by Bonnie Vanak
“Get out.”
“As you wish.” He rose off the bed, with the grace and stealth of his cat. “Oh, and Ariana? Don’t even think of leaving. It’s too dangerous to try.”
“I’ll take my chances,” she muttered as he closed the door behind him.
Chapter Four
Ariana needed answers. Downstairs, the oak-paneled dining room was empty, but a place was set at the long table. She took a seat, studying the scenery outside the windows. A rolling meadow of dead grass, framed by pine trees, gave the vista a desolate look. Wind brushed against the glass with a moan.
A sound similar to the one she’d made upstairs.
The kitchen door swung open, and Theo marched out. The jaguar bore a platter on his palms and wore a stained apron. Remembering what had happened upstairs, her cheeks flushed, but he greeted her warmly as he served eggs, bacon and warm toast. He poured hot coffee into a large mug and handed it to her.
“Daimon’s on patrol with the others, so he asked me to feed you.”
Instead of retreating, he sat and drummed his fingers on the table as she dug into her food. So hungry. Ariana tried not to gulp every bite.
“It’s delicious. Thank you.”
He beamed. “There’s plenty more.” He peeked at her from beneath his long hair. “Always for you, the men will sacrifice their portions. You’re our mistress now and your needs come first.”
The eggs congealed in her stomach. She pushed back her plate. “I’m no one’s mistress.”
His blue eyes widened. “You belong to Daimon, our leader, and that makes you our mistress.”
Not a chance. She glanced at the plain walls, beige shades, the lack of decor. It was as functional as an institution, lacking warmth. “Where is here, anyway? Are you part of Daimon’s pack?”
Not that she thought big cats had a pack. Jags were loners.
Theo snorted. “Not by choice. None of us are here by choice.”
Okay. “What’s the deal with the werewolves who chased me?”
“We’ve been warring with the Lawson pack for three decades.” Theo sniffed deeply, drawing in her scent. “They are enemies and want to kill us. It’s why Daimon needs you here, to protect you against Jarrett. Jarrett wants to mate with you, absorb your dark powers and infuse his pack with demonic strength. Doing so would give him an advantage in the war. They could attack and defeat us.”
Daimon wanted the same thing, she thought. She felt like a prize in a very vicious tug-of-war.
“I know dogs and cats don’t get along, but why the war?” Ariana sipped the coffee.
Theo looked guarded. “It’s always been this way since both of our packs were imprisoned.”
Unease filled her. “This is…”
“A penal colony. We’re all prisoners here, every one. And Daimon is our leader. Only he is allowed to come and go as he pleases. Not you. Once you enter through the gate, you can’t leave.”
Theo was wrong, Ariana thought. She couldn’t be stuck here. She had a life, a job interview, purpose.
Ariana quietly closed the front door behind her. Theo had finally left her alone and was cleaning up in the kitchen.
The Jaguar was parked in the gravel driveway. Shivering, she crept toward the door, opened the door. The keys were in the ignition.
Cool, moist air washed over her, a hint of rain in the air. She glanced at the silent house, the empty fields beyond. No sign of life. Ariana slid into the driver’s seat. The car started with a low purr.
She put the gearshift into drive and pressed on the gas. Gravel flew up beneath the churning wheels. The gate was just beyond, but with enough force she’d crash it, freedom at last….
Ten feet from the gate, the car’s wheels locked. Ariana went into a tailspin, the Jag sliding in a protesting shriek of pebbles and dust. The rear end hit the gate and bounced off as if hitting an invisible force field.
Dizzy, she rubbed her head. No time to assess any injuries. She bolted out of the car on unsteady legs, raced for the gate like a staggering drunk.
As she touched the gate’s latch, electricity shot through her hand. Shrieking, she sprang back, rubbing her palm. Not enough to hurt too badly. Screw it, she could fight this.
Ariana squared her shoulders, summoning all the white light inside her. She held out her hands, and sent pure energy blasting at the gate.
It opened with a slight click.
Satisfied, she ran forward. As she started through, something dark and sinister inside her leaped up with a snarl.
Half her body remained inside the compound. Half was outside. Pain radiated through her in exquisite agony. It felt like a bazooka had shot ice inside her guts.
Two strong hands grabbed her, pulled her back. Stumbling, she fell atop a muscled male body. Icy spasms seized her with brutal force. Her teeth chattered as she fought to regain control of her shuddering body.
Daimon wrapped his warm, strong arms around her, holding her tight. “Breathe, Ariana. Just breathe through it.”
Drawing in a breath felt as challenging as racing up a mountain. She pulled air into her gasping lungs. Exhaled. Again. And again until the convulsions slowed and finally stopped.
As her body quieted, she became aware of the man holding her. The delicious wildness of his scent. The strength in those steely arms, the steady pumping of his heart.
She struggled again, desperate to free herself of his grip. Daimon released her, watched with his hooded gaze as she climbed to her feet.
“I told you, you can’t leave here.”
“You didn’t tell me this was a prison,” she burst out.
“It doesn’t matter, not where you’re concerned. Wherever I want you, that’s where you will remain. You’re my assignment, and I take my duty very seriously.”
“You can get through!”
“I’m not a prisoner here, only the leader of this colony. I’m allowed freedom and the gate’s magick recognizes my body. It works both ways and keeps out Lawson and his pack. Anyone with me is allowed entrance, but you can only leave if I accompany you.”
“You’re the only one who can get inside and out?”
“Myself and small game such as squirrels and rabbits. The gate was designed to let nature flow in and out of the compound, so my men have game to hunt. If other predators like wolves try to enter, they’re zapped with electricity.”
“I got through, almost. I can try again.” The gate seemed to mock her with its openness, freedom just beyond the wood rails.
“Half of you can. The angelic half. The demonic half’s keeping you inside. The penal colony is set up to imprison evil.” Daimon watched her with a guarded look.
“I’m not evil.”
“Yet you harbor the darkness within and haven’t learned to leash it and use its strength to your benefit. The force field recognized this, and held you back.” He took her elbow, ushered her toward the house. “You’re weakened, Ariana. Go upstairs and rest.”
Grinding to a stop, she faced him. “The darkness within me will never be unleashed. Understand? I made a solemn promise to my mother.”
“And would your mother want you living like this? As half a person, someone who is constantly batting for strength?” Daimon shook his head. “You’ve come into your full powers, Ariana, and don’t understand how to repress the evil and yet use its energy.”
“You want my demon powers for your own damn use. Just like your enemy.”
Anger simmered in his gaze. “Never like Jarrett, that coldhearted bastard. Not to slay and shed more damn blood.”
Daimon seized her chin, forced her head to turn. “There, Ariana. See that pack of men? The same ones who touched you? Those are my people. We’ve just returned from patrolling. Look at them. Look at them!”
Astonished shock slammed into her. On nearby benches, the shifters sat listlessly. Some lay down, as if being upright required too much energy. The light of day showed what the darkened room had not—pale and thin skin stretched tautly over bone.
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Like walking skeletons, she thought.
“They can barely patrol five miles of territory. Every day without their females, they grow weaker. Only Theo has remained strong, but this long separation from his mate is draining him as well. This is why they need you, Ariana. Why I need your powers.”
He drew in a sharp breath as he released her. “With your demon strength, I can tamp on it and release it to my men through a blood rite. It’s their last hope. Can’t you see it? They’re dying, Ariana. And it’s all my fault.”
Chapter Five
“Why is it your fault, Daimon?”
His shoulders sagged. He rubbed a hand over the bristles shadowing his chiseled jaw. This was so tough, admitting the hard truth. If she knew everything…
A partial truth, he decided. “They’re here because of something I did, a mistake I made long ago. That’s all you need to know.”
Damn, he didn’t mean to snap. Expecting a bristling reaction, he was surprised at the sadness on her face. “To be denied of those they loved, it is a cruel punishment. I understand now.”
Astonished, he watched her walk over to the listless jaguars. Pure white light surrounded her in a shimmering aura. Ariana gently reached out and touched the first man, who looked pale as death.
“Don’t lose hope,” she said softly. “Please, stay with us. Feel my strength in you.”
One by one, she wandered among the jaguars, touching each in turn. The softness of her skin, the sweetness of her spirit stirred his men. They brightened, and looked up with shining eyes at her as if she were indeed an angel.
Ariana was flesh and blood and bone, with a generous heart and a sweetness that stilled him. Her scent of wildflowers and spring rain intoxicated him. With each press of her delicate-boned hand upon his men’s arms, he hungered for her attention. Daimon wanted her hand upon his flesh, her gentle smile of reassurance feeding his weary spirit.
Hearing her voice soothed the beast inside. He strained forward to catch the purity of her intonation, the soothing cadence of every syllable.
Darkness forgotten, he yearned to sink into her arms and remain there. A different hunger seized him as he studied her rounded breasts, the way the jeans cupped her rounded hips.
As his men stirred and looked to him, Daimon signaled for them to return to their lairs. Ariana joined him as they shifted into their cat forms, prowled across the meadow and vanished into the forest.
“They don’t live with you?”
“They prefer hiding in the forest and solitude as that allows them to collect their strength.” Daimon took her hand, marveling at the strength in the fragile palm, the long, slender fingers that could soothe and stroke.
“Thank you,” he said quietly. “It means a lot to me and them.”
He brought her hand to his lips, brushed her knuckles with a reverent kiss. But as his lips met her skin, he caught the musk of her arousal. Her eyes widened and she moistened her pink mouth.
“Getting cold out here, better get inside,” he said roughly.
Cold his ass. Daimon was hot as molten lava, fire eating through his veins. His little half demon was burning him with lust. His entire body tightened and responded to her stimulation. Dragging in a lungful of air, he inhaled her scent.
Ariana followed him into the lodge’s living room. When he closed the door behind them, Daimon pounced.
He meant to hold her, absorb her sweetness and let it wash over him. But the intense need was too great. Fisting his hand in her hair, he tipped her head back and took her mouth in a drugging kiss.
The scent of her own arousal alarmed Ariana. At first she stiffened, resisting.
Then, his tongue lazily prodded her mouth, demanding entrance. Encouraged by his need, she opened her mouth. Daimon deftly slid his tongue into her mouth with bold strokes. Passion collided with common sense.
Sex was a bad idea.
But it felt so good.
Daimon stroked her thin shoulders with a frown. “You’re undernourished. I must fatten you up.”
“Like the fatted lamb? A sacrifice for you?”
He regarded her with a heavy-lidded gaze. “We all sacrifice something, sunshine. You gave me your virginity. And after you did, I gave you a chance to leave without following my instincts and hauling your sweet ass back to warm my bed.”
Unbuttoning her shirt, he unclasped the bra and pulled both aside, baring her breasts. A flush rose from her throat to her flaming cheeks. A tide of warm air caressed her breasts, the nipples growing rosy and hard little peaks. Daimon cupped them, his gaze fierce. He flicked his thumbs over the cresting peaks. Ariana threw her head back on a low moan. The hot throbbing intensified. It felt like he stroked between her legs with each slow stroke.
“Remember?” He bent his head, gently bit her earlobe. “Remember how good I made you feel? Even that first time. This time will be much better.”
Daimon fastened his mouth about a rosy nipple. The soft suckling increased a sharp ache between her legs. Blood thrummed in her veins, sang with wanton need.
His tongue flicked over the cresting hardness, and swirled. Ariana wrapped her arms around him as his tongue rasped over her swollen nipple.
He released her nipple with a small sucking sound. Carnal delight faded as he straightened, rubbing a thumb over her jaw.
“I look at an angel, but what I see is a woman capable of deep passion,” he murmured in his deep velvet voice. “If I dare to bring such an angel to ruin, then damn me for it.”
Daimon kissed her again, his hands sliding over her trembling body. With wild abandon, she kissed him back. Something dark and sinfully delicious rose within her.
Give in, it chanted. Nothing wrong with this, with passion, surrender…
Her eyes flew open. She shoved at his chest, sending him flying backward.
Not passion, but purpose carved into the hard planes and edges of his handsome face.
“You nearly seduced me.” Trembling with fury, she clenched her fingers, resisting the temptation to shove him again.
“You were a willing participant, Ariana.”
He didn’t care about her needs, her wants. “All you want is sex. And you only want sex with me to take my darkness and use it! I’m half-demon, and I can’t even control my powers. What makes you think you can?”
Daimon watched her with a guarded look. “I’m an Ancient. I have the means to balance my powers and subdue darkness.”
“You’re a bastard.” She went to strike him, but he caught her wrist.
“I do what I must for my people.” Daimon pulled her to him. “I didn’t do it simply out of need, Ariana. I want you in my bed. I want you.”
Thoughts raced through her mind. She must end this now, because he possessed the ability to daze common sense and make her body sing with pleasure….
Sing.
Deliberately, she relaxed her body. Ariana ran her nails over his hard chest. “How much do you want me?”
The sultry purr made his pupils widen. “Very much so.” He gave a heavy-lidded assessment of her half-dressed state, the nipples still rigid with pleasure. “Your body fuels my passion.”
As he bent his head, his sculpted mouth hovering over hers, she parted her lips. As if to invite him inside.
Instead, she began to sing. The soft tune coming from her mouth was barely a whisper of music. But enough.
Daimon blinked. Drew away. He slapped his face, as if trying to stay awake. Anger replaced his sexy smile. “Dammit, Ariana…”
She shoved him again, this time onto the sofa. “Singing fuels my passion. Honey.”
“Would…never…hurt you. Force…you.”
Daimon’s eyes fluttered closed. He gave a catlike yawn, stretched out. Soon, he was fast asleep.
Just as he’d been last time they’d made love. Ariana stopped singing.
Ariana fastened the bra and the flannel shirt, looking over her shoulder at her sleeping lover. One hand tossed over his head, he looked sexy and lethal.
Ignoring the pang at his deception, she grabbed a sheepskin jacket from the hall closet. The sleeves dripped over her hands, but she rolled them up. Silent as his jaguar, she crept out the front door.
Clouds scudded over a leaden sky as she ran, breath heaving in and out of her lungs. Forcing her legs to piston, Ariana raced for the gate. The wood posts looked innocuous, free of the deadly charge.
Biting her lip against the shock of electricity, she touched the gate.
Nothing. Her singing had neutralized it.
If the demon inside her prohibited her from leaving, the white light surely must allow her to pass through the gate. Ariana closed her eyes and summoned all the white light inside her. She thought of her mother’s love, wrapping it around her in a cloak of serenity.
Forcing away any droplet of darkness, pushing it into a shadowy recess.
White light hummed inside her, singing with power. Ariana opened her eyes, unfastened the gate. She swung it open. Her jaw dropped.
Gray light pulsed in a small vertical opening, as if accessing the world beyond. She could do this.
With a determined push, she wedged her body through the slit. Pressure squeezed her body like two iron bars. Ariana gritted her teeth and wriggled through.
Gasping, she fell onto the dirt road. She was free!
Strength returned to her legs as she forced herself onto all fours. The white light faded inside her. Weakened from singing, she pushed to her feet. I can do this. I can do this.
The chant became a litany. Muscles shrieked a protest she ran down the road, edging the fence, her sneakers slapping the hard pavement. Her lungs burned for air as she ran, faster and faster.
Running to put space between her and the wicked Jaguar who’d seduced her with pleasure for his own purpose.
Running away.
Again.
The realization was a sharp slap. Guilt surged. Daimon had been honest with her. He’d told her what he planned. But she’d capitulated to her body’s demands once more.
