Dare

by T. A. Foster

“Yes. Tell me. I’ll tell you.”

  “A fox.” His hand toyed with the base of my neck. I leaned into the contact. “You’re turn.”

  My eyes had adjusted to the darkness. I could see every line on his face, every speck of brown in his eyes. They glimmered. I didn’t expect a fox to be so certain. I worried telling him who I was would intimidate him or make him nervous. I was a predator to him. Although, at this moment, I felt like the one who had been hunted.

  “Come on, tell me.” He nipped behind my ear.

  “A panther.” I exhaled.

  “Really? That’s pretty hot.” His lips trailed along my throat. He moved the hair from my neck. “What’s this?” He had found my tattoos.

  “Oh, that’s the symbol for the other panthers in my group.”

  “There are more of you?” His finger traced over the design.

  “Yes. We’re the Nox. There’s one star for each of us. We all have them.”

  “Good to know.”

  My eyes flashed to his, but before I could ask, his hands caught my face and he crashed his lips against my mouth. I kissed him relentlessly, fisting my hands in his hair, breathing in his scent, purring against his tongue.

  “I was hoping it would be like this,” he breathed into my ear.

  “What?” I whispered.

  He nudged me against the back of the theater. My back flattened on the wall. “When I saw you, I knew we had a connection.” His hands coasted over my hips.

  I pulled his lips back to mine. I didn’t care about connections. All I knew was that the guy could kiss.

  Yes, Case Maddox had tricked me. Thank God, I figured it out before it was too late. Case was a liar. He was a bully. He was evil and he had my friends.

  That was fall of my junior year. He had lied about why he was a transfer student. He had lied about his real eye color. There wasn’t a shred of honesty anywhere under his skin. Now I watched him as he guarded Tegan and led the Tribe against me.

  Vix elbowed me. “Uh-oh. Look.”

  I followed the end of her finger. Case was on the phone. The video controllers were on the floor.

  “They know,” I growled. “Eli must not have stayed on campus for his second class.”

  Vix tugged on me. “We better go. Case and Trev are headed this way.”

  We rushed from the loft. They were likely headed to the underground theater, the place where, for a few moments, I had thought he was a good guy. All of that was history.

  “Maybe we can beat them there.” I tugged on Vix. “We have to at least try.” I felt desperate and hunted at the same time.

  We ran to my car, and I took every shortcut I knew to get us to campus ahead of Case. I parked in a handicap spot in front of the union and dashed inside the concrete and brick building.

  Vix was rushing beside me, as desperate as I was to find Eva. We raced down the staircase to the bottom level of the union. I shoved open the double doors to the theater. My eyes adjusted to the darkness.

  “She’s not here,” I whispered. I couldn’t feel a supernatural presence.

  Vix growled and paced along the rows of seats.

  “How did they beat us to her? They were behind us.” She kicked at the back of one of the chairs.

  “There are more of them than us. Abi isn’t anywhere near panther form. Case is using all of our weaknesses.” I sat in an empty chair. “He probably had Eli move her, or Ronan. We should have gone after Tegan.”

  Vix sat next to me. The white screen hanging from the ceiling was ripped in the corner.

  “What now?” The anger had faded from her voice.

  “I’ll call Ian. He can give us a new location and we’ll make another plan.”

  “Whatever you need me to do, you know I’ll do it.”

  “I know you will. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get any worse.”

  I shoved the sweatpants over my legs as I sat on the edge of my bed and dropped them on the floor. Ice would be good. Narcotics would have been better. I should have had it cared for the night the jaguar scratched me, but I needed to keep the secret. I felt like I was keeping a lot of secrets lately.

  The pain was searing. I felt the heat around the wound. “Damn.” I fell back on my pillow.

  I thought I might try to get a workout in. At least I could do some upper body today, but I hadn’t slept and I didn’t know if I had the energy to make it the garage. I didn’t want to think about him today. I needed the focus. My practice was what kept me steady. Without it, I could sink into the blackness.

  I balled my fists. Why was he gone? Damn it. Why was I here and he was gone?

  I filled my lungs with air, visualizing the energy in my body. It helped.

  This leg was making me crazy.

  My run-in with Silver had taken me in a completely different direction. Pressed to find my own answers, I ended up aligning with a fanatic. Maybe my injury was creating delusions. The man actually believed the panther was a girl. A living, breathing person.

  I wasn’t so sure anymore that hunting a panther in the woods at night was a good idea. I had already been hurt once.

  I stared at the ceiling fan until my eyes closed.

  I don’t know how long I had slept. I rubbed my eyes. My entire body felt stiff. I had slept in one position, not moving or turning.

  I picked up my phone off the bedside table and scrolled through my last few calls. I tapped on Dare’s number.

  “Hey.”

  She answered right away.

  “How’s your day going?” I sat forward, trying to stretch. Was it normal I missed the sound of her voice?

  “It’s a little hectic right now. Can I call you back?” It sounded like she was running.

  “Sure.” I thought about saying something dumb like I was thinking about her, or I had just had a dream about her, but she didn’t sound interested. Something was distracting her.

  “Sorry, Zac. I’ll call. I’ll stop by later and see how your leg’s doing.”

  Before I could update her, the phone went dark. I scowled at it. I tossed my phone on the mattress and forced myself out of the room. I needed food.

  I fixed a sandwich and sat at the kitchen table. It was empty and quiet here alone. I didn’t usually spend much time here other than sleeping and working out, but I realized it felt more like home than anywhere else I had lived.

  What was it about Dare that had gotten in my head? I’d known the girl four days. Somehow, that had been enough to make me act like an idiot.

  I swallowed the ibuprofen she left for me with a full glass of water. I looked at the door that led to the garage. I couldn’t sit around like this the rest of the day.

  Once I was inside, I flipped the lights and hit power on the AC unit I had installed in one of the door’s windows. The landlord wasn’t thrilled when I told him I was going to put a window unit in, but I promised to pay for a new window when I moved out.

  I tried to calm the pain in my leg by taking in a few deep breaths. I stood, bearing most of my weight on my right leg, raising and lowering my arms. My lungs filling and expelling air. My arms both heavy and light as I sliced through the space in front of me. Eventually, I closed my eyes and focused on my breath.

  I balanced on my right leg, sweeping my left heel to the side. I didn’t feel the pulsing from the injury. I had silenced everything.

  The movements flowed through me. I had done them so many times it was as natural as breathing. I didn’t have to think what came next. My body was trained.

  “Zac! What are you doing on your leg?”

  I halted. Dare stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen. “How did you get in here? I thought you were busy.”

  She held up a key. “You left the spare under the mat. Not really high security.” She walked toward me, her eyes scanning my leg.

  “I guess I should move that.” I hopped to a chair. Without the breathing, I felt the pain rush through my leg.

  “I was worried about you. I called you back, but you didn’t answe
r and then you didn’t answer your door either.”

  “You were worried?”

  “I was, but it looks like I was worried about the wrong thing.”

  I shook my head. “This is good for me. It actually keeps the pain down.”

  She stooped to the floor to examine my leg. “I don’t think it’s getting better.”

  “I’ll be fine.” I reached for a pair of gloves and slid my fingers through them. I tightened the straps over my wrists.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Ready for your first lesson?” I pushed off the chair.

  “I’m not going to train with you now. You’re hurt. You need rest, not-not this.”

  “Afraid I’ll kick your ass?” I challenged. I liked how her eyes flared.

  “I think it will be the other way around.” She stood in front of me. “I could use a few pointers first, though.” She sighed. “I can’t believe I’m going to let you do this on that leg. You should be lying down.”

  I laughed. This was going to be fun. I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Just do what I do. We’ll take it slowly.”

  She nodded. “Ok. I’m ready.”

  I showed her how to breathe from her diaphragm, deepening the connection to her core. She was a quick study. After thirty minutes, she had mirrored all my movements. I wished my leg were healed. There was so much more I could have shown her.

  “Can you show me what you do if you’re attacked?” She stood back from me for a second.

  “Sure.” I shrugged. “Attack me.”

  “Can’t you just go through the motions? I don’t want to hurt your leg.”

  “You won’t get that far. Just come at me.” I eyed her. For a second, I thought she was going to back down, but then she launched herself at me.

  My arm circled up, blocking her fist, knocking it away. My other arm reached for her shoulder and spun her until she was pressed against my chest. My forearm dug into her throat.

  “Ok, ok,” she whispered. “Do it again.”

  I released her. She shook out her hands, took a few steps back, spun, and hurled herself at me again.

  This time I grabbed her wrist, pinning it behind her back. I drew her toward me, chest to chest.

  Her chin tilted upward. Her eyes locked on mine. “Is this a usual defensive move?”

  I didn’t know who was on defense anymore.

  “It might be the only way I survive this.”

  I could feel her breath hitch. I searched her eyes.

  I crushed my lips against hers, savoring the softness, the texture of her skin, the warmth of her mouth. My hands ran along her back, freeing her wrist. She wrapped herself around my waist as my tongue pressed deeper, tasting her, kissing her.

  “Is this part of the lesson?” She moved to my neck.

  “It is,” I breathed.

  I wanted to pick her up and take her to my bed, but my leg complicated my options. My hands tangled in her hair. I pulled at the base of her neck. I wanted to drink in every inch of her. Every part of her called me closer. Her body moved against mine.

  I kissed along her ear. “I feel like I’ve been looking for you, but I didn’t know it until now.”

  Her palms flattened against my chest.

  She pushed against me. It was enough to shake me.

  “Do it again.” She took a step back.

  “I hope you mean the kiss.” I moved toward her. I wanted her. Her breathing was ragged; she was fighting against it. Holding back from what was building between us.

  She grinned. “I need to know how to defend myself. Show me the move again.”

  “You’re actually serious right now.” I could tell by reading her vivid green eyes, she was determined to master the lesson. All I could think about was her lips.

  “Dead serious.” She anchored her feet on the floor. “Attack me.”

  “What? No, I’m not attacking you, injured or not. That wouldn’t be fair yet. We just started training an hour ago.”

  “Try me.” She set her eyes on mine, concentrated, determined.

  I wasn’t as fast on my feet, but I approached her. “No matter what I do, focus on your breathing. It will keep you calm. You’ll be able to react more quickly if you’re calm. Too much adrenaline and you’ll lose the edge.”

  “Ok. I’ve got it. Attack me,” she demanded.

  She was in front of me. All of her long and toned body, begging me to lay it on her, just not how I wanted to.

  She would have a footwork advantage. I watched her eyes. They were gauging me. Anticipating how I would strike. She was ready for me. I leaned left then punched right. She cut across my forearm with her wrist. I was able to dodge her hit by ducking low. I straightened my back then struck with my left hand, jolting her shoulder.

  Her eyes flashed to mine.

  “Sorry.” I worried I had taken it too far, when the side of her hand jabbed into my chest.

  “No problem,” she replied.

  I squared my shoulders again, preparing for her next move. I punched forward; she blocked it with her palm. I took another shot and she kicked my hand out of the way. My eyes widened. For a new student, she had amazing agility.

  “Should I stop?” she asked.

  “No. Keep going.” I pivoted on my good foot. I liked sparring with her, trying to read her, trying to figure her out.

  She aimed for my chest and I snatched her wrist, dragging her two steps closer.

  “You’re pretty good,” I teased her.

  “You’re a good teacher.” She circled her free hand around my neck. “Can we do another lesson tomorrow?”

  I nodded.

  “Good. I’ll see you then.” She spun out of my arms and walked toward the kitchen. “Call me if your leg gets any worse.”

  I staggered to the chair. That sparring session probably just cost me the rest of the night in bed, but damn it was worth it.

  Every time I was near Zac, I felt it. The way he looked at me. The way he kissed me. It was all there. I wanted it too, but my world was crumbling. I would bring him down with me. Getting involved with me would destroy his life. Nothing good could come from it. But it didn’t stop me from wanting it. I was a queen. I didn’t have the luxury of being selfish.

  Vix met me at the lair.

  “Any change in Abi?” I asked.

  “No, Maya has been with her the entire time. She doesn’t remember us.”

  I threw my backpack on my bed. “Maybe I can talk to Ian. There might be some witch magic that could help her.”

  “Have you talked to him lately?” she asked.

  “Not since he did the Locality Spell. Why?”

  She shrugged. “Just curious. I was thinking how handy it is to have a witch at our disposal.”

  “He’s doing us a favor. I’m not going to take advantage of that.” I eyed her.

  Vix pointed to my bag. “Are you doing homework?”

  “I have to. My portion of the group project is due tomorrow. I’ll let everyone down if I don’t give them something to include. I don’t need more enemies on campus than I already have.”

  “True. You’re arch-enemy list is growing.”

  “Thanks.” I pulled out one of the binders and flipped it open.

  “Any new ideas on Tegan or Eva? Is that where you went?”

  “I went to see Zac.”

  Her eyes brightened. “Do tell. How was Mr. Yummy Historian?”

  “He’s not yummy.” I scowled. “Ok, maybe a little yummy, but that’s not why I went. His leg isn’t getting any better.” It was none of her business that we had shared an intense kiss that was still burning my lips. God, he was in my head.

  “And he needs you to nurse him back to health? Makes sense to me.” She puckered her lips. “There are so many things you could do to help him feel better.”

  “Vix, that is not where this is headed.” I would never convince her. I couldn’t convince myself.

  When I left him, I wanted to turn around and go right back in the
house and tell him I had been looking too. He actually said he had been looking for me.

  “We did some self-defense training.”

  She looked puzzled. “Self-defense? You’re a panther. You can rip anyone’s head off you want.”

  “As a panther, yes. But like this. Like me, I’m not trained to fight. I can outrun anyone. I figured with my flexibility and reflexes, I could really kick some ass as a girl. I just need some guidance.”

  “And Zac has that guidance?”

  “He’s been trained in tai chi and kickboxing for years. It’s something he’s actually an expert in.”

  Vix rolled back on my bed. “Do you think he would teach me too?”

  “You want to learn tai chi?” I asked.

  “It might be the only way we can get Tegan and Eva back. You’re right. We’ve been relying too much on our panther side. Case has the girls in locations where being a panther works against us. We need something.”

  I considered it. “Ok, I’ll ask Zac to train all of us. He doesn’t need to know why. We have a better chance against Case if we have an unexpected weapon.” I liked the idea of training more with him. “I wish he would have someone look at his leg. I think Noah did something to it.”

  “You mean he poisoned his claws? That’s crazy.”

  “Is it?”

  She closed her eyes. “I guess it’s not crazy. There are no rules anymore.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’ll let you work on your project. I’m going to check on Abi.”

  She leapt from the bed and walked out of my room into the dark tunnel. I knew she would transition on her way into the woods. She couldn’t stay human with this kind of anger.

  It was crazy I was trying to do homework, but in a weird way, it gave me something else to focus on besides the demolition of the Nox. I opened the binder to the outline I was given. My section was a review of the last two chapters in our reading.

  It didn’t need to be perfect. Not even A-worthy. It just had to be enough my group could work with it. First, I’d have to read the chapters. For one night, I could be like all the other college girls at The Grove.

  Maya convinced us she could skip her Tuesday classes. We left her with Abi. When we left the cave, she was going through pictures on her phone, trying to stir any kind of memory of Abi’s panther life she could. So far, nothing had reached her. She asked about Eli more than she did about her identity.