There was no choice but to take a chance. Moving a branch, he exposed himself more clearly to her. He could tell the moment she spotted him.
Her dark eyes flashed. He saw the hint of a smile, but she bit it back and glanced around. No one paid her or Feth any attention. She gazed at Kai with the most hopeful expression he'd ever seen.
His heart lurched. Their timing had to be perfect. Aric's life literally hung in the balance. Kai motioned towards Feth.
She nodded, whispering, “Feth. Wake up."
"Not sleeping,” he muttered, eyes still closed. “Haven't slept in weeks. I'm almost thinking I'd rather be dead. If I morphed right now, they'd kill me and put me out of my misery."
"You might not have to die. Remember the one I told you about—the leader of the cougar tribe? The one Dagen is after?"
Feth opened his eyes and looked at her. “Yes, of course,” he whispered huskily.
"Don't make a sound. He's here, in the bushes."
Her brother yawned and glanced around casually. He caught a glimpse of Kai but didn't show any emotion.
Kai exhaled. One obstacle down. Now if he could somehow relay his plan to them. The connection he felt with Aric enabled them to communicate without words. Aric instinctively knew what he was trying to say. Do I have a similar connection with Sable? He gazed deep into her eyes, willing her to understand him.
Staring at him, she spoke quietly. “We can't free ourselves as humans. You could chew through the rope, but someone might see you."
Concentrating, he prayed for the power he needed to communicate. The amulet would have made it easier, but he had to try anyway. ‘You need to morph. You can escape the bonds when you're cougars.'
"The minute we morph, they'll grab their knives or arrows and kill us. Dagen's already told us that."
Relief flooded through him. Sable understood his thoughts perfectly. It would make communication so much easier. Kai glanced towards the other clan members, then back at Sable. 'There's strength in numbers.' A female sat to the side, making a futile effort to clean her little one. She dipped a rag into a small bucket and swiped at his dirty face.
Sable looked at the female and back at him. “I'll tell her help has arrived for us all.” She paused. “It's not a lie, is it? You'll accept the others into your clan? They're all starving."
Kai nodded.
"The ones who survive the battle,” Feth muttered. “The ones who don't—well, you probably wouldn't have wanted them anyway. A few of them will be loyal to Dagen."
"Not most of them!” Sable spouted. “He's a lunatic. He's slowly killing us all."
Kai nodded again. ‘I understand.’ Excitement fluttered in his belly that Sable understood him.
"I'll call Ella over here and ask for water. Once I've told her the plan, Feth and I will morph."
Putting all the emotion he could muster into his eyes, Kai stared at her.
Sable smiled. “I'll be careful. You too.” She held his gaze for a moment before looking back at the clan. “Ella? I'm thirsty. Could you spare some water, please?"
The female glanced up at her then looked around nervously. There was no movement from the small shanty to which Dagen had retreated, so she stood. Ella dipped a tarnished cup into a larger bucket by the fire pit then headed their way.
"I'll take that.” Dagen appeared behind her.
Ella handed him the cup and nearly tripped over her feet trying to back away.
"Fuck,” Sable and Feth both muttered.
Fuck. Kai watched the so-called leader move to stand in front of Sable.
"Thirsty?” Dagen leered down at her.
"Yes,” she replied meekly.
He raised the cup and slowly dumped the contents onto the ground then tossed it aside. He reached behind to yank loose her bonds. “Then you can suck my cock."
Feth bolted against his restraints, eyes blazing with anger.
Grasping both of Sable's hands with one of his own, Dagen smiled at her brother. “You can watch, if you like.” He shoved her to her knees. “We'll do it right here. Make it good, female, and I might allow you to live long enough to service the rest of the men."
Heat and rage boiled inside Kai. He tried to make eye contact with Feth, but they had no connection. The angry man looked right through him.
Dagen reached for the button on his trousers.
Wiping dirt from her face with the back of her arm, Sable glared up at him. “Stick that thing in my face, Dagen, and I swear to the heavens, I'll bite it off."
He laughed. “You would, you spiteful bitch. After everything I've done for you. All right, then, slight change of plans.” Glancing around quickly, he motioned towards Lath. “Bring that rope. Tie her to the fallen tree trunk over there, arse in the air, and I'll mount her right here. Tie her tight, my friend. You can have sloppy seconds."
Lath appeared to salivate as he reached for Sable's wrists then tugged her towards the horizontal tree. With one hand he pushed her over the trunk, with the other he groped her leather-clad crotch from behind. “I'll tie her nice and tight.” He jerked at the waistband of her leggings.
Kai had seen enough. With a mighty roar he leapt into the clearing. One more leap planted him squarely on top of the startled Lath, knocking him to the ground. An enraged swipe of his paw sent claws deep into the back of the man's neck, severing his spinal cord, killing him instantly.
Fury burned in his heart. Kai took quick stock of what was happening. From the corner of his eye he saw Sable and Feth begin their transformations. The other clan members stood gaping, frozen in amazement.
Directly in front of him, Dagen folded his arms across his chest. “Hello, Kai. We've been waiting for you to join us."
Kai growled, anger swelling in his chest.
The man smiled. He removed the talisman and leather thong from inside his shirt, rubbing the stone. “It's too bad we couldn't have met under more pleasant circumstances. I believe you and I would have had much in common."
Like hell, you crazy fucking bastard. He snarled.
Dagen glanced at Sable quickly, then back at him. “Take the female, for instance. Her intoxicating scent arouses me too. The minute I met her, I knew she'd be the perfect pawn in my little game.” He gave her a leering glance. “Sadly, I haven't fucked her yet. Don't worry, that'll change once I've taken care of you. She'll be fucked well and often. And made to do my bidding, like the rest of your pitiable clan."
Kai took a step backwards. He could tell by Dagen's demeanour that the man was preparing to morph. He'd have a couple of minutes in which to pounce before the transformation was fully complete. If Sable and Feth could hold off most of the others, they might stand a chance. He fidgeted. A life doing Dagen's bidding doesn't sound like much of a life. Kai steeled himself to the attack.
"Don't kill the female.” Dagen waved a hand to two of his men, who stood guard warily. “We'll keep her around, just for fun. I believe Kai will be much more willing to spill his secrets if we have hostages to torture in front of him."
Kai growled again, his fury bubbling to the surface.
"Oh, one more thing.” Dagen smiled at him, still fingering the amulet. To his henchmen he said, “Go cut the ropes of the blond man hanging over the ravine.” He glanced back at Kai. “Do you think he'll squeal like a female when he plunges towards his death?"
The remark chilled Kai to the bone. He glanced quickly at the men who'd already set off to do their task. He looked back at Dagen, who'd begun his change.
Aric!
What the fuck should I do now?
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Seven
The decision was made for him. Dagen signalled to two of his followers, who approached Kai warily, large sticks in their hands. They were thin and wiry, no match for a healthy cougar. Dagen had to know that, but was obviously concerned about his own safety first. The vicious man-beast put everyone in the forest in imminent danger. There was no doubt he had to be stopped. The choice was really
no choice at all. The good of the entire tribe had to come first.
Aric was strong. He'd gotten out of tight situations before, although none possibly this grim. Kai forced his beloved soul mate from his mind and growled fiercely at the two brutes who protected his enemy. He pounced on his first dishevelled attacker, avoiding the swinging stick and sending the man to his knees. A swipe of his paw opened a gash across the man's back, rendering him defenceless.
Kai glanced quickly at Dagen, watching as his body continued its change. Dagen's morphing would only take another minute or so, Kai's last chance to get to him as he shifted was to eliminate the second attacker immediately.
The man bobbed and weaved in front of him, stalling for time. Kai snarled, frustrated by the moving target as the seconds raced past, then a minute. At last he saw his opening and leapt forward, dodging the man's makeshift weapon. The emaciated thug fell beneath his claws. Kai stepped back and had just taken a deep breath to gather his strength when the greying cougar leapt, nearly bowling Kai over.
Clawing the dirt, Kai struggled for balance. He snarled and circled the beast pacing in front of him. He needed to finish this now.
He crouched then leapt to the side, dashing to higher ground. He trotted back and forth, luring Dagen to join him. He'd already fought and felt the strain of those encounters. It'd be much easier if he could just knock Dagen off the rock ledge overlooking the encampment than to fight him on the flat earth.
Another idea flickered into his mind. If he could get Dagen to the ravine, that would be a lethal fall. The danger to himself would increase. He'd need to use every bit of caution and speed he had, but if he could just get to the ravine, he might also have a chance to help Aric.
He backed up, taking a moment to scan the crowd for Sable and Feth. He spotted the sleek black female facing off with one of Dagen's cougars by the fallen trunk. Her brother, fur not as dark, rolled over and over in the dirt with another scraggly beast.
Most of the clan had remained human. They watched with fearful expressions from behind trees and rocks. Kai inhaled. We've still got a fair fight.
Dagen bounded to the rocky outcrop next to him. The shiny golden stone in the amulet around his neck sparkled, reflecting the sun. Seeing the talisman on a creature like Dagen enraged him, and Kai lunged at the cat. A direct swipe of his paw ripped the leather thong from Dagen's neck and sent it tumbling off the ledge, into the dirt below.
Dagen howled with fury. Spitting and sputtering, he looked over the edge, apparently hoping to reclaim his treasure.
The painful shriek of a man in the distance pierced the air. Dagen paused to look at Kai, a glimmer sparkling in his yellow eyes. Satisfaction.
Kai's blood boiled. He leapt. Heading uphill to the ravine. His mind reeled thinking of Aric and wondering if he still dangled precariously—or not.
He heard rustling grass behind him and knew Dagen was right there, that he himself had been slowed too much by his earlier fights. Dagen can't have taken time to retrieve the amulet! The thong was cut and he'd have had to carry it in his mouth. More probable that Dagen, like him, had left the talisman where it fell in hopes of collecting it later.
A rush of breath warmed his heels.
Do or die time.
They rolled head over tail in the grass. Sharp claws scraped his back, and he returned a similar blow. His claw connected with flesh and Kai dug deep.
Dagen yowled and rolled away. Immediately bounding to their feet, they eyed each other with steely rage.
Kai had never witnessed such intense hatred before. Dagen looked like he might explode with fury. This is going to get worse before it gets better.
The scruffy cougar hissed and made a move to strike.
Mustering all the strength he had left, Kai flexed his claws and once again swiped at Dagen's neck. This time blood poured from the gash in his throat.
Dagen fell to the ground.
Kai stood over the still figure, prepared to sink in his teeth as well.
A growl no cat could make cut the air. Kai gaped at the hill which led to the ravine. Two huge bears raced towards them, one shiny black and the other brown.
Surprised, he leapt to the side as the giant animals rushed them.
The brown bear swatted at Dagen's limp form, rolling him over in the grass. The cat didn't move.
The fur on the back of Kai's neck rose. He made eye contact with the black bear before him.
The bear sat. He bared his white teeth at Kai.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eight
The damned bear was smiling! At that moment Kai noticed the brilliant blue amulet hanging on a leather thong around the animal's neck.
Could it be?
He blinked in disbelief.
Kai blinked again as a sleek, golden cougar crested the top of the hill, limping. His tail bobbed proudly, the black tip standing straight in the air.
Aric!
Kai exhaled, jubilant with relief. He took a step towards his lover but froze, still unsure of what to make of the creature beside him. Could this be the bear I met before?
Seemingly without fear, Aric limped passed the bears towards him and they nuzzled faces.
'Are you injured?' His exhaustion made the communication even harder than usual.
Aric's answer was halting, obviously a tremendous strain on him. 'My leg, nothing serious, I think I twisted it.'
When they separated, he glanced at the bear questioningly.
Aric moved next to the giant and rubbed one ear against the brute's muscular black shoulder.
Friend? Kai didn't know how or why, but it was obvious Aric trusted the bear. It had to be the one he'd lunched with, all those months ago. He turned back to the other animal, the brown one, who was batting Dagen's lifeless body around like a rag doll. Part of him wanted to see the bear rip the cougar to shreds. The kinder, more nurturing part knew that shouldn't happen. He approached the bear and was sure he recognised something about him.
Kai put a paw on Dagen's back.
Aric and the black bear had followed him, and the four stood staring down at the body. Aric nodded his head, motioning towards the ravine.
Kai looked at his lover. Angry eyes tinged with exhaustion stared back at him. Hands tied, suspended over the ravine—it must have felt like forever. He couldn't blame Aric for wanting to toss Dagen over the edge. He nodded.
Each of them grabbed a leg in their powerful jaws, and the four animals dragged Dagen up the hill. At the edge of the ravine, the bloodied remains of one man stained the ground. The second was nowhere in sight. Kai closed his eyes. The painful scream had come from Dagen's goon, not Aric.
The bears looked at Kai expectantly. He stepped forward, nudging his nose against the motionless cat.
Dagen's body was horribly battered, more than one leg was broken. The back of his head was red with blood, a deep depression showed over one ear. He was dead and Kai couldn't drag up any sympathy for him.
He nudged the corpse until it rolled over the ledge, falling to the rocky earth below like a stone.
Kai set his jaw stoically.
Turning from the ravine, he gazed in the direction of the compound. He had no idea if the battle was still going on there, but he needed to get back and find out. Sable's life might depend upon it.
With a nod of thanks to the bears, Kai motioned to Aric and began the race back to the others.
Aric, with an injured leg, limped after him as fast as he could manage. Kai was amazed to discover the bears clambered along behind him. Apparently they intended to see it through to the very end.
Back at the clearing, the cat, which Feth had battled, lay dead in the dirt. No one else was in sight. Kai inhaled, trying to sense Sable's presence.
A scuffle sounded from behind one of the lean-tos, and Kai circled around to see a tired-looking Feth struggling to hold his own against a mangy cougar he hadn't seen before.
Kai sprang forward and slashed at the weakened aggressor. The
beast cowered before him, and for a moment Kai weighed his options. He couldn't risk allowing any of the mutinous cougars to try again. He had to finish this battle decisively.
Raising his head, he growled fiercely. With one mighty blow of his forearm, his claws extended, the beast in front of him was dead. He moved next to Feth, nudging his side protectively.
A thought plagued him. Where is Sable?
Her brother still couldn't communicate with him, but obviously wanted to find his sister. Limping around the shanty to the far edge of the compound, Feth snarled when he saw a cougar scratching at the fallen tree.
Kai squinted and spotted Sable hiding in the hollowed out trunk. He smelled her blood, and his heart lurched.
The cougar shrank back when the three cats and two bears approached. Kai moved forward, but Aric nudged him with a paw.
Kai looked at him, reading his lover's thoughts.
'Allow me.'
Nodding at Aric, Kai stepped aside as the golden cougar pounced on the last renegade. Kai went to Sable. Aric could handle the last aggressor, and if not, the bears stood by to back him up.
The wounded female crawled from the log and dropped at Kai's feet. He licked her fur, assessing her condition. She was injured, but not critically. He exhaled with relief.
Aric joined them a few minutes later, his task complete, the life ebbing from the final, stubborn cougar.
Kai felt the rage and frustration ooze from his lover's body. It was finished.
* * * *
One by one, they changed back into human form. Kai immediately turned to Aric, and they grasped each other's arms. “How badly are you hurt?"
Aric did a quick self-examination. “Not much. I feel like shit, leg is sore, but I'm lucky to be alive.” He touched Kai's shoulder. “You're bleeding."
"Minor irritations. I'm fine. Damned glad to see you!” He pulled the golden stud next to his naked body unashamedly. Whispering into his ear, Kai said, “I'm sorry. I love you so much. I'd have died if anything happened to you."
"Don't be sorry, none of this was your fault.” Aric squeezed Kai's neck. “I love you too. I always will."
Pulling back, Kai looked to where Feth tended Sable. He squatted at her side. “How bad is it?"
Feral Heat Page 10