spoke, Cassie stilled. The words vibrated into her blood, rolling with the power of his voice, heating her from the inside out. His eyes met hers, and for the barest instant, Cassie couldn't remember why she was frightened. A burning heat melted inside her, sending hunger to her loins. 15

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"Cassie!" Lin's shriek brought Cassie back to the present, and she glanced wildly about. The man still held her by her arms, but instinct told her he was not the one to bring danger. "You have to help us," she cried. "I will." His voice was so confident, and comforting, and his hands slowly rubbed her arms. "Slow down. Tell me what's happening." "There's no time. They're right—" The door beside them crashed open. Seven or more humans barreled through. They carried blades. Sharp and deadly, they glittered beneath the overhead light. They weren't silver, so Cassie knew she and Lin stood a chance, but not the human. She reacted on pure instinct. With a cry of warning to Lin, she twisted from the man's grip and raced in the opposite direction, hoping the men would follow her, keeping him safe. They didn't. She glanced behind to see the man turn to face those who would chase them. Men filled with evil purpose. She'd left him there, alone, ready to meet them, head on. He didn't seem worried though. His scent reeked of bravery. She could hear his heart pounding hard in his chest with adrenaline coursing through his veins. He readied every muscle, steadying himself on the balls of his feet. Guilt tugged at her heart and she whispered "Don't die. Whatever you do, don't die for me." His head pivoted, for no more than a nanosecond before he spun to meet the attackers before him. He'd heard her. 16

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Somehow she'd managed to project her voice to him from twenty yards away. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Two Lance heard her words. They wrapped around his heart like a warm blanket. What the hell? Men were charging him with knives and swords and all he could think about was how a stranger's words made him feel? He needed his head examined. Tomorrow maybe. If he lived through today. He whirled toward the attackers and tensed every muscle. If he was going down, he was going down fighting. "Hello, gentlemen. I'm sure you have a license for those things?" The men all slowed, his words apparently catching them off guard. "I'll show you my license," said the hulk in front. Well he did ask a cliché question, so he got a cliché answer. There must be some kind of bad guy rule or something, because every time he found himself in trouble, the guy coming at him had to weigh a ton. Lance dodged the first blade and spun, kicking as he went. The first man hurdled into his compatriots. One man twisted and swung with all his might, his large blade targeting Lance's waist. This is going to hurt. Lance spun, flinging his body to the side. He jumped back. The blade swished through mid air, barely missing. A split second later, another man slammed into him from behind. He felt the crack of bone inside and hoped he hadn't broken another rib. They take forever to heal. Lance dragged himself to his feet, his eyes moving from one to the other. Three men formed a half circle, their knives 18

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swinging ever closer to his body. The one on the right charged. "Aer, unda, terra quod mare servo mihi velociter." Air, Water, Earth and Sea, protect me quickly. Ok, so it wasn't the best incantation he'd ever done, but he was in a bind. The blade slammed into an invisible barrier, sparks flying as though metal struck metal. Lance slammed into the surprised man, his eyes already wide in shock. He collapsed. But magick wasn't going to save Lance's life. Not this time. There were too many of them. The mass of bodies charged him as one, overpowering his magickal shield and knocking him to the ground. He rolled to stand, only to feel the sharp edge of a blade against his throat. "I'd suggest you stay down," the man snarled. **** "Let's go, Cassie. Come on." Lin's grip on her arm brought Cassie back to reality. She pulled her eyes away just as the human collapsed to the floor. Please let him escape. Why he was so important she didn't know. Together they ran down another row of seats, heading for what they hoped was a way out, only to charge into the arms of another swarm of men. "What do we have here?" The raspy voice came from a human male before her. "Didn't you like our hospitality downstairs?" He was almost six feet, with impressive muscles 19

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for a human. None of that would matter if she shifted, and Cassie fought back the snarl already curling on her lip. Cassie glanced at Lin. They could shift, and leap for the sawdust floor, and be out of here in seconds. She whirled to do just that when she saw what was happening on the other side of the coliseum. The man she'd run into was being led away, his hands cuffed behind him with those skinny plastic things cops used. No! The word screamed inside her head. Instincts raged against one another, the urge to survive against the need to save the human male. It was powerful, as though coded deep into her cells. She no longer wondered why he was so important, he just was. She whirled to her captor. "What do you want with us?" He chuckled, though the sound held no warmth. His sinister clothes reminded her of someone from late night television, in some B rated horror flick, black from head to toe. All he'd forgotten was the robe and hood. His scent was dark, filled with the putrid fumes of death. "What I want is simple, my dear. I want you. You will be our sacrifice." She arched a brow. He had to be kidding. Ok, maybe he didn't need the robe and hood. "Sacrifice?" Hands gripped her from behind and she turned to find Lin being held as well. Her friend looked at her and mouthed Are you insane? Maybe she was. In just seconds she and Lin could have been free. One leap from the cheap seats to the sawdust ring, and they'd be on their way. 20

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She shrugged to Lin, her eyes indicating the male now being led to the ring below. Cassie's senses were at war, and no matter how much she wanted to, she just couldn't leave the human. "So what are you sacrificing us to?" "Not what, my dear, who." His voice was silky and the tinge of evil sent shivers down Cassie's spine. "You shall be the one who opens the portal between hell and earth. The demons shall pour out upon this world and we shall establish the lord and master's realm." He was a fanatic. "I see," she said, speaking with a slow, calm voice, hiding the pounding of her heart within, but she wasn't afraid. Adrenaline poured through her veins, preparing her for battle. "And why am I so important?" He smiled, an oily, nasty smile. He leaned toward her, his body bathed in the death he relished. She fought down her repugnance, though she couldn't hide the wrinkling of her nose. "It's easy my dear. I needed virgins." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Three "What?" Cassie's voice cracked. She wasn't even going to ask what made him think she was a virgin. It wasn't like she wore it in a sign around her neck, and she wasn't some fifteen year old. These days it was uncommon for a virgin to be her age. "Virgins, my dear. Everyone knows you need virgins to sacrifice to Lucifer. He will not come otherwise." Lin looked at Cassie and mouthed one word: Certifiable. No doubt. The problem was, insane people were often the deadliest. Though it meant he hadn't grabbed them because of what they were, so their secret was still safe. "Let's go," he growled. He shoved her through a door and down stairs. In less than three minutes, they were in the very same sawdust surface she'd considered jumping to earlier. She inhaled. The sour scent of death and decay filtered through the air. The smell of dried blood turned Cassie's stomach, but the tigress within her roared her challenge, begging to rip apart those who held them hostage. Cassie fought to hold her beast back. Their captor shoved them to the center. The chanting ceased, and all was silent. Eyes stared at the young girls, and Cassie shivered. "Let the ceremony begin!" **** 22

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Lance struggled with his bonds. What kind of mess had he stepped into this time? He'd come here looking for Satanists. He'd found them. Or rather, they'd found him. He stood along side of the coliseum ring, his hands behind him, lashed to a pole. He'd just have to tell Aunt Jessie she was wrong. She'd read his Tarot cards for him this morning and insisted the Moon card was a good omen. She claimed it was a card of new possibilities, and imagination and growth. Room for growth would be great. That would mean he could release his hands, enabling him to live for the chance of new possibilities. His captors hadn't bothered to remove his coat when they'd dragged him into the ring, which was a good thing. The magick it held would protect him at least a little. The long coat was blessed by sacred water, plus was infused with protective magick. The trench could repel one single attack. Of course he never got lucky enough to have just one person attacking at any given time. He'd told his brother's the thing was useless, but they'd insisted it was something he would grow to depend upon. They'd probably laugh, and tease him for making mistakes. All four worked for the Government Control for Supernatural Activities, a department who kept an eye on everything unusual. His brothers had worked in the field for several years, while this was his first undercover operation. He'd come minimally prepared, a major error in his judgment. The police shield on his chest was just that: a shield to protect his heart, imbued with protective magick. Anyone who tried to 23

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remove it, or who tried to hurt him through the shield would be in for a shock. Literally. For the first time, his own protection meant nothing to him. Instead he watched the two women as they were dragged into the performance ring and were tossed to the sawdust unceremoniously. The women were as different as night and day. A tall, dark haired beauty with an Asian slant to her eyes. Beautiful and mysterious at once. While the other. She was breathtaking. Petite and delicate in every respect except the wild mass of hair. It was blond, with darkened streaks of orange. He'd never seen anything like it. If it was a dye job it was a hell of a good one. It reminded him of tiger stripes. The leader of the Satanists grabbed both women by their hair and yanked them to their knees. Neither so much as winced, though a single muscle ticked in the darker woman's cheek. The tiger striped blonde's gaze landed on Lance. His breath stopped. Her yellow eyes sparkled with fury. The strength he sensed inside her rippled across the distance between them. Her lack of fear was nerve wracking. It was as though she didn't understand the danger surrounding them. She held his gaze for long seconds before returning her attention to their captors. Lance watched one of the dark clothed lackeys light a bonfire in the center of the room. He glanced to the ceiling, wondering why the fire suppression system didn't go off. An altar sat in the shadow of the flames, waiting for what, God only knew. Then again, maybe Lucifer did. 24

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This was bad. Really bad. If he could get his hands free, he could perhaps help the girls, fight, do something. How did one release these damned plastic cuffs anyway? And why couldn't he remember his Latin to make up an incantation he could use? Chanting echoed through the building. Chanting. In Latin. The blood drained from his face. They were calling Satan's minions. He was right, this was not good. Of course. It was the twenty first of September. Samhain. It was a sacrifice. And unless he was mistaken, those two young women were the lambs. He struggled to lift his foot against the beam which held him fast. If he could just move the boot a little closer he could reach his knife. "Fellow believers, it is time." The chanting halted, followed by a low hum. Music. Great. Cheesy death music to go with everything else. He'd been told these guys were wannabes, but that made them even more dangerous than the real Satanists. "Tonight is the night we shall bring our lord, Lucifer into the world, the night the earth shall meet the darkness. And for this, we have three sacrifices." Three? Did he say three? His fingers closed over the knife, and he eased it from his boot. His grasp was tenuous, but he managed to slide open the blade and lock it into place. Then he sawed at the plastic. "Stop." The feminine voice rang out, echoing through the coliseum. Lance fumbled with the knife but caught it by the 25

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tip, the blade slicing his finger. He didn't need to look to know who spoke. Her voice was clear in his head, as though he'd heard her before. A sound as delicate as a young child, yet as powerful as the roar of a tiger. Now he knew he was losing it. Maybe his last incantation had backfired and fogged his brain. She had pulled herself as erect as possible for someone on their knees with their hands restrained. Her chin was raised, and her hair draped like a luxurious curtain, trailing to her waist. Her eyes sparkled in her fury, and he couldn't wait to see what she had to say. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Her breasts pushed forward, pressing against the light blouse she wore. Oh great, now he was a perv, noticing a woman's breasts when he should be trying to escape. Then again, it wasn't his fault she was gorgeous, was it? And she didn't want him to die. Talk about feeling warm and fuzzy inside. He frowned as he continued to saw at his plastic cuffs. No, she'd said she didn't want him to die for her. He didn't want to die. For her, or anyone else. "Let the male go," she said. The audience guffawed. Everyone but the master of ceremonies, the all-time evil being, dressed in black. Lance frowned. "Silence," the man roared. He moved toward the woman. "Why should he live?" "Why should he die?" she countered. "You said you wanted virgins. My guess is he doesn't qualify." 26

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Lance arched a brow. Good thinking. Now if he could come up with just as good of a reason why she should go free, they'd be in business. If their captor bought, off on it. The man in black met Lance's gaze. The shiver ran from the top of Lance's spine to his waist. Evil. He could sense dark malevolence from across the arena. For once he was confronted with a being as dark as his clothes. "I shall let him live," said the man, turning his attention to the striped blonde. "If you do as I ask." "Anything." "No!" The word was out of his mouth before he even thought. "Don't. There's no way to bargain with him." The entire arena echoed with his words. Every being within went dead silent. Every cell in his body urged her to withdraw the challenge to her captor. "I can take care of myself," he shouted. This time his words were met with laughter. Even the leader smiled vindictively as he regarded the woman. "You will fight to the death. If you win, he lives. If you die, he dies." Lance was sure he saw her smirk, before she nodded. "Very well." "And you shall fight the foe of my choice." Again she nodded. He stepped toward her, and Lance thought the man was going to hit her, but he instead glared into her eyes. Lance wondered if she could feel the evil he could sense from across the room. 27

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"Her," the man said at last. The woman whipped her blond head around to her friend, the same friend indicated by one long, bony finger. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Four Cassie stared in horror at her captor. Her blood ran cold. "You can't mean—" "One of you will die. If it is she, your man can go free. If it is you, all three of you will die here, tonight." She shook her head. "I can't do it. No!" A steel band of fear compressed around Cassie's ribs, robbing her of breath. How could he expect this of her? Make her choose between the life of an innocent and the life of her best friend? She looked around, wildly searching for someone, anyone, willing to step forward and stop this. None moved. "Cassie." At the sound of the soft voice, Cassie's gaze met her friend's. "No, Lin. We'll find another way." Her dark friend shook her head, tears in her eyes. "You know what will happen. If we take action, we reveal our secret." "And if you die, they'll know anyway." Lin leaned into Cassie and whispered. "This is our chance to escape. Trust me." "We can't do this, Lin. You know what will happen. I can't trade your life for a stranger's, and you can't ask me to." "Trust me," Lin whispered fervently. God, she hoped Lin had some kind of idea how to get out of this. Tears pouring down her cheeks, Cassie nodded. "Ok, but if you get hurt..." She could think of no alternative. Not a 29

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single thing. With so many humans around the only way to escape was to shift. Their secret must be preserved, and if she was forced to shift, she'd have no alternative but to kill all of the humans. Including the male tied to the pole. Why she was so bothered over his impending death was beyond her. Humans had never meant anything to her before. Why now? Cassie hardly felt the rough hands which freed her from her bindings, or when a weapon was thrust into her hands. A Manji Sai, from India—its three deadly prongs used for close quarter fighting. A similar weapon was handed to Lin. She recognized it from some of her early weapons training. Cassie worked her mind over the problem, discarding one option after another, though it was possible she could leap to the male and free him before they had to shift. Then, he could live. She and Lin could kill the rest; make it look like a wild animal attack. She didn't care if they died, so long as the man lived. "Do it," hissed her captor. He shoved her toward Lin, and the two women backed away from one another. They had sparred more times than she could count, so it would be easy to make it look like a real fight. **** Lance watched in horror as the women came at one another. Like two wild animals, they stalked, blades poised as the claws on a huge cat, ready to slash and cut. They couldn't mean to kill one another, did they? This had to be a trick. 30

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But it was frightening all the same. The blonde charged her friend, hissing like a caged tiger. The darker woman spun, and parried, a low growl escaping her throat. They fought for what felt like an eternity, moving closer and closer to him. He winced when the blonde was cut and blood poured from her arm. A surface wound, yet his lungs constricted at the sight. Their fight was beauty at its best. A horrifying, yet stunning deadly dance. One parried while the other thrust. One spun when the other charged. The blades flashed beneath the lights, the sounds of metal on metal, sliding, crashing, scraping. The audience cheered at every close call, every little cut. Both women were bloodied, but the wounds were skin deep. Scratches. Lance peered through the glaring light. They were skilled. More so than even he and his brothers. Their fighting was powerful and strong, yet had the precision of a seamstress threading the eye of a needle, locating the exact spot for the least damage, and nicking it. "Finish her," roared their captor. "Enough of this." He strode forward. His hand struck the Asian woman between the shoulders, knocking her off balance. She stumbled straight into blonde's blades. They pierced through the soft skin and sinew of her stomach. Blood gushed from the open wound. "No!" roared Cassie. **** Lin's pain poured into Cassie's soul. She grabbed her friend in her arms as she fell, easing her to the ground. This can't 31

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be happening! She couldn't lose her only friend. Lin's life's blood oozed from the belly wound. Shifting would save her, but their law forbade it in front of humans. "Do it, Lin. I don't care about the law. I'll take the punishment. Shift." Lin shook her head. "I can't. They'll kill us both." "They'll kill us both if you don't. Please, Lin, I can't lose you this way." "Save him," Lin whispered. "He's for you." Her eyes fluttered closed. Cassie's heart skipped a beat. Then another. Anger ripped through her fueled by pain. She spun to face her captor. "Let him go," she snarled. She didn't even try to hide the fury she knew glowed in her eyes. "Kill him!" The command echoed in her mind. Rage unlike anything she'd felt before ripped through her at the sound of betrayal. Her gums ached and her fingers stretched, claws forming at their tips. Dark and hungry, the tigress inside her roared out her fury. Cassie gave in. If they wanted death, then so be it. Power and light ripped through her body magically exploding cells and reshaping bones. In less than a second her petite, feminine body was replaced with the ferocity of a wild tigress. The great beast roared, free at last to voice her fierce rage. The humans closest to her stumbled back, shoving one another in their haste to escape. The scent of fear was like ambrosia, and the creature snarled. 32

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Her gaze rose to the male across the room. He'd freed himself from the pole, though his hands were still cuffed. A blade came forward, the wielder blocking her view. The man thrust the sword through his captive's body. He dropped to the ground on one knee. The beast her roared with fury. Pure red madness clouded the animal's vision. Pain so elemental it ripped through her, from her gut to her throat, shoving the once sweet temperament to the side, and only the tigress remained. The last vestige of the human control snapped. The sound echoed off the walls and rafters. She charged, starting with the human closest to her. Man after man fell beneath the power of her teeth and claws. Blood seeped over her tongue. The copper taste served to only enrage the beast even more. Panicked screams echoed in her ears. Screams which only hardened her resolve. At long last she reached him. Her captor, the man responsible for all the pain. He backed away shouting incomprehensible words. She didn't care. His life was forfeit. When he turned to run, she struck. Rearing, she tackled him, landing with her feet on his spine. The sound of bones cracking beneath her paws wasn't enough. She grabbed him by the back of the neck, spinning off him. Yanking him like a stuffed doll, she tossed him about, shaking his body, her teeth sinking deep, crushing his spinal cord. The rattle of his last breath sent a wash of satisfaction through the cat. She dropped the vile body to the floor, where it lay, still. She towered over her fallen foe and roared her victory. One glance told her all she needed to know. Dead. All dead. 33

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She cocked her head and listened. Two heartbeats echoed in her ears. Two. She moved first to Lin. The girl's heart was weak, but it still beat inside her. Cassie licked her cheek and the girl moaned. She needed help and she needed it fast. There was no doubting the blades had cut a major artery. By now the girl was so weak she wouldn't survive if she didn't feed after the first shift to her cat. A shift which had to happen soon. She lifted her head, listening. The second heartbeat came from the man. He was alive. Her spirits lifted, incomprehensible in the face of so much death. She stalked toward the still body of the human. Emotions she didn't recognize shot through her. Feelings she couldn't even name. Her body trembled, and her heart pounded in her chest as she approached. She sniffed. Despite the ocean of blood permeating the room, none was his. How? The great cat furrowed her brow as confusion rumbled through her mind. She'd seen it. She'd watched the blade cut through him. She pawed at him, and he didn't move. His eyes were closed. She pawed again. He opened one eye, then gave her a wan grin. Concern was replaced by anger. Less violent anger, and at the same time just as powerful as the fury she'd felt toward her captor. He was hers now, and she would need his help to save Lin. With one more glance to ensure they were safe, she let the change take her again. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Five The flash of light blinded Lance. The magick rolling over his skin was familiar. He may not be good at wizardry, but he understood the tingle of magick when he felt it. When the light faded, in place of the huge, angry tiger knelt a woman. Her pale body was nude, draped only in the golden striped hair which fell to her waist. He'd heard of shifters. Had always wondered if they really existed. Here she was, right before his eyes. God, was she beautiful. The fiery, angry tiger had ripped through the Satanists as though they were toy soldiers. The coliseum reeked of blood and gore. Yet it was difficult to associate the powerful beast with the ethereal beauty now at his side. She was short, though perfectly formed. Legs were long and feminine, driving home the image of her beneath him, legs wrapped around his waist. The delicate curve of her breast called to him. He itched to touch the soft globes, to palm them in his hands. He groaned. Talk about being in over his head! He struggled to focus on her face. An angry, yet beautiful face. Her lips were drawn in a tight frown. Her sweet forehead was furrowed in a grimace. No doubt about it, she was not happy. "Hi," he said. "Why did you pretend to be dead?" she demanded. "Best way to stay alive, I guess," he said as he clamored to his feet. 35

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She couldn't be more than five feet, and maybe two or three inches. So tiny for one so powerful. "You seemed to have everything pretty much under control, and I figured it was the safest way to get through." One delicate lip curled and he was surprised to see the ivory point of one very dangerous looking fang. He heard the soft hiss from her throat. And if he wasn't mistaken, he heard one word. "Coward." Ouch. That hurt. He was no coward, but when faced with a tigress in a killing rage, running rampant, what else could he have done? She spun on her heel and headed toward her friend. "I'll let you live if you help me." "Let me..." Of course she'd let him. Hell, she could do anything she wanted, and if she wanted him to die, he would die. So yes, she could very well mean let. He followed her to the darker woman. Blood soaked her jeans and shirt. The wound was deadly to a human and he wondered just how much blood a shifter could lose. As a member of the U.S. Government Control of Supernatural Activities, he knew shifters were thought to exist. He also knew they weren't invincible like the stories of old. This young woman looked in deep trouble. Lance stripped off his coat and handed it to the woman at his side. She took it without a word and put it on. The very idea his coat now touched her beautiful naked body was enough to make him hard. What the heck is wrong with me? 36

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A woman lay bleeding to death and all he could think of was sex. He struggled to focus on the needs at hand. "What do you need?" "Do you have a car?" she asked as she lifted the young woman as though she weighed no more than a kitten. "Uhmm, yeah." "Good. We'll take her to my house. I have meat there." Lance wanted to ask why meat was important but bit his lip. He might not want to know. Nodding, he moved to take the injured woman, only to be shoved away. He bit back a wince as his ribs crunched inside. "I'll carry her, you lead the way." He watched as she moved. All violence erased, replaced by unexpected soft, feminine gentleness. She carried the woman as though she were a feather pillow with an egg cushioned inside. He moved to lead the way when he caught the glimpse of orange fur on her arms. She'd done some sort of strange, partial shift. Now that wasn't in any of the old stories. It didn't take but a few minutes to reach his car and get the young woman situated in the back, lying across the seat. He had a Camry, and it was small. There was no room for the blonde to stay with her friend so she took the front passenger seat. "So what's your name?" asked Lance as he twisted the key and the ignition roared to life. She glanced at him, her gold eyes filled with worry over her friend. "Cassie Felidae," she answered distractedly. 37

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She gave him quick directions to her house, as he pressed the accelerator. The little Camry leapt forward. It may not be the fastest car in the world, but it always got him where he needed to go. Tonight he wished he had the speed the emergency deserved. It turned out she lived less than three miles from his apartment. And yet they'd never met. "I'm Lance. Lance Maxey." She nodded, her hands tense on the passenger handle as he swung the car onto the main road, the vehicle fishtailing as tires met gravel then pavement. "About what happened back there, we should call the police." She shook her head. "So they can do what? Come arrest me?" She glanced at his chest. "Or are you going to do that?" He whispered a curse and turned a corner into town. He'd forgotten about the costume he wore. He was undercover, dressed as a security guard. She'd mistaken the badge he wore as a police shield. "I'm not a cop." He stopped at a red light, his hand tapping the steering wheel in agitation. She arched her brow. "No, really. I'm security, but not a cop. Not like you're thinking." She nodded, the whites of her knuckles showing in the grip on the handle. "Do you have a cell phone? Those jerks took mine. I need to call for help." Cell phone. Damn. He could give it to her, should give it to her, but she'd be recorded. If anyone happened to catch on to 38

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what happened, and who was on his phone, neither of them would be safe. "Well?" He hesitated. The best bet would be to make sure she wasn't recorded. It was time to cash in a favor. "Yes, but before I give it to you, I have to make it secure. See..." He hesitated. How much should he tell her? "Yes?" What the hell. She'd already shared what he was sure was her deepest, darkest secret even if it was in desperation. Let you live. The words echoed in his mind. It wasn't like he had much to lose at this point. "I have to make it secure. This phone is ... well, it's recorded. Every call." Her eyes widened and he did his best to act nonchalant as he hit speed dial. The light changed and he slammed down on the gas pedal, the tires squealing as the little car sped forward. Communications answered on the first ring. "Jackson," "Lance, my boy! You still alive? What about those Satanists? They alive or dead?" "Just shut up and listen, Jackson. It's time to pay back that favor. Turn off the recording." They moved into traffic and he veered around a slow moving car. Teenagers on the road, cruising, their car vibrating with the bass of the music from their speakers. He cursed under his breath. "But—" 39

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"Do it," he ordered into the phone. "I'll be handing the phone to a friend. I don't want to find out later you recorded her call. And I don't want you listening in either." "But—" "Just do it. Please." Jackson must have heard the plea in Lance's voice, and acquiesced. The monitoring equipment clicked off in his ear. Lance handed the phone to Cassie. She dialed, then after a moment spoke into the phone, giving crisp instructions to a male on the other end. Lance could hear the man's voice, hear the concern in his words. When she was finished, she handed him his phone and he closed it and returned it to his pocket. "Your boyfriend?" She cut him a look which would have withered any other man, but not Lance. He needed to know. He'd examine the reason why it was so important later. "Well?" She sighed. "My father. Feel better?" He grinned, fighting to hide his relief. "Much." With a hard yank, he whipped the wheel to the right, turning down a side road. He almost lost control of the back end of the car, but he righted it with a sure hand. "So why is your phone set to be recorded? What are you really?" "I'm part of a group whose job is to keep things like what happened tonight, from happening." She frowned. "You weren't very successful, were you? What kind of group?" Lance wasn't quite sure if she meant the first question as rhetorical. "Normally we do better. Nobody expected this to 40

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happen now. We expected it at the winter solstice instead. That's what our informants told us." "Your informants were wrong." Yeah, he'd gathered. He shrugged. "It happens." "It happens to whom? What group, Lance Maxey?" This time he sighed. "I'm with a government organization that monitors supernatural activities." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Six Cassie felt the blood drain from her face, her ears ringing at the sudden change. He was with the GSA? The Government Control of Supernatural Activities? She was as good as dead. If she didn't kill him first. She whirled around and glanced at Lin. Thank heaven there was no change there. She had to do something. She was leading him straight to her house. "Don't worry. I won't tell them about you." His voice was sure and comforting. "And why should I believe you. You're a GSA cop?" "So you've heard of us?" "I've heard of the killings done in their name. Killings of innocent shifters." He shook his head. "You're wrong. We don't even have documented proof shifters exist. That's why I kept your call quiet." His fingers tightened over the steering wheel in the car. "I know what I've heard, Lance. Your group is full of murderers." He glanced at her then back to the road. "Murderers?" "Yes. My cousin and her son. They killed them." "You have proof of this?" She snorted, a sound so unlike the beauty beside him. "If I had proof the shifters would have made sure you'd be the ones who were dead." 42

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The venom in her words caught him by surprise. He knew his job was different than most, and even suspected if they knew about her she'd become a science experiment. That was the human way, like it or not, but murder? "You saved my life today. I'm not about to turn you over so you become some sort of science experiment. They'd stalk you day and night just to see what you could do. Nuh uh. No way. I can't do that to you." There was no prevarication showing in his scent. Cassie relaxed the tense muscles in her belly. If ever there was a time she didn't need to run into the GSA it was while Lin lay unconscious in the back of a car. With a peek from the corner of her eye, she examined Lance. He was quite handsome for a human. His blonde hair and blue eyes added to the allure. One lock of hair fell to the side, and in his frustration with traffic he didn't notice it. Her hand moved entirely of its own accord, brushing it into place. His eyes widened but he didn't move. Soft. His hair was so soft. Much more than she expected. She shook her head, struggling to focus on tonight's danger instead of the man beside her. "Turn right," she said. "Where?" "Here," she cried, and he turned the little Camry on a dime. She slid to the left, her body careening toward his. If it weren't for the seatbelt, she'd have ended up in his lap. She glanced over her shoulder at Lin again. The young woman hadn't awakened, though she had slid closer to the driver's side door. Her breathing was even and regular. The 43

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bleeding had slowed. Thank heaven shifters healed quickly, otherwise she'd be dead by now. The artery must have healed over, at least most of the way. The next most important thing would be food. Raw meat was needed to speed up the rest of the healing. She swiveled forward and caught Lance staring. She followed his gaze down toward her lap. The coat had opened, leaving her body bare to his view. Again. With a yank she closed the coat and glared at him. His eyes were dark, and his scent filled the car with his sensual hunger. He was turned on. Oh great. Just what she needed to end this day. He'd seen what she was, seen what she could do, and instead of being repulsed like most humans, he was busy looking at her body. The strange part was how her body answered. Pure, unadulterated lust poured through her. She struggled to remember her friend lay bleeding in the back seat. The scent of blood, the adrenaline from the fight, it was all coming down in one horribly erotic sensation. She'd never killed. Not like tonight. The animal inside her rejoiced, aroused by the blood lust. Heated blood rushed through her body, matching her scent to the man's. Hunger for something more than meat. Hunger for sex. She glanced at her friend again. Lin's eyes were open. A good sign. Cassie gave her a watery smile, fighting to hide the guilt for her sudden descent into the sensual images. "We're almost there Linny." She used Lin's childhood nickname. 44

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Lance caught her eye. "You said this is it, right? This is the road?" She nodded. Her emotions were ragged and confused. One instant she wanted him, like nothing she'd ever felt before. The next she was tired and tearful. The stress of the day was taking a toll on her emotions and body. It was the only answer which made any sense. "Right there," she said softly, nodding toward her house. It was a small two-story home, crammed between two others. He parallel parked in front, and turned off the ignition and handed her his keys. She pocketed them and he gave her an appraising look then got out. Without a word, he opened the rear door and lifted Lin out of the car. Cassie moved to take over, but he shook his head. "You go open the door. I'm not a weakling just because I'm human." She nodded, tears stinging in her eyes at his sharp retort. She whirled, not wanting him to see the flash of pain. An emotional train wreck. What the heck was wrong with her? With a frustrated sigh, she kicked over the plant at the front door and retrieved her spare key. Something her father fussed about, always afraid someone would find it and break into her house. Today it came in handy. At least one argument was vindicated. She opened the door, grimacing when the hinge complained loudly, just as Lance brought Lin inside. "Where to?" 45

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She motioned to a small hallway. He walked, oblivious to the darkness. He had excellent vision for a human, because she didn't turn on any lights. "Which room?" "The first one. I'm going to get her some food." He disappeared into the darkness, carrying her best friend as Cassie opened the freezer. How could she leave him alone with Lin? Yet every time she thought about his help, she felt an insane desire to trust him. As though he radiated pure comfort. She shook her head and returned her attention to her task. The meat would be more appetizing if it were warm instead of frozen, so she popped it in the microwave, then leaned on the stove. Every muscle inside her ached. Not because of the change. The change never caused pain. It was grief. Anguish for all those who lost their lives at the sharp edge of her claw or her piercing fangs. Tears ran down her cheeks unchecked. She'd killed. Over and over again. How was she supposed to live with herself? She'd almost killed her best friend. Maybe even had. Guilt rippled through her in massive waves, coaxing more tears to flow from her eyes. The microwave beeped but before she could move, strong masculine arms wrapped around her. "It's ok." Her humiliation was complete. A human now comforted a shifter. A race her family always believed didn't care one bit about the well being of others. Heat rose which had nothing 46

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to do with sensual thoughts. She had not blushed like this since she was a child. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Seven Lance held her tight and when her muscles tensed, he nuzzled her hair. She smelled so good. Wildness, yet tinged with the delicate sweetness of a lily. He wanted to see her, to ease the pain he knew would be in her face. He turned her to face him. Her gold eyes met his, filled with emotion and tears. He'd never seen eyes like hers. Just before she'd shifted, they were so yellow, and now, golden. Deep and dark like honey. One tear trailed down her cheek, and she buried her face in his shirt. "It's ok to cry," he whispered. "It's been a tough night." "You don't understand," she choked out. "I do." He met her eyes. "You killed. You feel like you almost killed your best friend. I've even been there, Cassie. I've been there. I know how much it hurts." He had been there. He'd been with the division for three long years, during which he'd seen a lot of death. She burst into tears again and he wrapped her in his arms again. "You did what you had to do. You saved both of your lives. All of our lives. I might have escaped, but it wouldn't have been easy. Not with them trying to use me against you. If anyone is to blame, Cassie, it's me. If I hadn't been there, you would have shifted and run." The sobs stopped, and when he tipped her face to his, she refused to meet his eyes. 48

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"That's it. Isn't it baby? You would have run. But you wouldn't leave me. I don't understand why, Cassie, but thank you." "I don't understand either," she whispered. "I couldn't..." "You couldn't what?" "I couldn't let them kill you." Her voice was soft. Even with his extraordinary hearing, he could barely make out her words. "Look at me." At first she ignored him but when he held her chin with a firm hand, and she met his eyes. "Why?" Her lids fluttered closed, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know," she said at last. His heart melted. She wasn't a strange and beautiful creature. She was something else. Something sweet and honest, and very female. Her simple response tore at his heart. Inside she was pure innocence. Shifter or not, he wanted to comfort her, to hold her. He wanted to see her tears dried, and a smile on those lovely lips. The one thing which would put a smile on her face was knowing her friend was ok. "Go see to Lin. She needs you. I couldn't talk her into shifting with me in the room." She nodded, and took the plate of beef from the microwave. Lance watched her go. Her hips swayed beneath his coat, and he could just make out their curve beneath the leather. The GSA. Damned job. It was his responsibility to report what he'd found, but he couldn't do it. He'd wanted to 49

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remember his job, to remember his oath to protect humans above all. Yet when the chips were down, he hadn't even considered trying to save those men. Human or not, they were evil personified. The oath was wrong. It had to be. It should say to protect the innocent. Not humans. For humans were rarely innocent in the world of the supernatural. Small groups of men and women fed on the fears of others, terrorizing all those who entered their path. The GSA had been formed in all innocence, designed to protect the human race from what they feared most. Creatures which shouldn't exist. Demons. Vampires, and if rumor was truth, as he now knew it was, shifters. The GSA seemed blind to one truth. Tonight the innocents were not human, though the evil was. Shapeshifters. The word whispered through his mind. If he hadn't seen her shift he wouldn't have believed. For the first time he was seeing the GSA through different eyes. Through beautiful golden eyes. It wasn't long before Lance heard the sound of hissing and a large cat growl. Lin must have shifted. Curiosity ate at him and he wondered what kind of cat she was. Her loud roar told him she was definitely a large cat, though he couldn't determine the type. Not a tiger. While her roar was enough to send shivers down his spine, he couldn't picture the high whine from a beast as large and as powerful as Cassie had become. **** 50

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Cassie smiled at Lin who lay stretched on the bed in her leopard form. The great black cat stretched on the bed, her claws arcing as muscles extended, easing the pain caused by the cramped confines of a damaged human body "I can't believe I almost lost you." The cat groaned her response and stumbled to the plate of meat. It wasn't much, just enough to get the healing process started. It didn't take long before the cat finished and licked her lips. "Lin, I don't know what's wrong with me. I brought him here, and I know he's dangerous. Daddy's gonna kill me." The cat roared, but Cassie knew Lin wasn't strong enough to shift back and communicate. Not yet anyway. "I'm going to take a shower. You get some rest." Cassie grabbed some clothes and ran for the bathroom. She was never going to be able to forget the horror of tonight. Tears were already streaking down her cheeks. The scent of the blood haunted her. Animal blood was one thing, but this was human. Weaker in scent, yet the taste had been powerful. Almost drugging. She could still taste the coppery liquid on her tongue even in human form. Lance thought she did the right thing, but she wasn't so sure. She let the water pound over her body, washing away the remnants of tonight's fight. Her hands grabbed the shower puff and poured liquid soap. She scrubbed until it hurt. The shower fell like rain over her head, rinsing her face of the salt of her tears, but not her pain. Not her guilt.

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A sob escaped her throat and she threw the cleansing puff to the bottom of the tub, and collapsed beneath the pounding water, her hands holding her head. Life would never be the same. She would never be the same. The sounds of the men's terrified and pained screams echoed in her mind. She played each death over in her head, wondering what she could have done different. Each time, she came to the same conclusion. Lance. Every time her memories moved to the end, she saw him alive, breathing, and maybe even a little cocky about it. While the rest of the humans had run screaming, he'd simply moved to the floor and covered his head. Had she been wild, she wouldn't have touched him. Smart. Very smart. If he wasn't GSA... Stop it right there. If he wasn't GSA what? He was human. A man who knew a secret he shouldn't know. He was also a man who'd been careful with her secret. When he'd made the cell call, he'd called in a favor with the man he'd called Jackson. To protect her. Surely that meant something? **** Lance stared out the sliding glass door overlooking the back yard. Coming face to face with the GSA and finding it lacking was disconcerting. He'd wanted all his life to be a part of this company. To join his brothers and father in the tradition of service. Now he didn't know what he wanted. Images of a beautiful woman with long blond hair and soft curves interrupted him, refusing to let his mind focus on his job. Cassie. She had pulled away from him as if she'd been 52

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disgusted by his touch. He was too human for her he supposed. Yet still, he wanted to comfort her. After she'd fed her friend, she'd run to the bathroom and he'd heard the sound of the water, but the shower couldn't hide the sounds of the sobs which rent her body. And they were tearing a hole in his heart. She was in pain. He'd always thought if shifters really existed, they were more animal than human, that their instincts drove them to live quiet lives in the woods, living in animal form. He'd assumed they didn't feel emotional conflict the way a human would. He'd never been more wrong. Cassie had both a cat's instincts and a woman's emotions. She had killed to protect herself and him, and now she was in there crying, desolate at the loss of life. Just like a human woman. He wanted to comfort her, but she wanted to be alone. At long last the sobs ended, and he sighed. He stared out the window into the darkened night. The only sound was that of insects from outside, and softly falling rain. He closed his eyes and his mind reached out, feeling the energy of the night. A sound whispered behind him and he spun. Cassie. Steel bands tightened around his lungs, stealing his ability to breathe. She wore a floor length shift of some kind. Its gauzy material floated behind her, reminding him of fairy wings. While the garment had practical purposes he was sure, it served to enhance her femininity. His hands itched to feel the material, to caress the body beneath. 53

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Heat shot straight through his body. He forced himself to breathe through his nose as he stared at the vision of loveliness before him. The hint of a soft curve at her waist and the shadow of blond hair at the "v" of her thighs captured his attention. Taut nipples poked through the light material giving him just the barest outline of the soft mounds his hands ached to touch. She raised her chin the instant she saw him, her eyes flashing. Never before had he seen anyone so beautiful. "What?" The sharp tone in her voice caught him off guard. He'd offended her. "I was thinking how beautiful you are." One brow arched in surprised disbelief. "Don't try to lie to me, I'll know." Lance hid a smile behind his hand as he scrubbed his chin. "Trust me, Kitty cat, I was not lying." "With this hair?" she scoffed. "Are you insane? I haven't met a human yet who liked it. They always think I dye it to be more goth or something." "Do you?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Was it possible she really didn't see her own beauty? "No," she smiled sheepishly. "Though I did once try to dye it all one color, and when I shifted it went back to the striping." Lance laughed and walked toward her. His first goal achieved. A smile on the beautiful lips. It did exactly what he hoped, lighting her up from the inside out. "What's it like?" 54

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She cocked her head, her brows furrowed. "What's what like?" "Being, you know ... a shifter." She smirked. "Give me one good reason why I should share my secrets with you." He laughed, clutching his chest. "Ouch, straight to the heart." She grinned and he relaxed. He had an idea of how to make her open up. "Tell you what, you ask about me, and I'll tell you whatever you want to know." With a plop she landed on the sofa and motioned to a chair, and he sat. Her lips curved into a soft smile. "Ok, let's see. Tell me about your family." "An easy one. I have three brothers and one sister. I'm the youngest." She arched a brow. "The baby in the family?" He grimaced. "Please, I get enough of that from home." Her laughter filled the room, rippling up his spine. It was soft and feminine, yet powerful. She didn't hold back, but just let loose. His heart thudded in response. If he didn't know better he'd think he'd fallen in love. Lust was more like it. Full blown lust. Something he'd promised to avoid. Well, not really, but something he'd definitely avoided for the last three years. With the sweet echoes of her laughter, it was as if those three years had gone up in smoke. He adjusted in his seat. "And what do these brothers of yours do?" 55

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He shrugged. "The same as me. In fact, tonight was to be my 'coming out' so to speak. It was my first chance to work alone." He frowned. "Guess that didn't go so well. So what was it like? Growing up as a shifter?" It was her turn to look uncomfortable. She shrugged and bit her lip before replying. "It's hard to say, since I can't really compare to what your life was like. I can say tell you human children are cruel. Much crueler than any tiger cub." "How so?" She ducked her head and the golden locks fell forward, hiding her face. When she spoke, her voice was wistful. "Just the way they are. They search for weaknesses and flaunt them for others. In our world, we strive to hide one another's weaknesses as cubs. There's no reason to point out something that's going to change as we age." "Give me an example." She didn't speak for a long time, and he thought he'd made a mistake. The silence was long and deafening. Her fingers played with her gown, twisting the gauzy material, pulling it taut across her thighs. "Lin is quiet. She isn't afraid or anything, just quiet. We were taught not to socialize with the other kids, but she's so tall, and so different they wanted to either be her friend, or be her worst nightmare." He nodded. "You stood up for her, then." She shook her head and lifted her eyes to meet his, the golden strands falling away from her cheeks. "No," she said with a small smile. "I didn't have to. Lin's no pushover, though they thought she was. She's the quiet type, until she's 56

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not." She smiled for a second, then grew serious. "They'd taunt and taunt until she snapped. Usually I had to step between before she..." "Before what?" "Before she lost control and shifted in front of them." Lance arched a brow in disbelief. From the little he'd seen of Lin, she seemed like the self-sacrificing type, not someone to lose her temper. He'd watched her step forward when it was time to fight, and literally prepared herself to die. "Huh. Now see, I thought that would be more your thing." "Losing control?" she snarled. He laughed. "Don't get me wrong, Kitty cat. A temper is a good thing. Especially in a fight. No, I just figured when you were younger it was you who was the one they taunted, being shorter than most. And I guessed she'd be the peacemaker." This time she smirked. "Think you're a good judge of character do you?" "Maybe. Then again," he said, standing up and moving toward her. "Maybe I just remember the sight of that beautiful tigress standing over me, her fangs flashing in the night." He grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. She didn't struggle. "Her righteous anger as she shook the rafters with her roars." She blushed. "You shouldn't have seen that." "Why not?" "Because..." "Shift for me, now." 57

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She sidled away, the soft silk floating through the air. "You already saw that." He wrapped his fingers around her forearm, and tugged her toward him. "Yes, and I want to see it again. Without my hands covering my head." Her eyes hardened. "Yes, why is that? And how is it you're still alive? I saw them stab you." He shrugged. "I'll tell you, all about me. I'm surprised you didn't ask earlier. But you have to promise to keep it secret." She choked back her laugh, and he smiled. For the first time he was going to tell a woman the truth the night he met her. He took a deep breath. "See, I'm not human either." **** "What?" Cassie nostrils widened, taking in his scent. "You're not a shifter." "No, I'm not." "You smell human." "True, and in most ways I am human. But not in the way it counted tonight." "And how were you not human tonight?" "I'm a wizard." Cassie's first thought was of Harry Potter. Then Merlin. Images of old men and young boys. Somehow they didn't jive with the handsome man before her. He was all man. Even in the clothes he wore she could tell he was powerful and strong. He dripped with masculine pheromones. "A Wizard? Today? For real?" 58

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"Yes, but, I'm afraid I'm not a very good one." He grinned sheepishly. "I was so distracted during the fight I couldn't come up with a single incantation to get free faster than I did. So I was stuck there, like a goose on Christmas morning." She laughed at the image. "But wizards can't heal wounds." "True. But my coat has special properties to it. It let the knife travel through me, unharmed. You shoulda seen the guy's face when there wasn't any blood. But then you roared and well, the rest is history." Unharmed? Shame rushed into her with vicious speed. "You mean," she whispered, tears stung her eyes, "I killed all those people for no reason?" His eyes widened and he rubbed his chin. "You killed people who were trying to kill you and Lin, and me too. If you let them live, they would have just killed someone else. Besides, there's no predicting what could have happened if you hadn't shifted. There were an awful lot of them." He was right and while her head agreed, her heart fought a valiant argument. Images of blood gushing from wounds flashed before her eyes. She could taste it, smell it. It still clung to her skin even after her shower, burned her mouth even after brushing her teeth. "Lin's going to need more meat." "I can run to the store for you. Just tell me where to go." She shook her head. "Later." She couldn't let him leave. Not until her father told her what to do. She had standing orders. Kill any human who knew her secret. If he wasn't lying to her, he wasn't human. She widened her nostrils and 59

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scented the air surrounding him. There was no scent of a lie. Maybe he was safe. Would her father see it that way? God, she hoped so. She didn't want him to die. For the first time in her life she was drawn to a male of any species. She'd gone into heat once, years before, but not anything since. Her parents insisted that would change, in time. It hadn't. She'd been left with no physical desire for any male. Therefore she'd been left a virgin. Now, standing before Lance, she couldn't stop wondering how he would taste and what his hands would feel like against her skin. She ignored the tremor of desire running down her spine. "So," she said, a smirk on her lips. "You weren't a virgin, were you?" He tipped his head back and laughed. It rolled from his chest into the air between them, vibrating through her body when it reached her. "No, I'm not a virgin." His smile was contagious and she laughed too. She noticed he was too much of a gentleman to ask her if she was. He was so handsome when he smiled. He had a single dimple on the left side of his face, which showed only when he grinned. Her fingers itched to touch it, to see if he felt as warm and inviting as he looked. As a tigress, he'd let her touch him, she'd bet. As a tigress, he'd probably touch her out of curiosity and maybe even a little fear. Her heart spiked. She shouldn't want to touch him, or to be touched for that matter. He had asked to see her in tigress form. Then again, if her father chose to kill him, it would be his only chance to see her as she really was. 60

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She couldn't decide. Instincts battled inside her. She wanted more than anything to give him what he asked. To do so was dangerous, and was against everything she'd always been taught. Her skin was too tight, and her body itched. Tiny ripples of energy moved over her skin like water. Her body wanted to shift. Her heart lurched, and she swallowed the twinge of fear which caught in her throat. Just thinking about shifting wouldn't bring her this close to a change. Yet, her tigress roared with the desire to escape, to feel this man's hand as he touched her fur. She rubbed her arms, then let her hands drop. "What is it?" It was as though he sensed her internal battle and confusion. His hands gripped hers and their gaze met, and it felt as if he could see her soul. Cassie struggled for control. She wanted to pull her hands away, but her body refused. She couldn't fight the knowledge echoing in her mind. He was more than just a man to her, and that thought scared her to her very core. Her tigress screamed for release, fighting against her control. "I don't know. I feel ... I feel like I have the urge to shift." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eight The last time Cassie had felt the urge to shift this strong was her very first time. Like all tiger shifters, the first shift happened around five or six, and it was usually the only time the urge to change overwhelmed human instincts. It's why shifter parents keep their children away from humans until they are older. She'd shifted at home with no one to see her, peaceful and safe. Today, all she wanted to do was turn into the cat and curl up with Lance, let him stroke her fur and tease her belly. All things which would only lead to danger. She sneezed, trying to shake the unbearable sensations, but it made matters worse. When she breathed in, all she could find was his scent. It rolled through her, dragging her more and more under his spell. To shift in front of a human was unacceptable. It was wrong. Yet every instinct of self preservation was skewed where he was concerned. "It's ok, Cassie. Shift. I won't run screaming from the room." She jerked her gaze to his. "I want to see you shift anyway. Remember?" Spell. Something about the word. Magick! Had he done this? Used his magick? "Is thissss some kind of Wizzardry causing this?" Her breath came in gasps, and her voice already was turning to a hiss. 62

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His eyes widened in horror at the accusation. "No Cassie. I promise. I'm not doing anything. I don't know what's happening, but if you need to shift, just let it go. I promise this is between you and me." She sneezed again. Pheromones leaked into her blood, pouring the strong, masculine scent into her body. It called her to give in, to relax and let instinct take over. He would protect her. That was silly, the idea of a human male protecting her. Yet she felt it, right down to her toes. At long last the battle was lost. She couldn't fight the urges any longer and instinct won out. With her last fully human thought she ripped the gown over her head, and then the tigress inside grabbed her, roaring, taking charge. The flash of light bounced off the darkened windows brightening the room. Lance didn't move, but his eyes followed her every motion. The flash blinded him and he blinked. When his eyes opened, in Cassie's place stood the magnificent beast. The beautiful gold and black stripes of the tiger matched her wild mane of hair with precision. The size of the animal was amazing. He didn't need his memories to tell him she could kill with the sweep of one great claw. The proof was right there in the width of her paw, the length of her fangs. It was hard to believe the petite beauty he knew as Cassie was this huge tiger. She chuffed and moved forward. He'd never heard such a sound in person. A blend of growling and purring. Pure magick. The sound vibrated up his spine the way a kettle drum vibrated through an empty room. 63

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Lance forced himself to sit on the couch. He wasn't sure if he was afraid, wary, or curious. All three emotions bounced around inside him. He watched her sniff the air and knew she could tell what he was thinking, just by his scent. "You have to admit, Cassie, you are pretty big. Especially up close with my eyes open." She snorted, and circled the couch, moving toward him. For a split second he wondered if this was what her wild prey felt as she stalked. When she reached him, he held out one hand, surprised to see it was steady. He stroked her back and watched as the muscles rippled beneath his palm. He moved forward and touched the huge head. The fur beneath his hand was soft. Softer than he'd expected. Like a house cat. Yet she was definitely no house cat. She stood still as he examined her. Powerful muscles lay beneath her beautiful coat. Muscles which could rip a man apart, or carry a wounded friend. "You're beautiful, Cassie. Just beautiful." She chuffed again. He moved from the couch and knelt on the floor, his hands touching her everywhere he could reach. She was at least seven feet long, from nose to hips. She nudged him with her large head, and he toppled over. He laughed. He couldn't believe he was letting a three hundred pound tiger play with him without being afraid. She followed, pushing him to the floor, then lying down beside him, one great paw holding him down. "Better watch it, toots." She eyed him, as though to say "what?" 64

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"Keep that up and I'll grab the tigress by the tail." Feminine laughter sounded in his head. He jerked his eyes to hers. "Did you do that? Laugh in my head?" If a tigress could look surprised, she did. Her eyes widened and she shook her head. I laughed? "There it is again," he whispered in awe. Who'd have guessed shifters were telepathic. She sat upright and moved away from him, circling the couch. When she got out of eyesight, the flash filled the room again, and he saw one tiny hand reach for her shift. When she stood, she was dressed. "You heard me?" she squeaked. "Yeah, it was ... Nice." Cassie stared at him, her body numb. Nobody had ever heard her in their mind before. Her parents sometimes heard each other, but it was considered very rare, yet this male human had heard her. Ok, wizard, but he was still human. He stared at her, his eyes caressing every inch of her body. Heat burned inside her, arousing hungers she'd only dreamed of. How did he do it? How did he awake parts of her no other shifter had touched? "Your tigress is beautiful, Cassie. As beautiful as you are right now." He took her hand and tugged her toward him. She shouldn't be doing this. Cassie stared at his fingers, how they wrapped through hers. They were warm and powerful. Strength emanated from them, and she could feel them not just on her hand, but tightening around her heart. Almost as 65

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though he reached right inside her and tugged her heart along with her body. She struggled with the warring thoughts inside her. This sudden, all encompassing heat fought with the knowledge that when her father got here, he would take over. The chances were, Lance wouldn't live to see the sunrise. Her heart rebelled, cursing her for believing in the impossible. He would live. He had to live. It was hard to think with this strong, warm male pulling her into his arms. They wrapped around her with practiced ease. Alarms went off in her head. She pushed back. "You just want me because you think I'm a virgin." "Do I?" he murmured. His lips were almost on hers now. She could feel his breath, his scent wrapping around her, cocooning her in his masculinity. "Do you what?" He smiled. "Do I think you're a virgin?" "But..." "Cassie, maybe I just want you because you're you." His words whispered against her lips. So hot and inviting. "I don't think—" "Perfect," he said. "Don't." He closed the last excruciating inch to her lips. He was slow. His mouth was hot, burning her lips with his touch, yet so soft. Instincts reared to the surface, and she moaned, arching into him, molding her body to his. She needed to stop this, but she couldn't. 66

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He tasted like pure male, wild and hungry, and the kiss intensified. His mouth crushed hers, feeding from her, like a beast in the jungle. His arms tightened around her, dragging her flush against his hard body. Sensations whirled through Cassie's mind and heart. Her head swam and darkness threatened the edges of her consciousness. She'd never been kissed like this. Not with such overwhelming passion. Never had her body exploded with such liquid heat. The tigress shifted inside her, moaning along with Cassie with hunger. Heat burned lower, deeper inside her body. A dull, empty ache throbbed. Skin tightened and unable to resist, she moved against him. The hard ridge of his desire rubbed against her soft belly, heightening her need. She wanted. For the first time in her life, she hungered for a man. This man. This human. The scent of their mingled desire wrapped around them like unseen ties, binding them together. He groaned, hungrily into her mouth. This was no weak human who held her. His arms were strong and powerful, and he devoured her with masterful strokes of his tongue, taking all of her, feeding her in return. Her hands slid to his shoulders, and into his hair. He had such gorgeous, thick blond hair. Her fingers trailed through it, relishing the soft locks. So like a shifter's hair, silky and smooth. A finger teased her breast, and her body trembled. With each masterful touch of his hand, each sweep of his tongue she tumbled faster and faster into the abyss of desire. 67

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Lance couldn't believe he could hold such a beautiful creature in his arms. She was so delicate in her human form. So feminine and soft. Her body was so hot and sweet, melting against his every curve, her breasts pressed hard against his chest. Hunger exploded within him. He groaned and thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth. She tasted so perfect, like cinnamon with just a hint of sweet. The sharp flavor of her essence drove him mad, pushing him to the limits of his control. The exotic scent of her teased his senses and his body ached with the need of her. A door slammed, but Lance barely noticed it. Cassie nipped Lance's lip and he groaned, his body shaking in response. She smiled against his mouth. By God, she felt right. Tasted right. "What the hell is going on here?" [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Nine Cassie jumped, twisting from Lance's arms to meet the new arrival. "Uhm, hi Daddy," she squeaked, a blush reddening her pale cheeks. "Daddy?" said Lance, looking at the man who stood in the living room. He was huge. How a woman so tiny could have come from this monster of a man was beyond Lance's comprehension. He had to be at least 6'3, and weigh 300lbs. All of it muscle. "Don't you Daddy me, young lady. In your room. Now." "But—" "Now!" he roared. "Just one minute," growled Lance, stepping between them. "You may be her father, but she's an adult, and no one is going to talk to her that way." The man speared Lance with his eyes. "And just who the hell do you think you are?" "Lance Maxey, sir." He groaned inwardly. He'd just called this beast of a man sir! He didn't even call his own father sir. "Well, Lance Maxey, I'll talk to my daughter as I see fit, and you'll sit your ass down in that chair until I'm done." Cassie gave him one last look, her eyes wide, glistening with unshed tears, and she whispered in his mind "I'm sorry." She covered her face with her hands and ran for the bedroom. 69

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Anger rocked Lance. Seeing her cry, seeing her give in without a fight to this monster of a man was enough to make him reckless. "Not if you're going to shout at her, I'm not sitting down. I won't have her bullied by you, or anyone else." Cassie's father looked at Lance, his dark eyes flashing their fury. The male shifter looked as though he was readying for his next meal, his lip curled into a snarl, but it was too late to back down now. "I'll treat her with the respect she deserves, don't you worry." The man didn't even introduce himself, just strode after his daughter. Lance sat on the couch, stunned. The look on Cassie's face played through his mind. It wasn't the look of a chastised daughter. It was the look of a woman who thought she'd never see a man again. The whisper of the apology in his mind was a goodbye. He knew it deep in his bones, and he wouldn't let that happen. Father or no father. Lanced turned his mind inward, focused, and listened. He'd told Cassie he was a wizard, but she hadn't asked what his talents were. One was he could hear as well as any animal. Despite the hushed voices in the back room, he could hear every word. "What did you think you were doing?" "Daddy, please, settle down." "Does he know what you are?" "Yes." The tone in Cassie's voice sounded miserable, as though his knowledge was the worst thing on earth. "Then he dies." Maybe it was the worst thing on earth. 70

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"But, Daddy," "No, kitten. You know the rules. He dies." "I know the rules, Daddy, it's why he's still here." Lance leapt from the couch. They wanted to kill him. Cassie had kept him here with the intention of letting Daddy take care of him so she didn't have to. Anger ripped through what little dignity he had left. He searched, but his coat was still in the back. Along with his car keys. Damn it. It didn't matter. He wasn't about to stand around and wait for dear ol' dad to come out with teeth and claws bared. The front door was right there. He moved toward it before he remembered the squeaky hinge when they'd brought Lin in. They'd know he was leaving. He glanced at the sliding glass door to the balcony. He looked out. The house was built on the slope, and the balcony was as high as a second floor. It would have to do. He slid the door open as soundless as possible, then headed outside. The cold air hit him fast and hard. That was just too bad. Living was more important than being warm right now. He climbed over the railing and dropped to the ground, then took off at a jog, staying on the soft grass to avoid making noise. How could she do this? Cassie's betrayal burned deep inside him. She hadn't known him very long, but he'd thought her innocence, as well as her reaction to him was honest. Could a shifter fake that kind of attraction? 71

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Drizzle fell from the sky. Temperatures were falling and he was outside in the middle of fall in downtown, jogging. He'd be lucky if he didn't end up arrested. **** Inside the house, Cassie stared at her father. "I won't let you kill him." "Why not? This better be good." "He's not human. He's..." "He's what?" "A wizard. So there's no reason to kill him." Her dad guffawed, and for the first time in her life she had the urge to commit violence against her own father. His laughter after pronouncing Lance's death sentence was just too much for her to bear. She growled low in her throat. Her father's laughter silenced, and he snarled in return. His brows furrowed in surprise. "Now give me the real reason, Cassie. What was happening when I walked in here?" Cassie felt her blush rise all the way from her toes. "I was kissing him." She'd never lied to her father, and she couldn't start now, no matter how much they argued. Besides, he'd caught her red handed. "Why?" She yanked her head up and glared at him. "Why? Why do you think?" "You just met this male. Why were you kissing him?" She shook her head. "I ... I couldn't stop myself." "You liked it." It wasn't a question. She nodded her agreement regardless. 72

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"And when he touched you, Cassie—" "Daddy! Stop!" She spun away with her hands over her ears. This wasn't happening. Her father wasn't giving her the third degree about what she felt when a man touched her. "This is important, Kitten. When he touched you, how did you feel? Did you want to stop him?" "No." "And when you first met him, what did you feel?" She bit her lip. Trust. The word sang through her veins and into her heart. "I thought how I could trust him. Then I thought how I didn't want him to die for me. He can hear me in his head, Daddy." Her father gave her a baleful stare. She sniffed, determined to figure out what he was thinking, but he was masking his scent, something only the strongest of their kind could do. "And if I kill him? What will you feel then, Kitten?" His voice was quiet, yet it sent a shiver down her spine. Her heart pounded hard in her chest. He didn't offer to help her, he didn't ask for excuses. Her dad only asked for her honest response. Yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't give him the right answer. Not with grief stabbing her heart like a dagger. "It would be like killing me too," she whispered. "Why do you think that is?" "I don't know," she wailed, her hands flailing. "He's human. I shouldn't care, I shouldn't feel anything." Tears ran freely down her cheeks now. Besides, her father would kill Lance, no matter what she thought. 73

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Her father tried to pull her into his embrace, but she pulled away and folded her arms, huddling into herself. "If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it." Awe filled his voice and Cassie spun to look at her father. "What?" "You found your True Mate, Kitten." Cassie stared at her father, shock trickling down her spine. "True Mate?" He nodded, and a huge grin spread across his face. "My baby girl has found a mate." For a minute she couldn't speak. She licked her lips and tried again. "Daddy, I don't think Lance will appreciate your sense of humor." He laughed. "Of course he won't, Kitten. He isn't a shifter, and doesn't know the history. But True Mates are rare. Heck, if I found my True Mate—" "Daddy!" "It's true." Lin's voice came from the doorway, soft and tired, but otherwise doing well. Cassie spun and hurried to help her friend, who pushed her away. "Lin, you shouldn't be up." "I'm fine," she said, pushing off the door jamb, her face wan with loss of blood. "He's your True Mate, I tried to tell you just before I passed out. He's yours. You belong together." "How do you know?" Her friend stared at her long and hard. It was then Cassie remembered Lin's gift of seeing auras. 74

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"Your energies. When you ran into him in the coliseum. They merged as if it was one being instead of two. I've never seen it happen before, but I knew it had to be something special." Cassie shook her head and backed up a step. "This can't be right. Daddy, you always said stay away from humans. They're bad for us. How can he be my True Mate?" Despite her denials, her heart thudded hard in her chest. Like one more piece of the puzzle, the information slid into place. True Mates. "I don't know, baby. All I can tell you is it has happened with the wolves. I've never heard of a tiger shifter having a human for a True Mate," he shrugged, "but then again, you've always been a little different." Different. Only because she was smaller than most of the female shifters when in human form. When she shifted she sure didn't lack size. Magick always made everything even. Everything but this. Cassie's head spun and she struggled to understand. She turned to her father. "So, he doesn't have to die?" "No, kitten. He doesn't have to die." Her father gave the pronouncement like a judge, overturning sentence. The relief Cassie felt made her feel a hundred pounds lighter. She laughed, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks. "You better get going if you intend to find him." She spun to face Lin. "What?" "He just left. Out the balcony door. I heard him climb down." 75

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Cassie paled thinking of everything they'd said and wondering what he'd heard. His hearing had seemed extra sensitive. Even when she'd been yards away and talking more to herself, he'd heard every word. "Oh, God, he heard us talking." Lin nodded. "And he only heard the first part of the conversation." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Ten Outside in the cold dreary night, Lance walked. He was lucky he lived close, where he could retrieve his weapons and get warm. His keys, his wallet, everything was in his trench coat he'd left with Cassie. The wind whispered in his ear, the soft drizzle moistened his hair. A shiver of cold ripped through him as the damp cool breeze rippled through his clothes. Could it be possible he'd misunderstood? Or maybe she'd talk her father out of it. The image of the huge male who'd stormed into Cassie's home flashed before his eyes. The square jaw, the stubborn eyes. Nope. Not a chance. Her father was hard as stone. Nothing could change his mind. But Cassie, he'd trusted her. Cared for her. For the first time in his life he'd been thinking how she could possibly be the one who ... It didn't matter. It was over. Lance approached the alley close to his apartment. A movement in the shadows caught his eye, and he squinted to take a better look. Three hulking shadows moved toward him. He cursed. A gang initiation, and he was about to be the first course. He glanced around. There was nowhere to go. He was tired, achy, and cold. He moved to cross the street. "What'sa matter? Scared of a few dudes hangin' out for some fun?" Lance froze, his muscles tense. He took a deep breath. With practiced ease he swiveled to face his opponent. Three 77

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men, dressed in holey jeans barely clinging to their hips, with black t-shirts. Death, the shirts proclaimed. Of course they did. What else would they say? The youngest man's jeans were wet and heavy, dragging even lower. The only thing holding them up, Lance was sure, was the wide stance of his legs. The initiate? "Just out for a stroll, guys." He did his best to keep his voice steady. "Without a coat?" asked the biggest dude, grimacing, a golden front tooth glittered in the faint light. Lance shrugged. "Yeah, little lady problems. She's got my keys and my coat." "And your car, dude?" Lance laughed softly. "And my car." The men gave knowing looks, and for a moment, Lance felt he might make it out without having to fight. "That sucks, man, for you. But it just means our job will be easier." Great. "Your job, eh? I don't know. I thought that perhaps this was more fun for you than work. If its money you're after, hit me up on another night when I've got my wallet." The biggest of the males shoved the young boy in the saggy jeans toward him. "I think we'll just hit you up now." "Have it your way." Lance shrugged, feigning nonchalance. He knew they thought he was an easy mark, but they were about to find out different. He may be a bit bruised in the ribs, but these guys were nothing compared to his brothers. There was some real competition. 78

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Besides, there were only three of them. Not seven like before, and he was pissed. Really pissed at Cassie. The kid charged, but Lance wasn't standing in the same spot by the time he arrived. Lance swung to the side, ignoring the stab of pain in his ribs, and chopped the boy on the back of the neck, then spun to meet the rest. The boy collapsed to the hard, wet pavement. When he started to rise, Lance stepped on his back. "I wouldn't if I were you, kid. It's in your best interest to stay right there." The big guy slipped on a pair of brass knuckles and stalked forward. Lance grinned and crouched. This was going to be fun. The roar of a wild animal echoed off the buildings. Cassie! Damn her. **** Cassie raced up the street, following Lance's scent. Tigers had a great sense of smell, but they didn't use it to track prey. That's what the eyes and ears were for. Instead, they used scent to find and mark their mates. The rain only made it easier to trail him. The heat radiating off the blacktop into the cooler atmosphere, combined with the moisture from the rain kept his scent alive, lifting it easily to her nostrils. She hadn't shifted; there was no need when she could find him so easily. Rain and weather didn't bother her like it did humans, so she trotted through the darkened night, the rain misting, wetting her clothes and hair. It didn't matter. 79

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True Mate. The words echoed in her mind. She'd always thought she'd mate with a shifter. Not a human. A member of the GSA at that. Memories of stories she'd heard through the years pounded at her mind. Danger. It was always what she thought when she heard GSA. They were killers. Yet Lance was different. He'd protected her, and she hadn't sensed a lie when he'd told her they didn't know about shifters. Maybe he really didn't know what went on with the GSA. She'd just have to teach him. First, she had to find him—make Lance understand he was safe. She rounded a corner and ground to a halt. Two men stood, crouched before her mate, ready to strike. Another lay on the pavement beneath Lance's foot. The biggest of the humans moved toward her man, intent on damage. Gold flashed on his fingers and she recognized the brass knuckles. He may be a wizard, but no human should have to endure the pain of such a weapon. Protective rage ripped through her. The change happened in an instant. Unbidden, she flashed, splitting her dress in two, until the tiger stood, staring at the scene before her. She growled, low in her throat before roaring with all her might. The sound echoed through the street and everyone froze. She hissed, her body shaking with fury. How dare they? She heard Lance's curse, but when the humans turned, searching the darkness for the origin of her roar, Lance moved. He spun and kicked one leg, his heel slamming into the big man's belly. The male crashed to the ground. 80

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Stunned, he lay on his back staring up for a minute before he rolled over. "Get him," he growled. The words stabbed into her heart. She charged. Huge paws ate up the pavement as she ran toward the fray. "Ventus, refero is quest mihi Wrap lemma sursum pro excolo quod thee. Ostendo is wench I'm unus who's validus Permissum ventus, vir exsisto, habitum lemma campester pessum mihi." Cassie stopped, her mate's words rolling over her. The wind whipped through the street, whistling between homes. Her eyes narrowed in the darkness, focusing on the battle in the distance. All three attacking men now lay flat on the blacktop, their bodies pinned by the sudden squall. Their hands and feet scrambled and kicked as they tried to stand, only to be shoved again to the hard surface. She didn't need to feel the power of the wind he created to understand what Lance had done. It was a controlled microburst. Like a collapsing storm, the wind shot down from the sky. Instead of whipping wildly through town, damaging everything it touched, he focused it entirely on the three men. Weak remnants whistled past her, arching outward from the center of the collapsing air. The energy from his power radiated, like a lantern, calling to her. He was more powerful than she gave him credit for, and it excited her. Her tail wished and she sniffed the air, her great mouth open to find and taste the scents. The acidic burn of rain was pungent in her nostrils, but it couldn't 81

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disguise the scent of her True Mate. A rumble of pleasure sounded low in her throat. She met the eyes of the only human standing. Lance frowned, shook his head and took off. She followed, loping at a distance. He was angry. Strong and powerful, like hot peppers, the scent of his fury burned through her senses. It didn't take but a block or two before she caught up with him, and she walked at his side. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eleven Lance couldn't believe it. She walked beside him as though she hadn't been talking about killing him just minutes before. Was she crazy? Or did she like playing with her food first? "That was awesome." He halted, and stared at her, wiping water from his face. "Get out of my head." "Not until we talk." He turned and stalked away, but she followed. "That was the most amazing display of power I've ever seen. Why didn't you use it earlier tonight?" Lance fought the desire to stop and shake her. He wanted her out of his head, and if she was going to kill him, he wished she'd just get it over with. "I didn't know how before." Her amusement tickled through his mind. "I'm glad I could help." This time he did stop and stare. What the hell was wrong with her? "Are you trying to say you had something to do with my sudden increase in powers?" She was right though. He'd never done anything like that before. His power had always been shielding. Since childhood he'd been able to create spells to imbibe shielding powers to everyday objects. Yet when he'd been fighting the gangsters, an unexpected instinct took over. Wizards didn't use instinct. They used training. Careful study of ancient spells and magickal objects. It's why he was never good at anything but protection. He hated to study. Only sorcerers used instinct. 83

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Even so, there was no doubt the incantation he'd used was pure instinct. Instinct that had him feeling every pulse in the storm he created. Like magic, he knew how to control it—how to force it to bend to his will. The mark of a true sorcerer. His family always thought sorcerers were lazy. Now he was one. Disgusted, he looked at Cassie. The huge cat sat before him, her orange coat darkened with rainwater. All his life he'd heard cats could look smug. He'd never believed it. At least, not until now. He narrowed his eyes on hers. Something was different about her. A sudden confidence which hadn't been there before. Maybe it was just the confidence of an easy kill he was seeing in her eyes. "No, I didn't do it. It was all you, Lance. Meeting me changed you inside, helping you grow in power." He shook his head in disgust. "You helped me grow? How? By threatening to kill me?" "I never said I planned to kill you." He stormed past her and she jumped to her feet and trotted beside him, her tail slowly twitching from side to side around her ankles. "You did. I heard you as plain as day. You and Daddy, planning." "We need to talk, Lance. Please. Let's go to your place and discuss this." "Why? Afraid the neighbors will see the big bad kitty having a meal in the street and call animal control?" Cassie sneezed, water droplets spattering from her coat, and he felt her exasperation in his head. He watched a lip 84

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curl, exposing one long white fang. He forced himself to ignore it. "How many times do you need to hear this? I'm not planning to kill you. I need to talk to you. Tell you what's happened." "Not until you get out of my head," he snarled in return. "I can't get out of your head till we're in private. Not until I shift." "Then shift." "I have no intention of walking down the street naked." "Oh, but you'd rather walk down the street as a wild animal and have all the neighbors shrieking in fear?" "It's you your neighbors will be worried about. After all, you're walking down the street with a wild animal, talking to her." He stopped again. This time he tipped his head and scrunched his eyes tight. He was getting a headache, and this rain was driving him insane. Water from his hair dripped down his shirt collar, and he fought a shiver. She was right. "Have it your way," he grumbled, then spun on his heel and returned to the apartment he'd bypassed just moments before. "I guess if you're planning to kill me, it might as well be in my own home." This time she didn't argue with him, but he heard her growl behind him as she followed. He stopped at his front door. "You didn't happen to bring my coat, did you?" "No. Why?" 85

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"Oh nothing. Just it had my keys in it, as well as my wallet." And was bespelled. He couldn't believe he was inviting her into his house. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't shake the feeling this was meant to be. He could still taste her on his lips and feel her mouth on his own. His head was so mixed up he couldn't think. No other woman had done that to him. A kiss was just a kiss. If Cassie's father hadn't walked in, there's no telling where things might have led. Lance trotted up the three steps to the main apartment entrance, pleased she had the good grace to wait until he invited her. He'd have to see if he could get someone to buzz them in without looking since he had no keys. He punched a few buttons on the intercom. Tires squealed around the corner and he jerked his head to follow the progression of a van as it careened around the corner. He watched as Cassie stood, and snarled. When the van drew closer, he heard the door slide open and saw a gun barrel peek out. "Get down!" he shouted, but it was too late. The report of the weapon, silenced, spit its cargo, one at Cassie, the next at Lance. Sharp pain pierced his shoulder and he grabbed, to find a dart. His vision blurred. "Cassie," he groaned. The great beast roared her frustration, and he saw her wobble on her four legs as she struggled to reach him. Men poured from the van, eager to collect their prize. 86

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Lance fell to his knees, sights and sounds swirling into a black, darkened hole of his consciousness. He struggled, swimming through the drug coursing through his system. Cassie hissed and roared, the sound dulled as though in a distance. He crawled toward her, his legs and arms like soft rubber, shaking with the effort. "Janus, watch her claws," shouted a male voice as Cassie's huge paw swiped toward him, her own control faltering. The last thing Lance saw was the great beast collapsing to her belly, her head lolling with the effort to stay upright. Blackness swam before his eyes, striped with the orange of her fur. **** Cassie roared, only to have it come out a raspy whisper. Fear edged the dark shadows, which became her consciousness. Men tugged and pulled her limp body, dragging her into the van. She didn't make it easy for them. Her mind worked, unable to be seduced by the drug. Thank heaven they were ignoring Lance. What had they given her? She shook her head and tried to fight, only to have one man step on her foot. She was so weak she couldn't even lift one puny human. The beast in her fought to stand with savage fury, determined to escape, while the woman inside her cried in terror. The men piled inside, sliding the door shut with a reverberating slam. The engine revved and tires squealed as they sped away into the endless night. [Back to Table of Contents] 87

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Chapter Twelve The sound of squealing tires caught Logan's attention, and he peered out his brother's window. A dark shape lay on the wet concrete, alone. "Shit," he exclaimed and raced for the door. "What?" his two brothers asked together. "Lance, he's in trouble." Three men charged for the front door, their heavy steps echoing in the empty stairwell. Outside it was Logan who reached Lance first, turning his unconscious brother over, the rain cascading over the groggy man's face. Lance's lips moved and Logan leaned in to catch the whispered words. "Cassie." Logan turned to his two brothers kneeling on the sidewalk. "Who the hell is Cassie?" Jared, his blonde hair already dripping with water, shrugged. "Got me. Don't know of any new girlfriends for him. In fact, it's been a while since I saw him with any women." "Let's get him inside." Logan was the oldest of the family. He felt a heavy responsibility for Lance, the youngest. The older two picked on the boy unmercifully, and it was beginning to bug him. It's as though they thought Lance still a child. He suspected it bothered Lance too, though his brother hid his hurt well. A silver flash caught his eye, and he reached down to pocket the item before helping to lift Lance from the ground. 88

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With him at his head and Ross, the second oldest at Lance's feet, they lifted. Four brothers, all wizards. All worked for the GSA. "What do you think happened?" "We'll find out as soon as he wakes up. Get the door, Jared." Jared held the door open and the brothers moved inside, Lance unconscious, a dead weight swinging between them. They plopped him on the couch. "Go get him a wet rag." "Like a wet rag is going to help. He's already soaked to the skin." Logan glared at his brother for a moment before Jared sighed and with a shake of his head, turned toward the bathroom. "What do you think they gave him?" asked Ross. Logan held up the dart they'd found on the sidewalk beside him. "Looks like your typical issue animal tranq. In fact, look at this." He held the dart out for Ross's examination as Jared came in with the wet cloth and laid it over Lance's forehead. Logan pointed to the serial number. "That's a GSA number." "Why the hell—" "—would GSA tranq Lance?" finished Jared. "If only we knew. He's going to be out for quite a while. Maybe when he wakes up we'll get some answers." Logan watched as his younger brothers agreed and settled into a strained silence, each taking up a corner of the living room in a chair or loveseat. He knew they were as worried as he was. 89

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"Should we take him to a hospital?" asked Ross. "And tell them what? Someone shot him with an animal dart, and oh, by the way, we work for the folks who did it? Not going to work." Logan cursed under his breath. He'd let Lance down. He'd promised their mother he'd keep him out of trouble, and on his first solo mission, he'd got himself in deeper trouble than Logan had ever seen him. When Lance had decided to join them at the GSA, Logan saw to it his younger brother got the basic assignments—for years—until Lance had confronted him, angry about the protection and coddling. He'd been forced to let his youngest brother make his own mistakes. Tonight wasn't supposed to be one of them. Lance was to go in, get details and come out. He wasn't ready to be on his own yet in a full fledged under cover operation. Lance's work so far had been with him or with Ross, the two oldest. If only he hadn't given in to Lance's whining pressure to be accepted as an adult. He did think of him as an adult. One Logan himself was supposed to protect. **** Cassie lay on the cold table. It was silver. Like ice, it burned through her soft coat, searing her skin with its liquid icy cold. She tried to move, only to discover her body was still frozen with the drug. It didn't take her mind, not like it would have Lance's. Shifter's bodies handled sedation differently, and with felines, the drug only froze the body, not the mind. 90

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She saw and felt everything. With every passing second, the roar of the tigress inside her grew louder. Lance. He'd looked furious as the drug had overtaken him. She couldn't do anything to save him, just like he couldn't save her. "Ahh, I see our lady is awake." A man dressed in hospital greens moved into the room. "Excellent. I want her to know what's happening." He moved toward her head and Cassie willed every bit of energy into her front paw, urging it to claw off his smug smile. One slap, that's all it would take. It didn't move. Not even the twitch of a toe. The man moved toward her, and she breathed in his rancid odor. Decay and evil. It floated off him, burning his scent into her memory. He would die. Soon. The fury of her beast roared silently in her mind. "You see dear, we have plans for you." He stepped to a counter and picked up a syringe. "I wish to test a new formula. This," he said, motioning with the needle, "is a little concoction designed to push away the human mind and let the animal take over. I'm dying to see how it works with you. I want to watch as the human inside you disappears, and the tiger reigns." Dying was the right word all right. Because the instant she had the chance, he would be nothing but meat. She wouldn't feel guilty about it, with or without his drug. Not like she had the Satanists. She willed her lips to pull back into a snarl. Nothing happened. 91

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"You'll make the perfect weapon. A killer with human intelligence and tiger responses. But first, my dear," he said, a grin on his face. "I have some jewelry for you." He moved toward her, with a huge silver collar. Unable to fight him, she laid impotently as he slipped it over her neck. He muttered some strange words and the thing heated up, burning her flesh and her fur. "Just a little insurance to keep you the cute kitty cat you are." She growled, and this time she heard it. He speared her with his sharp eyes, then grinned. "Don't worry, my sweet. A little of this juice, and you'll be happy to be the tigress for a day. Maybe even a week. And if I have my way," he said as he slid the sharp point into her hip, "forever." She felt the heat of the liquid as it flooded her veins. It boiled inside her and her human mind screamed in pain as the tigress bit her tongue. Red flooded her vision and all she could think of was death. The ultimate revenge. The doctor made a few notes on what looked like a medical chart, then pressed a button on the phone. "Yes?" came the electronically altered voice. "Our guest is ready to be taken to her room." Everything he said blurred and slurred, and her eyes grew heavy. She would not sleep. She had to get to Lance. She had to talk to him. Tell him. She held his name close to her heart, whispering it over and over again, holding on to the one part of her which was human. Holding on to her mate. ****

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The dawn had come and gone, rising softly in the quiet morning, the clouds and rain having faded into the distance. Birds chirped, calling their welcome to the yellow sun as it rose in the sky. The street was quiet, with only the occasional car driving past. No danger. Make that, no more danger. Logan hadn't slept, instead spending the last of the night waiting and worrying. It had been more than five hours since Lance had been shot with the dart. There was no telling how long the drug would be in his system, because he had no idea what type of animal the dart had been intended for. All he knew was when he heard the tires, he saw a van speeding away and Lance on the ground. Lance groaned, and his eyes fluttered open. Logan hurried to his side. Ross and Jared both ran to join him, but he shoved his brothers away. "Give him air." "You okay, Lance?" Ross stuck his face in his brother's, leaning over the couch, peering at Lance. Logan jerked his head at the sound of a hand slapping leather, to see Ross rubbing his arm. "He said give him some air, didn't you hear?" "I heard him just fine! I wasn't stopping him from breathing." "Enough," growled Logan. "Can't you two stop fighting long enough to let Lance tell us what happened?" He speared both with his deadliest brother glare. "Sorry," murmured Jared. "Wasn't me," murmured Ross, glaring at his brother. "Like two little kids," Logan murmured under his breath. He turned his attention back to his youngest brother. 93

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"Lance, wake up," he growled. Lance's eyelids fluttered and opened. He gazed up, unseeing toward Logan. "Cassie," he whispered. "Who's Cassie, Lance?" Lance shot up on the couch, his head swimming. He grabbed it hoping to stabilize it. This was worse than his last drinking binge. What was he saying again? He focused on the man in front of him. Dark, hard features, softened by the blurring of his own vision. "Logan. Where am I?" "Your apartment. Who's Cassie, and what happened to you?" Lance frowned. He glanced down. He was on his own couch, his jeans were damp, but he was naked from the waist up. What had happened? The question echoed in his mind, through the dark haze of drunkenness. He'd been walking. Talking to Cassie. Then the van. His hands covered his face as he struggled for details in his fogged mind. "Cassie," he whispered. He jerked his gaze to Logan. "Cassie, they took Cassie," he swung his legs off the couch and made to stand. A wave of dizziness struck and he reached for his brother's arm only to miss, falling to one side. "Easy, you took a big hit with the sedative." "How long have I been out?" "Five hours," answered Jared. Lance groaned, and stood cautiously. "I have to find Cassie." "Who is this Cassie you keep talking about?" 94

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Lance turned to Ross. Always the first to pick on the younger brother. It was nice to see his brother serious for a change, and ready to go to war for one of his own if need be. "A woman, a..." What if his brothers freaked out? What if they reported him to the GSA for covering for a shifter. He met their concerned eyes, one after the other. His brothers. All members of the GSA. Good men. Confident men. Loyal men. He had no choice but count on their loyalty. "Give me your word this is between the four of us. No more." "What the hell is going on?" asked Logan, always impatient to get to the point. Nothing bothered the eldest, but even Logan was in for a shock with this one. "Your word." He glared at them, waiting. "I don't have to think, of course you have my word." Jared spoke first, always supportive, always sharing everything with Lance. He nodded and turned to the other two. Ross shrugged. "You know me, I'm good. I'm always one for a secret." "You're always one for gossip," growled Jared. "Enough," said Logan and Lance as one. Logan raised his brow, and Lance nodded, waiting. At last his oldest brother agreed, and Lance knew it ate at him, having to give up control to anyone, much less his youngest brother. "Sit," he said. "It's a long story ... well, not really, but sit anyway." 95

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He gave them the brief run down of his encounter with the Satanists. How he'd infiltrated as expected, by hiring on as a security guard. "Everything was going fine. I started seeing signs something unusual was about to happen when this woman ran smack into my arms. She was terrified, and men were chasing her. I couldn't very well stand by and let them capture her, so I took them on." "How many?" He shrugged. "Seven, I think." "Seven," said Ross, incredulously. "Did you win?" Lance rubbed his ribs. "What do you think?" The men all glanced at one another and laughed. "I thought you knew better than take on so many at once," said Jared. "Very funny. As if I had any choice." "Continue," demanded Logan. Lance shrugged. "Well, they tied me to a pole." He noticed his brother's quick looks. "I know, cliché, right? Then they grabbed the women—" "Wait, you said there was one woman." Lance grimaced. "Ok, there were two." But for him, only one mattered. "They grabbed both women and demanded they fight to the death." "Why?" "Because of me. Cassie didn't want to see me die, so she tried to stand up for me. The jerk-off leader wannabe told her she had to fight her friend and kill her, or I would die. At the 96

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time I didn't know how much she was putting on the line, but I still tried to stop it." "Why didn't you free yourself?" "Don't you think he would if he could have?" Jared glared at Ross. "No, Ross is right. I should have gotten loose, but for some reason I couldn't think of a single incantation. It's like my Latin just flew out of my head." "I told you to study that stuff harder," said Jared. "Enough," growled Logan. "He was in a Satanic ritual. Chances are the rituals they were performing caused the block. Go on." He nodded to Lance, who stared in shock. Logan was taking up for his weakness. Was it because he was right? Or was Logan seriously worried about him? "The two women fought, and were making it look pretty real, but I found out later they had a plan to get me released. I guess jerk wad, I mean ... the leader, figured it out and shoved Lin into Cassie's blades." Lance closed his eyes, willing the horrified image of Cassie's face, the blood of her best friend gushing over her hand, from his mind. "Cassie was devastated. Furious. Then, something happened." "That wasn't something?" Lance speared Ross a look, daring him to make another joke. It shouldn't bother him. All their lives the brothers had joked through danger. Yet this time it was as though something else was at stake. Something more serious than their own lives. 97

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Ross grimaced, his lips tight, then nodded. "Go on." "Power surged through the room, and she ... She became..." "Spit it out," said Logan. "Say it." He wanted to trust his brothers. God, knew he wanted to believe they wouldn't turn him in. He stared into Logan's eyes, and said the words he knew could destroy everything his family ever worked for. "You guys aren't going to believe this." He took a deep breath. "She changed into a tiger." Ross sucked in his breath in surprise, but neither Logan nor Jared made a sound. They both stared into his eyes. Jared's were wide with shock. Logan's, dark and deadly. Seconds ticked by in silence. "You gave your word, Logan." He nodded. "And where is this tiger now." "Whoever drugged me took her." Again silence. He wished he could read Logan's mind. His face was stony and his eyes like ice. The man was a vicious killer out in the field and demanded nothing less than perfection from his brothers when they worked together. Lance wanted his brother on his side, not ready to turn him in at a moment's notice. He watched Logan's eyes slide to Ross and Jared, surprised to see them both nod. "Sit down, Lance." "I don't have time to sit. I have to find her." "She's important to you?" He nodded. "Then sit." Logan's tone allowed no argument. 98

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With a sigh, Lance sat on the couch opposite his older brother. "Look—" "Shut up." Lance jerked his eyes to meet his brothers. "Just one minute—" "I said, shut up. And listen. We have something to tell you." "This had better be good." He didn't want to sit around playing twenty questions. He needed to rescue Cassie before she was hurt, or worse, killed. For the first time in his life, his good humor left him and all he could think of was Cassie and making those who took her suffer. "When you said you wanted to join the GSA, what did I tell you?" "What's that got to do with anything?" "Quit arguing and answer the question. We'll get there faster." Lance glanced at Ross and Jared, who both nodded their encouragement. This couldn't be good if the two of them were in agreement. They never agreed on anything. "You said to go in with both eyes open." Logan nodded. "Good, you remember. And have you seen anything which concerns you?" Lance sighed. He wasn't sure what Logan was getting at, but after what he'd seen tonight he couldn't hide his feelings. "Yes. But only recently, when I met Cassie. She called the GSA killers. She insisted the GSA had taken and killed her cousin and the woman's son. I didn't believe her at first, 99

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thinking maybe her people used scare tactics to keep them away from us, but the more I thought about reporting her..." "Fair enough. We also noticed things were not quite right. Medical experiments were being conducted on the paranormal beings we brought in. People like us, with extra gifts were being held prisoner. We've been watching, trying to determine the best course of action." Lance wasn't sure what he felt. Relief that his brothers agreed with him? Anger that they'd kept their thoughts from him? All that didn't' matter. What mattered was rescuing the tiny blonde, no matter what form she was in. "What does this have to do with saving Cassie?" Logan stood and handed him the dart. "Look at this." The cold metal lay in his hand. The silver projectile had a sharp pointed needle on one end. It was definitely fired through a weapon of some sort, which was the sound he'd heard just before the point struck his shoulder. He looked close, knowing this was important. Logan didn't just hand him this to make him remember the reason for his grogginess. Tiny numbers were engraved on the side of the dart. A serial number. "This is a GSA number," he said, unable to hide the shock from his voice. All three brothers nodded. "It seems," said Logan, "your lady friend was taken by the GSA. Could they have known she was a shifter?" He knew it. Somehow, in his heart, he knew if he turned her in, everything would change and her life would be in jeopardy. "Anything's possible. We walked down the street. She was in Tiger form." 100

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"That had to be cool, think she'll let me touch her?" said Ross, a grin on his face. Something inside Lance snapped. Fury over the attack, worry over Cassie. He charged Ross, his hand around brother's throat before any of the others could stop him. "You'll keep your hands off her," he snarled. "And what's going to be cool is when she's here, with me. Safe and sound. She doesn't deserve what's happening to her. If Logan is right, they're conducting experiments; and it's Cassie who's in danger of losing her life. Along with you if you keep being an ass." No one moved, and both brothers glared at one another. "Look, I was just thinking how awesome it would be to have a shifter for a friend. I didn't mean anything by it." Lance growled. He couldn't remember being this confused over any woman. Instinct drove him to protect Cassie, to find her and save her. Yet, she wanted him dead, and her father condoned, even encouraged that death sentence. He should leave her to her fate, but he couldn't. Deep down inside he knew she was an innocent. "What do we do now?" he asked, letting Ross go with one last shove. "We wait till tonight, then we rescue your girl." Logan spoke with an air confidence. Like he always did. "No." Lance shook his head adamantly and stalked around the room. Images of animal experimentation he'd read about in the past flooded his brain. Pictures of animals cut open, their insides still trying to function. "We can't wait till tonight. 101

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They'll spend all day pumping her full of drugs, or cutting her open." Logan sighed, his own frustration evident in the tight edge of his jaw. "Think about this. We can't just barge in there in the middle of the day. She's probably at the main facility. If we wait until tonight, we can go in when there are less people, and we can get her out of there. But we need supplies. Weapons and such." Lance wanted to argue. He wanted to scream that Logan didn't understand. The training the GSA provided him with rang heavy in his mind. Always attack at night, when the enemy is at it's weakest. He sighed. "I have a few guns, but nothing like we need." "Where's your coat?" "At Cassie's. I'd rather ... not go there right now." "Why?" Lance sighed, exasperated. "Would you want to go tell her shape shifting tiger father that she's been kidnapped by the people who hired me? No way. Not a chance. I happen to like my life. I met that man tonight, and I don't intend to see him again before tomorrow. Not until Cassie's safe. Or until..." He let his voice trail off. Sadness drifted over him in harsh, painful waves. A large hand clapped him on the shoulder. "We'll get her." It was Logan. Of all his brothers, he'd thought Logan would be the one who understood the least. His expression must have shown his surprise. "Don't worry little brother. We know you've become the man we all want to be. We're here for you." **** 102

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Cassie threw herself against the bars of the cage, furious in her containment. The tiger in her roared in frustration, the woman whimpered in fear. The drug was working, pushing her humanity further and further into her psyche, burying it beneath the aggressiveness of the cat. She threw herself against the bars again, and they groaned, but didn't budge. She struggled with the shadows in her mind, fighting to keep her humanity. The sounds and scents of animals in the other cages echoed in her mind. Pain and fear. The cloying scent nauseated her, driving her to bouts of intense aggression. Chase. Kill. Feed. The other animals were smaller. Wolves, foxes, even a deer. Prey. Weak creatures just waiting to be culled. She paced nervously around the small cell. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, her mouth watered for the taste of meat. The predator within roared, starved to release the powerful instincts. Cassie fought with everything she had, struggling to maintain control. It was the fear of every shifter, to lose one's self to the beast. To be driven by instinct alone. She was the tiger. The largest natural born cat on earth, aggressive beyond any other. Quick to anger, deadly to any she deemed beneath her. Starved. The ultimate predator. Lance. She whispered the name over and over in her mind. He was the reason to hang on, to maintain her precious humanity. He wasn't a shifter, he wouldn't understand the ferocious temper of the tigress once it lay bare. 103

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A door opened and voices whispered in her ear. Kill. The single word echoed in her mind. Retaliation. Cats didn't kill for revenge but humans did. For the first time Cassie wanted revenge. Pure, unadulterated fury ripped through her. His drug worked. She was losing herself to everything the cat wanted. The great beast trembled. Two men moved into view, and she snarled. "There she is," said the doctor. The man beside him stared at her, and she showed her fangs. He took a step back. "She's beautiful." His voice was filled with awe, but his scent was filled with death. He reeked of it. Who had he killed? "I wanted to see if the drug is working." "How will you know?" "If she's aggressive enough." "And what if it's not?" "We'll just have to give her a larger dose." The mind that was Cassie jerked at his words. She couldn't take another dose. She'd lose everything. Even now she fought to maintain control of the beast to keep from throwing her body against the bars. Wait, maybe that's the answer. He wanted to see her aggression. She'd give it. The great beast roared her fury, and barreled toward the doctor, crashing into the bars with all her might. She reared on her haunches, her claws slashing through toward the men on the other side. The two men stepped back again, but not before one sharp claw stripped the pocket from the doctor's hospital greens. 104

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Cassie picked herself up off the floor and shook her head, releasing the pent up frustration of the tiger. The walls shook with her roar. The animals in the surrounding cages screamed in unison, each offering their own version of a curse. A curse. That was it. The doctor would die. There was no other alternative. Cassie threw herself against the bars one more time, satisfied when the groaning bars shaved bits of concrete from the top, the dust settling on the ground. "I think its working." The doctor looked at her, judging. She snarled, and stepped forward. "Or else she's very smart." Cassie stepped up to the bars, roaring one more time, voicing all the frustration, fear and anger building inside her. She wanted to give in, to let it take root, to guide her decisions, but she couldn't. The two men turned to move to the next cage. The woman within her cried, and the tigress moaned her pain. Lance. She had to hold on to that name. Her True Mate. She would fight her wild nature, and she would win. Drugs or no drugs. Lance, where are you? Are you all right? **** Four men climbed into the van and took off. Lance knew where they were going. To Logan's. Logan kept a huge weapons cache in his basement. Lance opened and closed his fist on his thigh as he struggled to maintain patience. It was only 10 in the morning, and they had to wait until dark. Sunset was at 5:47 tonight. 105

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He closed his eyes, willing the horrific images of experiments from his mind. "Damn, brother, you must really have it bad for this chick." Lance snapped his eyes open. "She's not a chick, and she's just a friend." "Right. Did you kiss her?" The question was obnoxious, but the memory it invoked was not. The soft touch of her lips on his, the sharp taste of her mouth. "None of your damned business," he growled Ross elbowed Jared beside him. "He did, he kissed her. And a shifter to boot." "I swear, Ross, if you don't knock it off, I'll do it for you," said Jared. "Leave the kid alone." "I'm not a kid." "He's no kid." Logan and Lance spoke together, and Lance turned to his brother in surprise. If he wasn't so worried about Cassie, he might have smiled. This was the first time his older brother had ever acknowledged him as a man. It worked too. Ross's mouth dropped open and he stared at the two men in front. "Well, damn. You're right, Logan. He's grown up." The van whirled into the parking spot at Logan's house and they piled out, trotting into the house. They went straight for the basement, where Logan kept his stash of weapons. With the push of a button the fake wall turned, revealing all matter of hand guns and shoulder holsters. "I don't like using guns," said Jared. 106

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"And I don't like going up against the GSA, but there are some things you just can't avoid," replied Logan, coldly. "Our powers are only so useful in such a facility. Security is going to be tough to get past. After today, unless we can find a way to mess with the cameras, we're all going to be in need of a job." Something niggled at Lance's brain. A thought almost like an instinctual memory. "I can do it." "You can do what?" asked Jared as he checked the clip in his hand. "I can interfere with the electrical energy, stop the cameras." "Since when?" asked Ross. Lance shrugged, uncomfortable under his three brother's stare. "Since today, I guess." "Lance, you're a wizard, not a sorcerer. You don't have the natural knowledge." "Ever the nay sayer, Logan. I didn't have the knowledge to call a microburst before today and I did it. I'm telling you I can stop the cameras." "You're an abjurer. You create protection spells. Since when did you learn to evoke?" "All I can say is I can do it. I don't know where it came from or how, but I can do this. Trust me." He held Logan's gaze. He could feel Jared and Ross's eyes watching them until Logan slowly nodded. "Let's get to it then."

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The four men worked together to develop a plan of attack. They kept it simple. Go in, take out the cameras, save Cassie. If only it would be that simple. It was sad it took something like this to bring all four of them together. Lance knew his brothers loved him, and he knew Logan felt responsible for him. However, they'd never treated him as an equal, instead opting for the spoiled child attitude. Not one time had they worked with him like a peer. He'd never suspected they were uncomfortable with GSA. Not a single inkling. He'd thought they were strong, dedicated soldiers working for the company. Knowing he wasn't the only one with doubts made things easier. Knowing they were willing to put themselves at risk because he asked made him realize they finally accepted him as an equal. **** Scents poured over Cassie like a hurricane, powerful and strong. Meat. It plopped down through the chute in her cage. Her body cried out for it. Her mouth watered, but the human inside her worried it was drugged. She cocked her head and listened. The other animals ate their meals, the sound of their snarls as they ripped into their portions was so enticing. Or were they shifters? The thought was almost as horrifying as her earlier anger. She'd hungered for these animals and they might be people, just like herself, shifters who were captured. She sniffed, struggling to fight the tigress's hunger, to concentrate on everything that was human. She broke down the scents one by one. 108

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Wolf. Combined with something else. A shifter. A male. He was angry and frustrated, like she. As long as she was in animal form she couldn't communicate with him. She heard his steps as he paced his cage. He growled low in his throat from time to time. Did the human in him still remain? Like him, as long as this damned collar wrapped around her neck, weakening her, she would stay in tigress form. She hated losing control. Anger from the beast roiled, struggling to reach the surface, but she shoved it back again. Determined, she widened her nostrils and scented the air again, separating the fox. Another shifter, smaller, more wiry. He seemed less agitated, though his scent was off. Drugged maybe? Like herself. The musty scent of a cat reached her senses. Tiger maybe? One which was young. The large cub paced the cage, growling and yowling his displeasure. He should be home, with his family. His mother. Like Connie and her son. Both missing now for three years. Grief and anger ripped into her heart. The tigress rumbled, hungry and agitated. Huge paws traveled back and forth across the cement floor. Lance. What if mating didn't work the same when one was human? What if he didn't feel the same, intense connection? If so, he probably wouldn't even try to find her. If he was ok. The image of his body collapsing, his hand reaching for her, played in her mind. The cat roared her agitation, her fear, and threw her body against the bars of the cage. **** 109

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Lance and his brothers poured over the plans of the facility. Logan pointed out each weakness of security, and how they could get in or out. Luckily the brothers knew enough about the security system and guards to know what to expect. Lance felt the tug of confusion in his heart. Why was he so determined to go against everything he stood for to save Cassie? He'd wanted to work for the GSA all his life. As they came of age, his father and each of his brothers worked for the organization. He was in his mid 20's and now he was there too. He was about to throw all that away over a woman he'd just met. An innocent woman. The kiss they'd shared played on his memory. Sweet, with just enough edge to feel dangerous. Her lips so soft, so naive. His cell phone rang, jarring him from his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID, then at his brothers. "It's Cap." Cap, otherwise known as Captain Jennings. The head of their department. "Lance here," he answered into the small silver handset. "Maxey, where are you? You should have delivered your report hours ago," Cap growled into the other end of the line. "My report?" "Yes over the Satanists. They're dead, and I want to know what happened?" "Dead?" asked Lance. Damn. He rubbed one hand over his face. "I want to know what happened." 110

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Lance cleared his throat and looked at Logan who shook his head. "I don't know, Sir. They were alive when I left." "What time was that?" "Around six thirty. They sent me home. Did something happen?" "Looks like some kind of wild animal killed them. Claw marks and blood everywhere. I want you in my office in thirty minutes." "But—" "My office. Now." The line went dead and Lance clicked the phone closed. "I have to report in thirty minutes." "Perfect," answered Logan. "Perfect? We're about to break in and free one of their experiments and you say perfect?" His oldest brother nodded with a grim smile on his face. "What better way to have us show up on the monitors than to be in for a meeting." "But he asked for me." "And I'll go with you. Dumb and Dumber there," Logan replied, nodding to the other two, "can help setup for the actual break in." "Hey, knock it off, Logan." "What's the matter, Ross? Don't like it?" "I think its bad enough Jared is always insulting me. Do you have to do it too?" Lance almost laughed. "Ross, don't worry, when it comes to Logan, we're all Dumb and Dumber. Mr. Perfect never makes mistakes." It felt good working with his brothers, but 111

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he couldn't kick the nagging edge of fear that wouldn't go away. Fear Cassie was going to die. Almost like a hypnotic suggestion buried in his mind, she pulled at him, and he was terrified for her. A hand popped him from the back of the head and he turned. "It's a good thing we're in a hurry, Lance, or I'd test you and make you show us these new talents of yours." Lance smiled sadly. "Hopefully, I won't have to do that until this is over." "Let's go then." The men piled into the van and headed toward the compound. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Thirteen Cassie stared at the meat, her mouth watering. The tigress pushed, while the woman held back. Which instinct was strongest? Which would win? She stood and paced the floor. Round and round she walked, struggling to avoid the carcass lying across the room. A tiger roared in one of the cages. A wolf growled and snarled, while a fox chatted. Feeding time. Drugging time. The survival instinct yelled at her to avoid the meat, but the tigress was strong. She was hungry. Cassie had not eaten in tiger form in many years, hating the taste of blood in her mouth when she returned to human form. Yet now, the beast inside her pushed her forward. It was beef. When they'd dropped it, the blood from the recent kill was still warm. Now it congealed on the floor, waiting. One paw stepped closer, then another. She sniffed the meat. Like ambrosia it rippled through her body and her eyes closed. Maybe just one taste. Her tongue rasped over the surface. Pure heaven. So delicious on her tongue. The tigress chuffed her approval, and laid down to eat. All the while the woman inside her screamed. A beast of two minds, a beast of one instinct. The cat ate every bite, chewing and tearing, swallowing with fervor. At least twenty five pounds of beef, gone. Deep inside the cat, Cassie cried. The drug weakened her will and control over the wild animal she was becoming. The tigress stood and moved to the other side of the cage, sated. 113

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She lay and cleaned herself, the rough tongue smoothing and cleansing the orange and black fur on her legs. She chuffed again. It was good to be strong. Good to be powerful. When her bath was finished, she stood, roaring the joy of the strength in her limbs, relishing the feel of the unfettered fangs in her mouth. She eyed the bars. They were the only thing which stood between her and freedom. Yes, they would give. With enough pounding she would break free. Cassie threw herself against the bars, pleased when dust cascaded from the top, and the metal groaned. She took a step back, and with a growl, threw herself forward again. **** Lance knocked on Cap's office door, Logan standing beside him. Not for the first time in his life Lance wished he felt as confident as his brother looked. Maybe it was all an act. Maybe Logan shook in his shoes too. Either way, it was time to take control and to rescue the woman he couldn't shake from his mind. "Enter." Moving inside the two men waited for him to acknowledge them. He sat, bent over his desk, his eyes scanning a document on his computer. A cup of coffee sat on the desk, but there was no smell of hot coffee. "What's up Cap," asked Lance, wanting to get this over with.

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The older man tore his gaze from the computer to look at the Maxey brothers. He looked tired. His grey hair was mussed and his weathered, aged face was pale. "Have a seat. Logan, you didn't have to come." Logan shrugged as he sat. "I was with Lance when you called. All four of us had a little pizza and beer party last night and were a bit too drunk to drive home so we stayed over." Cap nodded. "I just wanted Lance's report. You said when you left, the cult was alive and well?" Lance nodded, warily. "Yes, Cap. All alive. There must have been thirty of them gathering for a meeting." "Why didn't you hang out to listen?" The brothers had guessed this question would come up and Lance was prepared. "Because they told me to leave. If I'd stayed, it would have looked suspicious, and our source didn't say anything was going to happen last night, so I went home." "What time did you get home?" "A little after dark. About seven I think." Cap rubbed his scruffy chin, his eyes far away. "Can you prove you went straight home?" "He doesn't have to prove anything," said Logan before Lance could speak. "I just told you I was there, along with the rest of our brothers. We had a celebration at Lance's first solo mission. We ordered pizza, watched a movie and drank beer." "What movie?" Lance looked at Logan in surprise. "An old Wesley Snipes one. The first vampire movie he did." Cap nodded. "Was it on cable?" 115

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"No, I have the DVD. What's this about?" "Did you see anything unusual in your neighborhood tonight?" "No, sir, why do you ask?" "A tiger was spotted walking down your street. Our guys picked her up right outside your apartment building." "Really?" Lance didn't have to feign surprise. He hadn't expected Cap to be so honest. Cap nodded. "She's downstairs. You sure you didn't hear anything?" "I heard some squealing tires, but we were upstairs watching a movie, so I didn't pay it any mind." "Why is she downstairs?" asked Logan. "It seems they believe her to be a shapeshifter." "A shifter?" Cap nodded. "Those are nothing but fiction," said Lance. "Not anymore," said Cap. "No more than wizards are fantasies. They're real and we have several downstairs to prove it. Doctor Palmer is running experiments on them to see what makes them tick." Lance stiffened. But Logan caught his eye, giving him a stiff shake of the head. "And the marks on the dead Satanists were claw marks. How do you explain that?" Lance shrugged. "I can't, Cap. I wasn't there." "Then a tiger is found in front of your home." "Just what are you implying? I already told you, I wasn't there." 116

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Cap stared at them for long seconds, then shrugged, as though making a decision. "Nothing. Here," he said, tossing a file in Lance's Direction. "Your next assignment." Lance glanced at the contents. A dossier of a man who lived nearby. His name was Lazar Maks. The bio listed his father, a prominent state senator. "What's this?" "He's a shifter. And I want to know what kind. Your job is to find out." "A shifter. You really think this senator's son is a shifter?" Cap nodded. "Yep, and I expect you to get all the details and report back here. He's gone underground, so your job will be to find him, and then report everything you discover." Lance nodded, hiding the way his stomach twisted. He didn't like the idea of being a tattle tale, chasing around, looking for shapeshifters. "I keep this?" he asked, motioning toward the file. "Yes, I have another copy." "Why don't you give us the files on those experiments you mentioned." Lance recognized the tone of Logan's voice. It was the one his brother used when he was employing his magick. When he was enchanting a person to do as he ordered. Cap got up from his desk and opened a file cabinet. He pulled out a folder and handed it to Logan. Lance stood and moved behind Logan's chair to watch over his shoulder. The folder was at least an inch thick, with picture after picture of animals. Some with photos of their human counterpart. 117

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His stomach turned as he read the list of experiments used on each of the poor unfortunate souls. Despite the GSA's obvious beliefs, these were not soulless beasts. "Thank you," said Logan. "We'll be going now. And tomorrow you will remember giving these to Doctor Palmer for his research." Logan slapped the folder closed and stood. "Right," said Cap. "Palmer is always taking files from my office." The words made perfect sense, spoken in a conversational tone, but Lance knew they were planted there by Logan. He smiled slyly. Excellent. Logan was a genius. They left, closing the door behind them. "So now what?" "This is your operation, so what do you think?" Lance considered his options. "We need to make it look like we left, then come back in. Otherwise they might get suspicious." His brother nodded, and glanced at his watch. "Let's get back outside, and wait. We still have at least another hour before we can act." "Logan, what are we going to do with the rest of those shifters? We can't just leave them there." Logan's face hardened, and Lance saw a tic in his brother's jaw. He'd never seen his brother this furious. Why did Logan take this so personal? "Most are probably going to be too far gone, Lance. You have to be prepared. Did you see these experiments? They've cut them up and exposed them to silver just to watch them suffer. They've been shooting them full of drugs to see if they can remove the human part of them without affecting their body. Let's hope your Cassie 118

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hasn't been introduced to the good Doctor yet, or there may be nothing left of her mind to save." Fear and anger roiled inside Lance. "We'll save her, Logan. I don't care what they have done to her. She will not stay here." His brother only nodded as they exited the main door of the compound. They moved to the van in the parking lot where the other two waited. "I only hope she will let you." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Fourteen The tigress slept. Images of a man filled her dreams. A man who once meant something to her. Powerful and strong, he controlled weather and fought evil. Memories of blood and gore and anger flitted into the edges of the dreams. Her body twitched as her dream self walked beside him, down a street. Who was he? Why was he so important? She jerked awake. Caged. Anger roiled low in her gut, and she stood, a snarl on her face. Freedom was what mattered. The freedom to run, the freedom to hunt, the freedom to kill. She slammed herself against the bars again. She winced. Her ribs were bruised with the continual pounding, but it had to be done. A wolf howled beside her, lonely and angry, he too sought freedom. In his howl was something else. A warning. Some part of her mind understood, while the rest only had one thought. Prey. Tigers typically went for larger animals, though the small beast would make a nice mouthful. Her lips curled into a hungry snarl. The door at the end of the long row of cages opened and the doctor and his friend walked in. She could smell them, the stench of evil, radiating through the room. The animals all turned restless. She joined them. The men stopped at a few of the cages, talking, documenting their discoveries. The beast inside her understood this though she didn't understand how she knew. 120

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The men finally arrived. Refusing to show fear, she stood, glaring at them, hissing and snarling. "Yes," said the doctor. "She's definitely coming along." "How can you tell?" "Look at her eyes. There's no humanity left. Not a shred. She's wild and ferocious, like a tiger should be." "Then why doesn't she charge the bars like she did before?" The doctor chuckled and the cat growled low in her throat. "Because she's smart." She watched with wary eyes as he took the long silver rod in his hand and moved it toward her. There was nowhere to escape, though she backed away as far as she could. Danger. The thought flashed in her mind. The silver thing touched her haunch. Pain charged through her body as electricity rattled every muscle and nerve. She screamed in excruciating pain and fury. He removed the rod and she glared at him, panting in agony and anger. Death. Her eyes narrowed. No matter how long it took, she would wait, and she would find him. Then he would die. He didn't understand that yet. She could tell because he smiled. "See? She knows it's painful to come toward me, so she'll stay back there." No, the cat thought. Pain will be when my claws rip your face off. "So what's next with her." "Don't we have another tiger here? A male?" asked the doctor. "Is he still alive?" "The young one? Yes, why?" 121

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An oily smile appeared on the doctor's face and the cat snarled in fury. "Let's make sure he's awake. I want to see what happens if they try to mate. Also, go prepare the fake pheromones. She has to seem ready." The other man looked at the doctor skeptically. The tigress stared at the man, the mind of both beast and woman working the problem. Rape. The word echoed in her mind. It's what he wanted wasn't it? To force the confrontation? She'd have to submit or kill the other tiger. Icy cold fear washed over her, her breath coming out in pants. He didn't want her raped. He wanted her to kill. No. She shook her head, and the beast fought her control. The tigress inside her wanted to scream with fury, to pound against the bars and force her release. The doctor watched her closely, taking notes on a chart. She hissed, her lips curled, exposing her sharp fangs. He smiled. "This is going to be perfect," his voice hissed the words, then he turned and walked away. **** Lance glanced at his watch for the tenth time in ten minutes. The hands barely moved, one minute felt like an hour. Waiting was always bad, but this was horrendous. The file Cap had given Logan was filled with horrific experiments done on animals and people alike. In some cases they tortured innocent humans before they found out they weren't shifters. The same could be said for animals. Then the shifters themselves, driven mad with rage and pain. His imagination filled in all the details as he waited. Their pain became 122

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Cassie's pain, their screams became hers. Nothing in his life had prepared him for such horror. "You sure you can do this?" asked Jared. Jared, the brother who always took up for him. He could feel his brother's doubt, but he didn't care. "Yes." He popped open the door to the van. "It's time." And it was. At long last the sun was far enough in the distance. The night was cloudy, with a cool breeze floating over the parking lot. Please let it not rain before they got her safely away. The brothers moved silently in the dark, each alert and ready. Like a military squad they signaled instead of spoke, crossing the parking lot in the shadows, from car to car. They moved to the side of the building. It was time. Lance stretched out his arms and opened himself to the power of the natural energy. "Wait." Lance opened one eye. "Now what?" "You know she may not know you." Arms slapped to his sides as he glared at his oldest brother. "And Logan, I know she will. I can't explain it, but I know she'll be okay as long as we get her out of there now." "I just want you to be prepared." Lance glared at his older brother. "I will do this with or without you." "What is it about this woman?" asked Ross. "Did you sleep with her?" "I did not," Lance growled. "And even if I did, would that be any of your business?" 123

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He shrugged. "Just reminding you of your promise." "I know what my responsibilities are. You three can leave any time." Frustration gnawed at his mind, like tiny rodents chewing the borders of his control. His brothers meant well, but they didn't understand. Hell, he didn't understand. All he knew was his life would never be what it should if he let Cassie die. Ignoring the three men, he turned back to the door and stretched his arms wide, his palms up. He felt the natural energy of the atmosphere, it caressed and fed the world like blood coursing through veins. He tapped one of those veins, and let the energy run through him. It built and heated, energizing everything inside him. "Shit," he heard Jared say. "He's glowing," he heard Ross, awe filling his voice. Logan was blessedly quiet. Lance turned his palm toward the doorknob and focused the energy into the metal, burning and melting the knob, pushing electricity into the locking mechanism. The smell of heated metal burned through his senses, but he didn't stop until the knob fell off and the door popped open. He dropped his hand to his side and breathed in a sigh of relief. Energy still burned inside his body and he concentrated, sending it out and into the earth. Then he nodded to his brothers. They moved inside, using the training taught by this very agency. One after the other they trailed into the building and down the hall. The file he and Logan confiscated showed the holding cells for the shifters were in the basement. Of course. Where else would maniacal experiments be conducted? 124

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"It'll be best to go through the floor," whispered Ross. The building was designed for heavy computerized equipment and sported a raised floor. The space between was almost 2 feet high, just enough for a grown man to belly crawl when needed. What was designed to enable computer technicians to repair wiring would become the path to Cassie's salvation. Lance nodded, as did the other two and they ducked into an outer office. He flipped open a side pouch on his belt and pulled out a three inch suction cup panel lifter. Raising the delicate carpet squares he popped the cup onto the floor and pulled. Replacing the cup in his belt he moved to enter. "Wait, let me," whispered Jared. "If we need interference it will be easier if I'm in front." In a flash he shimmied from view into the darkened hole. A light broke the darkness when he clicked on his flashlight. Lance followed, unable to keep still, with Ross behind him and Logan bringing up the rear. They belly crawled through the floor space, moving above the cages. It was hard going and dirty. None complained. Jared turned back and motioned for quiet. They listened. Two voices. None were familiar to Lance, but Jared knew at least one. His brother mouthed one word: Palmer. They tried to listen, but couldn't get much information. Then, one man left, while the other waited. Lance had never met Palmer though standing this close he could feel him. His newfound power gave him every possible advantage. His body was in tune with the energies all around 125

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him, and Palmer reeked of dark and evil power. How could someone so evil work for an organization that intended good? Then they heard the door open again and close. The only sounds were the shuffling of animals, the occasional growl or whine. Then he heard the roar of a tiger. Cassie. She was alive. And she was really pissed. Lance's heart raced, and he wiped his palms on his sleeves. He hadn't realized till this moment exactly how important her salvation was to him. Later he'd take a look and figure out just why. He motioned to Jared, who shook his head. Jared wanted to move forward alone. "Together," mouthed Lance. "We need to stay together." He couldn't see Logan or Ross, but knew they would agree. None should be out of sight of the others. Jared hesitated, then gave a sharp nod. Using the same lifter, Lance popped open one ceiling tile, opening a space for them to enter. He poked his head in. It was like a menagerie from the fifties. Cages lined the walls, with animals pacing inside. The smell of feces and wet fur met his nostrils. The occasional growl reached his ears, but mostly they were quiet, unlike wild animals. There was nothing natural about this facility like in the zoos of today. He raised up, spinning to drop through the hole. A warm hand grabbed his wrist. "Careful," whispered Ross. "We want you whole after this." Lance grasped his brother's hand and nodded. "Me too." He dropped to the floor, landing in a crouch, his soft soles soundless on the cement surface below. A quick glance 126

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showed only the animals. He gave the thumbs up and moved to the left. One after the other his brothers dropped beside him, each prepared to fight.. Lance moved down the long hallway. A dark brown wolf glared at him, silently from his cage, his lip curled in defiance. A fox was curled in another, the only part of the face visible were two black eyes. Cell after cell was filled with animals. Most pacing, each with human eyes in their animal faces, all filled with rage. Some had straw beneath them, others lay on the cool concrete with nothing to soften the harsh floor. If the records were right, and these were shifters, perhaps they'd understand. "Shhh," said Lance, motioning with a finger. We came to rescue you. He mouthed the words to the growling wolf, surprised when the beast's eyes widened and the creature stepped back, licking his lips. Lance nodded and continued on his way. Silence now filled the air. Perhaps the wolf was the leader, and they fed off his behavior. Then again, maybe they walked into a trap. He moved down. In the very last cage he found the woman he searched for. She was in tiger form, pacing from one end to the other, so distracted she didn't even see him. She wore a silver collar about her neck. To keep her from shifting? Her muscles flexed as she walked, her back swayed. The great head tossed from side to side and she snarled and hissed as though fighting with some internal demon. He smiled. Cassie was probably the demon the tigress fought. He moved toward the door only to have Jared grab his hand. 127

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"Wait, someone's coming," he whispered. "Hide, I'll take care of them." Lance, Ross and Logan dodged into the cage opposite of Cassie's, its occupant no longer in residence. Jared moved to the middle of the room, and with a few words of Latin and a wave of his hand, his body morphed into one which looked like Dr. Palmer. No matter how many times he saw his brother do this, Lance was still left speechless. It struck Lance how close Jared's polymorphing was to Cassie's shifting. The only difference was Jared could change into any creature or person he wished, even if only for a few minutes. The tigress in the cage roared in confusion, her pacing coming to a halt. She stared at the man, and sniffed, no doubt finding his scent very different. Her eyes met Lance's. There was no recognition. Just pure unadulterated wildness. Lance shivered. God, don't let Logan be right. The door slammed open, drawing Lance's attention. A young man dressed in a hospital green shirt and blue jeans moved inside with a video camera. "What are you doing?" asked Jared. The boy barely raised his eyes. "I'm setting up the camera like you asked." "Not yet, you imbecile. Later. Go get me the drugs. This tigress needs another dose before we begin the experiment. Make sure you get the freshest batch. I don't want to give her the old formula and have to give her another dose later. We don't want to kill her." He smiled a very Palmer like smile. "Yet." The young man sighed his frustration and turned around. 128

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"Leave the camera here." Shaking his head, the boy put the camera on the floor by the door then departed. Once the door slammed closed, Jared stumbled, his body weakened. The morph dissolved. Jared was pale and drained. Polymorphing was an awesome ability, but it took a great deal of wizarding power. Lance moved in his direction to have Ross step in the way. "You take care of her," he said, motioning toward Cassie. "I'll get him." Relieved, Lance moved toward the cage as Ross reached for Jared. The tigress watched his approach, hissing silently when he touched the door. "Cassie," he whispered urgently, "It's me, Lance." The beast roared loudly and charged the bars, but Lance held his ground. "She'll kill you," said Logan, yanking Lance to the side. Lance turned, and struggled against Logan's hold. "No, she won't." "How can you be so sure? Look at her, her mind's gone." His brother sounded so sure, but Logan didn't know Cassie. He didn't know the strength of the woman who'd killed more than thirty people the night before, then mourned their passing. The strength of the beast who'd walked beside him, laughing at his discomfort. More importantly, he didn't know the feeling of her soft lips beneath his. He yanked himself from his brother's hold. "Leave me be. If you can't help, just go take care of Jared." Logan sighed disgustedly and motioned toward the cage. "Be my guest. Get your head bit off." 129

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Cautiously, Lance approached again. "Cassie, it's me. I came to get you out of here." He put his hand on the door. While part of his mind focused on the energy, the other part concentrated on the cat. She was confused. He could see it in the way the proud body hunched in the shoulders. The way her ears were flat on her head. In the way she hissed silently to herself, without charging, her sharp fangs long enough to make the strongest man shudder. Energy he'd gathered outside still circulated in his body and he knew he'd crash later. No magick came without a price. Jared was busy paying the price now. The price would be nothing if he lost Cassie. As quietly as he could, he melted the lock on the door. He opened the door and she charged. Lance met her piercing gaze and stood straight and still, waiting. The powerful beast thundered toward him, then drew up mere inches from flattening him. Her hot breath caused a flutter to his hair. She turned and ran to the far side of the small enclosure. "Come on baby, think. Dig deep inside and find yourself." The cat stared at the man. He looked familiar. Like a dream. Yes, that was it. He was the man in her dream just an hour before. He had touched her, gently. Caressing her fur. He'd even played with her. He'd walked beside her in the rain. This unexpected familiarity was all that kept him alive as she glared at him. That, and his bravery. He hadn't turned and run when she'd charged him. He was not prey. Humans were rarely prey. She cocked her head and looked. 130

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"Cassie, it's me. Please, Kitty cat, remember. Your Dad and Lin are waiting for you." Dad. Warm memories of two cats playing together in a field. A big male, his stripes more frequent than hers, his tawny coat darker, less orange. He'd taught her to hunt. He'd taught her to play. "That's it, Kitty cat, remember. If you can't remember me, remember Lin." The image of a woman came to mind. Asian. Long, dark hair. Warmth and laughter mixed with flashes of a cat. Black, and shiny, the leopard's dark coat camouflaging her spots. A sound rumbled from her chest, before she knew it. "What's that?" asked Ross, now standing just on the other side of the bars. "It's sort of like a purr. She's chuffing," said Lance. "She's remembering." He took a step toward her, and she hissed, warning him to keep back. But he didn't. She shook her head in confusion and paced along the back wall. Their words made sense in the fuddled brain, but the memories were hazy, like a gauzy curtain lay between her and them. She ached to rip the curtain aside to see clearly. "Easy, baby girl. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere without you. They've drugged you. Given you something to make it hard to remember, but you're stronger than they are, Cassie. The doctor doesn't know that." Doctor. She growled. The word filtered through the cat's mind to the woman. The evil one who held her on the silver table. The one with the silver collar. She sat and pawed at the collar with a rear paw. 131

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"That's right, Kitty cat. We need to get that off. Will you let me remove it?" She stopped and stood. He kept moving forward. She should swat him. Teach him a lesson. What lesson? He moved closer, and she did swat, and hissed. She kept her claws sheathed. She wasn't sure what she was teaching him. Respect? Or punishing him for taking so long? He rolled with the swat, landing on two feet and his hands on the floor, his knees bent to a crouch. He looked funny squatting before her. The woman inside laughed. Lance was always doing something silly. Lance. The name ripped through her defenses. Like a grappling hook it hung on the beast's heart. Lance. Who was he? Mate. The word hung heavy in her mind. Why couldn't she remember? She shook her head again. "She's remembering," she heard the man mutter to his friends. Friends. She knew what friends were. Lin was a friend. A shifter like her. She was both cat and woman. Beast and humanity together. The realization shot through her with the speed of an arrow. Oh, God, she'd almost forgotten! She had forgotten! She crouched on her haunches and watched the man. This man who was her mate. Lance Maxey. She could remember his touch, the burn of her body against his, the delicious taste of his mouth. A dull ache formed in her loins. She was his. He was hers. She wanted to be human again—to feel his touch again. 132

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The tigress moaned and dropped to the floor, flattening to her belly. The man moved forward, unafraid. Her mate. If she could, she'd cry with sadness, with joy, with confusion. How could she forget him? She bowed, submitting herself to his will. "Easy, baby," he whispered. His hand caressed her fur and she squirmed, wishing he could feel her skin instead of thick cat hair. "You're so soft," he whispered. It was though he could read her mind. Wait! He could read her mind, if she let him. They could talk together. Lance, she cried out. "Yeah, baby, it's me." Oh, God, I could have killed you. "No, baby. You would never have done that." She could smell the relief on his body, and his tense muscles eased. She shook her head, struggling to hold on to those thoughts that were human, forcing the tigress part of her mind into its place. It was difficult. Where are we? "At GSA headquarters. Seems like you were right. There's a little bit about my job I didn't know about." She could hear the sadness in his voice. I didn't want to be right. I'm sorry. "You have nothing to be sorry about baby. My brothers and I are the ones who owe you. We're going to get you out of this. First, we need to get this collar off." She flattened to the floor, allowing him to touch her how he needed. He tugged, but nothing happened. "Damn," he cursed. 133

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"What is it?" The man at the bars looked older than Lance, his hair was darker, almost brown. His face was hard edged, like a man who knew death. Cassie could smell it on him, the death of others. It clung to his skin, filtered with guilt and pain. Who is he? "That's Logan. Logan, meet Cassie." "Lance, we don't have time for introductions. What's the problem?" He hurts, she said in his mind. "Yes, he does, baby." He turned toward Logan. "I can't get this collar off her. It looks like it's magically sealed." Cassie watched the man turn and call out. "Ross, get over here." Two more men moved slowly toward her cell. One smelled weak and tired, the other was strong and healthy. What's wrong? "He used his power to polymorph into someone else. It takes a lot out of him. He'll be fine." The stronger man leaned his brother up against the wall of her cell, then moved toward her. His scent changed. Fear. She growled low in her throat. "Easy, girl. He's scared enough." She turned her eyes to meet Lance's. Calm, blue, warm. A girl could get used to those eyes. "Here's what we need to do," said the first brother Lance had called Logan. "Lance, you do that electrical thing, and we'll help you focus it, to protect her skin from any burns." Burns? "Don't worry, I won't let anything hurt you." 134

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I'm not afraid of burns. For Pete's sake, Lance. They wanted me to kill another tiger, or let him rape me. Burns are nothing. She realized her mistake too late. She watched the fury burn in his eyes, and knew what he was thinking. Don't worry, nothing happened. You're here, and I'm here. Thank God, you made it in time. "Only by sheer luck," he growled. "Are you two going to keep having a one sided conversation? Or are we going to do this," asked Ross. Lance nodded. He put his hands on her collar, while two of his brothers put a hand on each shoulder and bowed their heads. Heat trickled between her and the collar. Like tiny insects buzzing and stinging, it rolled along the silver and her fur. Then one huge zap of electrical energy shot through the collar. It seared her skin, burning the hair beneath the collar, despite the efforts of his brothers. She heard a click and the silver collar opened. The energy eased instantly and she felt powerful hands rip the collar from her body and toss it aside. Relief. It washed over her the instant the silver left her flesh. Like a huge weight lifted from her body. Her muscles ached with the stress they'd been under, but were finally free. The heavy silver collar had done more than limit her ability to shift. It had caused constant pain. Her large head sagged, and her shoulders relaxed. Lance cupped her face with his palms. He seemed so small when 135

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she was in this form. So delicate, yet the strength in his hands told her this was a lie. He rested his head against hers. "Shift, baby. I need to see you." He drew back and threw his coat around her shoulders, just as he had given her his coat when they'd first met. His automatic concern for her well being, his attention to her modesty, it all showed her what he really was. Yes, he was her True Mate, but he was more, so much more. Everything about him called to her, not just a cellular, instinctual level, but as a woman. She met his gaze and then flashed a look toward his brothers. "Leave," Lance growled. "But—" "Now." Logan clapped Ross on the back. "Let's give the girl some privacy," he said. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Fifteen Once they were alone Lance turned his attention back to Cassie. She'd been a bit shy about shifting in front of him, all except the first time when they'd been in a hurry to save Lin. He hoped she wouldn't be shy now. Her golden gaze met his, and then with a rush of power, the shift began. Hot and cold combined. Her magick poured over him, prickling over his skin. A bright flash blinded his vision and when he opened his eyes, she was there before him. Their eyes met and the rest of the world didn't matter. Only Cassie mattered. Alive and safe. Mine. The word bounced through his brain. He wanted to stop, to evaluate his feelings, but instinct forced his thoughts aside. His gaze dropped and rested on her lips. Such beautiful, full lips, and they called him. Everything about her called to him. Her eyes were dark and hungry, and she leaned into his touch. The danger surrounding them melted into a barely memorable photograph. It didn't matter. He had to taste her or he would go mad. Sensual hunger and masculine power surged inside him with electrifying force. A fierce possessiveness ripped through his control, and he snapped. His hands tangled in her beautiful mane of hair, dragging her toward him. Her eyes flashed, but not in anger. In lust. When his lips crashed down on hers, the sound she emitted wasn't of disgust or fury, but was frustration and need. 137

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He growled into her throat, drew her up, pressing her against the cold hard wall. She didn't fight. She didn't push him away. Instead, her arms wrapped around his neck, her body arching into his. He devoured her, every inch he could reach. Her taste was sweet, with the tart zip he found so erotic, like the driest of wines, intoxicating and rich. The softness of her curves melted against his hardened body. He groaned and pushed into her to hide the tremor running through him. His hands caressed the softness of the skin hidden only by his coat, and when her body shuddered, it was as though his world dropped away. Never had he hungered for any woman with such overpowering force. Her hands were driving him insane, fluttering along his chest, down his arms, and to his waist. Every touch drove him to greater heights. Like the sky diver, he knew he would fall, and fall fast, any second. Restraint was only so strong. With an effort at control, he tangled his fingers in her hair and jerked her head back. She growled in response, her eyes glazed with her own hunger. Her hands tugged him toward her. "We have to stop," he murmured. Women were to be treated with gentleness and sweetness. Yet with Cassie, the urge to possess her, to mark her in some primitive fashion was overwhelming. She nodded, but didn't stop. She nipped his lower jaw, her fangs exposed just enough to feel the sharp jab in his skin. He growled, yanking her head back again, glaring at her mouth. So soft, and so sharp all at once. The mixture of innocence and aggression ripped the last shred of his control 138

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and his mouth crashed on hers. He gave no mercy, controlling everything about her. He released her hair only to grab her hands, to push them above her head. The jacket dropped to the floor and she stood before him, naked, her heart and her body exposed. He covered her body with his and again marveled at how small and delicate she was in her human form. He thrust his hips against her, unable to control the instinctive urge. He hungered to feel her wrapped around him, to feel the softness of her body, holding him, gripping his maleness. He thought he heard a sound. He ignored it. His lips left her mouth and trailed to her throat. She arched to give him access, her throat a continuously rumbling growl. "Lance." He heard the voice far off in the distance, his ears buzzing with the desire pumping through his body. "Lance," the voice was louder this time, and a hand slapped him on the shoulder. Lance whirled, furious with the interruption. Jared stepped back, his eyes widening at the ferocity of Lance's reaction. "What?" growled Lance. "We need to get out of here." "You need to leave me be," he snarled. He turned back to the sweetness of Cassie. Her scent, her taste, and her touch. "He's right," her voice was a husky whisper. Her words didn't register, but the timbre of her voice wrapped around his heart, squeezing it for all she was worth. 139

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"Lance, back off her. What's got into you, man?" The exasperated tone in Jared's voice finally broke through. Lance struggled for some semblance of control. He turned his eyes to Cassie, guilt for losing control heavy in his heart. She was naked, from head to toe, in front of his brother. He stooped and snatched the dropped trench coat and whisked it around her, ignoring the surge of possessiveness fighting to rear its head. "I'll be there in a minute," he groaned. "But—" "Just give me a minute. If I'm not out in two, come back in and get me." "No chance of that," said Jared. "I'll send Logan in. He's not going to believe me when I tell him you nearly bit my head off." Lance closed his eyes, and reached for Cassie once more, cupping her face in his hands. He scrunched his eyelids, struggling for control while resting his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry, Cassie. I don't know what got into me." Her sweet, feminine palm touched his jaw and he flinched. "It's okay." She chuckled weakly. "We both got a little out of control." "Don't touch me," he replied, his words clipped. Cassie brows raised in surprise. She didn't know much about the True Mating, but she'd never heard it could cause a personality change in one of the people involved. Though that's what was happening. The sweet, gentle kisses he'd given her before were gone. 140

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The worst part was she liked the new Lance even better. The roughness, the hunger she saw on his taut face, knowing she could do that to him was exciting and erotic. Maybe it was the tigress inside her, still wanting to fight for what she wanted, to mate like the wild beast she was, but if so, how did that explain the change in Lance? "We need to get going," she whispered. He nodded and opened his eyes. He kissed her forehead with exaggerated gentleness and stepped back. She noticed he didn't meet her gaze. "We'll talk, Lance. We'll figure this out later, but we have work to do first." He nodded. "I don't want to ever hurt you." She cinched the coat's belt around her waist and gave a sharp laugh. "That isn't an issue. Trust me." He gave her an odd look, but she didn't have time to find out what he was thinking. There were shifters who needed rescuing, and everyone was still in danger. They stepped out of the cell, only to find his brothers waiting impatient. "It's about damned time," said Logan. "Sorry," Lance murmured. "Got distracted." "So I hear." When Lance gave him a sharp look, Logan ignored him. People were busy being hoisted out of the room by Jared and Ross, pushed into the ceiling from the hole they'd left. Men and women without clothes. The brothers hadn't thought to bring extras just in case. He imagined once they were free, they could shift and run home. 141

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"Look, we got the collars of all but one of the shifters. He's refusing to cooperate." "Which one?" "A tiger." Cassie felt the blood drain from her face. The same tiger they'd wanted her to fight. The one they wanted to watch kill or be killed. "Show me." They escorted her to the last cell on the right. He was magnificent, though he was young. No more than sixteen years old. The poor boy had been locked inside a cage at the time a shifter needed room to run and be free. "He's so young." She sniffed. She knew that scent. It was PJ, her cousin's son. "Oh my, God," she whispered. "What?" asked Lance. "I know him. Or rather, I know his mother." "Maybe you can talk him out then?" His collar had burned away the fur around his neck, and she knew it pained him. She nodded and stepped closer to the bars. He lunged, fury etched into every inch of his face. She didn't flinch or retreat, knowing she was safe. "PJ, it's me, it's Cassie." The creature snarled and hissed, swatting at the bars with huge paws. He spun away and trotted around the small enclosure. She could feel his anger, his desire to be free. "PJ, you have to relax. We want to take you home." The great cat yowled in fury, but stayed his ground. Cassie moved to the door. "Open it," she demanded. 142

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"He'll kill you." "No, he won't. I can talk him down." "I'll go in with you," said Lance as he melted the lock. "No, he'll kill you, but not me. He knows me." "He doesn't look like he knows you to me," said Jared. She shook her head, throwing the long gold locks behind her shoulders. "He's just confused, from the drugs. Just before you guys got here, they injected him with more. Testosterone. He shouldn't pay for their torture." She opened the door before they had a chance to understand what she'd said. "Wait a second." Lance grabbed her arm, and she hissed in return. "Let go of me." "You think I'm going to let you go in there? With an enraged tiger?" She lifted her chin, her eyes dead on with his. "How is that different from you coming in with me?" "Because I..." "Exactly. Let go." Lance frowned, then slowly released her arm. She nodded, then stepped cautiously into the cage, pulling the door closed behind her. PJ glared at her, silently hissing his fury, his eyes following her every move. "We have to go," she whispered. "It's time for you and me to leave." His ears perked forward, listening. "I know what they did to you, PJ. I know how they hurt you. They drugged you. 143

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Everything that's happened, everything you're feeling is because of the drugs. You have to be stronger than that." The beast threw his head back and yowled loud and long. The sound was ear piercing and held such pain. "PJ, where's Connie? Where's your mother?" The cat roared, shaking the very walls. The small window in his cell rattled in its frame. Just as she thought he'd gotten a grip on his fury, he charged. He slammed into her with the force of a train, knocking her to the ground. She shifted, now two tigers, one on one, in the battle Dr. Palmer had so desired. Before her shift was finished, he was on her, clawing at her shoulders, his teeth inches from her throat. From beneath him, she kicked with powerful hind legs, shoving him off her, and she stood, snarling. Fury rolled off him, wave after wave, combined with pain. Whatever had happened to him had nearly broken the boy, and today would decide if he lived or died. Live. When he charged she dodged, but he was there, slamming her again to the ground. She groaned, rolling over and shoving him away. Drawing her body upright, she slapped his face in rapid succession, like a boxer, one after the other. The two fought, erect on their haunches, their claws scraping against each other's face. Cassie knew she had to out maneuver the boy, and she hit hard and fast. The male's head slammed to one side, then the other. He stepped back, lowering his body, wary of her strength. He snarled, his huge fangs glinting in the poor overhead light. She knew he would kill her if she couldn't find a way to reach 144

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him. Or she would be forced to kill him. Her cousin. She couldn't do it. Lance was right. She shouldn't have come in. PJ charged again, yet this time, the power was weaker, the anger overcome by pain. She boxed him again, and he stepped back and shook his head. With a bright flash of light, Cassie shifted. She heard Lance curse, and his brothers trying to calm him. She couldn't focus on him right now. PJ was the one who needed help. "PJ, it's me, your cousin. I don't want to hurt you." If tigers could cry, she would see tears running down his face. The misery showed in his eyes, pain which lived inside him. "We can escape, PJ, but I need your help. I need you to shift." He shook his head. "Please. Help me help you." Lance didn't know how much more of this he could take. Cassie sat, naked, on the floor, before a ferocious tiger who's only thought was death. Her death. Logan and Ross both held on to Lance, keeping him from interfering. Her nakedness was bad enough, but the danger—He'd seen what she could do, but this time she was pulling her punches, trying not to hurt the tiger she called PJ. The young tiger roared and leaped on her, knocking her to the floor. Lance struggled to free himself from his brother's hold. "Cassie," he cried. They only held tighter. "Leave her, she knows what she's doing," said Logan. How the hell did he know? Logan had just met Cassie. She was his, not his brother's and he had no right keeping him from her. 145

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"Let go," he demanded, desperation filling his every cell. "Not till you are under control." Lance watched with horror as Cassie lay beneath the powerful beast, his claws rasping her skin, his fangs so close to her delicate throat. "Patrick James, you get off me this instant." Her voice was sharp and motherly. The tiger stopped, and stared, then backed off. She sat up. "Patrick James, if you don't tell me where your mother is right now, you'll not get supper for the next week." The large beast sat and stared at her for long moments, then dropped to the floor, his belly flat on the concrete and his head sideways in complete submission. The great beast lay there for a few seconds, his mouth open in a silent hiss of confusion and child like pain. Even Lance could feel his misery from outside the cell. Cassie moved to the collar, and despite the hiss of her flesh, she ripped it off the young beast. The flash of light to humanity came almost as an afterthought, the danger already over. Relief washed through Lance and shoved Logan away, then threw the coat back over Cassie. He examined every bit of her, surprised to find no blood anywhere. She patted his hand in thanks, then moved toward the boy. He lay, crying silently. Cassie slipped her arms into the coat and tightened the belt about her waist before she dropped to her knees, and pulled the boy into her arms. She rocked him silently, her hands smoothing his hair. 146

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The scene brought a lump into Lance's throat. Just moments before this powerful beauty had been a raging tigress, intent on teaching a child a lesson. Now she rocked that same child in her arms, radiating the pure beauty only an innocent could. She was so young. So naive, or so he had thought. After her reaction in her cell, he wasn't so sure he bought her virginity story. Either way, on the floor, soothing the aching heart of a child, he could find nothing but beauty inside her. A beauty I almost hurt. The memory of their kiss sliced at the bond between them. What the hell is wrong with me? He should have checked her over, made sure she was unhurt. But no. He'd been overcome with a fierce possessiveness, determined to take full possession of her, protect her. As though staking some animalistic claim upon her. The worst part was he wanted to do it again. Now he knew the urge existed, he would control it. He had to control it, because if he hurt her, he would never forgive himself. He turned his attention back to the focus of this unexpected hunger. She murmured sweet nothings into the child's ear. The boy pulled from her arms, and turned away. "PJ, come, it's time for us to go," she said gently. "No. I'm staying." Cassie met Lance's gaze, surprise in her eyes. "You can't stay, PJ, they'll kill you. They planned your death for today." "You should have let them do it." The voice was so filled with pain none could ignore it. The boy's anguish was an 147

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almost palpable force in the space between them. His body barely resembled a teenager's. Instead he was easily as powerful as Lance, maybe even stronger, while in human form. His shoulders were wide, roped with heavy muscles, defined as though he'd been working out. His waist was narrow, with ridged abs. Whatever the GSA planned, it wasn't this boy's death. Cassie was wrong. They were building a killing machine, and they wouldn't be happy when their boy toy disappeared. Cassie touched PJ's shoulder and he yanked away, standing to put space between them. She merely followed him. "You've been through a lot, PJ, we need to talk about this when we get home." "I don't have a home." "Yes, you do." "She's dead." The words came out a whisper, so soft Lance barely heard them. Cassie's breath caught in her throat and her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry, PJ. I'm sorry." "I killed her." "No, you can't think that way, they did it." "You don't understand," he turned and shouted. "I killed her. They put me in her cell with her, and I killed her." His voice cracked and tears poured down his cheeks, his eyes a mix of horror and anger. Lance wanted to tell her to back off, but this was her cousin. He was a boy. A boy who'd been through the worst kind of torture, and probably wasn't ready to talk about it. 148

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He heard papers fluttering behind him and when he glanced to see, Logan was flipping through the file Cap had given them. By the look on his face, there was no possibility PJ was wrong. Lance grabbed the file and there it was, in black and white, complete with a photograph of the desecrated body. Notes showed they'd starved the boy to near death, injected him with their drug, and then gave him a boost of testosterone. All of which explained not only what happened, but how a boy who's face looked no more than fourteen could have the body of an adult male. "PJ. I was here, remember? I went through a tiny portion of what you did. I know what their drugs can do. You didn't kill her. They did. They used you as a weapon, it's true. That can never be undone. But it's not your fault." Lance handed the file back to Logan and stepped forward. "She's right, son. It's not your fault. You've done nothing wrong. It's time for us to get you out of here before they find ways to use you even worse." The boy stared at him, his eyes still glistening with moisture. From behind pain filled eyes Lance could see him thinking, considering their words. With a sniff, he wiped his nose. "I don't care," he murmured. "She does," Lance said, motioning toward Cassie. "She cares if you live or die, and that means I care. We'll sort through this later, but for now, let's get you out of here." As though Lance's words had strengthened him, he straightened his spine. "Ok." Ross handed the boy his trench coat. "Put this on. It's better than nothing." 149

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PJ ducked his head in a shy nod and took the coat. It barely reached his knees. A door slammed in the next room. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Sixteen "Shit," said Lance. "Get him out of here." A flurry of motion sent the men in several different directions. By now the others had already escaped through the opened ceiling. Only his brothers, the boy and Cassie remained. Lance grabbed for her and wrapped her in his arms. He couldn't resist a kiss on her forehead and groaned as he pulled his lips away. Bad move. The closeness of her body only made him want her more. Even with danger so close, his jeans tightened in the crotch. "Go," he whispered to her harshly. She shook her head. "I want PJ out first. I don't want anyone getting caught here because of me." Lance growled in frustration, but they didn't have time to argue. Jared went first, having finally recovered somewhat from his earlier morph, followed by PJ and then Ross. When Logan tried to convince Cassie to leave, she refused. Frustrated, Lance made the decision. "You go first, Logan, then I'll send her up to you." Logan nodded and climbed through the ceiling tiles; just as his foot disappeared into the darkness, the door at the end of the hallway crashed open. "I thought I told you to setup the damned camera first." Doctor Palmer strode into the room, his attention on the young assistant Jared had tricked earlier, his clipboard in his hand. He was so confident in his ability to control the animals in the pens he didn't even glance their way. 151

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Fury roiled inside her, and her vision turned red. Death. His death. Then, as though he felt her presence, he turned. His eyes widened the instant he saw them. Cassie flashed, her body working on instinct, leaping over Lance's head to slam hard into the chest of the evil man. She roared her fury. She wanted him to suffer—like he made her suffer; like PJ suffered; and like her dear, sweet cousin suffered. She raked one paw across his body. Blood oozed from the wound as she rolled him to his belly with one clawed foot. Her mouth watered. Meat. Dead meat. Her tongue already tasting his blood. She licked at the red drops beside him, growling as she did. Evil and rancid, filled with drugs. He struggled to get away, his eyes filled with terror. She wasn't strapped to a table this time, waiting for his needle. She wasn't wrapped in a silver collar, rendered impotent by his depravity. A hiss escaped her throat, and she felt hands on her shoulder. She snarled until she recognized the scent. Lance. "Let him go, Cassie." The body beneath her stilled at heard Lance's words, but she wasn't fooled. She held him in place with one large foot on each shoulder. All it would take would be to lean in with her weight. She'd crush his lungs. But that wasn't her way. She wanted his blood. She wanted to feel her fangs sink into the back of his neck. He's evil. "I can't argue with you there. But you can't let hatred rule you." He's worse than the Satanists, she growled in his head. 152

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"We can punish him. We can expose him to the rest of the organization." She roared, her head tipped back and her fangs flashing. The woman inside her knew the humans would do nothing. Those who knew shifters existed didn't believe they had souls, and therefore worthy of protection from men like Palmer. She knew the GSA far better than Lance did. "I can't let you kill for vengeance, Cassie. I can't." She sensed his frustration, his concern. All for her. More than anything she wanted to crush the life out of the doctor. Her head told her it was a bad idea, but her tigress wanted vengeance in a way only a tiger could. "Let him go, baby. We'll find a better way to make him pay." Her teeth scraped her prey's neck and the scent of urine filled the air. The coward had pissed himself. She wanted to laugh triumphantly, but instead backed off, and let Lance lift the man to his feet. "Thank you." Dr. Palmer's voice was shaky with relief. "Don't thank me, I'll see you're punished for what you did," he snarled into the man's ear. "Just because she didn't kill you doesn't mean I won't." Cassie watched, stunned as Lance manhandled Palmer to his feet. He hadn't let her kill the man, when she'd so wanted to. She knew he remembered the pain she'd felt over the Satanists, but that was different. Those men followed a leader, and some of those were vulnerable, or even caught up in drugs, giving the leader more power than he would have 153

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otherwise. Dr. Palmer knew exactly what he was doing. She wanted to scream at Lance, demanding to let her handle this. A flash of movement caught her eye. The doctor held a large syringe in his fist, his hand raised to plunge the needle into Lance's back. Cassie reacted on instinct. She leapt toward them, shoving Lance away. The needle missed Lance and penetrated her shoulder. She roared her fury. Her claws dug into the doctor's face, destroying the remnants of humanity in his expression. He howled, and she struck again, this time with teeth, clamping down on his neck. She felt it the instant her teeth punctured his flesh, cutting off the blood supply to his brain, spilling into her mouth. She tightened her jaws and felt his spinal cord snap, and his throat collapsed. His body spasmed, and a liquid gurgle bubbling form his throat—then it stopped. Her muscles burned where he'd thrust the needle. She had no idea what was inside her. She needed to shift now, to counteract the drug. Flashing to human form, she stood, naked again, her legs weakened and shaky. "Cassie," Lance screamed. She collapsed to the floor only to find herself wrapped in the warmth of his arms. They felt so good. So warm and comforting. She wanted to tell him so, but her tongue felt three times bigger than her mouth. Relaxing into his strength, she let go and welcomed the darkness. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Seventeen Lance glanced frantically around. His brothers were already gone. The sensation of uselessness was not to his liking. Not when it came to Cassie. She needed help. There was no way to know what was in the syringe, and the young assistant had torn from the room so fast there was no doubt guards were on their way. He lifted Cassie's unconscious form and cradled her in his arms. He knew this building well. He'd worked here for three years, oblivious to the pain in the basement, but the floor was identical to the ones above, the main difference being the cages. There were places they could hide. He'd just have to find one of them. He strode out of the room into a darkened hallway. Room after room was filled cages and cells, most empty. The poor creatures remaining snarled viciously, the last remnants of their humanity long gone, destroyed by the drugs pumped into their bodies by Dr. Palmer. This could have been Cassie's future. The very thought was too much to bear, so he shoved it into the back of his mind. At last he found an office. The name plate had been removed from the door, but it was obvious the previous occupant wasn't some dweeb like Lance who barely had their own cubby after three years service. The interior was well decorated, though the oak furniture and leather sofa were covered with a layer of dust. Lance kicked the door closed behind him, then laid her lithe form on couch and felt for her 155

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pulse. It was strong, as was her breathing. Thank God. He lay his coat around her like a blanket. Somewhat relieved, he looked around. How long had the experiments gone on? He'd barely given a glance to the details in the files he and Logan confiscated. Cassie had been his main concern, and everything he read only increased his reckless need to barge in, so he'd ignored as much as he could. Cassie had said PJ was missing for more than three years? While he was visiting his mother in the medical bays above, shifters already lay dying, held prisoner in nothing more than a dungeon. A shudder shook his body, and he again pictured Cassie as she destroyed Doctor Palmer's throat. One glance at her still form sent a pang of guilt through him. She lay so still, so pale. It was his fault. Palmer intended the needle for him, and if he hadn't been careless he'd have seen it coming. Once again she'd been forced to kill to save him. Some job he did at protecting her. What was in that syringe? Worry gnawed at his gut. He paced the room, surprised to find a pair of small French doors in one corner. He slid them open to discover a tiny bathroom. A toilet was crammed between a shower stall and a counter and sink. Paper towels still hung inside the dispenser. He grabbed a few and wet them, then headed back to Cassie. He stroked her gently. If she died, he would never forgive himself. She shouldn't have been here. It was him who should be lying there unconscious. He brushed her hair from the corner of her lips, 156

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then caressed her cheek with the wet towel. It was too harsh for such softness, but it was the best he could do. She moaned, her forehead furrowing in pain. "Cassie," he whispered urgently. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Eighteen Cassie floated back to reality, images from her dreams flitting into the darkness. Like butterflies escaping a net, they fluttered from her mind, leaving a sizzling, aching hunger behind. Like a candle's flames, heat licked through her blood, melting her and softening her body with liquid fire. She was hot and ready for his touch. Lance's touch. She inhaled, and his hot masculine scent rolled over her. Her body reacted, arching toward him, searching for his caresses, her mind still lost in the sensations of her dreams. A calloused hand caressed her cheek, and she nuzzled it, relishing the gentle caress. "Cassie, wake up." Her eyes fluttered open and she spied him through half closed lids. He looked good enough to eat, poised above her. Her mouth curved into a hungry smile. His lips so close, pursed in concern, his eyes so dark, filled with emotions she couldn't name. Her fogged mind told her something wasn't right. Told her she should wait, but she couldn't bring herself to care. The instinct to touch him, to kiss him, was too strong. She could be embarrassed later, but now, she needed him. Grabbing his shirt collar with both hands she yanked him down. His eyes flew wide open in surprise, and his chest slammed into hers just as her mouth took his. 158

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Sensations swam inside her. The feel of his body on hers, the comforting weight spread out over her chest. Heat blossomed inside, building what was already uncomfortably hot. God, he tastes amazing. A hundred times better with each kiss, and all she could think of was more. Their tongues met, tasting, teasing. He may have been surprised to start, but it didn't take long for him to react. A battle of mastery waged between them. He fed from her mouth, as though starved for her taste, meeting her stroke for stroke before wrestling control from her. Strong hands gripped her hair, angling her head for a deeper kiss, building the hunger burning in her body. The power in his touch ripped through her, and she moaned into his mouth. As though the sound jolted him to reality, he pulled back, his lips wet from their kiss. She didn't want reality. Her eyes fell to his mouth, hungry to lick the moisture from his flesh. She yanked him down again, her tongue tracing along his lips. His breath came in hard raspy gasps, as he struggled to pull back, but she held on. He groaned. He wanted her, she could feel it, the length of his arousal pressed against her hip. "Stop," he whispered. "It's not safe." His words penetrated the hunger in her mind, and with a frustrated groan, she pulled back, her breath whispering against his lips. "Not safe?" He shook his head. "No, Kitty cat." 159

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She let go, and he pulled away from her, taking with him the sweet ecstasy of his weight. A whimper escaped her throat before she could stop it. Biting her lip, she forced her mind to focus on his words instead of yanking him back down to her the way she wanted. The tigress within growled in disappointment. "Where are we?" she choked out. "An office, in the GSA. You passed out, and I was afraid if I ran into anyone I couldn't explain why I was carrying a naked, unconscious woman." She nodded, struggling to make sense out of the fog. Her body wanted one thing, but her mind wanted safety. "Too many shifts, too close together," she muttered. "I thought it might be the drug." "No," she said. "It's not good to shift so often. It takes a lot out of the body" He held himself stiffly over her, not touching her, but not pulling away. He refused to meet her eyes. "So I brought you here. This floor doesn't look like it's used for much anymore, and this is the opposite end from the experiments." "So we're really safe here? Right?" She prayed they were. More than anything she needed to satisfy the hunger burning inside her. Even now the sharp pangs of desire were painful. Her breasts were heavy and throbbing, her body was empty, waiting. Her fingers itched to run through his hair, to feel the hard muscles of his chest, to feel what he was like under those clothes. "I suppose so. For a while." 160

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"Good," she nodded, and moved to reach for him, then stopped. "Oh, God." Panic raced in her mind. "The syringe!" "What about it? If that's not what made you pass out, what did it do? Didn't shifting wipe it out of your body?" She shook her head so hard it hurt. A groan shot from her throat. "Yes. No ... I don't know. I think it made things worse. Damn, I should have guessed." "Guessed what?" This time he met her eyes, his filled with concern, his face paling. "PJ. They didn't want me to kill him after all. The syringe ... It was ... well, it was filled with an aphrodisiac." His eyes widened so far she suddenly wondered if they might actually pop out of his head. "An aphrodisiac?" he rasped. He scooted back on the couch and sat at her feet. She half expected him to leap up and cross the room. Anything to get as far away as he could. She hid the hurt by sighing with her eyes closed. "Gee thanks," she said wryly when she opened them again. "It's not as if I wasn't already in the mood." He frowned, his eyes hooded. "Fighting a tiger put you in the mood? Or was it killing the doctor?" She gave him her most sensual smile, or one she hoped was. Adrenaline was replaced with a hormonal surge that burned through her blood. "I can't say the animal inside didn't appreciate taking out the doc. Bloodlust can sometimes be a turn on for shifters." She moved to her hands and knees. "But no." The drape of his coat fell to the leather couch, exposing her body. The cool and musty breeze felt good against her heated skin. "I'd have to say it was you." 161

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With feline grace she crawled forward, sidling into his lap, her hands reaching into his soft, golden hair. So rich and luxurious, it reminded her of a cat's. She had the urge to rub her body against his, to feel his skin against hers, and she could find no good reason not to do so. "Stop it, Cassie," he grabbed her wrists. "We can't." She pouted. "Why?" Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she should back off, but right now, she couldn't. Her body and instincts had taken over, like a cat in heat. The only thing that mattered was his touch. He sighed and closed his eyes, and rested his head against the back of the couch. "I will not have your first time be in some strange office on the couch." "First time?" she laughed. "Who said it was my first time?" He looked at her, his brow furrowed and she nearly laughed at his confusion. "But, you said..." "Did I? I think what I said was you wanted me because you think I'm a virgin. I didn't say I was." She leaned in and nuzzled his neck, her hands useless. Despite the tight hold on her wrists, she felt feminine and powerful. His scent was so strong. It tasted so hot. "But..." his voice was raspy, "At the coliseum, they said—" "And you are going to believe a bunch of kooks?" She swiped her tongue along his throat, savoring the salty masculine taste. He swallowed. Hard. She smiled. "I can't do this, Cassie. I might ... Well, I'm not myself." She pulled back, and looked him in the eye, her brow furrowed. They were dark and sensuous, yet wary, as though 162

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touching her may release a storm for which he wasn't prepared "What are you talking about?" "I almost hurt you before. That's not like me." He looked away. She chuckled, watching the pain in his eyes turn to confusion. "Hurt me? Lance, I'm stronger than I look. I'm a tigress shifter, for God's sake. There's no way you could hurt me." The hold on her wrists grew stronger as he imprisoned her before him. "I got rough." She fought to hide her amused grin, recognizing the concern in his voice. "Have you ever see tigers mate?" He lifted a brow. "I can't say I've had the pleasure." She smiled, softly. She wished he'd release her hands so she could brush the hair from his forehead. Instead she leaned in and nuzzled his ear. "Tigers are ferocious when they mate, violence is their second nature. As a shifter, in human form, I sometimes desire the sweet and gentle, sometimes the quick and furious and even the rough and ready. Lance, I don't know how you did it, but it's like you were feeding from my mind and picking up what I wanted. After I shifted, and you were there, all I could think of was having you. Damn the consequences." Her tongue swept over the shell of his ear, and her lips curved to a smile when his breath caught in his throat. "You have nothing to worry about. I liked it." For long seconds he didn't move, his breath was ragged in his chest and it rose and fell beneath her body. He wanted her. She could smell his desire radiating from his body, in his 163

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breath, and in his skin. She inhaled and drank it in like a fine wine. She didn't understand his hesitation. "So relax, enjoy," she nuzzled his throat again, and her fangs grew in her mouth. The desire to taste him fully, to sink her fangs into his flesh rushed through her and she growled, fighting the wild urge. "Cassie, I can't do this." "Why?" She nuzzled again, her tongue rasping over the masculine flesh. "You don't care who it is, me or some other man. I can't do that to you. Can't take advantage of you that way." God, the way this man's brain worked. Oh, right, he didn't know yet that they were True Mates, and now definitely wasn't the time to explain it. "Do you really think I'd let just any man touch me? Drug or no drug? Tigers in the wild may not mate for life, but I'm not a wild tigress, and I choose my mates carefully." "What are you saying, Cassie?" "That I wanted you before the drug. I've wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you, though I didn't understand why. It does matter who is here, and it's you I want." His scent changed, darkening in response to her words. If she was a house cat, she'd purr at the smell of his desire. Instead, she satisfied herself with a grin. She tugged to release her hand, but he only held her tighter. She felt the tension in his body, and heard the rumble of hunger in his chest. When he moved, his speed caught her by surprise. One powerful hand grabbed her by the hair and yanked her off his 164

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lap, slamming her against the back of the couch, her body facing forward. Her breath whooshed from her lungs as her body arched toward him. The pounding she heard came from her own pulse as her blood pumped hard. Yes. This was what she wanted. His power, his hunger, his strength. Lance stared at the woman spread out for him. She didn't fight his grip, but instead, lay passive, waiting for his decision. Though what he saw in her eyes wasn't submission, nor was there any embarrassment. They burned hot with lust. Her gaze roved over his face hungrily before focusing on his mouth. Her tongue peeked out, and she licked her lips. With a soft moan, she arched toward him. Each movement, each touch drove his mind further into an abyss of her making. Just like in the cell when she'd changed for him, he didn't want violence, he wanted possession. Deep, hot, hungry possession of this beautiful woman. "Is this what you want, Cassie?" he whispered. "Do you like this?" He barely recognized his own voice, as he growled into her ear. She trembled when his breath whispered over her flesh. Awakening instincts fought with the man he knew himself to be. He'd always been gentle with women. But today he wasn't a man. He was something else. The urge to thrust deep inside her wasn't human, and it scared him. On some elemental level, the man inside him feared he would hurt her. Deeper, at the cellular level, heat burned inside him. What was happening? Was she right? Did she bring this out in him? Was it something already buried inside him, just waiting for the right woman to release it? 165

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He wanted to think it through, to learn what was happening, but his brain refused to cooperate. Instead, he gazed at her pale skin as it glowed in the darkened room, teasing him in ways he didn't understand. He needed to touch her. He shouldn't. He'd promised, and if ever that promise meant something, it was today. He traced a finger down her throat. "So pretty," he whispered. So vulnerable. Her breasts heaved with every breath, and his fingers itched to stroke and tease. She could break his hold any time she wanted, but she lay still, waiting. Like a cub being disciplined. A cub masquerading as a woman. He shook his head. No, a woman, masquerading as a cub. A woman who made him feel powerful and strong. His fingers trailed along the delicate skin of her throat, and she stirred, her hips squirming beside him. He leaned in, his face close to hers. "So this is it, Cassie? You offer yourself to me?" She nodded, her breath coming in tiny gasps. "Yes," she whimpered. He breathed against her ear and smiled when her body shivered, and tiny goose bumps broke out over her flesh. Power rushed over his skin and through his senses. Her pale skin darkened, flushed with the heat of her arousal. "Is it me you want Cassie? Or would any man do?" Anger flashed in her eyes. "I already told you. It's you. And if you don't touch me soon, I swear I'll..."

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He cupped her breasts, interrupting her train of thought. Gentle. So gentle. Her body trembled, and she arched toward him. "You're teasing," she whispered through clenched teeth. "Don't tease me." Lance laughed darkly. He liked teasing her. Despite the aching hunger in his own body, he discovered he loved the submissive arch of her beautiful body, the way she squirmed beneath his touch. He trailed his lips down her hot skin. She tasted so sweet, so utterly addictive. The power she held in her body could destroy him in an instant, yet she held it in check for him. Why was that so hot? Maybe it was akin to riding a motorcycle at top speeds, or jumping off the cliff with the fragile wings of a hang glider to lift you. Holding her body was equally dangerous. No, it was more so. He flashed on the memory of his first sight of her in animal form, as she ripped through the Satanists, her righteous fury unleashed in all its deadly might. The beast inside her was powerful, savage beyond anything he'd ever seen, though filled with an innate beauty. In contrast, the woman he held was even more beautiful. And she was his. All his. For now. His teeth ridged the corded muscles of her neck and she whimpered. She wanted to fight him. He could sense it in the tense muscles in her shoulders, the fists at her side; but she waited. He laughed softly, enjoying the sensation of power she brought out in him. Everything about her was remarkable. He 167

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let his hand drift lower, brushing one hard nipple. Her body jerked. She moaned. Kiss me. Now. He heard the words in his mind. It was the first time she'd spoken to him in his head since she'd awakened. Such an intimate style of communication. He wished he could return the favor, to leave his mouth busy for other things. His hunger for her built with every touch, every taste. Releasing her hair, he moved to cup her face with both hands. Her lips were parted, warm and lush. They called, demanding he obey. He obliged. His mouth crashed down on hers, diving into the sweet and tangy drug that was her taste. Sweet heaven. He struggled to maintain a semblance of conscious thought. The dusty office faded away, and all that remained was Cassie. Her taste, her scent, her feel, they worked together to play havoc on his senses. Tiny flutters rippled along his shirt, and it was a moment before he realized it was her hands. Her fingers pulled and twisted the cloth as though unsure what to do next. She'd lied. She was still a virgin. Possessiveness surged inside him. She was his, to take, to make into a woman. Conflicting emotions swirled in his head. The need to be careful, the urge to be aggressive. They fought even as he caressed the softness of her arms. He pulled back and stared into her eyes. This wasn't the place to make a girl into a woman, but he'd long ago lost all control, operating entirely on instinct. His desire for her went beyond anything he understood. He had to be inside her, had to feel her body wrapped around his. It was as though the 168

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medication in her body seeped into his, and as he devoured her, his need spiraling out of control. For he teetered on the precipice of control, the loss of all conscious thought. She moaned, so soft, so delicate. Her body arched and the knife's edge of lust sharpened its blade, his body shaking with the desire to be inside her. To feel her wrap her moist heat around him. He feared once would not be enough. He would die wanting to feel Cassie's warmth. He fed off her mouth, and she returned the kiss with fervor, his head dizzy with want. He pushed against her, reveling in the soft contours of her welcoming body. The mixture of innocence and sweetness, hunger and lust burned hot. She may want fast and hard, but for her first time, he would see to it she felt nothing but pleasure. Even if it killed him. By God, it just might. He pulled back and gazed at the wonder of her. She was splayed on the couch, waiting for him, ripe and wet, her body open, her fists opening and closing as she struggled to control herself, waiting for him. "Take off my shirt," he ordered. Cassie needed no further urging. It's about time. She yanked his shirt over his head, and her eyes took in the hard masculine body before her. It wasn't like she hadn't seen a naked chest before. She was a shifter, after all, yet this was different. He was all angles and planes, hard, chiseled muscles that were easily as powerful as the male shifters who'd courted her though the years. He held still, and she slid one hand slowly across his skin. The hot muscles twitched beneath her fingers. It was soft. 169

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Not as soft as a woman's but definitely softer than she'd expected. Beneath she felt the power of steel muscle. The contrast was as arousing as his touch. So unexpected, so masculine. He leaned forward, his scent overpowering her senses. A finger traced along her shoulder, and his teeth were bared. "I want to bury my teeth in your flesh." He drew a circle along her pulse. "Is that normal, Cassie?" His words charged straight to her heart, and heat exploded inside, her body shuddering with the surge of powerful hunger. She arched toward him, offering her throat, offering everything. The spot he'd chosen was the one where tiger shifters marked their mates. Did he know what he was doing? It didn't matter. Not now. "Yes," she murmured. "Please." What was she saying? Was she really asking him to mark her when she knew he had no clue what it meant? Her brain no longer worked the way it should. She ran entirely on instinct now, with only the occasional lucid thought pushing its way through. She barely had time to understand when one large hand trailed along her stomach, caressing, and firm; yet ever so gentle. She squirmed, unable to take in all the sensations as they rolled over her. "Stay," he ordered, his hand flattening over her belly. "I want to touch you," she cried. "Please." She hadn't been lying earlier when she'd told him how much she wanted him after he'd removed the collar and she'd shifted. He'd lunged for her, but she'd been ready. Even then she'd wanted to rip his clothes off and drag him to the floor. 170

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Her brain struggled to figure out why they were so uncontrolled, but she couldn't focus while his calloused hands roamed over her body. "You can touch me all you want, later. For now, it's my turn." His knuckles brushed the underside of her breast and chill bumps erupted over her body. "What's the matter, baby? Don't you like my touch?" Soft laughter accompanied his words. "Too much," she moaned. "I like it too much. Please, don't tease." He laughed again, a sound so low and masculine it vibrated down her spine. Her muscles turned to jelly. Cassie let loose the whimper she'd been holding back. "Oh, baby. I like to tease, and I'm the one in control." She knew he lied. He was no more in control than she was. Tremors ran through his body with every caress, every touch. There was only one end to this—one way to satisfy the beast of lust. The light teasing ended and she felt his sure, hungry caress. The tiny nips with his teeth along her neck grew sharper, and he moved further down to her shoulder. She squirmed, pressing her hands against his hot chest. She fought with the tigress inside her who begged to be released, to take what she wanted from this man, rather than wait until it was given. No matter how many drugs were in her system she didn't want that. She wanted him to lead her, to take her to the heights the True Mating offered. Though if he didn't touch more of her soon, she was going to have to take her own steps to force the issue. 171

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Like a moth driven to the flame, her skin surged toward his heat, with every touch she pushed into his hand, hungry for more. At long last he slid his hand down to the soft, delicate curls nestled between her thighs. Drops of moisture already coated the tips, begging for his touch. Like tongues of fire, her desire licked across her skin and through her blood. Need threatened to leave behind any semblance of sanity. Her fingers stretched, and she felt her claws forming on her hands. God, if he didn't do something soon... "Please," she moaned. "I need..." She sensed when he fisted his hand for a moment, before touching her again, as though preparing for a great moment. He again reached between her legs. Sure fingers caressed the edges of her curves, and he smiled when her body shuddered hard. His fingers pushed inside her and her body jolted, thrusting to meet his touch. She bit her lip, struggling against the urge to scream. His touch felt so good, but she needed more. A sudden wave of terror washed over her. She'd lied, telling him she wasn't a virgin so he wouldn't turn her away, but maybe that wasn't such a great idea. Sensations coursed through her body with the power of a tiger's roar, shaking everything inside her. Fear mixed with the lust, and she gasped. What if she hurt him? What if he hurt her? "Easy," he crooned. "It's okay. We'll go easy." He knew. Somehow he'd known all along she was lying. She chewed her lip, forcing herself to gain control. Thinking 172

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about Lance, and what he thought. What did it mean that he was willing to take her at her word against his own beliefs? "Are you still with me, Kitty cat?" She heard the dark hunger in her voice, and she nodded. "If not, we can stop now." She loved he was willing to offer, but even she was smart enough to know that wasn't going to happen. Not now, not when they were both so close. Despite the fear, her body ached for the man who touched her. Her True Mate. The only man who would ever touch her. "Can't stop," she whispered. "I need you. Have to see you." She barely recognized her own voice, the sound was low and raspy. His touch had ripped away everything she was, and was fast replacing her with another, less controlled, more dangerous female. Even words barely came through. With a sensual smile he pulled back, standing before her. With a quick movement he removed his shirt. Tanned flesh over powerful muscles greeted her eyes, sleek and strong. Her fingers ached to touch him, to caress the glowing pecs. He reached for his waist. "No, let me." She slipped off the couch to her knees and with trembling hands, she reached out for his belt and opened it, careful and easy, like opening a gift on her birthday. She met his eyes and for the first time realized just how vulnerable the act of intercourse was, not just for the female, but the male as well. While she was on her knees before him, touching him through his jeans, she held his very future right in her hand. Using extreme care she unzipped his jeans then 173

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yanked them from each side over his hips until they collapsed at his ankles. He stepped out while slipping off his shoes. His thighs gleamed in the darkness, hewn to perfection. A whimper echoed through the darkened room, and it was a moment before she realized it came from her. Her hand grazed over the smooth, hot flesh, her fingers kneading the hard as steel muscles of his thighs. She leaned in, unabashedly examining the length of him. He was long and thick. Bigger than she'd expected from any human. His scent was intoxicating, and she leaned in and inhaled. When she exhaled, her breath feathered across the tip, and his breath hissed through his teeth. "Cassie, stop," he groaned. "I can't. I need to touch you." "Later. Later I'll let you touch me all you want. But if you keep this up, this is going to be really short." She looked at him, confused. I'll come, Cassie. She heard the words in her head. Tears sprung to her eyes. He could talk to her. It didn't matter what he said, just that he said it. With a tilt of her head, she glanced at him. He didn't even seem to be aware of what had happened. Strong hands grasped hers, and he pulled her up, then guided her back onto the couch. "Here, Kitty cat." She lay on the couch and waited. He stood beside her, his eyes trailing over her skin, goose bumps following in their wake. Suddenly she felt uncomfortable. Emotions warred through her mind. Fear. Hunger. 174

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Embarrassment. This is my mate, I shouldn't feel this way. Though she did. "You're staring. Stop staring." "I can't." His voice was low and husky. "You're beautiful Cassie. It's like watching the flames in a forest fire. Deadly and beautiful all at once. How can you ask me to look away?" Lance grinned when she blushed prettily. It was true. He was mesmerized. No woman had ever threatened his control. Before now, sex had been a past time to ease the boredom. Now, with Cassie, it was as important as breathing. If he didn't get inside her soon, he would suffocate. No, he needed her inside him. He shook his head to clear it. Even his desires made no sense. Her scent. It overpowered the room, and made his knees tremble. Spreading her legs, he crawled between them on the couch. He felt like when he was a kid at Christmas, about to unwrap the most exciting gift of the year, and his hands trembled as he touched her. "Ok, enough with the staring," she mumbled. Her words were accompanied by a soft laugh, but he knew she was embarrassed. He'd bet his life no man had ever seen her like this. He would be the first. And the last. He shoved the intrusive thought away and caressed her thighs. With each gentle stroke, he moved closer to the treasure she offered. For it was a treasure. In all his life, with every woman he'd ever touched, he'd never felt this overwhelming reverence. "I just want to do this right." She choked back a laugh. "Well, if you don't start moving or letting me move, it won't happen at all." 175

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He chuckled. Oh yeah, this is it. He bent over her, his tongue teasing her naval. She sighed in pleasure and arched toward him. His fingers stroked her body, building the heat. And then he moved down. To those sweet, delectable curls. Lance's eyes met hers. "You okay?" She nodded, but held her breath. He grinned. "Don't worry, Kitty Cat, you'll love this." He couldn't wait to see her reactions as he introduced her t the pleasures of the body. When his tongue touched her, she squealed, and tried to close her legs, but he held on. He settled into soft, even strokes, tasting every part of her. Her muscles eased, and she opened for him. His heart pounded harder in his chest at her trust. She was delectable and so wet for him. He inhaled her essence like a man starved, suddenly finding himself before a banquet. He leaned in for a taste. Every drop of her sweet honey slid over his tongue, and he closed his eyes. Exquisite. Then he understood. This was what he needed. Her, inside of him. She arched her body, unconsciously thrusting toward him. His tongue teased and tasted, encouraged by her ragged, feminine sighs. The more he savored her flavor, the more confused he became. The sharp edge of hunger eased, while at the same time the ferocity remained. It made no sense, but he felt it, the all encompassing desire to take her, to make her his. But it didn't matter. This was for her to enjoy, her first time with a man. He would take her to her peak long before he would satisfy his own lust. She would remember this for 176

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the rest of her life. He ignored his own burning desire and tasted more of her. Cassie was terrified and excited and more aroused than she had a right to be. Something was happening to her body and she didn't know what it was. Then again, maybe she did, but she'd never experienced anything like this before. Her lower body tightened more and more with every caress, every swipe of Lance's sensual tongue. She tried holding back her cries. It was embarrassing, yet Lance didn't seem to think so. His eyes watched her from between her thighs, hungry, and encouraging. He pulled back and blew on her, then followed with tiny, wet kisses. The muscles in her body reacted even when her mind fought her, her hips thrusting harder toward him. Her hands fisted and unfisted at her sides, desperate for what, she didn't know. His strong hand reached and cupped her breast, teasing the nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He played her like a musical instrument, driving sensual cries and moans from her throat. Each touch drove her even higher, and he growled as she pushed toward some unknown precipice. The vibrations ran from his throat, straight inside to her feminine core, rippling, exploding. She screamed, shocked at the ragged animalistic cry keening from her throat, but more shocked at the white hot explosion running through her body. Everything inside her spasmed out of control, and she arched into him. Lance continued, undeterred, and while she tossed her head, he held on tight. When the last tremor eased, she opened her eyes. Her muscles were liquid, and she blushed at her response to him. 177

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But he didn't stop. Lance continued his ministrations, his mouth and his hands busy. "Too much," she whispered. He lifted his head, a small smile on his face. "No, Kitty cat. There's more." She whimpered when he touched her again. How could there be anything be more? Yet he still hadn't moved inside her. Her body still longed to feel the hard steel of him inside her, and it wasn't long before her desire pushed higher. When he moved back, withdrawing his touch, she whimpered in disappointment. "Don't worry," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere." He pushed her willing thighs even further apart and crawled up her body. His hands teased her breasts, and his mouth found hers. Her own aroused scent mixed with the taste of his mouth was addictive, and she kissed him back, hard. "Please," she whispered when he pulled back. The dark laugh returned, so masculine and sexy. He wasn't taunting her, not like she would have expected. Instead there was something purely masculine that keyed his laughter. Almost possessive. She felt the hard length of him pressed against her thigh and she squirmed, trying to move him in place. He hissed, and pulled back. "Easy, baby," he said, his tone stressed, his face taut. "I don't want easy," she groaned. "I want you inside me." "I'm trying to be careful..." His voice trailed off and at last the fog inside her brain cleared enough for her to understand his problem. 178

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"It won't hurt me, Lance. I'm a shifter. I'm tougher than you think. Please?" She let her voice show her hunger, the last word ending on a whine. He moved inside, slowly, inch by delicious inch. Her body stretched to accommodate him. It felt strange. It felt wonderful. Then he stopped. "Move," she growled. "But—" "Move, damn it, Lance." She arched upward, impaling herself further. He groaned and leaned in, and with one hard thrust he buried himself deep inside her. It was then she felt the tearing. It wasn't painful, for as a shifter her body constantly underwent changes in her body. It was natural, it was beautiful. She was no longer a virgin. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Nineteen I'm no longer a virgin. The words echoed in her mind. Ok, she could celebrate later; because, right now all she wanted was for him to keep moving. "You okay?" "I told you," she growled, "I'm not human. If you don't move, I swear, I'll grow claws right here." She didn't tell him it was already too late. Her claws had come and gone several times already, and she had a suspicion she'd ripped the couch. A ragged laugh was her answer, but he drew back. She whimpered at the friction inside. So good. So damned good. His scent rolled around her, his touch burned her blood and the more he moved, the hotter the flame built. With each stroke, Lance's hunger for her burned higher. He needed her in more ways than he could explain. Leaning over, he fed on her mouth, drugged by every different taste she possessed. Her flesh, her mouth, her womanhood. Like a culinary banquet, she teased his tongue, driving him to different heights with every mouthful. His mind was a blur. Everything about her aroused him: the sweet, delicate mews she made when he touched her, the cries of her orgasm. His life was changing, he could feel it, with every single stroke inside her. There would never be another woman for him. No matter what happened, it would always be Cassie. Her body welcomed him, was made for him. Her muscles 180

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spasmed around him, and he nearly came on the spot. He ground his teeth, struggling to hold back. Her eyes flew open and she stared at him. Catlike they flashed with a deep hunger he knew was reflected in his own. She raised up, thrusting her body hard against his. Fingers gripped the back of his head, twisting his short hair in her grip. "My turn," she growled. She opened her fingers then pushed his chest and he landed on his back, hard on the floor. Before he could catch his breath, she was on top of him. She grinned. "No more Mr. Nice guy now, Lance. Let's have a little fun." He chuckled. "Fun eh? Wasn't that fun enough for you?" "Oh yes," she said softly, her voice a musical purr. "Very fun. But somehow I get the feeling you aren't so gentle all the time." He remembered her words, soft and sweet, rough and ready. "I can be gentle. But if that's not what you want," he laughing growled, as he rolled her over so she was again on the bottom, "Then we'll just have a little fun my way before I give it over to you." He grabbed her thighs and jerked her closer against him. With one hard thrust, he entered her again, piercing straight through her core. He lifted her to him and she groaned. "Oh yes, much better." Her soft laughter had an odd effect on her muscles inside, and she tightened on him almost to the point of pain. "You're going to have to teach me how to do that growl," he muttered through clenched teeth. They thrust and parried 181

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with one another, playfully, yet hungrily. God, he loved this. No woman had ever wanted to be playful in bed ... make that the floor. "Later," she moaned, then rolled over and away. He growled and pawed at her hips, yanking her back. Her bottom was so pure and sweet. He caressed it slowly, then plunged deeply inside her again. She threw her head back and mewed, as she shoved back at him. "Yes," she groaned. He wanted to groan too, but it was difficult through clenched teeth. Her body was so hot, so tight, and so sweet when wrapped around him, he knew he couldn't last much longer. He watched as he plunged inside her, as she welcomed him into her heated passage. A channel that burned for him. He'd never felt anything like this. He wanted it to last forever. He wanted to play, while at the same time he wanted to make her his. Lance shook off the dangerous thoughts and wrapped one fist in her hair, pulling her back and up until she was kneeling. She felt so good, pressed back against his chest, her body so hot and needy. Her breasts rose and fell with her heavy breathing, jutting out before her. He grasped one, playing with the hard nipple, smiling when she whimpered and she clamped down on him even harder. Everything about her was driving Lance right out of his mind. He released her hair then slid his hand to her throat, so vulnerable and soft. She moaned and leaned back, all the playfulness gone from her voice. His hands slid over her body tweaking and teasing until she shuddered and cried out. Her body trembled and her 182

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muscles tightened, spasming around him. He couldn't hold back, and joined her. Lights flashed in his mind as he came hard. On and on it went, pumping every bit of his life into her. Mine. The word pounded in his mind, over and over again. He tried to stop it, but couldn't. It screamed in his head, even as his seed emptied into her body. Cassie collapsed to the floor and rolled over. Lance lowered himself to her, resting on his elbows. God, she was so beautiful. How could one little shapeshifter shake his world so badly. One hunger was sated, but another still pushed. He teased her neck, licking just like a cat over her throat. Cassie was sure she'd died and gone to heaven. Ok, so maybe everyone was right about how great sex was, because it had to be the most awesome thing she'd ever experienced in her life. Lance's tenderness was so sweet, and when she'd begun playing with him, he hadn't pulled away, but met her stroke for stroke. She liked that. A smile played on her lips. Her True Mate. Damn. The words sounded so good. Now, he licked her, the same way a tiger mate would do. He held instincts inside him he'd probably never known were there. His tongue was rough, and wet as he ran it up and down her throat. She moaned her appreciation. He traced a finger down her neck. "Here. Right here is where it will be." She shivered beneath him, wanting him to do anything, try to mark her. Instinct drew her fangs from her gums, and she arched toward him, hoping. Waiting. She'd done the same thing when he'd been behind her, when his hand cupped her 183

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throat. She'd felt vulnerable, and yet safe. She'd wanted more, she'd wanted to feel his teeth at her throat. Just as she'd wanted to feel her own teeth sink into his chest. She'd had to play with him, to distract herself from the fangs growing in her mouth. Mine. The word whispered through her mind as he touched her throat with a single finger. "Yes," he murmured, his lips trailing the same path as his finger. "Where anyone can see it, and the next male you sleep with will know I was here first." **** The cold stab of reality was as sharp as daggers. His words cut straight into her heart. "Get off me," she shoved him, fighting the instinct to swipe his face with the now growing claws on her hands. A tigress could kill for less. "What's wrong?" She stared at him, her breath coming in shocked gasps. "I can't believe you just said that." She growled low in her throat, her lips drawn back in a grimace. Instinct mixed with anger. She wanted to hit him, to claw him, to bite him. Pain surged inward, crystallizing in her heart. She stumbled blindly to the couch and drew his coat around her, snapping the belt into a cinch about the waist, and cuffing the sleeves. He stared at her as though surprised. How dare he be confused. Bastard. "You had to know this was temporary, Cassie. We can't burn this hot and it be real. It's the drugs in your system, nothing more." 184

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"Enough," she roared. The sound echoed off the walls, and the window beside him shook. She snarled and stepped toward him, her eyes flashing yellow in her fury. She fisted her hands, but not before, he saw the claws extending from her fingers. It was as though she grew several inches, even as he watched her. Angry power rippled off her as she stalked toward him. Her energy rolled over him with such intensity it was like a physical slap. The blood drained from Lance's face. Images of her fighting with PJ, of her killing the doctor flashed in his mind. He'd expected tears, not this overwhelming anger. All it would take would be one swipe with her claws and he'd be dead. He didn't doubt she could do it, he only hoped he hadn't hurt her enough so she did. He deserved it, but he'd done the only thing he could. She stopped directly in front of him, and he stiffened. She traced her claws down the side of his cheek, so cold, so sharp. One wrong move and she could slice him right open. Why she didn't was beyond him. "Cassie, I—" "If you value your life," she hissed, "you'll shut your mouth." "But—" "Do you have any idea what you've said?" He shook his head, afraid no matter what he said it would be the wrong thing. She stared into his eyes for long seconds, his heart beat matched the sound of the ticking clock of his life. He couldn't believe it had come to this. He'd found the 185

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one woman he could live with the rest of his life, then he'd ruined everything. "Kill me, Cassie," he murmured. It didn't matter anymore. Because once this was over he'd have nothing left. "Get it over with. You're father already said I had to die. I never thought rescuing you would change anything." Her eyes widened in shock, the yellow light dimming back to normal. Her hand dropped to her side. "Is that what this is about?" "No, Kitty cat, but it's the truth." "My father wasn't going to kill you. If you'd stayed instead of running off, you'd know that." She turned her back. "Get dressed." Her voice edged hard and cold. Cassie's blood ran cold inside her body. He was her True Mate, yet he didn't care if others had sex with her. His actions went against everything she understood about the True Mate bond. Could it be if the True Mate was human, he didn't suffer the same jealousies, the same hungers as the shifter? Pain twisted inside her stomach. Tears stung the corners of her eyes. No. I will not cry. Not now. She tied the belt of the coat with a sharp snap as he drew his shirt over his head. "Get me out of here," she growled. She'd come close to going tigress on him. It had taken all her control to keep from slicing the skin right off his face. He slipped on his shoes and nodded. "Just give me a second." Cassie stormed to the desk. She was losing control. Twice tonight she'd nearly shifted for no reason. Maybe it was 186

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residual from the drugs, though usually those cleared from a shifter's system when they changed. She'd definitely done a lot of shifting tonight. Then again, maybe it was the frequent changes. The back and forth took a lot out of a shifter, and maybe her body was exhausted, making her so easily roused to such ire as to lose control. Then there was Lance. His words echoed in her mind. "So the next male you have sex with ... " She tried to think he just didn't know what he was saying, but it didn't sit well. It didn't matter. No man brought up other men right after sex, or so she assumed. What the hell did she know? It was her first time.. Maybe she hadn't been as exciting as she'd thought. Maybe he hadn't enjoyed it as much as she. She stared about the darkened room, waiting for him to finish dressing, the hot moisture from their lovemaking wet on her thighs. Her hands trembled and her knees felt like water. How could she have misjudged him so? Determined to distract herself, her gaze skated over the room finally resting on the old oak desk. File folders lay on top, abandoned and dusty. She idly flipped the top one open and glanced inside. Page after page of shifters met her eyes. She flipped through, terrified of what she would find. Then it was there—a photo of her cousin. Each page was a person they'd identified for experimentation. Her blood ran cold, a growl rising unbidden in her throat. "What?" he asked, tucking the shirt in his waistband. He moved behind her. She longed to lean into his heat. She stiffened, forcing herself to remember his words. 187

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"Read for yourself." She motioned to the file, then stepped away from his heat. He gave her a questioning look before reaching for the file. He picked it up and began to read. One after the other, he flipped the pages, and she knew what he saw. Photograph after photograph of him and his family. All selected as candidates for experiments. Cassie drifted to the other side of the room, her emotions swirling inside her. Anger fought with sympathy and concern. She folded her arms rubbing them to force away the chill. It was hard to believe, just moments ago they made love on the couch and on the floor. The room was dark, dusty and cold. Or was it her heart that was chilled? She glanced toward Lance. He leaned over the desk, resting on his fists, his head down. The muscles in his shoulders were taut, and pain radiated like a living being between them. A sound echoed through the room. Cassie heard it with her tigress hearing. It was so quiet she thought she'd imagined it. He was growling! Just like a tiger. At long last Lance lifted his eyes to meet hers. He glared at her with eyes filled with cold fury, his face hard as stone. Hot anger rippled off him in waves. He snatched the folder, slamming it shut and tucked it beneath his arm. "Stay here." "And where do you think you're going?" "There's more. These are nothing more than a list of candidates, not a list of who they chose. I need to know more. There are more than shifters here." "I know, but Lance—" "This is my family we're talking about," he roared. "My sister, my brothers. I won't let this go on." 188

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He tried to push past her, but she couldn't let him go like this. "Stop. Think what you're doing, Lance. You're too emotional." He stared at her, the fury in his eyes masking the pain radiating in tangible waves from him to her. "This is my mother we're talking about, Cassie. I think they killed my mother." She pursed her lips. His skin was pale and his face tortured. It was time to put their differences aside for now. She'd deal with their argument later. "I'm going with you." Lance wanted to shout at her to stay here, to be safe. Chances were, she'd ignore his wishes. It was time to be practical. He let his eyes peruse her body. "Wearing nothing more than my coat?" She blushed, glancing down at the coat, which reached her knees. "It's not as if I have anything else. Besides, I can help. I've studied computers, I can find what we need." His heart clenched at the we in her words. "I don't need help, Cassie. I can do this alone." Lance opened the door, and she jerked him back, fury of her beast lending her strength. He watched the fight in her eyes, as she struggled to keep from shifting. This time he felt no fear as she fought to keep from shifting. He reveled in her anger, in her beauty. Fangs grew in her mouth, her lips curling around them and all he could think was how sexy and powerful she looked. A beauty which stabbed a sharp blade into his heart. He'd ruined everything. 189

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"You're not leaving me here. You can't fight them like I can." "They want you, Cassie. If I'm not back in an hour, get out of here." She shook her head. "Don't forget, your picture is in that file too." He sighed, closing his eyes. He'd run out of arguments. "Fine. But do as I say, when I say. No more heroics." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty Cassie shot daggers at Lance with her eyes. Hidden beneath the sharp, angry glances, Lance could see her pain. She tried to hide it, but her inability to veil the emotions from her expression was one of the things he loved about her. He could read her every thought. Only now it was more of a curse. He'd left her an emotional basket case and guilt pierced a tiny hole in his heart, and just like a water balloon, it leaked his soul one drop at a time. At long last she gave a curt nod, then turned and placed her own hand on the knob to open the door herself. He sensed she listened with ears even more powerful than his own before opening it. They moved into the hall. It was empty, and every sound would echo. He didn't need to warn Cassie to be careful. Her steps were as quiet as the tigress she held within her. She moved with stealth down the darkened halls. Even he couldn't hear her steps. It was unnerving. Lance opened his mind, stretching his senses as far as he could. He searched for any environmental changes, which would indicate stray night shift employees. His new sorcerer skills didn't help him find people. Instead, he found electronics. Cameras. His mind moved from one to the other, feeling the electronic connection between them. Motioning for her to wait, he stalked the hallway down two doors, and touched the wall. Beneath his hands, energy sparked, calling to him, like the positive to the negative. 191

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He focused on the energy, touching it with his mind, pushing and pulling. Like tiny wires, he tweaked each pulse until he found the ones he needed. The cameras. The pulses of energy directed toward the security system vibrated in his mind, pulsing red and blue against the otherwise simple white lights. A small part of him wondered where this sudden knowledge of energy came from, how he was able to connect, but he shoved it away. He didn't have time for self evaluation. For now, he would simply use the knowledge as it flowed through him. Separating the security system from the other energy was as easy as connecting the dots. Once he'd identified each link, he released the tight connection and opened his mind wide again. Energy was everywhere, and when he concentrated on it, he could see and feel it as though they were laser lights, tiny fairies of energy, colorful and playful. He let his mind wander over the vibrant colors, gathering them into himself. They gathered in one large pulse, waiting for his command. He pushed hard, directing powerful electricity into the previously sorted lines. Then he waited. The overload happened in mere seconds, shorting out the entire electrical system for the security system. He gave a wry smile. The entire operation had taken mere seconds, and he'd managed to completely incapacitate the famed GSA's security system. When he rejoined Cassie, she looked puzzled. "What did you just do?" "I took out the security system. We won't have to worry about the cameras that way." 192

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Cassie stared at him, surprised. "When did you learn to do that?" Wizards were powerful magicians, but usually studied for years to learn incantations, to use spells and potions. Yet Lance hadn't uttered a word. He shrugged. "Just now." He turned to move down the hall. "But—" "Give it a rest Cassie. I thought you only wanted to help and get out of here. Talking about me isn't going to get you there." She winced at his sharp tone. Something had changed, and she was terribly confused. He'd wanted her with his entire being, just as she'd wanted him. He'd held back, it's true, but he had definitely enjoyed touching her, being inside her. Then there was the one instant, just before they played, where she had felt his mind touch hers. Yet now he couldn't seem to stand it if she touched him. His words echoed through her mind. The next male you sleep with will know I was here first. Ice cold anger ran down her spine. How had she misjudged him so? She followed him, the floor cool on the souls of her bare feet. She could almost see the red haze of fury radiating from Lance. His body was tight, his steps controlled. Nothing like the man she'd met when she'd crashed into his arms. Then he'd been carefree despite the danger. She'd done that to him, changed him. If he didn't want her anymore, she had only herself to blame. If only she knew how she'd changed him, maybe she could undo the damage. 193

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He led the way up stairs and down hallways until she was completely lost. Then into an office. It resembled the one they'd taken refuge in, with a small couch, a desk. Only this one was obviously active. Instead of bare walls, there were pictures and certificates. Rather than a few scattered papers and forgotten files, a personal computer sat on the desk. A tall file cabinet sat beside a large bookshelf, which towered along the back wall. "What now?" she whispered. He motioned to the computer. "You take that, I'll get the paper files." Cassie slid behind the desk and into the huge leather chair. The first thing she did was lift the keyboard. So predictable. There, on a small yellow sticky was a short list of passwords. When will people learn? In less than a minute she'd logged into his system and was perusing the spreadsheets and files. Mostly it was general correspondence. She leaned in to check file names. He had a system, by name plus a number of some kind. She double clicked on a file with the mouse. Microsoft Word flashed onto the screen, opening a document. Inside were statistics. A man's life reduced to numbers, words and a few images. The life of Joshua Keegan. A wolf shifter. He lived in North Carolina, had created his own hidden pack, and took human women to breed. A shifter who gave the rest a bad name. A cold shiver travelled down Cassie's spine. Names of women were listed. Women who disappeared when Joshua was around. A brother was listed, Ryland. No other living relatives. A small note was appended to the 194

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bottom of the file. A death date. Joshua was killed by one of his own just last week. Good. The man should pay for his crimes, but the GSA shouldn't be the ones to punish. Shifters were not part of their world, they had no jurisdiction. Another file caught her eye. Maxey. She glanced toward Lance. He was still absorbed with going through the paper files. She clicked the file open and scanned the contents. "What is it?" She must have made a sound when she'd found it, because he was suddenly beside her, as soundless as the cat she was. She bit her lip. "A file about your mom." "Let me see it." She shook her head. "Later. After we get out of here. I'll email it to a free account, and we can pick it up later." "No," he growled. "Now. They'll trace it." "I can work it so they won't trace it, and I can email all of these files and we can go through them one by one. See if we can find a pattern." "Move over." When she stayed still he pulled the chair out from the desk and leaned into the computer. Cassie chewed her lip as he read. His jaw tightened, but otherwise he made no outward acknowledgement. It was bad. Really bad. The woman inside Cassie wanted to yank him away, protect him from the horror of the past. The tigress stepped back, letting him fight his own battle, one residing in darkness and pain. "Print it," he demanded, and stepped back. 195

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"No." He turned to her and arched a brow. His eyes were dark with fury, his face a tight mask, hiding the pain she knew resided within. "I'm going to email it." She kept her voice firm, and unemotional. Now wasn't the time for hysterics. He didn't want sympathy. He wanted action. "They'll trace it." "No," she said. "I'm going to set up a free account. We'll use the local library's system to get them." "Do it," he ordered. She nodded and slid back into the chair. It was hard to believe this was the same man who played inside her just twenty minutes before. Her body still throbbed with the pleasure he'd given her, before he spoke those hurtful words. Now his eyes were cold and hard, revenge against those who hurt his mother uppermost in his mind. She understood revenge, but how did he turn on and off his feelings? How could he want other men to sleep with her? She sighed and clicked on a free email service and setup an account. They would have to make sure they downloaded the information soon, before it was traced. She grabbed copies of every file in the directory, which contained the one with Keegan and Lance's mom, and attached them to the email and sent it to herself. It didn't take long. Their internet connection was fast. When she looked up, he held an armful of files. "We'll take these with us." She nodded and looked around. She spied a trash can with a plastic liner. She snatched it, glad to see their cleaning crew 196

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was on the ball and it was empty. She slid the files in the bag. "For easier carrying," she said. He didn't meet her eyes but nodded. "Let's get out of here," he growled. Yes, she thought. Let's. Let's get out of here so she could find out what the hell was going on with him. Maybe it was the influence of these walls. The idea of bedding a shape shifter who he'd always believed didn't exist. Maybe she'd misjudged him, and he really was a jerk. The more she struggled with the problem, the angrier she grew. They moved silently down the hall. She glanced at him. He looked lost in his own thoughts, just as she was. Good. Maybe he was feeling guilty for his stupid ass comment. By the time they could see the exit, she had one thought. Escape. Escape from the man who'd taken what she'd offered, then thrown it back in her face. When she saw the door, she stormed ahead. "Cassie!" he called. "Wait." She didn't. She didn't want to look at him, because if she did she would probably cuff him across the head. Or cry. She didn't want to cry. She slammed out the door at an almost dead run, and ran smack into another body. I'm really going to have to learn to watch where I'm going. Fresh air gave Cassie the shot she needed to concentrate on the here and now. Strong hands gripped Cassie's arms, and she growled, twisting out of the masculine grip. The belt untied in the struggle and the coat slipped open. "Let go of me." Lance drew up behind her, and she could almost hear his whispered snarl. "Jacobs. What do you want?" 197

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"Me? I'm just wondering what you're doing here, Maxey, with this sweet, naked piece, and with that." He indicated the bag of files Lance held. Lance glanced around, and she knew he was counting the odds. There were three of them. Easy pickings, in her opinion, but then again, shifting wasn't an option. She could do it, since she'd rested, but it still wasn't a good idea. Lance glanced to the sky. Clouds rolled over head, and a shiver of foreboding rode up her spine. "I'm thinking that maybe that's none of your business, Jacob. I'm cleaning up after my mission from last night." "Really? That's not what I heard. I heard someone was in there releasing animals." Animals. Anger stirred in her gut. She bit her lip and swallowed the growl, which threatened to escape. "Animals? Well, my friend, you might want to be careful about who you're calling an animal. See, I have it on good authority the creatures in the lab are more humane than you." Cassie stared in shock. He was baiting the man. He wanted a fight. "Lance—" "No, Cassie. See, I read the file a little closer than you did. Jacobs here is the man who first pointed out my mother's talents to the good doctor. It was then Doctor Palmer decided she'd make an excellent test subject. For his cancer." She gasped. Oh, God, this was not going to be good. "Isn't that right, Jacobs?" The other men all sucked in surprised breaths. They looked back and forth at one another, confused. She wondered what 198

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they would do when Lance exploded. She could feel it, building inside him. Easy, Lance. I can't shift. He heard her, because he turned, and winked before handing her the bag of files. Then he turned his attention back to the three men. "My lady friend thinks I need her protection. What do you gentlemen think?" He smirked at their surprised looks. She remembered this part of his personality from earlier tonight. The bravado at the coliseum. It made her nervous, knowing how angry he was, but unable to sense what he would do next. Wind whipped her hair and she gathered it tight in her hand, to keep it from slapping her in her face. She needed all her senses, including the sharp tigress vision. The clouds above surged ever closer, darker, blocking the stars and the moon. Her night vision showed her the angry, swirling motion within. She glanced back to Lance. He was murmuring something beneath his breath. It was him! She stepped back, only to have one of the men grab her. "Not on your life little lady. I think you need to stay for this." She shook her head. "No, I ... I need to..." she couldn't get the words out. Storms made her nervous, just like all cats. Knowing it was Lance creating it didn't help. The electricity made the tiny hairs stand up on her flesh, creeping along her skin. "Let her go," demanded Lance. Gone was the taunting amusement of his earlier words. Anger and pain filled his entire being. Almost as though one of the dark clouds he'd 199

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created lowered itself and soaked into his soul. He welcomed the anger and fury of the storm, feeding on its energy. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty-One Everything inside Lance was a swirling whirlwind of anger and pain. Anger at himself, anger at the GSA. His mother died at the hands of these bastards. Betrayal was the hardest to swallow. They'd pretended to offer specialized treatment, when in reality they'd been the cause of her illness, each visit bringing her closer to death. Cassie's captor held tight, his grip powerful on her arms. Fury rose to an all time high. He thought of his reputation, the easy going Maxey. The baby. Not anymore. He ripped energy from the sky, creating the path of least resistance. Instinct led him to the right path, positive energy stretched out to the negative, surrounding the man's body. Lightning struck with violent accuracy, slicing into the man's arm. "Shit," he cursed, jerking away from Cassie. The scent of burned clothing and flesh joined the scent of ozone filling the air. "Cassie, get out of here." She shook her head. Get out of here now, and I'll follow. Still she shook her head. The damned tigress was too stubborn for her own good. A sound caught his attention. Behind and around the wall. Someone else was coming. He split his attention between the sounds and the man before him.

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"Jacobs, when you were wheeling my sick mother down the hall to her weekly appointments, did you know what they were doing to her?" Jacobs blanched. "I suspected." Anger twisted, dark and deadly within Lance's gut. Betrayal ripped through his psyche. Jacobs, the man he'd called friend, had led his mother to her death. "You bastard," roared Lance. One hard fist swung, catching Jacobs on the jaw. The man jerked back, stumbling to maintain his balance. He casually wiped the blood from his lip. The big man shrugged his shoulders. Strong hands grabbed Lance from behind and dragged him away from Jacobs. "I said I suspected, not that I knew," he said quietly, grimacing. One large hand rubbed his jaw. "I didn't know until it was too late. She talked about her treatments, and I remembered reading something about the experiments that made her treatments sound familiar." Lance struggled with his captors, and he heard a growl, and knew it was Cassie. God, Cassie. He couldn't let her get recaptured. Instincts sparked inside him he didn't know he had. Urges he didn't understand, but couldn't deny. He stilled. "Let the woman leave, and you and I can hash this out." Jacob's eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, Lance heard a deep voice behind him. "She stays. And if I had my choice," he growled, "I'd take her over you, so be mighty careful, my friend." Lance watched anger pinch in Jacobs' eyes, and in the way his jaw moved. 202

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"I'm no friend of yours." Jacobs shook his head, sadness in his eyes. "Maxey, if I say let her go, she'll go, but I'm afraid I just can't do that." The sound of dark laughter sounded behind him. Lance tried to swivel to see the source, but the men held him tight. He knew the sound. It was one of the men who'd tranq'd him then taken Cassie. "Jacobs, you're too soft for your own good." Lance heard the man behind him step forward. "Quit jawing and kill him," the man said. A flash of light lit the sky and a roar rent the silence of the night as Cassie flashed to her animal form. The men stumbled back, fear etched on their faces. Lance almost laughed at their reaction as she glared at them, every muscle taut, ready to spring like the cat she was. She was beautiful, and he'd take the time to appreciate it if he wasn't so damned worried about her. She'd already fainted once from too many shifts. Taking advantage of her distraction, he thrust an elbow into the solar plexus of the man to his right. A man screamed, and he knew Cassie had taken him down. God, he hoped she didn't kill him. She'd killed more in the last two days than was natural. Even for a tigress in the wild, and it would tear her soul to pieces. He heard the sound of the gun cocking behind him. He whirled to see a man with a rifle pointed straight at Cassie. Fear clenched his heart and he charged, shoving through the men beside him like pushing through water. He reached to knock the gun away, but the report exploded, the flash from the muzzle burning his hand. 203

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A cat screamed, and he turned. Cassie lay on her stomach, clawing the sandy soil with one great paw, struggling to stand, blood streamed from a wound in her shoulder. He heard taunting laughter behind him. "You don't think we came unprepared, do you? That's silver, my friend. She's going to die, and you get to watch it happen." Lance roared with fury, rushing to her side. He rested one hand on her back. He glanced wildly around. The squeal of tires in the not too distant parking lot caught his ear and he saw his brother's van peal out heading this way. "Shh, stay here." Fury, fear and pain all combined inside Lance, and for the first time in his life, he found his answer. He knew exactly what to do. Standing, he stretched his arms into the air, palms up, his eyes focused on the one with the rifle. He muttered an incantation. "Clouds, Ventus, Levitas quod Pluvia aer nos anhelo, aer twain Tribuo mihi vires, quod refero meus dico Swirl quod confundo, orior oriri ortus quod cado intorqueo quod verto it's vicis ut trunco Suo mihi iam, ululatus meus poena." Clouds, Wind, Lightning and Rain The air we breathe, the atmosphere twain Give me strength, and answer my call Swirl and mix, rise and fall Twist and turn, it's time to maim Join me now, release my pain. 204

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His voice shrieked the final words, struggling to shout through the wind. The air around him crackled with his fury, the wind swirled, building the energy, howling to match his pain. He motioned with his hands, focusing the energy into a small, narrow funnel. With a quick cupping of his hands, he lifted as though holding something precious. He was. His pain and anger. The fear Cassie would die. All the emotions were like a magnet for the energy around him, and it swirled into a rope of pure power and nature's fury. With everything he had, he shoved the energy toward the man with the rifle, who stared in shock at the rope funnel ripping through the air toward him. He screamed, and tossed the weapon to the side, running to the door. He struggled with the doorknob to no avail. The narrow funnel slammed into him, knocking him against the wall. Blood trickled from a cut on his head, and he slumped, his body buffeted and held upright by the wind. With the twist of his hand, Lance drew another funnel from the dark, rotating cloud above his head. He shoved it toward the man who appeared to be in charge. Lance didn't know him, and that made it all the easier to release his fury. Rather than knocking the bastard to the ground or against a wall, Lance grabbed another twister, and before long three rope funnels circled and twisted about the man. The tires of his brother's minivan squealed to a stop behind him. He didn't dare take his eyes off the masterpiece of fury he'd created. The wind whipped around him, his clothes flapping sharply against his skin. "Get her in the van," he shouted above the wind. 205

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One of the men moved as though to run, and with a spin of his wrist, another funnel chased after him. Soon, he'd herded them all together, all eight men, pinned by the twisting and whirling of multiple tornadoes. "Shit," murmured Ross behind him. Then came the groans of his brothers as they lifted the heavy cat into the vehicle. She couldn't walk. Lance's heart wrenched in his chest. He glared at the prisoners of his pain, determined to end this now. He felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. "Don't touch me," he ground through clenched teeth. "Let them go." It was Logan. Ever practical, ever calm. "No," he growled. "They are responsible for killing mom, and they shot Cassie. She may not live. They deserve to die." He felt the fingers tighten on his shoulder. "But you don't want to be the one to kill them. Let me clear their memories, we can plant the idea they only saw massive storms. We'll get them, Lance. We won't let them get away with this, but we have to do it our way." Lance struggled to focus on his brother's words. All he could see was Cassie on the ground, blood oozing from an injured shoulder. He knew shifters could heal by shifting, but he didn't know about silver. Silver was always thought to be deadly in shifter lore. God, he hoped he was wrong. "I can't just let them go, Logan. You don't understand what they did." Lance stared up at the sky. The clouds swirled and sparked angrily, furious with his control over them. Energy swirled inside him like his own individual tornado. He had too much. 206

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It had to go somewhere. Logan's hand was warm on his shoulder, and it helped ground him, allowing him to control the power, letting energy seep into the ground beneath his feet. Maybe Logan was right. "Take them," he said. He eased the storms surrounding the dark man with the evil laughter. Only he wasn't laughing now. His eyes were haunted and despite his attempt at standing tall, his body seemed shrunken in on itself in his fear. He watched as if from a distance as Jared put his hands on the man, forcing him to sit leaning against the metal door. Logan squeezed Lance's shoulder then moved toward the victim. Victim. Anger roiled inside Lance again, and lightning crashed across the sky. These men were being punished, not victimized. Cassie and his mother. They were the true victims. Those shifters inside earlier. They were victims. Bolt after bolt of lighting crashed into the earth, while others rocketed across the sky from cloud to cloud. He was losing control. Lance. The voice was so womanly soft in his head. Cassie. She was alive! He struggled to focus on her. Please, Lance, I need you. He wanted to believe this wasn't just his imagination. Wanted to believe the woman he'd let down would still call to him. I need you. Please. It hurts. He felt rather than heard her whimper in his mind. Instincts reared, and he growled inside. She needed him. He turned toward her, before he realized he had to control the 207

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storms before he could go to her, or he may cause her even more pain. He took a deep breath, and concentrated. He knew how to do this. He'd created the storms, he could kill them. It was a matter of control. He let the earth drag the excess energy from his body, visualizing it moving deep into the earth's surface, sending it to the earth's core to be reused as nature saw fit. With controlled motions of his hands, he spun the circulation in the cloud in a clockwise form, fighting the natural energy of the storm to rotate upward, in. In his mind, he pictured the atmosphere within the cloud. He could see it, lifting upward higher and higher, hungry for even more power. With a single motion of his hand, and soft words, he eased the anger of the storm, forcing its temper back, soothing the ragged, whirling edges into soft tufts as delicate as feathers. The storm fought, wanting to live, to fight, to breathe, but he pushed, soothed, eased it one turbulent pocket after the other, until at last, the swirling funnel clouds dissipated, drawing up into their homes like an infant to its mother. One final crack of lighting flitted across the sky. A goodbye. A final reminder that nature would always have the last word. Lance dropped to his knees. The energy inside him gone. He felt as weak as a kitten. His brothers were busy taking care of their prisoners, Logan with his gun cocked and ready if needed. Lance turned toward the van. The golden eyes of the great cat stared at him, as she lay on her side. Blood 208

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seeped from the wound, and he knew they didn't have much time. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty-Two Lance hurried to Cassie's side, afraid he would find nothing but her lifeless body. Her eyes were dull, and she didn't try to lift her head as he approached. "Cassie, baby, hold on." Ross came up to his side. "What can we do?" "I don't know." And he didn't. His magick didn't extend to healing. Not even with this new found power to control the heavens. But he knew who would. "I have to get her back to her place. Her family will be there. They'll know what to do." Ross nodded, then ran to speak to Logan. In seconds, he was back, keys in hand. "Let's go." "But—" "They'll be fine. We'll all meet back at your place when we're done with our perspective jobs. Right now, you need to take care of your woman." Lance nodded and jumped into the back of the van, slamming the door shut. Inside was the boy, PJ. He was wrapped inside one of his brother's jackets, huddled in a corner. "Tell me what to do for her." The boy only shook his head, his eyes wide with fear, his golden hair slipping forward to cover his face. He had the body of a man, the face of an angel, with huge light brown eyes filled with terror and shame. Lance wasn't sure why he 210

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wanted to be involved with the youth, but it bugged him to see the boy so traumatized. "Help me with her then. Come." He motioned with his hand before ripping his shirt over his head. He wadded it up. "Help me put pressure on the wound, it's a long drive, and I'm already exhausted. I need your help. She needs your help." With extreme care he laid the cloth over the wound, and with both hands, pressed inward. Cassie moaned in pain and it tore at his heart. She couldn't die. "You ready?" asked Ross, starting the engine. Lance nodded, giving his brother directions to Cassie's house. Please let there be someone there who could help. Lance was out of his depth and had no idea what to do for her. The van tore off, speeding through the streets of town. Turn after turn threw Lance from one side to the other. Cassie's body lay on the floor of the van, too heavy to budge. Fear for Cassie's life was eating away at Lance. Blood seeped through the shirt and onto his hands. He wasn't doing any good, and he watched as her very life slipped wetly through his fingers. "Live, damn it," he growled. He put all his focus into healing, like his mother once taught him. Nothing happened. Not a damned thing. Still her blood seeped from the wound, like a sacrifice for his heart. His brother took another sharp turn and the vehicle careened to one side, leaning heavily. Lance fell back against the door. Again, the big cat didn't move. He hurried back to her side. 211

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He felt tentative hands touch his, then move to put more pressure on the wound. He met the gaze of the young boy. The golden brown eyes searched his, as though seeking reassurance. Lance nodded, and four hands pressed into the wound, determined to staunch the flow of blood. Together they worked, together they prayed for the life of the great cat who gave her all to save them both. While the bleeding slowed, it didn't stop. All the while Lance muttered in Latin, praying a healing incantation would help, but wizard magic was useless. At last, the van jerked to a halt before Cassie's door. "Run inside Ross, get help." His brother wasted no time, and was running up the stairs to the front door in mere seconds, pounding with a heavy fist. The door opened, and Lin stepped out. It didn't take Lin long to understand what was happening. She saw the door to the van slide open, and the huge tiger laying within. "Oh my god!" she cried. "Pops! Hurry." She shoved past the man beside her, and charged down the stairs. The sight of the blood greeting her eyes was terrifying. Her eyes met Lance's. "Silver?" she whispered. He nodded, his eyes filled with pain. Cold fear rushed over her. She reached into her pocket and grabbed her cell phone. She'd heard something. Something about a cure for silver recently discovered by a wolf shifter, and she knew just who would know. Her friend Monica answered on the first ring. 212

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"Monica, its Lin. I need your help. Remember when you said that Wolven had found a way to stop silver poisoning?" "Yes, she uses Quick Stop, the same thing vets use to stop dogs nails from bleeding." "Where do I find some? And I need a lot. A cat—" "Where are you?" "I'm at Cassie's house. She's been hurt." "I'm on my way." The phone clicked in her ear even as Cassie's father charged down the steps. "What the hell happened?" "No time for that now," said Lance. "We have to stop the bleeding. She was shot with silver." "Silver!" The horrified look on the man's face only confirmed Lance's fears. "We need to get her inside. We can't leave her out there like this." The man nodded. He glanced at the two strangers, but only nodded when they all worked together to carry the heavy body inside. The two shifters, PJ and her father, took the brunt of the weight, able to call on their own tigers within. Lin led the way, holding open the door, her face taut with concern. Once inside they laid her out on her bed. Lance's blood soaked shirt plopped to the floor with an awful splat. An ugly reminder of the uphill battle they fought. "I called Monica. She's on the way over with a new treatment. God, I hope she gets here in time." Lance nodded, not knowing who Monica was, or what the treatment was, though he prayed she got there fast. He 213

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watched her father lift her huge lips, exposing long, deadly fangs. Her gums were so pale, they were almost white. Lance didn't have to be a doctor to know this was a problem. "Get some meat," her father growled. "You know how she likes it Lin, and cut it into small pieces. We might be able to force some into her throat while we wait." She nodded and hurried from the room. The man turned, his focus on Lance, who felt every bit of the man's fury. "And as soon as Monica saves her, you're going to tell me what you did to hurt my girl." The anger and pain stretched across the man's face like a roadmap to his heart. The young boy, PJ, backed into a corner and slumped to the floor, his head in his hands. Lance watched Ross move to stand beside the boy, offering silent comfort as they watched. "Get him out of here, Ross." Cassie would want as few witnesses to her pain as possible and Lance would honor her feelings. He watched his brother use extreme care with the boy. Ross always did have a gentle side when it came to kids, and it certainly came in handy tonight. As they left the room, the sound of running footsteps sounded in the house. Lin tore inside, dragging a friend with her. Disheveled and rushed, the woman wore sweats and a tshirt. Never in his life had Lance been happier to see someone. She moved to the bed, digging in a bag she held in her hand. 214

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"Hold her down. This is going to hurt, and she'll fight even if she doesn't want to." Lance nodded and he and her father took hold of the great beast. Lance at the head, her father at her tail. Lance noticed her dad lay across her hips, anchoring her body in place. Lance laid across her belly, with his hands holding her head. If anyone deserved to get bitten it was him. Lin moved to Cassie's head, stroking the soft fur between the ears. The stranger bent over Cassie and with a deep breath and nod to those helping, she poured the white powder into the wound. Cassie floated in and out of consciousness. She was in her bed, and the scents of Lin, her dad and Lance floated around her. Pain stabbed at her left shoulder, boiling the blood inside her. More than anything she was tired. So tried. Sleep. Yes, sleep would help. Hmm, someone was lying across her chest and belly. Lance. She growled her soft approval. What a wonderful way to sleep. She wanted to kiss him, to let her great tongue swipe his skin and absorb everything that was him. Then pain. Sheer blinding pain ripped through her body from her shoulder to her soul. Bright flashes of light rocketed behind her eyes, and she screamed, arching her body. People shouted and screamed, the sounds echoing in her ears. Then a voice penetrated the pain. One voice stood out from the others. "Easy, baby. Let go, baby, those big teeth of yours hurt." Lance. She moaned. Lance. Her True Mate. "Come on, Kitty cat, let go. Open your mouth." 215

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She groaned and opened her wide fangs. Why did he want her to open her mouth? The scent of fresh blood rolled through her senses. Her blood. Meat. And Lance's blood. She shook her head, only to have soft and gentle hands stroke her fur, calming her. Lin. Her best friend. The only one in the world who could calm her. Well, except Lance. She sniffed again. The warm scent of him filled her lungs, easing the pain in her shoulder. She tried to remember what happened. All she could remember was his touch. The sweetness of his body against her—, inside her. The pain in her shoulder melted away. She was still so tired. "Shift, Kitten." Her daddy. Dad didn't like it when she shifted around non shifters. He'd said so many times. She fought the command, shaking her head. Large hands stroked her head. "It's ok, Kitty Cat. Shift for us. You need to heal. Your secret is safe." Lance again. He was still here. He'd said he didn't want her, but he was still here. The pain of his words grabbed at her heart. No, she wouldn't listen now. Not when she was so tired. "Its okay, Kitten. I need you to shift now. Lin needs to talk to you." The great cat inside her sighed. Please, Kitty cat. The words sounded so sweet in her mind. So sweet to her heart. She reached deep inside herself for the last of her strength and shifted. 216

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As the cat inside her retreated and the woman came forth, her body shuddered. I love you, Kitty cat. She wasn't sure if she heard or imagined the words as darkness overcame her. Lance felt the shift. Like magick, the energy rolled over him as he held her. The power of the beast receded and in her place was the woman. Naked, pale, exhausted. She immediately fell into a deep sleep. He rolled off her, and pulled a blanket to cover her, ignoring the pointed looks from her father. He had to see for himself that she would be okay. Before he left. He stroked her hair and laid a kiss on her forehead. "Will she be all right?" Her father nodded. "In a little bit we'll feed her. Until then, Lin will sit with her. You are going to go out there and tell me what happened." Lance met the eyes of her angry father. Nothing was more threatening than seeing the parent of a child furious and protective over their only child. Lance sighed, filled with overwhelming emotions. Relief she would live and not suffer more for his weakness, and disgust with himself for having ruined their chance to be together. If he lived through this, he wouldn't be seeing her again after this moment. He nodded to the man and kissed her lightly on her soft lips. Goodbye my love, he whispered in her mind. For the first time, he was angry with his mother for making him promise. A promise he couldn't break. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty-Three Lance followed the man to Cassie's living room. His hand throbbed where Cassie's long fangs had sunk into his arm. He didn't care. It was a punishment that was well deserved. He wrapped the cloth Lin handed him around the wound. It was nothing to the pain Cassie had experienced at his expense. "Look, I know what you're thinking." "Do you?" The man raised his brow in surprise. "Odd, even my mate was never able to get into my mind, so how did you?" "I just mean..." Lance trailed off. He wasn't making this easy. "After all, she is your daughter." He nodded, his face an unreadable mask. "The name's Jack." "Jack, this is my brother Ross," he motioned. "I think we should get the rest of my brothers here so we can go through this all at once." Jack glared at him, his jaw hardening. Lance read his emotions on his face like a book. He'd come into his home, taken his daughter, nearly gotten her killed and now Lance was making demands. Lance held his ground. He had enough on his mind without worrying about Cassie's father. He'd fought seven men today using powers he'd never even fathomed. Weakness and exhaustion were setting in. "Call them." The words were a surprise. "Sit down," said Ross. "I'll call them." 218

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Lance barely hid the grimace of relief as he sat in a chair. The soft leather wrapped around his achingly tired body, offering comfort for the body, but none for his heart. Ross took out his phone and murmured into it. Lin appeared beside Logan, a drink in her hand. He took it, nodding an automatic thanks. The cool ice water trickled into his body, refreshing and easing the dryness in his throat, but not his heart. The knock on the door didn't come soon enough in his mind. He wanted out of here. Out of the home, which smelled so much like the woman sleeping in the bedroom. He was torturing himself by having the meeting here, but it was best to get this over with, and fast. Besides, it gave him just a little more time to say goodbye, even if only in his mind. Jared and Logan filed in, their faces grim. In Logan's hands were the file folders he and Cassie had stolen. Lance recognized the top one. His mother's. The anger and pain in his brothers' eyes told him what he needed to know. They'd read it. That left just Ross in the dark. Ross, who was closest to their mother. "You're okay?" asked Logan. Lance just nodded. "I'm Jack Felidae." Lance watched the introductions. His heart hurt too much to deal with the niceties. The men settled into their seats, though no one was comfortable. They each leaned forward in their seats. All eyes stared at Lance, waiting. He cleared his throat. "Jack, when I left here before ... well..."

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The man ducked his head. "Yeah, sorry about that. I understand you heard a few things you weren't meant to hear." "I'm not asking for an apology, it's just a good place to start. I can't fault you for protecting your own." He'd never asked Cassie why her father had wanted him dead, but he had a suspicion it was to hide who and what they were. Lance took a deep breath. "I left here, and walked back toward my house. I had no idea Cassie would follow so closely behind. I expected her to find me, but later. When I heard what you said, I believed my life in jeopardy, and I knew I needed weapons." "I don't understand," said Ross. "Why did you think you're life was in danger?" "It's not important," said Lance, his eyes on Cassie's father. "But believe me when I said I had no idea of the danger to come." The man merely nodded. Jack's eyes remained cold and angry, but at least he was listening. "While I was walking, I was accosted by some gang bangers. Initiation, I guess. We tussled, and just as the fight began, Cassie found us. She must have thought I was in danger, and she shifted." Cassie's father stiffened, but didn't say a word. Lance knew exactly what bothered him. "Don't worry, they didn't see a thing. She was still quite a way's away when she shifted. They definitely heard her roar, however. I was still angry, and frustrated she'd found me so soon. Before I knew it, I'd called on magick to help me." 220

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"What kind of magick?" asked Logan. Lance rubbed his face. "That's just it. It's something I'd never done before. It's not that I don't know the basics of how storms work, and their formation, but controlling it, that was something new. I created a controlled microburst. It helped me hold the gang as I dealt with each of them individually." Jared and Ross stared at him open mouthed. They'd all seen the storms he'd created at the GSA compound, so they had to believe. There was o hiding it. He wasn't a true wizard. Instead, he was a sorcerer. A natural mage. They'd always joked about wanting to be one, so they didn't have to study so much, and suddenly Lance was. "And what did Cassie say about this?" asked Jack. "When she caught up with me, she was in tiger form. And she walked beside me. I tried to ignore her, but she refused to leave, and I kept hearing her in my head. Like she was talking to me." Jack only nodded. "And she kept saying this advancement of my powers was because of her, but she never explained. Anyway, we got to my place, and I decided it was safer to let her in than let my neighbors see a huge tigress walking down the road. I turned my back to her as I tried to get someone to buzz us in. See, my keys were here, in my coat. That's when it started." Lance could still hear the screech of the tires and feel the pinch of the needle in his neck. One hand rubbed the spot even now. The sight of the beautiful tigress collapsing in the street would never leave his mind. "I don't know where it 221

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came from, but a van came down the road. It stopped at my drive and as I turned, I was shot with a dart." "That's where we came in," said Jared, taking over. Lance smiled at him in thanks. Jared had always been very close and knew when Lance had reached the edge. "Logan was near the window and saw some of what happened. We ran down stairs, but by the time we got there, the van was gone. We dragged him inside, and we had to wait till he woke up to find out what was going on." Logan nodded and took over. "We didn't see Cassie when she was taken, we only saw the van. Had we known what was happening, we would have followed right away. Instead, precious time was wasted while we waited for Lance to wake." "And then?" Jack's terse voice was sharp and edgy. Lance didn't blame him. The man sat with his fists balled on his knees, one leg bouncing in agitation. "It wasn't their fault," he spoke up. "Once I came to, I told them who she was, and we had to save her." "Why didn't you call me? She's my daughter?" "Last I heard you wanted me dead." "What the—" "Dead!" Jared and Ross both spoke together. Logan tensed, but didn't move. "Point taken," growled Jack. "The four of us went in. We knew who'd taken her." "And how did you know?" Lance glanced at his brothers, and Logan nodded. He took a deep breath. "I work for the GSA, Jack." 222

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"You what?" he roared, bolting from his seat. Lance didn't need his imagination to wonder what the man thought. He'd seen Cassie's reaction, knew what she believed, and knew it had to have come from her father. And they'd been right. Lance didn't move, but Logan did, putting himself between Jack and the younger man, every muscle tight and alert. "Sit down," Logan growled through his teeth. "Lance has been through enough, and I don't intend him to suffer you yelling over something he had no idea was a problem." He stared into Jack's eyes, waiting. The conflict showed in the older man's eyes, but Logan wasn't backing down. He'd seen the pain in Lance's eyes, watched him use every last ounce of his energy to hold back those who would hurt Cassie. He could see the pain and exhaustion in his brother's eyes, and he wasn't about to let him be bullied. "Now sit down, and let him finish." The man finally nodded stiffly, then sat, but Logan stayed beside Lance, his hand on his shoulder. "Our family has worked for the GSA in one form or another for twenty years," Lance continued. "Fools that we were," grumbled Jared. Ross gave him a quizzical look. Logan shook his head. This was painful enough without telling it in the wrong order, and Lance was doing a fine job so far. "We didn't know what they were doing, Jack. You have to believe me. We thought they were good." "My father began to suspect a few years ago," said Logan, filling in a few blanks. "The three of us were busy trying to find answers, one way or another. Lance is new to the 223

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organization, and last night was his first solo assignment. Prior to that we'd kept him in the dark about our concerns in case we were wrong. Then again, the three of us," he said, his eyes taking in the Jared and Ross, "had no idea how deep the corruption is." "And so we went to save her," interrupted Lance. "When we got there, she was still in cat form. There were others, wolves, foxes, and even a deer. PJ was in another cage out of her sight. They were all drugged. Cassie barely recognized me." "While Lance worked with her, we went and released the others," continued Logan. There was one though that wouldn't let us near him. The other tiger." "PJ," said Jack. "Yes." Said Lance, wondering where PJ was now. "Cassie was back under control and had shifted to human form. She insisted on helping him. She said she knew him. But he was badly under the influence of the drugs. Apparently we'd interrupted a planned experiment." He grew silent and the brothers were all quiet. "What kind of experiment?" asked Jack into the silence. "Reproduction," replied Lance. Jack needed to hear this from him, not his brothers. He appreciated Logan's help earlier, but the longer he sat here, the angrier he grew at the GSA and anger filled him with energy. He leaned forward in the chair he'd slumped into. "They wanted him to mate with Cassie." Her father jolted from his seat and began pacing. "He's just a boy, how could they think—" 224

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"He was drugged. We found a file that told of the drugs they'd been pumping into his body, changing him. I haven't read them thoroughly to know how long he was there—" "Three years. He and his mother have been missing for three years." "Oh my, God," groaned Ross. Jared stood and moved to the window to stare out. Logan kept his face a mask of cold anger. Lance however, couldn't stay cold to this, no matter how hard he tried. "I'm sorry, Jack. The records say his mother is dead." Jack's shoulders slumped. "I had hoped ... No, that's not right. I knew she was gone. But when I saw PJ..." He dropped onto the couch, his elbows on his knees, face in his hands. "Cassie had to fight him to get him under control." Lance's lips curved ever so slightly at the memory. He'd been terrified for her, but she'd always had it under control. "She refused to hurt him, even when he was out to hurt her. She treated him like what he was, despite all his appearances. A child." "And we had to hold Romeo back." Lance smiled weakly at Ross's jab. For the first time today he appreciated his brother's misplaced humor. "We sent everyone out. Cassie refused to go first, she wanted to make sure she was last. I stayed back with her while my brothers got out, taking PJ and the last of the shifters with them. But before we could leave, the doctor who did the experiments came in. Cassie snapped. I don't know what he did to her, but she was furious. She shifted and leapt after him. I finally got her off. The last time she'd killed it hurt her terribly and I knew she'd regret it if she killed him. But 225

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apparently he came armed with a drug he'd planned for the experiment. He came at me with it, and Cassie intervened, taking the shot herself. She killed him, then shifted back to human form before collapsing." "She'd shifted too many times." Her father nodded knowingly. The edge of anger had eased in his body somewhat. Lance nodded. "So I grabbed her up, and we hid in one of the offices." "What drug was it?" Lance pursed his lips, unable to look Cassie's father in the eye. He heard the masculine chuckle and met his eyes in surprise. "It was an aphrodisiac wasn't it?" "How did—" "It's one of the few drugs that stays in a shifter's system after a shape shift." "Well, I, uh..." How did he meet the man's eyes when he knew he'd slept with his daughter? "Continue." Lance nodded, and this time he stood. He couldn't sit any longer. He was exhausted, it was true, but being tired didn't change how he felt inside. Antsy. As if the lightning he'd handled before was suddenly back inside. "When we were getting ready to leave, Cassie found a folder. And it had files about experiments conducted at the facility. It ... it had..." He turned to Ross. He was the only one of the brothers who didn't know. He had no doubt Logan and Jared had read the file while waiting for their call. "It had 226

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records listing people they wished to conduct experiments on. Shifters, humans, and wizards." He heard the intake of breath. Ross understood. Even without details he knew his brother got the hint. A muscle tightened in his brother's cheek and he turned away. "We decided it would be better to get the complete file, and so we went to Cap's office. Cassie broke into the computer and I took the paper files. She's emailed the files to an account she set up. When she wakes up, she'll need to go to a library to get them. I don't want her opening them here. You never know who is watching." "Don't worry," growled her father. "I'll see to it." Logan handed Jack a stack of files. "These are the ones for the shifters. We kept the ones on humans or other wizards." Jack took the files quietly. "On our way out," said Lance, continuing quietly, "we ran into GSA security. We fought. One pulled a gun and shot Cassie." He struggled to keep his voice even. "And now you know everything." He couldn't meet anyone's eyes now. This was his fault. If he'd gotten her out of there instead of searching for more records, she'd be healthy and safe. They could have come back later. "And now?" he growled. "And now, the Maxey brothers will bring the GSA down." The pronouncement was made by Logan, but all four nodded. A pact. A promise. "It may take time, but we will bring it down. If we have to take them one man at a time." Lance stood up and moved toward the door. 227

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"Where do you think you're going?" asked Cassie's father. "Home. When Cassie wakes up, have her make a copy of the data on CD and one of us will come by for it." "I will not," the older man said gruffly. "You'll tell her yourself. You are going to stay here until she wakes up." He stood and slid his coat over powerful shoulders. "I'm going home." "You can't just leave her like this," said Lance. Panic raced through his heart. "She'll need you when she wakes up." "No," he said as he moved toward the door. "She'll need you." Before Lance or his brothers could say another word, he was gone. They all stared at one another dumbfounded. "I thought you said he wanted you dead when you met," said Jared. "He did. I don't get it." Lance shook his head and sat back on the couch. A door opened in the back and Cassie walked out of the bedroom. She was pale and wobbly, but she was on her feet. It took everything he had not to rush to her and fold her into his arms. She looked at each of the men gathered in her living room. "I take it you want a copy of the data we found." "When you get the chance," said Logan. "We were just leaving." He stood and reached for his own copy of the black trench coat when she stopped him. "Stay. This will only take a few minutes." Lin headed out the door, but not before she glanced around. Lance saw eyes fall on Logan, and widen. He watched 228

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her sniff the air, and he knew. One day soon Logan was going to have his hands full. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he did. If things were different, he would smile. He turned back to Cassie, who pulled out the chair at the computer desk behind the dining table and sat. He knew she was hiding weakness. She looked so tired and pale as she pulled up to the ergonomical desk. "Should you be doing this? Shouldn't you go to a library?" "I can do it from here," she mumbled, already typing on the keyboard. "I can log into the library from here and make it look like I'm on their computer." "Is it safe?" She sighed in exasperation. He didn't want to make things harder for her, but he didn't want her to put herself in jeopardy. "If I say it's safe, Lance, it's safe." Lance frowned, watching her. "You need to eat first." "I need to get this finished and get you out of my life," she snapped. Lance heard Jared's shocked intake of air. Meanwhile Logan clapped Lance on the back. "Give her some time. Let her do what she has to do, and then deal with everything else." Lance shrugged off his brother's hands. He didn't need their pity. This was his doing, and he deserved every bit of her anger. "Are you sure this is secure? I don't want them tracing this back to you." 229

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She gave an exasperated sigh. "Are you saying I don't know what I'm doing?" "I just want to watch out for you. I'm concerned." "Don't." One single word told him her feelings. Don't help her. Don't make her hurt. He knew she hurt even though she was working to hide it. He could feel it, and it cut him to the quick. Lance stormed to her tiny kitchen and opened the fridge. He would prepare her a meal while she worked. Once he knew she would be okay, he'd be able to leave her alone. He glanced over and watched her through the doorway. Even now, knowing he couldn't have her, he wanted her. More than he had in that darkened, dusty office. The more he learned about her, the more he admired her. She was strong. Not just physically. Not many women could handle what she had in the last few days, shifter or non shifter. They'd have buckled under pressure hours before. Yet she sat there, cool, as can be, working at the computer. She must have felt his stare, for she turned and glared at him. Her lip curled and she opened her mouth and hissed. Not like a house cat. His kitty cat hissed in full tigress form. Even that didn't bother him. It was as sexy as she was. He forced his gaze from her and turned to his task at hand. He pulled the meat from the freezer and moved to the microwave. After starting it, he turned to find her standing against the refrigerator, her lips emitting a low growl. "I need you to eat, Cassie." "And I need you to get out of my house," she snarled softly. 230

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He willed himself to stay where he was, to plant his feet right in that one spot, but it didn't work. It was as though some unseen force pulled him off his feet and dragged him toward her. "I'm sorry," he murmured. Before she had a chance to argue, his lips took possession of hers. He couldn't stop himself if he'd tried. She didn't pull away, but she didn't kiss him back either. She stood stiffly in his arms. He pulled back, her taste still on his lips. "I can't do this, Cassie. I can't keep hurting you." "Then get out." "My brother needs that disk." "He can stay. I want you out," she snarled. He sighed and moved back a step. "I just can't stand the thought of you hurting." Cassie had had enough. "You have no right to worry about me," she hissed. She didn't know him. It was hard to believe it was only two days ago she'd met him. Two days where she'd been either drugged or unconscious. Her father was wrong, Lance was not her True Mate. For the first time since she'd ripped the door off in the coliseum, she controlled her shift. It felt good to have it happen at her command again, instead of uncontrolled fury. She willed her hands into claws. Her skin itched, but obeyed, the muscles stretched, bulging into that of the feline of her nature. Paws formed, trimmed with long, deadly claws. She let the power roll into her eyes, and he grasped the fragility of his situation in their yellow glare a split second before she moved. She saw it in his eyes, a tiny flicker of something. Not 231

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fear, but acknowledgement. Her claws caught at the shoulders of his shirt and shredded straight down. The cloth hung in tatters, his flesh untouched. She couldn't bear the thought of hurting him, but she needed him to understand. She was not to be trifled with any longer. His eyes widened in surprise, and she heard his breath catch in his lungs, though she smelled no fear. "You should have killed me when you had the chance, Cassie." He turned and strode away. The microwave dinged a job complete as he disappeared around the corner. She heard the front door open and softly close again. She took the plate from the microwave and set it on the counter. A sound at the doorway caught her attention. Brushing the tears from her eyes, she spun to see Logan. "The CD should be ready now," she said and moved past him. "He'll come around, you know." "There's nothing to come around to," she said, refusing to look at him. She strode to the computer just as the CD drawer opened. She slid the disc into a paper sleeve and handed it to Logan. "I hope this helps." "For what it's worth, thank you," he said. "You're welcome. Please, go." The three remaining brothers stood to leave. As the door opened, Logan turned to her. "You know, Cassie, he loves you. He may not know it yet, but he does." She steeled herself and returned his gaze. "Not a lot of good it does. Take care of him." 232

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He nodded, and as the last one out, he closed the door with a final click. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty-Four Lance stared out his living room window into the drab grey street, light drizzle settled onto the sidewalks and buildings. Somber clouds floated a few hundred feet from the ground, blocking the sun. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel like joking, or playing, or even talking. Instead, he felt like those flat sheets of cloud. "Make the rain go away, Lance." Lance turned and glanced at Logan. "You think this is my doing?" He shrugged. "Got me. I mean, until three days ago you'd never influenced weather. It's like you've suddenly become a sorcerer instead of a wizard." "Maybe," Lance murmured beneath his breath. A sorcerer who hadn't a clue what to do next. "You can't keep this up. It's been two days." Lance grunted. Logan could be such a pain in the ass sometimes. Always doing what's right. Just once he'd like to see his brother's façade crack to see the real man inside. Nobody was that perfect. "I don't understand what's eating you. I saw you with her, you're a perfect fit." Lance inhaled, and let out a huge sigh. His chest hurt. Hell, everything hurt. "You wouldn't understand." "Try me." He glanced over his shoulder, spearing his brother with a sharp look. "I made a promise." 234

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Logan gave a sharp laugh. "And that's what's holding you here? You sound like Ross now. My God, I thought it was something important." "Knew you wouldn't understand," he snarled, turning back to the grey sky. "And I thought you had a brain. You can't torture yourself and Cassie over a promise you made three years ago." Lance whirled on his brother, raging with fury. "You weren't there," he shouted. "You didn't see the look in her eyes. Mom only asked me one thing when she died. I can't change the past. I gave my word." Logan's eyes flashed. Lance knew he'd hurt his feelings. Her name always flared the pain inside them like lancing an open wound. Her cancer had taken them all by surprise. No Wizard's magick could save her, and knowing it was done on purpose only made things worse. It made his promise even more important. Logan hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye. Lance had been with her till the end. Ross and Jared both had locked themselves in the basement and played pool till the end, unable to face those last moments. Even now Ross huddled in his own home, refusing to speak to anyone, brought to his knees by the knowledge his mother had been murdered. Lance stood with his own heart broken. He had been a playboy then, before his mother's illness, thrilled with learning his magick, excited and ready to share. The world was at his feet, and he was determined to spend it with the ladies. He loved the control of knowing he could enter a bar and never go home alone. Then Mom had gotten sick. He'd 235

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become even more out of control, hiding from her illness in the arms of woman after woman. Until Mom had put her foot down. On her dying day. She'd asked just one thing. For him to not make love to his wife before their bonding. That was the word, she'd used, bonding. One single moment had changed his life. Now when he met a woman he had to decide if she was worthy of his future before he touched her. If she wasn't, he lost interest. If she was, he didn't touch her. That was the problem. He'd touched Cassie. More than touched her. They'd made love for hours. He held her and tasted her. "Mom didn't ask you to be a hermit, Lance. She only wanted you to reach your potential, and to find your perspective wife. You couldn't do that behaving like you were. You've changed, Lance. She would be proud." Lance shoved his fists into his pants pockets. "You don't understand, Logan. I touched her. If I go back to her, I've broken the one thing I've always lived by, my word." He could feel Logan's eyes burning into his back. "And so you punish the both of you because of a promise made in haste? Mom wouldn't want this. She'd want you to be happy." Lance wished he knew what to do. His word meant everything. Cassie meant everything. In his head, he couldn't make the two merge. "If I go to her," he murmured, more to himself than his brother, "I'm going to lose a part of myself I've always held onto." "Maybe it's time to hold onto something else. Maybe it's time to hold on to her." 236

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Logan's words settled over Lance, like the drizzle on concrete, slowly, absorbing into his heart. "I've killed any chance of being with her, Logan. Even if I did go back, there's no way she'll want me now." "You won't know unless you try. Don't be like me, Lance. Don't lose the woman you love just because you were too chicken to do something." "I'm not afraid," he growled. But he was. He was afraid she'd reject him, and he wasn't sure he could handle it. All his life he'd been coddled, treated with sweet loving arms and jests from his brothers. He pivoted, turning toward his brother. Logan arched a brow at him, before reaching in his pocket. "Here, take my car. Go see her, talk to her. She may not want you after this, but if you don't try, you'll never know." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter Twenty-Five Cassie's tail twitched as she perched on the ledge high above the floor of the cavern. It was a room she'd had built along the back of the house where she could shift in peace, relishing the feel of her cat. It stretched from one end to the other and was as wide as her living room. The ledge overlooked the entire cave. The floor was made of sandy soil, the walls of rough, grey stone as though hewn from the mountains by the forces of nature. On one wall was a small spring with fresh water. Cool air blew from hidden vents, giving the impression of a fresh breeze funneling in from the doorway. Here she could hide from the world and pretend she was in a cave out in the wild if she had to. Today she had to. Hiding from the pain which crippled her both emotionally and physically. "Cassie, come down from there." Cassie turned her eyes to her friend. Lin. Somewhere in her tortured mind, she understood Lin was only trying to help, yet she snarled, her fangs threatening. "I'm not going away. I need you to come down and talk to me. I have a problem." She had a problem? Right. Her only problem was deciding on the next advertisement she had to write. Cassie had no job, no future, and no mate. She was useless. Her heart wrenched in her chest, but she ignored the pain. 238

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The tigress stood and stretched, ignoring the dark headed human below. This was her domain and she would not let anyone interfere. "Cassie if you don't come down right this instant, I'll.... I'll.... Damn it, Cassie, get down here." Inside the great tigress, Cassie smiled. Lin was always funny when she was frustrated. She knew brute force wouldn't work, since Cassie's tigress was bigger than her leopard. So she always tried guilt. Usually it worked, but only because Cassie hated guilt. Today the guilt couldn't override the pain and the pain seemed to lessen when she let the beast take over. She curled her lips back and roared her frustration. "I can't talk to you like this! I need some advice." Cassie cocked her head to the side. Was she lying? "Please?" Fine. She lay back down on the huge shelf of stone, feeling its cool, comforting hardness. She reached inside herself for the woman. In a bright flash of light, the great beast shifted, and the woman took her place. Cassie tossed her long hair over her shoulder. Maybe she'd cut it. She needed to do something to change her life, and maybe a new look would help. "Thank God," said Lin. "Here." Yards of gray flannel flipped into the air, tossed from Lin's hands. Cassie caught them and grimaced. "Couldn't you have gotten me something a little better." "She speaks! At last. Cassie, if you want better clothes, go get them yourself." 239

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Cassie shrugged. "This is fine." She slipped on the sweat pants and t-shirt and climbed down. The cramp hit suddenly, and she dropped to her knees on the soft soil. She'd forgotten the pain while in tigress form. Lin reached her in a flash. "Come on, let's get you in bed." Cassie shook her head. "No, here. Need to stay here." Lin pursed her lips. "Fine, come over to the blankets." A pallet of quilts lay near the spring, where she could hear the crystal clear rippling of the water over stone. The small pool the spring emptied into was about waist deep. In her tigress form, she could swim or lie in it to cool. In human form, she usually spent the time lying next to it, absorbing the comforting sound. Cassie moved to the soft blanket laid down. A moan slipped from her lips. Everything hurt, inside and out. Her body ached with desire. Her heart ached for Lance. Her stomach cramped with hormones. All the while the rain fell softly outside, like the steady stream of tears running down her cheeks. Even after his painful words, she still loved him. In fact, she wasn't quite sure when she started loving him. Maybe as early as the first moment when she'd crashed into his arms. Or maybe it was when he drove recklessly to get Lin to safety. Definitely by the time he gave her that first kiss. "It's been two days. You need to go see him, tell him what's going on. It's not fair to either of you, keeping him in the dark." Cassie sat up and grabbed a tissue from the box next to the pallet. "I want him to want me for me," she whined. "I don't want him to come to me because of simple biology. It's 240

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not fair." She blew her nose, embarrassed at the horrid sound she made into the tissue. Thank heaven it was Lin and not someone else in here. "How can he not want you for you?" Lin's voice soothed with every word. She was a genius at making people feel better. The soft melody of her words always made a difference. "Easy. He told me he didn't. Lin, you weren't' there. He said he wanted to mark me. I was thrilled. I'd spent the entire time I was imprisoned, thinking of him, wanting him. Clinging to my memories of the few hours we spent together. Then there he was, wanting me. It was magical, like he was feeding off my instincts, my needs. And I was feeding off his. Then he said he wanted the mark to show. So the next guy would know he was there first." She sobbed. "He didn't even sound like it bothered him, the idea of me with another man." "He lied." Cassie whipped around to the sound of the masculine voice. Lance. He stood in the doorway, his eyes roving her body as though he wanted her. Anger ripped through her with the power and speed of a silver dagger. "What the hell are you doing here?" Lin ducked behind him, sneaking out. Coward. Just as well, she didn't want anyone to witness this. It was about to get bloody. He stared at her for a long time. He looked so calm, so at ease with himself, and it irked her. "I wanted to talk to you," he said, pushing himself from the doorjamb and closing the door with a solid click. 241

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"I didn't say I wanted to talk to you." She stood and grabbed a brush from a hidden pocket in the wall, then moved back to the water and looked down, wincing at her reflection. She looked as bad as she felt. Her hair hung in oily strings, her nose was running, her eyes were red, and she wore an old pair of sweats. Definitely not what she'd like to be wearing when her True Mate came to call. "You look beautiful," he moved up behind her, strong arms wrapping about her waist. "I wanted to tell you what happened. Why I said what I did." Tearing herself from his arms, she crossed the room. Fury roiled deep in her gut. Beautiful my foot. Her nose was red, she knew her hair was a mess, and she wore ugly clothes. She paced the room, bouncing from side to side. "You already made that quite clear." "I lied. I told you—stop already, would you?" He reached for her arm to stop the pacing and she hissed, yanking it back. She stormed toward him, pleased to see him step back. Her lips curled and her fangs poked through her gums. "Don't you dare touch me." She gave him a silent hiss, and his eyes widened. "Ok. Just ... stop, okay? Sit or something." "This is my house, my private sanctuary. I didn't invite you in, so I don't think you should be giving me any lectures on how to behave." He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. She almost whimpered. Her body was so confused. The sight of his hand in those silken strands brought back the memories of her 242

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fingers running through his hair. She set her jaw and glared at him. "Get this over with." He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. After flipping through some old photos, he snatched one out and handed it to her. She furrowed her brow in confusion and stared down. It was a picture of five men and two women. A family portrait. A family which only emphasized the differences in their worlds. She gazed at the normal looking family. They were younger. She'd guess Lance to be about eighteen. She handed it back to him. "So?" "Keep it. I'm giving it to you. It's my most prized possession." He nodded toward the photo in her outstretched hand. "The woman in there, that's my mother." She arched her brow. "Again, so?" Again she tried to hand him the picture, but he ignored her. "She's dead." Cassie bit back the edge of grief and guilt rising in her gut. She would not feel sorry for being angry with him, and she would not feel grief for his lost mother. She had her own family to deal with. "I know that." She softened the words, but didn't smile. Didn't offer condolences. "I made her a promise, just before she died." He fingered the edge of one of the stones on her wall. Since he'd walked into the room he'd looked the epitome of control and confidence. It was good to see him nervous. Now he looked like the Lance she knew and even loved. Unsure. Boyish. Hurt. 243

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It was the last one that melted her heart. Just a little. She dropped to the blankets. "I'm listening." Ducking his head, he shoved his hands in his pockets. "I wasn't always like what you know now. When I was a kid, I was reckless. Always challenging and getting others and myself into trouble. I had to. My brothers were all so much older, so much better at everything. I was trying to prove myself. As I grew up, girls found that sexy." He stopped and bit his lip. She waited. She ought to throw him out on his ear, but the instincts awakening inside her refused to allow her the luxury of giving into her anger. Even now her insides twisted and turned, readying themselves for his next touch. Starved to feel his hands on her body. If she threw him out, she'd have to touch him, and that would lead to something else. "What I'm trying to say is I was with a lot of girls. Women. My Mom was furious at first, then hurt. No matter what she said I kept on. I didn't think it was her business. To me, it was fun. A way to pass the time. I figured nobody got hurt, the girls always knew what I wanted, so what's the big deal?" She didn't know which hurt more, the fact he slept with so many women, or the fact he thought they were fun. She folded her knees to her chest.. "And I was just another in this string of women. So? I get it." She pulled her legs up and hugged her knees. She shouldn't be surprised. He'd been way too good in bed to not have had a lot of practice. He shook his head. "No, that's just it, you weren't. But..." he yanked his hands from his pockets and moved toward her. When she didn't shy away he dropped beside her and took 244

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her hand. "On her death bed Mom made me promise her that I wouldn't make love to the woman I was to marry until we were bonded together." Cassie's breath caught in her throat, and a flicker of hope lit like a match in her heart. She licked her lips before speaking. "So you're saying, you promised your mother you wouldn't have sex with the one woman you cared most about?" He nodded miserably. "And I tried, so hard to avoid touching you, but every time you came near," his finger stroked her cheek, "all I could think about, all I can think about, is touching you." "And?" "For so long I lived by my promise. I hadn't been with a woman for three years when we met. I couldn't. If I slept with her, it meant she didn't matter, and if she didn't matter, why sleep with her? The promise did what my mother intended." The flicker of hope burned brighter in her heart. "Kept you celibate?" He nodded. "But I couldn't resist you," his eyes fell on her lips. She could almost feel their hot caress whispering across the delicate skin. The urge to lick her lips, to feel the moisture across them, as though he'd kissed her, was overwhelming. "And therein lies the problem," he murmured. Lance almost couldn't stand it. He wanted to kiss her so badly his throat ached and his mouth burned. He released her face and slid to the side, as far as he could without having to stand, but as he moved he saw the look of disappointment in her eyes. Secretly pleased, he continued. 245

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"I've lived and breathed that promise for so long. When we made love, I couldn't break my mother's last wish. So I told you I wanted to mark you so others would know I had you first." He turned back to meet her gaze. They held a pain he'd not seen in her eyes before, and it ripped his soul to know he put it there. "What I really wanted was to mark you so nobody else would touch you." She growled low in her throat. "So you didn't want me but you didn't want anyone else to have me?" Her voice was dangerously low. Aggressive, sexy. "I didn't think," he said, his own voice raspy. "I'm not even sure I understood why I felt what I did. I only reacted. When I realized I'd said I wanted to mark you, the only thing I could do was recant, or spin it so you wouldn't know I cared. So I wouldn't know I cared." "And now?" Her eyes challenged him. He knew what he had to do now. He turned to her, and laid his hands on her shoulder, shoving her collar enough to show bare skin. "Now I claim you, Cassie. As mine. Forever. I won't share you. I don't care if I have to tattoo that brand right here," he bent over her, and his tongue swirled over the flesh he'd exposed. "Mine," he growled against her skin. She shoved him hard, and he tumbled back. "And I'm supposed to just take you back, just like that?" Her fangs had dropped and her lips curled for a hiss. What was it about those fangs that was so damned sexy? Now was the most important moment in his life. If he blew this, if he misread her, she'd send him packing. She was a 246

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tigress, and tigresses didn't mate with the weak. He stood and took her hand, yanking her to her feet and slamming her against his chest, growling as he went. His hand fisted in her hair and he tilted her head back to meet his eyes. "You do what you must, Cassie, but you are Mine. Never forget it." His mouth crashed hard on hers, claiming the woman who was rightfully his. She didn't mold to his body. She squirmed beneath his grip, kissing him back with ferocious intent. He could see it in her open, glaring eyes, the fight going on inside her head. Her body wanted him but her heart was hurt. He ended the kiss, holding her still. He caressed her cheek softly. "Mine, Cassie, just as I am yours. I love you. I give you everything I am, and everything we'll be together." Cassie couldn't fight back the whimper in her throat. "You love me?" He nodded, a gentle curve to his lips. "I love you." Tears stung her eyes. This was what she wanted. Love. Her heart swelled in her chest, and she could barely breathe. Was it real? Or was she dreaming? "Tell me you really mean this. Tell me I'm not dreaming." He smiled, then leaned to her ear, his breath soft and hot, sending shivers of desire down her spine. "I love you, Cassie, with everything inside me." "And what of your promise?" He stiffened, just a little, then shrugged. "It's in the past, Cassie. My mother had no idea you even existed, or how irresistible you would be. I think she would like you." 247

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She searched his eyes, wondering what was truth. Nostrils widening, she inhaled his scent. She should have checked his scent that fateful night, but she didn't have her head together at the moment. There was no trace of a lie in his scent. Only a dark, sensual hunger which burned her nostrils and set her blood on fire. "I love you too, Lance." When he kissed her, her body exploded with pure heat. She wanted to drag him to the floor right now, but she couldn't. She had her own things to share. Things that would put his mind at ease. Other things that would probably terrify him. She pulled back. "I have some things to say too." His eyes turned wary, and he released her. "Okay." She worried her lip, looking for the right words. "You didn't break your promise." Anger flashed in his eyes before he hid it. "Really?" "Your mother said you weren't to make love until you were bonded. You and I were, in a sense, already bonded. She didn't say until your wedding specifically, did she?" He shook his head slowly. "And how are we bonded?" She laughed, a sharp echoing sound. "How can you ask that?" She sat on the comforter, and drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them again, grimacing at the ugly grey sweats she wore. "Lance, sometimes I forget there are things you don't know about shifters. Sometimes there are things about shifters I don't even know." She took a deep breath. "Do you remember our first kiss?" "Of course I do." 248

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She did too. Even now she could feel the hunger in his lips, the gentleness in his hands. "Well, after you left, my father and I talked. We discovered something. Have you heard the term True Mates?" He shook his head. "Can't say I have." She gave him a weak smile. "In shifters there are two types of mates. There's the regular matings, similar to your marriages. A simple joining of convenience and affection, that can last a lifetime. Most mates love one another, have children, and live wonderful lives." He nodded. "Go on." "Then there are True Mates. True Matings are different. They are on a cellular level. In True Matings, the pairing is not happy with anyone but their mate. It's like they are coded differently, their joining is in their DNA. Once they meet, they can only be together or with no one at all. Some say it's the same thing as soul mates, but the True Matings have been known to initiate biological changes in the pair's bodies. They grow more alike, they care for one another intensely. You might even call it love at first sight." Lance waited. What was she saying? That they were True Mates? He thought about their time together. From the first moment he'd laid eyes on her he'd wanted her. How when he knew she was in danger, every cell in his body wanted nothing more than to destroy those who threatened her. His personality had definitely changed. He was more aggressive. "What are you saying, Cassie, spit it out."

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She took a deep breath. "You are my True Mate, Lance. The one with whom I will share my life, my heart, and my body. The only one." His heart stuttered. She stared at him, her eyes wide as a kitten's, waiting. "So you're saying you and I..." She nodded. She stood and paced, the long, sexy legs eating up her bedroom floor. "Daddy recognized it. He saw the kiss, and then he asked me..." When she didn't go on, he prompted her. "Asked you what?" "Asked me some pretty embarrassing questions. But he's right, Lance. I couldn't talk in anyone else's head. Not my mother, not my dad, not Lin. Only you. It's not a talent I possess. But it is one shared between True Mates." He rubbed his face with his hands, struggling to clear his mind. In essence she was saying they were already bound, and what they did was perfectly within the boundaries set by his mother. Could it be? Damn the promise anyway. He didn't need it. "And then there's the change in you. Don't get me wrong, Lance, you're still you. But when we're together you're..." "Aggressive?" he prompted, with a wry smile. She nodded. "Yes. Aggressive. A trait I never thought was sexy in my own kind but with you..." she closed her eyes and a shudder ran through her. For a brief moment Lance felt powerful. Arousing a woman had always been easy for him. A touch there, a kiss here, but 250

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never before had he done so with such finesse. A simple memory of his touch and she trembled. It was the same for him. His own body hardened to the point of pain and he fought the urge to adjust himself. He'd seen her eyes when he'd called her beautiful. She wasn't looking her best, it was true, and those ugly grey clothes had to go. Yet still she retained her regal beauty. For beneath the sweats she wore, he could make out the hidden curves, the soft sway of her hips, the delicate sweetness of her lips. Mine. Now and forever more. The word settled into his heart. Forever. Somehow it sounded so right. Like the feel of her in his arms. The taste of her mouth. Her sweetness lay fresh on his lips and he licked them, relishing the memory. Cassie had stopped and was staring at him. Waiting for his decision. God, she's beautiful. Everything inside him, down to the cellular level, begged to reach out and touch her silky skin, to caress the softness of her hair. "Come here," he ordered gruffly. She stepped forward, slow, hesitant. When she was within reach, he wrapped an arm about her waist and yanked her to him, her hands falling to his shoulders. He trailed a finger to the juncture of her neck and shoulder. "Here," he murmured. "Here I will place my mark. Mine, forever more." She smiled, and he felt the fear melt out of her. "You're sure?" 251

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He cupped her face with his hands. "Kitty cat, I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." He drew her face to his, and pressed his lips gently to hers. She leaned into his touch, a true kitten, basking in his heat. So sexy. "Mine," he whispered one more time into her mouth. He pulled her to him, lay down on her blanket and crawled over her. "I won't promise to be the perfect mate, my love. But I do promise to do this," and he nipped her breast through her shirt. She squealed, arching her back. She was so responsive to everything he did. "And this," he murmured, his hands moving beneath the shirt, teasing and taunting her soft curves. His body burned hot just watching her squirm, fighting her aggressive nature to give him what he wanted. Hands pushed her shirt up, revealing the soft mounds of her breasts. "There's something else, Lance." He pulled back with effort. He hungered to taste her again. "What more could there be?" She flushed and pulled from his arms.. "See, when True Mates meet, the female, uhm. Well, she..." "She what?" he prompted, turning her face back to his. Her face was flushed beet red. "She goes into heat." He stared at her, his heart stilled for the single beat it took for her words to digest. "You're in heat?" His voice felt strangled in his throat. What the hell did being in heat mean? 252

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"Yes. The female goes into heat in hopes of getting pregnant. It's not like we have to have kids now," she said hurriedly when Cassie saw the shocked expression on Lance's face. "Just that I'll go into heat every ninety days until we do." He stared at her for long seconds, then laughed. He tipped his head back and roared, letting all of the stress of the last few days run out through his laughter. Anger rolled through Cassie. While her human side saw the humor, the tigress within was furious. Her hands fisted at her sides. He was who she wanted. What she wanted, and when he'd come to her, groveling to apologize for what he'd said, her heart had soared. This teasing infuriated her. She struggled to contain the anger, then gave in. What the hell. She was a tigress, after all. She stalked to him. "You think this is funny?" she demanded. Lance stopped laughing, the smile still on his face. "Oh come on, Cassie, it's just—" he stared at her, his eyes wide. Cassie operated on instinct. Tigress instinct. Her eyes lowered and she watched him as she moved, stalking, her hips swishing from side to side. Nothing of the human remained, leaving only the tiger in control. Her body burned for the man, but the tigress watched and waited, hungry for him to pay, hungry for his touch. He remained perfectly still as she approached. Nice, the thought hissed through her mind. Brave. Stupid. One long nail traced the front of his shirt, down to his waist, his muscles quivering in its wake. She dragged it back up to his chest and to his neck. Nostrils widening, she 253

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breathed in the scent of man and hunger. A delicacy to be savored. So she did. For long seconds, neither moved, each staring into the other's eyes. He eyed her with deep sensual need. Still, she had to punish him for his laughter. "Never," she said, keeping her voice soft. "Never laugh at a shifter in heat." She shoved with both hands, knocking him off balance, he teetered on the edge, crashing into the water behind him. He sputtered, water streaming over the angry face as he surfaced. Growling, he yanked his wet shirt over his head and tossed it to the side with a wet slap. His body glistened with the water. So masculine and powerful, almost as strong as the shifters she knew. She hungered to lick him dry. He moved to crawl out. "Stay," she snarled. He drew up in surprise. "What did you say?" His voice was low and soft. He was angry. Cassie let his anger roll over her, vibrate through the cells in her body. Heat boiled through her blood, triggered by the agitation in his body, the anger in his voice and in his eyes. Why was this such a turn on? "I said," she moved deliberately toward the edge of the small pool, her hips swaying with each move. "Stay. Don't get out." She could have said to wait for her, that she was coming to join him, but she wanted him angry. She wanted his body vibrating with power in preparation for hers. With a quick yank she jerked the sweatshirt over her head, and his eyes widened. Her ears caught just the hint of a growl from his throat. 254

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He moved to catch her by her ankle, and she avoided him, dodging with the speed of her cat, shoving him back in the water with the ball of her foot on his chest. "No," she growled as he fell back. His face darkened, and she sniffed the air. Sweet. He was angry, but more than anything, he was aroused. Cassie wished she understood what the hell she was doing. For years she'd watched females tease and taunt males. She'd thought it was rude and uncalled for. Unsexy. Yet here she was, pushing Lance with everything she had. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't reign in her instincts and couldn't hide how exciting his aggression was to her. With each dark look, each soft growl reaching her ears, the flesh on her body heated. Her skin felt too tight and the sweat pants scratched her suddenly hyper sensitive flesh. "You better get your sweet ass in here, then," growled Lance. He wasn't sure what was going on, but frowned when her eyes narrowed and she snarled. There was no way he was backing down now. She was his mate, and no matter what went on before, that was the one thing that wouldn't change. With a smirk, she stepped back. Her eyes stayed on his as she lowered the ugly gray sweats. Smooth creamy flesh gave way to the dark blond curls at the V of her thighs. She ignored his demand and took her time, folding the ugly cloth neatly, and walked to the blanket. God, she didn't walk, she swayed. Lance's mouth went dry. If she had a tail she'd be swishing it. It wasn't possible for him to want her anymore, even with the taunting. Yet she continued to torture him, his body was so hard he ached with the hunger to touch 255

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and taste her. She lay the clothing on the blanket, stooping, then moving to her hands and knees. She watched him, her body swaying, her back arched. Feline. It was the only word to describe her now. Images of him behind her, thrusting inside her, flashed in his mind and he groaned. Her lush breasts brushed the soft material on the blanket, and he watched as her eyes fluttered closed. His fingers itched to caress her, to watch the hunger and pleasure in her eyes. "Get over here," he ordered, hoarsely. Her eyes flew open, and she snarled, one fang showing in the corner of her mouth. She didn't like it when he ordered her around. Good. Because when she snarled it took all his control to not throw her on the floor and have his way with her. She was so damned sexy. Using her hands, she pushed backward then back up to her knees, her body erect. Each sensuous flex of muscle only served to drive them both higher. Lance inhaled and even from this distance he could smell her hunger. She stood, but still she didn't join him. Instead she arched, as though stretching each feminine muscle. Sweat now beaded on her body, trickling between her breasts, to her naval, and inside. Lance groaned, thirsty to drink of the salty moisture. Come here. He whispered in her head. I need you. Her eyes met his again, and she slowly moved forward. Lush breasts heaved, her breath harsh and hungry. She was as hot as he was, and all without a single touch. Stopping at 256

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the edge of the pool, her head ducked, the tigress moving inside her. He could see it, the two parts to the same woman. The sweet, sensual Cassie, the hot, dangerous tigress. One delicate toe touched the cold water. Cassie moaned as the icy liquid touched her hot flesh. Before she could move again, the tigress within her stretched, pushing the limits of Cassie's control. Muscles clenched and Cassie fought what instinct told her was inevitable. She didn't want to lose the moment with Lance. Not to the animal inside her. The beast inside her screamed, and she snapped. Power rolled over her flesh and the light flashed within the room. The great cat roared into existence, the sound echoing off the stone walls. No! For the second time since meeting Lance she'd lost complete control of her shift. She tried to change back, but her tigress slapped her back, roaring silently in her head. The woman was forced to watch, as the other part of her, the one which operated entirely on instinct, took control. For the first time it truly felt as though she had multiple personalities. It was her, striding through the water, moving to the opposite end of the pool. It was her staring at the now scowling man across from her. Yet it wasn't. Instead, all control belonged to the animal, powerful and strong. She stalked toward Lance, relishing the strength in the way he stood, the way he didn't back down. She smelled his confusion and his anger, but she smelled no fear. She hid the rumble of satisfaction, and moved around behind him, her tail a rudder in the water as she walked. "Cassie, knock it off." 257

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She felt the pressure as he tried to push into her mind. She ignored it. She was tigress and had no need of human language. In or out of her head. His pants fluttered with the motion of her step beneath the water. She stared at it for long seconds. He shifted to one side as he followed her gaze, his eyes suddenly uncomfortable. She laughed. Nothing could stop her now. With one swift motion her claws sliced the material, ignoring his startled gasp. She growled in satisfaction when the muscular calf and thigh was exposed. Such power for a human. Such strength. Even in cat form she could appreciate the overwhelming example of masculinity before her. Lance struggled to hold his torn pants up, until he met Cassie's eyes. "I don't know what's going on," he growled low, "but this will stop." Her tail twitched above the water, spattering his already soaked body. He growled under his breath. He'd forgotten how big she was, how magnificent and regal the tigress part of her was. How deadly. During their separation, he'd studied tiger behavior. He knew they didn't take life calm and sweet. He knew he was probably getting himself in over his head when he'd come here. None of that mattered. Cassie was his. He glared at the beast as she circled him. "Cassie, you will shift and talk to me." His body shook with the desire to bring back the woman who'd teased him unmercifully. He wanted to sink into her sweet softness. Instead, this great beast moved around him. He stripped the remnants of his trousers and tossed them to the side. 258

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She shook her large head and bared her fangs. With a flat of her paw she splashed water at him and watched him dodge. He fought back the urge to laugh. It would only anger her, for this was serious. She wasn't playing, but was pushing him, driving him to anger. She watched him with huge golden eyes, calculating her next move. Watching his. She stalked forward, circling behind him, her tail swishing through the water. He stared straight ahead as she circled, refusing to turn to her. She was in heat. Damn. That was something he'd never expected. Not even when she explained True Mates. Instead, he'd thought of how she completed him, how sexy she was, even sitting there in those ugly clothes. Next thing he knew he's falling into icy cold water, and being told to stay like a dog. She was a tigress, and he had a feeling she was looking for more than a quick toss on the little blanket. She was looking for completion with a mate her equal. "I've had just about enough of this behavior." She met his eyes, then purposefully turned away. A challenge. A challenge he would answer. He stalked toward her, stopping after a few feet, his eyes wary. "You may be in heat, Cassie, and you may be a tigress, but you have already said I'm your mate. Get your ass over here and shift." Cassie rumbled low, her lips curling in a snarl as she spun to face him, her ears flat against her head. Swatting at him, missing him by inches, she roared. "I'm not afraid of you. I know what you want." 259

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That's good, because I don't. Cassie relished his bravery. Most men would be cowering by now, but not Lance. Instead he stalked toward her, scowling as she hissed. His scent was as deadly as chocolate, it called to her, pulling against her every reserve. "I wasn't laughing at you, Kitty cat. I was relieved. I thought you were going to tell me that father of yours wanted me dead again." She watched him flex his hands into fists, the muscles bulging from fingers to chest. How could she think a simple movement was sexy even when she was in tiger form? He's not a shifter. He couldn't meet her strength. Yet when he moved toward her, beat for beat, sleek and hungry, all she could think of was his touch. She wanted to pleasure him, to give him a gift from her heart, and of her body. Maybe even her soul. The water glistened off his chest and she wanted to shift, to lick the drops as they trailed over his flesh. But instinct refused to let her. He was in the middle of the pool now, his face intense and aggressive, waiting. Stalking like a good tiger would. She walked toward him, circling, dancing with the man who was to be her mate. She snarled, and he curled his lip in return. A shiver ran through the muscles, hidden beneath the water. She moved behind him, staring at the now bare buns of his butt. So powerful and sexy. He grabbed the opening she gave him and moved with the speed of a cat. He sprung from the water, landing on her back, his hands fisted in the light ruff of fur around her neck. She roared in fury, thrashing to toss him aside. 260

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"I know what you want," he growled in her ear. The sound set off something inside her, and she groaned with the woman's hunger that fought the cat's body. "You want a man who can meet you, power for power, strength for strength. Well guess what, Kitty cat," he said. "I may not be as strong as you are, and I may not be as big as you are, but you are mine." His words echoed inside her mind, instincts screaming inside her, relishing the sound of his growl, the strength of his words. She wasn't ready to give up. It was time for him to prove himself. Prove he was ready to be the True Mate of a tigress. She rolled, struggling to dislodge him. Powerful thighs gripped her ribs, and he held on, despite water hindering his breathing. She rolled upright. He didn't sputter or gasp for breath. He didn't even breathe hard. "Shift," he snarled in her ear. Her body shuddered as she fought for control. Every move he made drove her hunger even higher. Without the benefit of true shifter knowledge, he acted on the same instincts as she, fighting for their relationship against the tigress inside her. She roared her fury and confusion, her head spinning inside. She wanted desperately to yield to his command, but the tigress refused to give in. She rolled one more time, and Lance slipped beneath the water. The cat could breathe for long periods under water. But could Lance? Her heart beat hard in her chest, worried, waiting for him to release her. She held him under for long minutes. He didn't struggle, and he didn't weaken. The tigress in her relished every struggle, 261

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every single touch. A worthy mate. She rolled over at long last, releasing a triumphant roar. This time he did sputter and gasp for air, yet his hands still clung to her ruff, his thighs still clasped around her ribs. He was strong. His determination and strength were equal to the tiger. Maybe not in muscle, but in purpose, in hunger for his mate. Cassie, shift. She rolled again and he gasped for air a split second before the water closed over his head. She struggled lightly, working to shake him loose, but he hung on. Lance wondered how long she would let this go on. His lungs screamed, desperate to end the struggle. It wasn't a fight, not in the physical sense, but there was no doubt the tigress inside her was testing him. Her body twisted and turned, and finally, she rolled upright again, reaching for the sides of the pool. "Shift," he demanded. He felt the agreement in his head and in an instant, bright light flashed before his eyes. Power surged around them, rolling over his skin. The sensation of her shift was the oddest thing he'd ever felt. The magickal shrinking of muscles, changing of the body. Pure awe at the power of the magick it took to create such a change washed through him. His Mate. Beautiful, powerful, sweet and most of all, magickal. She lay beneath him, her hands gripping the sides of the pool. His hands still clung tightly to her hair, twisted in his palm. Her neck was laid bare, her body trembling. 262

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They were flesh to flesh, shoulder to toes. The softness, which was Cassie undulated beneath him, her body calling to him. Heat flared, a hunger deeper than ever before. His body hardened in an instant. Mine. Dark instincts Lance knew he'd never understand reared in his mind. He didn't fight it. He was done fighting or arguing anything in regards to their loving. With a quick move he pushed her hips down until her feet touched bottom, then he kicked her legs apart. One hand searched between her legs, surprised to find her slick with desire even in the water. She gasped at his touch, thrusting into his hand. He pulled it away, dragging her hair backward until her throat was again bared to his every whim. His lips and teeth fed on her offering, feasting on her taste. The silky smooth flesh trembled, and his tongue trailed along her throat. She was the sweetest of honey with a wild tang of lust. She moaned beneath his ministrations. Yes. This was what he wanted, to feel and see her pleasure. To be the one who brought screams from her throat. He growled against her flesh, savoring the mewling sound in response. Her body thrust back at him, and he moaned, his hardness slipping into the cleft of her butt. The soft globes pillowed and teased him. He wanted, no needed, to be inside her. Now. In one quick move he positioned himself where they both wanted him to be. She hissed softly, and he groaned. He thrust inside her without any further preparation. None was needed, her body welcomed him, stretching to accommodate his length. With a nip to her ear he growled, "Mine." She squealed, and he felt hot muscles clench around him. 263

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Yesssss. The single hiss echoed through his mind. The ice cold water did nothing to cool her ardor, and she thrust back with every stroke. He laughed softly, enjoying her hunger. He let his tongue trail along her exposed neck and her body shuddered beneath his. Soft mewls escaped her throat. Her taste exploded over his tongue, hotter than before, wilder than before. She swallowed and he followed the motion, leaving a wet trail along her flesh. His mouth hungered for more. More than the sweet spice of her flesh. More than the sweet honey of her body. He needed her life's blood. He shook his head. He was human, he wasn't shifter. But his mate was, and her desires were his. By now he wasn't sure how much was her hunger and how much was his own. Were they stored deep in his DNA, waiting for her to release them with her kiss? Lance watched as though in a trance while his body reacted with power and force he'd never expect. He growled from deep inside his chest, and his teeth bared. He wished he had fangs. Did I really just think that? Yes, he did. For if he had fangs, he could give her the one thing she desired above all. His teeth scored along her shoulder and her body trembled. She moaned with a hunger he knew no other could sate. With a deep breath, he struck. His teeth slammed into her neck with surprising ferocity, pinching the soft skin. The coppery taste of blood flooded his mouth, teasing him. His mind said stop, but his body refused. Her body tensed and her moans grew louder, hungrier. Then she shuddered, 264

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convulsing around him, coming even as he licked to sooth the tiny wound he'd created. "Lance," she screamed, her muscles throbbing and flexing around him. Her entire body shook with the power of her orgasm. He held her tightly in his arms, his hand finally releasing the hair wrapped about his fingers. He caressed her shoulders, his mouth moving over the soft skin. He still hadn't come, but it didn't even matter. Despite the painful throb in his loins, he was more sated than ever before. Sated by his mate's pleasure. Warmth seeped into his soul for the first time in years. He hoped he hadn't hurt her. He let his tongue trail over the bite, soft and lovingly. It wasn't deep and was a lot smaller than he expected. His mind still didn't understand what had happened, but his body didn't care. His heart didn't care. He licked to sooth the ravaged skin, and she moaned. She wanted more. More what? He wasn't quite sure he could give anything more if it meant hurting her. "Lance, please, I need ... I need to touch you." He relaxed and let out a sigh. Now this he could handle. "And I want your touch," he murmured. He slid from her body, smiling at her soft whimper of loss. She rolled over, her body now pinned with her back against the side of the pool. "Let's move up," he whispered in her ear, indicating the blankets with his eyes. "Later." Cassie couldn't wait. Her orgasm had only been a teaser, increasing her need for more. His aggression was the biggest turn on she'd ever felt, but that need was filled. Now there was something more. 265

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Impaling herself on him, she arched as he filled her. Her body stretched to accommodate the new position, and she whimpered as he reached deep inside her, withdrawing to thrust back inside again. Her body trembled, her muscles clenching. Deep seated instincts burned inside her, taking over her mind. She was frightened. She didn't need the tigress now. It wasn't her tigress, for inside her, the cat remained quiet. Waiting. For what? Her shoulder throbbed with the exquisite pain of his mark. It didn't quench the thirst which grew inside her. Her mouth watered, her fangs slicing through her gums, hungry for the taste of Lance. Her hands caressed the smooth flesh on his chest, reveling in the hard muscles bunched beneath her fingers. Her palm swept across until she reached his heart. It pounded hard beneath her touch. Beat for beat in time with her own. Her hand slid to his shoulder, her eyes frozen as she stared at his powerful chest. Her mouth watered, and she licked her lips. He froze within her, waiting. Powerful possessive instincts rushed through her blood, and she hungered to mark him as hers. "Mine," she whispered. His body trembled and she knew he understood. He always understood. She licked the water from his salty flesh, her tongue rasping over the skin. "Do it." His harsh whisper surprised her. He understood more than she gave him credit for. In fact, he understood more than she did. His mark was clearly upon 266

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her shoulder. But it was not a true shifter's mating mark. Both needed the shifter's mark to bind them, to pull them tighter together. His understanding was a mark of their connection, and it warmed her heart even as instincts pushed forward. The low of a growl rolled up her throat, and she gave in, her fangs sliding into place. She wanted to hold back, she wanted to control everything, but instincts had been controlling every minute of this afternoon. Thinking of his taste, the sweet wildness of his blood, forced any conscious thought from her mind. She hissed and let her fangs scrape over his flesh. A tiny prick. Muscles twitched, waiting. "Do it, Cassie. Please," he begged. It'll hurt. I don't care, Kitty cat. I need it. Please. The hunger in his voice and in his mind surprised her. His body surged inside her again, and again, but they both knew they needed something more. This once it was best to let the animal have her way. Her fangs pierced his flesh and his breath hissed, but he didn't pull away. The instant his blood touched her tongue, memories and emotion slammed into her. She saw him in school, the youngest of a large family. She lived the teasing and love he felt for his brothers and sister as if it were her own. She felt his powerful hunger to do what was right, to set things straight with the GSA. The pain for his mother's passing was like a fresh wound that closed slowly as she examined it, sending her own love into the tear in his soul. 267

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She felt his love for her. It shone like a beacon, flowing through their new connection formed of blood. It warmed her, burning through her own body, shooting into her heart. It healed the pain of his earlier words, for now there was no doubt of his love. Lance gasped, and his knees buckled. Something unexpected happened when Cassie's fangs penetrated his flesh. He connected to her on a level which blew him away. Images of her as a child, protecting her friend, hiding who and what she was all her life floated through his mind. Her pain radiated in memory of the deaths over the last few days. Guilt teased at her mind. He felt her love for her friend and her desire to protect PJ. He felt her joy at being able to be herself around him, at not having to hide the beast within. Each thought and emotion was as clear as though they were his own memories, his own emotions. Her love burned inside her, guiding her every thought, her every instinct. It wrapped around him, cocooning him in her sweetness. He thrust harder inside her. Her body responded, and he felt the muscles quiver and tighten. They were now closer than any human couple that existed. He had claimed her mind as he had claimed her body, just as she had claimed his. They moved as one, reaching for the pinnacle they knew was almost there. Together. One the cat, the other the wizard. Now one in heart, entwined in both body and spirit. Together they climbed higher their bodies working united. He knew she was almost there, and he gasped. He could feel it, feel what she felt, like a feedback loop of some kind. He felt her heat, felt the fullness, and the hunger his thrust brought. 268

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Each thrust sent her higher, winding her muscles tighter, her body reaching for that precipice. They quivered, together. He shouted, screaming out her name, unable to hold back any longer, just as she teetered over, her body exploding. Together they climbed, exploding together, both the physical and emotional. Lights exploded in Lance's mind. In her mind. He didn't need to ask her, he could see it, feel it with her. He felt the tremors exploding in her center, knowing she felt his own. The aftershocks eased, their bodies slowed and the sated fog of their orgasms faded into the day. Her thoughts echoed in his mind, the satisfaction of the woman, the pride of the cat. His knees wobbled and he grabbed the side of the grotto with one arm, the other wrapped around her waist. Her body trembled as her breath came in great heaves. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and neither spoke. He lifted her body up to the blanket, and rolled her in it, before finally climbing out of the water himself. "I wish I could give you what you deserve," he said softly. "Like what?" He motioned around the cave. "Satin sheets and a soft bed." She laughed softly, and moved to get up. "Where do you think you're going?" "To get us some towels," she said weakly. Was there anything more beautiful than a woman truly satisfied? Her skin was flushed a beautiful pink, and lips curved softly into a smile he was sure she had no idea was even there. Her eyes 269

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drooped sensuously. He pulled her back to the blanket and kissed her, teasing the crease of her lips with his tongue. They were so soft. She opened to him with a moan and he moved in, slow and easy. Instincts were satisfied, but his heart was not. He pulled back, staring into her eyes. "Let me," he whispered. She nodded, and grinned, the smile going straight to her eyes, stealing his breath. His heart flipped over. She loved him. This beautiful, powerful woman truly loved him. Her hands pushed him away and she sat up and waited. He stood, naked, his body already hardening again. "There," she murmured, motioning to a rock at waist level. "Push it." He walked across the room, away from the spring, and with one quizzical look back at her, he shrugged, then pressed on the stone. It moved and he heard a click. Two things happened. A wall moved beside him, and a drawer popped out. He jumped backward, shocked. As the wall slowly slid to the side with a groan, he peered into the drawer. Towels. He smiled and grabbed two and stepped back. She laughed behind him. "Your wish is my command." She motioned to the room, and he looked inside. A king size bed sat inside, with satin sheets and pillows strewn all around. The room was small, just barely enough to accommodate the huge bed. But it definitely offered what he wanted. Privacy and comfort. He laughed, tossing a towel over his shoulder. He spun around and grabbed her around the waist and lifted her from 270

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her feet. She shrieked with laughter as he twirled her around, her wet hair streaming behind her. "Now that's what I call purrrfect," he said, burying his lips into the softness of her belly. "Hey," she giggled. "Tigers don't purr." "Maybe not," he said, "But sometimes women do." He dropped her to the floor and she snatched the towel from his shoulder. "Allow me," Cassie said. She barely recognized the sultry tone of her voice. With soft, caring strokes she dried him. She touched him the way he deserved. This man who was her True Mate. His scent was now a part of her, as she was a part of him. Muscle by muscle she caressed him with the softness of the towel, sliding down to his waist. She dried his calves and thighs, moving upward. He groaned when she caressed him gently between the legs. His hunger was already building. This was her first time being able to touch him, and she savored every scent, every muscle. Her tongue rasped across his growing hardness, and he growled. "Stop, Kitty cat." She shook her head. "I want to touch you. I want to show you—" He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her up. "I know, baby. I felt it, just as you felt how much I love you." He kissed her, and Cassie wondered if she would always feel this same light headedness when he touched her. It was like the floor opened up, leaving her suspended only by their connection. 271

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She refused to be distracted, and her hands caressed his chest, tweaking the nipples as they hardened to small, flat pebbles. "In your bed, Cassie." She smiled, and took him by the hand. "In our bed," she corrected. He lay on the bed, and she followed him. Her mouth teased every part of his skin, tasting the hot male flesh, hungering for more. Lance's body burned again, her touch driving him out of his mind. That tongue of hers was like nothing he'd ever felt before. Like sandpaper, it rasped across his skin, teasing parts of him that had only experienced softness. The contrast of the hot, wet mouth and the rough tongue was so erotic he almost exploded the instant she touched him. Her tongue ran up the length, once, twice. His hips lunged toward her on the third time. He tried to think of something else, to hold off, but he couldn't concentrate. When her mouth closed over him, his mind exploded. He knew she was a virgin when he'd met. No other man had ever experienced her sweetness. This, this went beyond sweet. It was hot. She growled, the vibration rolled up her throat, into her mouth, and over his body. "Cassie," he pleaded. His body thrust into her mouth, unable to stop. He wanted to make her stop, to tell her he'd come, but the words wouldn't come. This was the most erotic moment of his life, and he couldn't speak. Pressure built along his spine, burning through his blood, straight to the center of his body where she tasted, caressed and sucked 272

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him. Then it exploded, and he surged upward, unable to control anything. She held her place, drinking in his seed as he felt it pulse from him, into her mouth. At long last his breath slowed. She still lapped at his flesh, moving upward. When she reached his mouth she kissed him long and hard. "Mine," she whispered. "Mine," he croaked in return. She smiled and rolled to his side, snuggling against him, resting her head on his chest. Satisfaction seeped through his veins. They lay, lost in their own thoughts for a long time. "So do I have to keep biting you?" he asked. "No, you don't have to keep biting me. I was surprised you did," she said laughing. He shrugged. "I don't know. It just sorta happened. Ever since I made love to you that first time, it's all I could think about, marking you." She nodded, and he felt her understanding. "An instinct, like what I did with you." She was quiet a moment. "We'll have to find a way to make it permanent." He looked at her in surprise. "Permanent?" Her lips curved into a soft smile. "I kind of like having your mark on me." That sounded so right. Just like holding her in his arms felt so perfect. "Lance, I have a question for you. It's been bugging me since that first night." "What's that?" 273

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"How is it you heard me and my dad talking that first night? You shouldn't have heard us from in the living room." Grinning, he responded. "It's just a little knack I have. I can hear as clear as any animal. Can see in the dark, too." Her brows raised in surprise. "Really? Why?" "Don't know. My Mom could do it too. She passed it on to all five of us." Cassie was quiet for long seconds. He could almost hear the gears in her brain as they worked. "Lance, do you know if she had any other unusual talents?" "She was a wizard, so she had a lot of unusual talents." "It's just that..." "Just what?" "It's just that the skills you mention are more shifter than human. Or even wizard. You don't think..." Lance waited. "You don't think maybe she was part shifter? That might explain your urge to mark." Lance let her words settle in his mind, playing different possibilities and reactions to her suggestion. "I guess we'll never know," he said. "She was adopted. Her mother had apparently given her up for adoption at birth, and when she was very young she showed magickal skills. One of our wizards worked at the agency, and found a wizard family for her." Lance had never wondered about the sight and hearing skills. He'd always associated it with being a wizard, but if Cassie was right, there was a lot more to his mother than he ever guessed. 274

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"I guess Aunt Jessie was right," he said at last. "About what?" "She gave me a tarot reading the morning before I met you. Did it without me even asking. She said my future was The Moon, the development of instinct, moving into the unknown. I'd have to agree." "No way!" Lance looked at her, puzzled. "My Aunt Sabrina gave me a reading that same day. The same card came up." Lance grinned and hugged her tightly. "That seals it then," he said with confidence. "We're meant to be together." Cassie laughed. "There was never a doubt." Cassie groaned when he cupped her beautiful face as he stared into her eyes. "Never a doubt, my sweet, beautiful tigress." His lips touched hers, and her heart swelled. His touch, so gentle on her flesh, was as erotic as his earlier aggression. What he'd given her with power, he'd now give her with love. She blinked back the sudden tears of joy stinging her eyes. "I love you, Lance." "And I love you, Cassie," he said. She groaned as hot hands gently caressed her body, teasing her, yet pleasing her. Yesssss, she heard in her head. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Epilogue Cassie stared at herself in the mirror wearing a human wedding dress. She looked like a cloud. A cumulous cloud hanging in the sky on a clear day. Or like cotton, or even kids glue paste. White everywhere. The only spot of color was the tattoo Lance had insisted she get. Three tiny red crescents. Taken from the family crest, he felt it made an excellent mating mark. He had a matching one of his own on his chest. He'd dragged her to the tattoo artist just yesterday, determined to ensure she was his. She smiled. It was nice having a mate who not only was strong and powerful in his own right, but understood her world. They both had a lot to learn about each other, but they would get there. She glanced at the white cloud in the mirror again. Lance told her it belonged to his mother. He'd insisted she wear it, saying no woman should be without a wedding dress. She'd have been just as happy nude, but he wouldn't hear of it. She grasped the bodice and wiggled, working to position her huge breasts comfortably in the tiny dress. She barely fit into it. "I feel like a slut," she said. "You look beautiful," said Lin. Her best friend was healthy again, and standing right where she belonged, at Cassie's side. She looked stunning as ever in her dark, emerald green dress. 276

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"I look like a cloud in this..." she flounced the yards of material at the skirt, "dress." Her friend grabbed her arms and forced her to face the mirror. "You look like a woman who found her True Mate. You look like a woman in love." "How can I be in love? Lin, I don't know him. We just met a few days ago, for Pete's sake." "And a happier man will never exist." She spun to see her father, standing next to another man of about the same age. The stranger so dark and dangerous looking, the other so light, with a deadly edge of his own. Such contrast, yet such similarity. She grinned. "Hi, Kitten," her father said, moving to kiss her cheek. "This is Lance's father, Gerald. Gerald, meet your daughter in law." The man's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "She's as beautiful as Lance said." "Hello Mr. Maxey." She smiled sweetly, wondering if he'd heard much of her tirade. God, she hoped not. "Call me Dad, please. I promise, I'll do my best to stay out of your business, but I just had to see you before I went in to talk to my son." He looked her up and down. "He's done well for himself." "Thank you," she said. Where had this sudden streak of shyness come from? "It's a pleasure to meet you, too." "And I have to say," he said, his eyes tearing, "you look as beautiful as Larissa did on her wedding day." He hugged her. "You take good care of my boy, now." She nodded, wondering at the lump in her throat. "I will." 277

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The two men walked away and Aunt Sabrina pushed past them. Aunt Sabrina, the dotty old aunt who loved tarot cards. All her life she'd humored the old woman. Now she had a feeling she was about to eat all those thoughts, and have to admit: The woman had talent. The old woman handed her a card, and Cassie looked down, then back up to her aunt in surprise. "Where did you get this?" "I made it," the old woman said, a smug look on her face. "When?" "The day you were born. I stored the deck until it called to me. Each card was hand made. And the day you were born I finished, the last card I made was that one. I knew it was meant for you the instant the call came telling me you were a healthy squealing cub." Cassie stared at the card. It couldn't be. But it was. "But that's.... How—" But the old woman was gone, leaving a single tarot card in Cassie's hand. Rather than the double wolves howling at the moon as was common for The Moon card, this one held a tigress. It wasn't the cat that called to her. It was the man standing behind her, hidden in the shadows of the night. Lance. **** In another room off the main chapel Lance paced the floor. He glanced at his watch for the tenth time in ten minutes. Where the hell was the old man? He'd promised he'd run interference at the office, giving Lance all the time he needed. 278

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The door opened, and like a tornado through the fields, his dad stormed in, ready to take things in hand. "Hello, Lance," he said. His father wrapped him in his arms and clapped him on the back. "I've just met the bride. She's beautiful." "And she'll be furious if this doesn't pull off without a hitch today, Dad, and I have no intention of seeing her angry." Lance pulled from his father's grasp. "This is all your fault, you know. If you and Mom hadn't made me make that damned promise—" "If we hadn't made you make that promise you'd be off sleeping with her right now, wouldn't you." Lance stopped and speared his father with a look. "I might. But I was going to say, if you hadn't made me make that damned promise we could have taken our time, planned a proper wedding. Cassie didn't want me to feel I was breaking a promise and insisted the wedding be quick." His dad patted him on the shoulder. "This is a proper wedding son. One the two of you will remember forever." Lance nodded. Second thoughts settled around his heart. Not about Cassie, but his work. "Dad, I've got to quit my job." His father looked up in surprise. "Why?" "Why? Because I work for an organization that would cut my wife open and experiment on her if they found out what she was." "All the more reason to stay." "Why, so they can find her easier? And what if they look at the security tapes and realize we released all the shifters" 279

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His father laughed. How could he laugh at a time like this. "No, son. So you can protect her and her people. You can work on the inside, finding out what is happening, what threatens them. Besides, those tapes you're worried about disappeared. I took care of them myself." "Gone? Really? Dad, I never would have thought..." "Nonsense. You're my son. I wasn't going to let you or your brothers go down because the GSA has some bad apples. We'll find them all. I promise. And we can only do it if you stay." Lance nodded. It seemed his life had completely changed. Not only did his brothers finally accept him as an adult, but his Dad too. "I never would have thought my own son would not only find a shifter, but would marry her." Lance grinned. "But you aren't surprised." "No," he shook his head. "No, I'm not. I met a shifter once, many years ago." "When?" "During the Vietnam War. He saved my life. And I shall ever be grateful." "How come you never said anything?" His dad shrugged. "Never knew it would be important." He clapped Lance on the shoulder. "And it's not. I'll meet you out there." Lance nodded with a grin. He glanced one more time at the mirror as his father left the room. It was time. He opened the door, shocked to find his aunt on the other side. "Aunt Jessie, what are you doing here?" 280

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

"What do you think?" she smirked. "I have something for you." She reached into the purse hanging off her crooked arm. She pulled out a card and handed it to him. "I made that card the day you were born. Something made me create that deck, card by card for more than five years. At last I had them all finished but one. The Moon. I finished painting it when the phone rang and it was your father telling me you had arrived. It was then I knew it was your deck." Lance furrowed his brow, then looked at the card. His heart skipped a beat, then another, before it began to pound fiercely in his chest. For the card in his hand was The Moon card, but the image it held was not the wolf as normally adorns the Moon in tarot. The full moon shone brightly above a forest. A tigress stood, proud and regal, her body reflected in the glass surface of the lake below. In the distance, behind the tigress was a man. Lance squinted his eyes and looked closer. It was him. As an adult! He jerked his gaze back up, but she was gone. Mysterious Aunt Jessie, they called her. Lance looked back at the card and smiled. Only one word could describe this card. Fate. **** Music thrummed through Cassie's ears. The Wedding March. She never believed it would ever play on her behalf, but it did. Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest, bouncing off her lungs. Her father offered her his arm, and she took it, along with a deep breath. They moved down the aisle between the pews to a jungle of bright smiling faces. 281

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

Where had they all come from at such short notice? At the very front, Lin stood as maid of honor. She smiled at Cassie, but her eyes pulled to the man beside Lance. Cassie followed her friend's gaze and bit back a smile. Logan. He stood as controlled as ever, one hand on his brother's shoulder for support, yet his eyes were glued on the tall Asian girl on the other side of the aisle. Cassie watched as a frown creased his forehead and he shook his head, then whispered to the man beside him. Lance. He looked so handsome in his suit, his wide shoulders accented by the cut of the dark jacket. His unruly hair was slicked down as though he'd added some sort of hair product to it. At that instant a lock of hair slipped into his face, refusing to accept its fate. She giggled, and her father shushed her. She reached her True Mate, and the music faded away. Their eyes met, and everything else disappeared, just background noise to the thoughts and sensations running through her body. Being in heat had its embarrassments. She only prayed she could wait to touch him till this ceremony was over. The minister's words were a distracting buzz, and she almost didn't hear him when he pronounced them man and wife. When her new husband and True Mate kissed her, it didn't matter. The touch of his lips heightened her already explosive sensitivity and she moaned, tipping her head back when his mouth burned kisses down her throat. 282

The Moon: Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario

His hands clapped on her backside and she heard chuckles from the audience, dragging her from her arousal induced haze. "What are you doing?" He smirked against her flesh. "Grabbing my Tigress by the Tail."

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