by Lacey Thorn
“We will watch over and keep her safe,” Aurora vowed.
“Yes,” Lynx agreed. There was so much she needed to tell Aurora but she could feel Merced’s anxiety growing it was hard to sit still. “I have to go for now. I really need to find Micah and Merced.”
Aurora gave her a funny look, then looked closer at her. Finally a smile crossed her lips and Lynx knew that her sister was aware of the sexual glow she wore. Lynx could feel the skin of her face flushing bright red.
“So that is the way of it,” Aurora said. “I wish the three of you all the love my mates and I share.”
“Only two of us at the moment,” Lynx muttered and Aurora laughed.
“Merced or Micah?” Aurora asked.
“Merced,” Lynx answered shaking her head at the look of surprise on her sister’s face. “There is so much about the Danuja culture that I am still learning. So much I need talk to you about.” Like the fact that Lynx was a queen now as well. “But I really need to find them now.”
“I understand,” Aurora said. “I will help you look.” They both rose and hugged once more. “When the time is right I will be here to listen.”
Lynx nodded and felt some of her tension leave. She had been worried that things might change and be different with Aurora now. But her sister was still her sister and it didn’t seem like that was in danger of changing. They stepped out into the hallway.
“I’ll head out and see if Domi or Nado have seen either of them,” Aurora said, giving her hands another squeeze.
“Thanks,” Lynx said. “If you see them let them know that I am looking for them.”
Aurora nodded and turned to walk away. Lynx turned and went the other way down the hall. The castle home of Aslan and now Aurora and her mates was huge. It would take forever to search the structure. She turned towards the stairs and Aslan was coming up them.
“A moment, Lynx?” he asked.
Especially if she kept getting stopped for conversation she thought with a sigh. “Sure,” Lynx said. “Have you seen Merced?”
Aslan sighed and she could see the worry on his face, the stress he was weighted under. “Yes,” he murmured. “We spoke briefly and made plans to assemble the group and speak more in depth in a few hours. There are things that he can tell us, things that we must know in order to defeat Wilhelm.”
“I’m sorry,” Lynx whispered and reached out to him giving his arm a firm squeeze. “I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I would wish that none of this had happened but then I would not have been blessed with my sister.”
“You love her very much,” he smiled at Lynx. “And I am learning that not everything that I was taught is true.” He seemed lost in thought for just a moment but then focused on her again. “I want you to know that I think of you as my sister as well. It is hard not to when my twin sister loves you so much. You will always have a home here with us and I would be honoured if you would think of me as a brother.”
Lynx just nodded. She wasn’t sure that she would be able to think of him as a brother, but she would see him as a friend. “Thank you.”
“Before you go I want to let you know that Lake and Lincoln are leaving today to head to your village and bring your mother safely to us. They will guard and protect her with their lives,” Aslan stated quietly.
Lynx nodded. “Aurora just told me.”
“I also want you to know that she will be respected and honoured by me. I realise that what was told me as truth is not. I pray that your mother can shed more light on what happened long ago. On my mother and her death.” He looked so sad for a moment and without thought Lynx stepped close and hugged him.
“We will find the truth among the lies,” she vowed.
He hugged her a moment and then released her. “Yes, we will,” he agreed.
“Did Merced say where he was headed?” she queried.
“The courtyard outside, I believe,” Aslan stated and was interrupted by an earth shaking roar.
“Merced,” Lynx yelled and took off at a run. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. She knew it had something to do with Micah and could not get to Merced fast enough. Vaguely she saw that Aslan followed closely behind her. When they burst outside Merced was standing and there was a wide circle around him as if none felt comfortable enough to approach him. It could have been the rage in his eyes, the quiver of his massive body. More than likely it was the magic that crackled in the air surrounding him.
Aurora was there with her mates Domi and Nado. She saw Piers and Seer there as well but she really only had eyes for Merced. She stepped right into his magic and his arms automatically opened to pull her close.
“What happened?” she demanded.
“It is Micah,” he whispered but she knew everyone could hear him. “He is unconscious. I fear that something has happened to him.”
“Is he alive?” she whispered feeling Merced’s fear as her own.
“His life force is still intact,” Merced replied. “But if he was taken there is only one who would want him.”
“Wilhelm,” she breathed.
“Wilhelm,” Merced agreed. “We must hurry and find him.”
“The woods are immense around the keep,” Aslan said. “I will have my men set up search parties immediately.”
“Forgive me if I don’t place my brother’s life in the hands of your men,” Merced sneered and Lynx tensed.
But Aslan just hung his head with resignation and finally nodded. “I understand. But I will lead one of the groups myself and Piers and Seer will lead as well. We know this area, where the hidden dangers might lie.”
Merced nodded and Lynx moved to stand by her mate’s side though he linked his hand with hers to keep their flesh bond. “I did not mean to imply that I could not trust you,” he stated to Aslan. “But I have been at Wilhelm’s mercy for too long to trust easily.”
“Understood,” Aslan answered. “I will go with you then, we will cover more ground if we split up. Aurora can go with Piers and Seer. I figure Domi, Nado, and Lynx will want to shift and go on their own.” He turned to address the guys but also glanced at Lynx to include her. “You will know the dangers better in your cat forms than probably even I. Stay on guard and let out a roar if you find him.” He turned to Piers and Seer then. “I will take my horn and you both do the same. Use it to call if you come across him. We must hurry and pray for the best.”
Lynx turned to Merced. “We will find him. We must.”
“I pray you are right, little cat,” Merced said and hugged her close once more. She barely came to his chest and it made her feel small and dainty. He bent and she lifted and their lips fused. She could feel his magic wrapping around her holding them both. So much power lay within Merced. More than anyone could imagine. He broke the kiss and looked deeply into her eyes unaware or uncaring of the enraptured gazes of their audience. “Be safe for my heart and soul travel with you.”
“And mine with you,” she replied before easing from him. They had to get moving for neither of them would be whole if something happened to Micah.
They finally separated and when she turned it was easy to see the questions in the eyes of everyone but her sister. Thanks to their talk earlier, her sister knew a little about her and Merced.
“Let’s go,” she stated, moving towards Domi and Nado.
“We’ll head to the right,” Aslan stated. “Aurora, you and Piers and Seer go to the left. Lynx, Domi and Nado go right up the middle. And everyone remember to sound off if you spot him.”
They all nodded and turned away. Lynx was already shifting and when she hit the ground it was as the wild tiger. Best for battle and great for tracking. And it didn’t hurt that she had two panthers with her.
They were faster than the others, not having to depend on a mount to get them around. Domi and Nado stayed right with her as she took off at a run. She prayed that Micah was okay.
After sending a small group of men after the two idiot soldiers, the captain watched Wilhel
m head out. He glanced down at the now bound and gagged unconscious Danuja with disgust. “Clean the camp up as quickly as you can,” he ordered.
“What about him?” one of the men motioned towards the bound prisoner.
The captain hit the man so hard that he fell to the ground. “Do what I said and don’t ask stupid questions. You heard Wilhelm. When we are ready to go we will kill him.”
Micah laid there pretending to still be unconscious. The back of his head throbbed where they had used something to knock him out. His hands and feet were bound once more and this time he was gagged as well. There was only one thing that made this time different from the first time Wilhelm’s men had captured him. This time he no longer cared if he lived or died. In many ways he thought it might actually be better if he were to just disappear without a trace.
He saw once more the developing bond between Lynx and Merced and felt the stab of jealousy deep inside. It was not right for a holy man to feel such evil emotion. It was a sin to lust after another’s mate, especially his twin’s. And if he were around he always would. He would never be able to look at Lynx without remembering the taste of her on his tongue, the sound of her pleasure, the feel of her skin. He would always lust… No, love what was not his to love. And every day he would slowly die a little more anyway.
He stole a look at the camp from beneath his lashes and noticed that they were close to being packed up and ready to travel. He could see the wicked blades strapped to their sides and wondered briefly if they would torture before they killed. Tied as he was he would be unable to defend himself even if he wanted to. A picture of Lynx entered his mind and he swore he could hear her laughter on the breeze.
His heart was heavy. So with deep concentration he took himself under to the place within that would shield and allow healing. Or in this case allow him to die without once begging for mercy. No matter what they did.
Chapter Eight
Lynx measured her pace as they entered the woods, knowing that it was important to slow down and let her senses feel what was around her. She could not run blindly through or she might miss something that would point her in the right direction. Domi and Nado eased their pace as well and they spread out a bit allowing them to cover a wider range of area. Lynx stayed in the middle of them and deliberately began to search for the scent she needed to find.
The woods were thick with trees and bushes, the ground covered in vines and thick grasses. Wildlife thrived there and she could feel the natural instinct of the animal form she was in wanting to hunt for prey. With this so close to the keep she knew that Domi and Nado would be content in their new home. They could easily run here and feed the souls of the panthers within them.
They hadn’t gone far when she came across the first human scent. Within a few more feet it was stronger. Someone had been through here recently. The grass was trampled in a smooth path indicating that whoever it was had been trying to remain hidden. Lynx stopped and let the scent fill her senses. Slowly she crept forward following the same path. There had been two men at this point and she could scent them both.
As she moved forward another scent caught her nostrils, one that she was more than familiar with. Micah. He had been here and the two scents she had already picked up on had snuck up on him. She wanted to run but eased forward instead locking on Micah’s scent, which seemed to be getting stronger. As she stepped into the middle of the clearing she knew why. Blood. A small trail of it leading away where something or someone had been dragged.
Micah. That was why his scent was so strong. That was his blood. She threw back her massive tiger head and let loose a mighty roar that echoed through the forest. Domi and Nado quickly rejoined her and they all shifted back to human form.
“I was already heading your way,” Domi said. “I picked up Micah’s scent and was following it back this way.”
“The same for me,” Nado replied. “Only the scent I found was not Micah’s. There were two scents and they had moved this way.”
“They must have met up with him here,” Lynx stated pointing to the ground.
Domi squatted down. “Blood,” he stated looking up at Lynx.
“Micah’s,” she whispered.
“They dragged him out of here,” Nado stated, looking at the clear path leading away. “It will be easy to follow them from this point.” Lynx was ready her very cells vibrating with the need to shift and run, but Nado stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “We do not know what we head into, so remain cautious and do not let your emotion control you.”
“Was it easy for you to do when it was Aurora we searched for?” she replied.
“Just stay safe, Sister,” Domi said from her other side. “It would kill Aurora if anything happened to you.”
Lynx nodded taking a deep breath. “Let’s go,” she said, feeling a pull to hurry and find Micah.
Domi cocked his head when the sound of horns filled the air. “They heard your cry and are heading our way.”
“I won’t wait for them,” she said.
Nado nodded in agreement. “Neither will we.”
Together they shifted once more and walked the path left for them. The blood was spotty, indicating that it wasn’t a rapidly bleeding wound. She had to pray that was good and that Micah was okay. She could sense worry the closer Merced got to her but no sense of loss as if Micah were already gone.
As they moved the scent of fresh blood caught her nostrils and she wanted to surge forward at a fast run. But as the scent grew she realised that it wasn’t Micah’s. It was different and yet the same. It was that of the other two and it was fresher and stronger. When she came upon the site it was easy to see why.
The two men lay in a pool of blood. Both had been stabbed. The first had been caught by surprise and taken out easily. One stab wound straight to the heart was all he had. The other had put up a fight. He had multiple wounds on his hands, arms and torso. But finally he must have tired and he too had a wound over his heart. She felt no pity for them, no remorse for the loss of their lives. They had to be the ones who had spilled Micah’s blood so this death was much easier than the one she would have given.
With Domi and Nado inches behind her she followed another trail, a newer one that the killers had left in their hurry. No stealth or attempt to cover their tracks here. Just a kill and flee. She quickened her pace and hurried to follow. If they would kill their own then what would they do to Micah? She remembered hearing that when he was captured by Wilhelm and in the wagon with Aurora that he was to be burned alive. She didn’t smell smoke as of yet but that was no guarantee.
She let out another mighty roar as they burst into a clearing that must have once been a camp. Micah lay prone on the ground with blood around him. He had been beaten and if not for his clothes and size she might not have recognised him. She let out another roar this one filled with the fear and anguish coursing through her and shifted by his side.
Falling to her knees she reached for him, afraid to touch and yet unable to not. “Micah,” she whispered. “Micah, what have they done to you?” His pulse was weak, his heart barely beating and there seemed to be no breath in his body.
Without thought she did the same as she had done to Merced. She leaned in and pinching his nose tilted his face back. Tipping his chin down with one finger she opened his mouth and locked hers to it. And breathed into him. She knew the ramifications this time, knew how it would connect them if he made it through. It didn’t matter. It was what she and Merced wanted anyway. Merced had told her that the only way was for her to bond with Micah, but neither of them had wanted it to be this way.
She breathed into him again and again not willing to stop until he opened his eyes. “Don’t you dare die on me Micah. Don’t you dare,” she implored feeling the tears running down her cheeks. “I need you. Merced needs you. Our lives won’t be complete without you. You have to fight for us, for all of us.”
“Lynx,” he whispered her name and her eyes flew up to lock on his. His sweet golden
eyes were dark amber and filled with pain. “Too late,” he rasped. “Damage inside,” he managed and she could hear the labour of his voice and knew what it cost him to speak to her.
“Hold on for me,” she pleaded. “Don’t give up.”
“Kiss me,” he whispered. “Kiss me just once.”
She leaned down to him and pressed their lips together once more. This time she let her tongue slip inside, felt the rub of his against it and was invaded by the rush of his memories, his pain, and knew that no matter the outcome the men who had done this to him would die. After she was finished punishing them.
She sucked his tongue, ate at Micah’s mouth and enjoyed the feel of it, of him. She could feel the beginning of the bond between them and didn’t want to let go. It was Micah who turned his mouth to gasp for air. She followed the line of his jaw to his neck and up to his ear licking, sucking and nipping with her teeth.
“Love you,” he whispered and he sounded weaker. “Was never anyone before you and would never have been another after you.”
“Don’t speak like that Micah,” she implored. “Merced is on his way. We are bonded now. Me to both of you. You can’t leave me. You can’t.”
“Will never leave you,” he promised and his eyes drifted closed. The slowing pulse stopped and having made the bond Lynx could feel Micah slipping away for good.
A roar rumbled through the earth beneath them. The wind whipped through the trees. Thunder boomed in the sky overhead though no storm existed. And Merced burst through the trees on horseback. A fierce cry echoed around them as he jumped from the mount and moved towards them. Fire was in his eyes, flames at his fingertips and each step brought another tremble from the ground, another boom from the sky above.