by Rosalie Redd
Ram placed his finger next to his mouth. “Why didn’t you meet expectations? Hmmm?”
Aramie trembled, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Because I’m weak.” At the final admission, his self-respect died under the strain.
Finish what you started. Kill her. Ram’s command blocked out all other thoughts.
A low guttural sound erupted from his chest. He tensed, his muscles bunching for his attack. Inside, he screamed. A torment he’d never known before eased into him, marking him as the weak, beaten male he’d always been. In the back of his mind, his father’s disapproving glare stared down at him.
Chapter Forty-Six
Red welts and fresh cuts on Demir’s back and buttocks couldn’t hide the scars. The shock of what he must’ve endured to receive so many marks left Aramie speechless. Her face warmed as a sense of respect and admiration overcame her. To survive what those scars represented was a testament to his inner strength. She loved him all the more.
Demir’s warning cry raised Aramie’s hackles. Stepping away from him, she touched the spot under her belt which hid her new throwing stars. Her instincts told her to attack before he did, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so.
With a quickness inherent in their species, Demir morphed into his panther. His muscles bunched under his sleek black coat as he approached, and his eyes never left hers. Even as he tracked her, she admired the strength and power his Panthera possessed. She elected to stay in human form, since it would be easier to maneuver in the enclosed space. His tell, the one she’d observed so many times on the battlefield, was the twitch under his right eye. Focused on his gaze, she refused to look away.
The skin under his right eye twitched. He charged.
She countered his moves, avoiding his attack. A single claw scraped down her arm. Red rivulets of blood bloomed on her skin. She glanced at him, but his eyes—those haunted eyes—burned with sorrow. He didn’t want to attack her.
Ram’s bright eyes glinted as he clapped his approval. “More, please.”
Distracted by Ram’s comment, she broke eye contact with Demir. He attacked, knocking her over. His heavy body pinned her to the ground. Still weak from the Gossum bites, she didn’t have the strength to escape him. Soft fur rubbed against her arms, and her skin tingled at the contact.
“Bite her. Kill her.” Ram egged Demir on, glee evident in his voice.
Demir’s eyes glowed bright yellow. Pointed fangs extended from his mouth. A deep growl, one filled with anguish and regret, burst from his chest.
He seemed lost to her. Tears blurred her vision, and her chest constricted.
An image of Ginnia reading the ancient legend raced through her mind. The stone had healed the warrior who’d sacrificed himself for another…and could be healed with an equal sacrifice. An idea flashed through her mind—a crazy one. There was one thing she could do which might help him break Ram’s hold—submit to him.
Her body chilled.
Everything she’d ever worked for, fought for, earned during countless battles, would be for naught. To submit to a male would break her spirit, but she’d do it—for him.
She bent her head in supplication. “I believe in you, Demir. You are strong—you won’t hurt me. I submit to you, as your mated female.”
He towered over her. His ragged, warm breaths brushed her hair causing the ends to tickle her neck. He nuzzled her red barrette. The gentle nudge made her throat constrict.
A low, needful cry escaped his lips.
“Kill her now or I will.” Ram’s tense whisper was so close, alcohol reeked from his mouth.
Demir bared his fangs.
Aramie’s chest clenched. She hadn’t reached him. A single tear tracked down her cheek. Unwilling to watch, she closed her eyes and braced for his attack.
*****
Demir understood all too well the courage Aramie put forth to submit to him. She would sacrifice everything that defined her as a warrior to become his mated female. Her loyalty humbled him and brought him to his figurative knees. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. His vision clouded. He fought for air. A plethora of emotions—regret, surprise, love—warred inside, jumbling his thoughts, scrambling his senses.
Ram spoke, but the words didn’t register.
In the back of Demir’s mind, his cat perceived a threat. He tensed, his muscles rock hard. As he finally processed the meaning behind Ram’s words, anger built within him so great, it crashed over him like a brick wall.
Ram had threatened Aramie—his mated female.
The veil of Ram’s control wavered, lifted for a brief moment. Demir glared at his true enemy and narrowed his eyes. A battle ensued within Demir’s soul, both males vying for control.
Demir focused on Aramie’s love and support. Her belief in him buoyed his own sense of self-worth. He remembered how she’d looked at him when she’d seen his scars, with respect and tenderness.
He pulled on the strength of her love, her faith in him. His confidence and dignity grew, giving him the courage and belief he was important, valued, worthy of love. With a new sense of self-respect, he pushed against Ram’s control. The barrier stretched thin then broke apart.
Demir forced Ram out of his mind. The spot on his back ached for a brief moment then there was blissful nothingness, as if he’d never been bitten. Demir’s heart pounded. Power and strength like he’d never known raced into his muscles.
Free from Ram’s bondage, Demir pounced. Ram fell back, eyes wide, mouth open. The element of surprise gave Demir an advantage, and he bit Ram on the thigh.
Ram’s eerie cry filled the room. Blood gushed from the wound. He lashed out with his tongue, stinging Demir on the ear.
Demir flinched, but kept his gaze on his enemy.
In panther form, Aramie launched herself at Ram. Her claws grazed over his arm, leaving a trail of blood. Ram howled and transformed into a grotesque hairless Panthera. In his altered cat-like form, he was twice as big as Aramie and twice as deadly. He raised his paw and batted her across the room. She hit the wall with a thud and slumped to the floor, returning to her human form.
Heat flushed through Demir’s body, his need to protect his mate and kill his enemy fueling his anger. Demir snarled and attacked. He plowed into Ram, and they both fell against the counter. Glass from the beakers shattered. Pliers, hammers, and the box knife scattered onto the floor. An opened, half-empty bottle of Smirnoff’s spilled over the countertop.
They struggled against the workbench, both fighting for the upper hand. Ram bit Demir on the shoulder, his serrated teeth reopening the wound. Pain bloomed on Demir’s back, but his relentless focus remained on his enemy. He swiped his claws across Ram’s face. The evil creature howled in pain.
“Demir!” Aramie’s voice was loud, purposeful.
He glanced at her. Her eyes glowed with resolve. She raised her arm, a throwing star gripped between her fingers.
Demir dug his claws into Ram’s back and threw him to the ground, pinning him there. Ram transformed back into his Gossum form and struggled to gain leverage.
Bending his hind legs, Demir stabbed his sharp claws into his prey’s soft belly. The smell of blood and bile filled the air. Demir ached to finish him, but Aramie needed revenge for her sister’s and Kitani’s deaths. A low growl erupted from his chest, but he held back, waiting for his mate to finish the evil creature.
Ram scraped Demir’s back with his claws, adding insult to injury. He gripped a handful of fur at the base of Demir’s neck, holding him in place. The end of one of his fingernails extended toward Demir’s eye.
A throwing star whistled through the air. Ram turned to look, and the weapon imbedded into his eye. Only the tip glinted from within the dark orb. Ram’s grip on Demir tightened for a moment then relaxed.
“Sheriiiiii…” The name escaped Ram’s lips on his last exhale. His body started the quick process of decomposition.
Aramie sat on the ground, her hand resting on her belt, clut
ching another weapon. Demir met her gaze. She was the most beautiful, brave female he’d ever known. And she’s mine. My mated female. His chest expanded, his heart filling with love for her. He transformed into his human form. Still naked, he grabbed his pants off the dirt floor. Pulling them on, he looked at her.
“Aramie…” He choked on her name and couldn’t say another word, couldn’t tell her what was in his heart. Instead, he helped her to her feet and wrapped her in a gentle embrace.
“You could’ve destroyed him, but you waited for me.” Her soft words made his chest clench. “He almost killed you, just like Sidea.”
“Revenge was yours.”
She assessed him, her eyes moist with unshed tears.
A heavy weight descended on his shoulders. “I attacked you…in the cave. I broke my promise to you.”
She blinked and then her features softened. “That wasn’t you. I knew something was wrong. You would never hurt me.”
Her words eased into him, taming his anger, and stroking his sense of self-worth. Tracing his finger down her cheek to her chin, he ran his thumb along her bottom lip. With a tiny gasp, her mouth opened, and he couldn’t resist the invitation. He pulled her close, their lips meeting, heated breaths escaping between the kisses. A peace and sense of rightness he’d never known eased into him. He could stay in her arms forever.
Footsteps running across the floor filtered through the dilapidated ceiling.
Aramie tensed. Gossum still lived in the house above them. The only way in or out of the root cellar was the stairs. They were trapped.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Mauree paced in her cell, driving her frustration. A headache pounded behind her eyes. From somewhere above, water filtered through the rocks, and a small rivulet ran along the edge of her cage. The fresh scent reminded her of the communal baths. After dipping her finger in the water, she wiped the cool liquid along her arm. A clean spot formed, and she continued her mini-bath.
A small rock bounced past her cell, ricocheting off the smooth stone floor. Mauree stopped her washing, and a drop of water dripped from her finger onto the dirt floor. Adrenaline coursed through her veins. She raced to the bars and pressed her face against the cool surface. Only able to see a few feet in either direction, the empty hallway seemed eerie. Goosebumps formed, tingling her arms.
“Who’s there?” She inhaled, and the faint scent of pineapples infiltrated her senses. Her shoulders relaxed, and a smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. “Ginnia, dear, is that you?”
Soft footsteps shuffled down the hall, stalled, then resumed, increasing in speed and intensity. The individual stopped a few feet away, out of eyesight.
“Ginniaaaaa.” Mauree drew out her name, putting on her best behavior to entice the simpleminded female to cooperate. “What can I do for you?”
Ginnia peeked around the corner, and retreated, but not before Mauree caught a glimpse of her wispy hair and her pale gray eyes. “You smell.”
Mauree pursed her lips. Of course I do, you fool, I haven’t had a decent bath in days. She exhaled to calm her irritated nerves. When she spoke, she did her best to keep her voice low and controlled. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”
Ginnia took a few tentative steps. Her gaze roamed from Mauree’s matted hair to her scuffed shoes, stopping for a moment at the rip in her skirt. She covered her mouth with her hand, and her attention flicked back to Mauree’s eyes. “You look bad.”
Mauree curled her lip and crossed her arms. “Thanks for stating the obvious. What brings you here to see me, besides my wardrobe?”
Ginnia glanced down the hallway, first to the left, then the right. She bit her lip and peered at the ceiling. The sunstones lining the hallway brightened and pulsed for a moment. The hair on Mauree’s arms stood on end.
Ginnia put her hands on her hips. Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout. “I don’t like you, but you can’t die.”
Mauree’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean—can’t die?”
“You have more to do, you can’t die.”
Ginnia was well known for her visions. Mauree had been sentenced to death. Craya. “What do I need to do?”
“Live.” Ginnia pulled a small sunstone out of the pocket of her dress. She moved the gem over the padlock, and the crystal glinted in the light, casting an eerie glow into the corridor.
With a soft click, the lock fell against the bar—the shank open, unlocked. A tremor rippled through the Keep, and a rock tumbled from the ceiling.
Mauree’s breath caught in her chest. Freedom.
An odd smile graced Ginnia’s innocent face. “Bye, bye, meanie Maureenie.” She waved and ran down the hallway, returning the way she’d come.
Not one to overlook an opportunity, Mauree reached through the bars and wrestled with the lock. Her fingers fumbled between the bars and the pad, her frantic attempts intensified by the surge of adrenaline racing through her body. She leaned her forehead against the cool bars. Calm down.
Closing her eyes, she counted. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Her beating heart still pounded in her ears, but the pace slowed. Gently, she cradled the padlock in her hand. With trembling fingers, she lifted the shank out of the door’s loop.
The old lock landed on the stone floor, useless.
She pushed open the cell door and stood in the hallway. Something in her stomach fluttered, as if moths had found their way in. She was free, at least from the cage.
Her mouth went dry. She’d escaped the cell but had nowhere to go. Returning to the inhabited portions of the Keep was not an option. She’d only be captured and returned to her cell…until her execution.
A trace of anger built inside. The sensation grew, forming into a knot of determination. This was not her chosen path. She was supposed to be queen. Her muscles quivered, and she fisted her hand. This isn’t over, Noeh.
Darkness called from the far end of the tunnel. Deep in the bowels of the Keep, winding, hidden corridors led to the surface. She didn’t know where the manual exits were, but she’d find one, or die in the process. Once she got out, she’d figure out what to do. She ran along the passageway, eager to escape the confines of the Keep and plot her revenge.
Chapter Forty-Eight
“We’ll have to fight our way out.” Demir’s grip on Aramie’s arm tightened.
Still in his embrace, Aramie savored how his skin rubbed against hers, sending little electrical shock waves everywhere they connected. His kiss had told her everything she’d needed to know. He loved her, without reservation.
She didn’t want to leave the peace and sense of belonging that his embrace evoked in her, but they weren’t safe. Gossum roamed the rooms of the farmhouse above them. They either didn’t hear the scuffle with Ram or they feared interrupting him. In either case, they didn’t know their leader was dead.
Aramie looked around the room. “Maybe there’s another way out.”
“There isn’t. One of Ram’s minions said they made the room larger, but Ram didn’t want another door.” He glanced at the stairs. “We don’t have a choice.”
He broke their embrace, but his fingers trailed down her arm and clasped her hand in his. Their hands entwined, her sensitive pads lighting up at the contact. He brought her fingers to his lips. With a gentle kiss, his whiskers tickled her skin. “Tough stuff, when we get out of here…”
Shhh. She placed her fingertip against his lips to quiet him. “We’ll have time to discuss us later.”
His smile was all masculine pride. “Indeed.”
He headed for the door, pulling her along, but he stopped at the edge of the workbench. Scattered among the broken beakers and old tools was Demir’s knife and throwing stars. He palmed his weapons, reattaching them to his belt. As much as she loved him, a tendril of regret balled in her gut. She didn’t need his protection and didn’t want him to control her.
He turned to look at her. His brow scrunched. “What’s wrong?”
This wasn’t the time or place for that c
onversation, so she shook her head. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
Breaking glass and a Panthera’s muffled scream seeped through the slats in the ceiling.
Aramie recognized that cat’s cry—Jonue. Bits of dust and dirt rained down on Aramie’s head.
“Seems we’re late to the party.” Demir headed for the stairs, taking two at a time.
She paused on a stair mid-step. A slight movement caught her attention. A giant house-spider sat in the middle of a web, between two railings. The arachnid spun a fine silk cord, wrapping it around her victim.
Aramie’s vision narrowed. Her heart rate increased. Sweat seeped from her pores, her scent clogging the air.
Demir’s warm hand wrapped around her waist. “It’s okay. Breathe.”
She inhaled and her body shook from her fear.
“Aramie, focus.” His voice seemed distant, far away. He gripped her arm, turning her to face him. “Kill the spider or let it live, but don’t let fear of this small creature rule you.”
Her gaze roamed his face, the trust and faith reflected in his eyes steeled her resolve. She glanced at the spider with its eight legs and numerous eyes. Before she could think better of it, she swiped at the web, forcing the creature to flee over the banister.
Tension drained from her muscles. A small nervous laugh escaped her lips. She’d handled the spider on her own. Demir winked at her.
Something crashed to the floor in the kitchen. The door splintered and shook in its frame, but didn’t break. Black goo seeped onto the top step.
“You ready?” Demir raised an eyebrow, his eyes turning yellow.
“Absolutely.” She palmed a throwing star, ready for battle.
He yanked on the door. Dark sludge dribbled down the stairs. The empty kitchen bore the ravages of the fight. Three of the overturned table’s four legs stood straight up as if reaching for the ceiling. The fourth leg—missing. A splatter of red blood coated the white fridge. Aramie prayed it wasn’t from a Panthera.