by Lynn Best
When she found Gora’s eyes, they burned with cold fury. “Take her to the barracks.”
“But, ma’am,” Alfred protested.
“Do it!” She picked up the teapot, and smashed it on the floor.
Alfred said nothing else. Muscling Charis around, he walked them to the wall, opening it with some voice command Charis didn’t understand, and went out. Then he yanked her struggling form down the long hallway.
She had no idea where they were going, but she knew it had to be bad. Gora was crazy and furious with her. And Alfred had protested, which made her think this wasn’t some spa retreat Gora had in mind. Charis continued to fight, but her wrists were beginning to ache furiously. Head pounding along with her heart, she tried to think of an escape plan. The only person on her side was Brandy, and she had no idea where she was. Would Kahn save her? Not after his mother got ahold of him to tell him what a harlot Charis was. She hoped maybe she’d run into Bram or Han, but they saw no one. Could Han hear her? She tried to reach him in her mind. No one came.
Desperate, she tried talking to Alfred. “Hey, Alfred, buddy. Can you let me go?”
No response. His giant hands were clamped onto her wrists like vices.
“Alfred, be a pal and let me go, huh? Please? Han wouldn’t like this. I’m supposed to be his mate or something. He protects me. You should’ve seen what he did to Rahan.”
Nothing. Alfred stopped, giving the same snarling command to this wall. It began to disintegrate before them.
The space inside was dark, and there was a stench—something animal and raw. Charis recoiled. Alfred yanked her into the room.
The stink was stronger inside. The wall behind them closed, taking the hallway light with it. Charis’s heart pounded as her eyes adjusted, zeroing in on shapes moving around in the dark. Big shapes. Shapes with long arms. With manes.
The monsters.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“No!” she screamed, yanking away from Alfred. He dropped her arms, stepping away and smoothing the front of his butler vest.
Charis scrambled to the wall, clawing at the surface as she flicked a wild glance over her shoulder. The beasts had noticed her. They were coming closer.
“Alfred, let me out. You can’t do this. Please!”
But when she turned back, Alfred was gone.
Charis stared at the horror unfolding before her. The room held dozens of the monsters, all seven feet tall, with scaly skin, shaggy manes, and long claws. Red eyes locked onto her like she was prey and they were hungry. The smell was stronger now, like she was in a den of lions. Only these creatures were bigger and stronger. Fangs larger, claws sharper.
Her breath came ragged in her throat. She was going to be torn apart. Eaten alive.
A massive one rose from a pool similar to Han’s. It padded toward her, claws clicking on stone. He stalked her way, red eyes shining in the dim. Charis was frozen as he approached, stuck to the spot, unable to scream or do anything.
It walked up to her, leaning down. Nostrils pulsed air against her face. Its wet mane dripped onto her cheek.
Her eyes darted wildly over his six-inch claws. Up his scaly arms. To his hideous face, jaw, and teeth. Large nostrils and red, reptilian eyes.
One clawed hand reached out. Charis flinched and closed her eyes, crying hot tears as the claw skimmed down her cheek, dipping over her fabric-covered breast.
It wanted more than to eat her. She remembered the way the other had ripped her clothes off when she’d arrived.
“Leave… me… alone.” She forced herself to look up through her tears. Into its eyes. “Leave me alone,” she said, voice stronger.
It placed one clawed hand on the wall beside her head, pinning her. A long tongue curved out between its teeth. It licked the side of her face.
Everything in her recoiled.
This wasn’t how it was going to go down. No way in hell would she just stand here.
Charis ducked under its arm, bolting toward the water. Feet thudding on the wet stone, she nearly slipped before plunging into the pool.
The water was cold and shocking. It woke her senses. Pushing off the stone floor, she swam furiously.
Behind her, she heard splashing. The water churned as many bodies disturbed the water. They were jumping in, following her.
Panic drove her. She swam for her life, a freestyle crawl cutting through the water faster than she thought possible. Gasping for air, she wasn’t really sure where she was going. The cave was dim, the water rough. Twice, she chanced a peek back. Seeing them hot on her heels, she redoubled her efforts, panting, barely breathing as she thrashed against the water.
Claws snagged her foot. She let out a gurgled scream. One was right on her. And up ahead, all she saw was cave wall. Behind, red eyes locked on her. It flashed a row of teeth, and then started to pull her.
Charis sucked in a breath and dove down.
Claws sliced the water above her head. The beast was right there, a giant in the water. Blocking her. Other bodies crowded around the monster. There were too many, and nowhere for her to go. Hope died in her chest. If she weren’t underwater, she’d be sobbing.
But there, off to the right, was a pulsing red light along what seemed to be an underwater tunnel. She didn’t think long. It was either swim for it or face being raped and eaten by monsters.
She swam for the tunnel.
Pulling forward, she inched her way through, realizing too late it would be very hard to turn around if she wanted to. The tunnel was narrow enough to keep those things at bay, but would make it nearly impossible to get back out. And her air supply was running low. She hadn’t taken a very big breath when she’d gone down.
Panic started to build when the tunnel didn’t angle up. But she’d come so far that going back would prove just as fatal. But how far could she swim without finding some place to get air? She kicked at the water furiously, but alarm bells were going off in her head. Air. She needed air. What had she been thinking? Now she was going to drown. Her chest burned. Terrified, she pulled herself along the tunnel ceiling, praying she’d see an air pocket, anything.
Light blazed ahead. She kicked with her last bit of strength. The tunnel angled upward.
Her head broke the surface, and she gasped for a breath of sweet, sweet air.
A cry of joy sprang from her lips as she breathed in again and again.
“What’s going on?” a male voice said.
Charis whipped around.
Han was at the edge of the pool, staring at her like she’d grown two heads.
The pool. This was his pool. The two were connected.
“I just… I…” She couldn’t talk. The shock seemed to be setting in. And worse, she could feel the hot tears. Sobs choked her. “I… I…”
Han jumped into the pool, concern all over his face. He took her into his arms, hugging her to him. The instant pulse was there, but she was crying too hard to enjoy it. She buried her face in his strong chest, crying until there were no more tears.
When she lifted her head, she realized he’d taken her out of the pool, to his bed, and laid her down, his giant body beside hers, without her even noticing. His hands were gently combing back her wet hair. He was softly murmuring something, which she realized was bits of poetry.
“… with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight … Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean. Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the Avail of the forest.”
“That’s beautiful,” she managed, though her voice was hoarse from crying.
He stopped speaking, his hand resting on her head. The thrum of energy coursed through her from where his skin met hers. The warmth was more comforting than sexual this time. Snuggling in, she tried to press as much of her body to his as she could. If only she could stop shivering.
“What happened to you?” he asked, his voice resonating in his bare chest. She waited for his tone to be accusatory, but it was not. He sounded concerned.
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br /> “I… don’t think I can talk about it just yet.”
His hand stroked her hair. The energy continued to bubble in her veins, warming her. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, her cheek skimming his chest. “I guess so.”
“You don’t seem all right.”
“Bad things almost happened to me.”
There was a long pause before he said, “If you would tell me who hurt you, I could make sure they wouldn’t any longer. Was it Rahan?”
She shook her head. His body was so warm. And he was holding her so sweetly. She felt like a wall was melting between them.
“Was it Kahn?” She could tell he was trying to keep his temper, but slowly losing the battle. The last thing she wanted was for him to get upset, to storm off and rip someone’s head off. She needed his strong arms around her or she’d fall apart.
“Don’t, please, okay? Just hold me. I can’t… I don’t need you to fix it right now.” She looked up into his face.
And he was gazing at her. His eyes were bright and blue-green, like polished emeralds, so beautiful. His face was too perfect to be real. And his lips… She wanted so badly to kiss him. Not because of Bram or because of the deal, but because… she was falling for him.
Charis leaned forward until their lips were inches apart. She could feel his breath pick up. Hers went with it, her pulse skittering. The energy between them went from sweet to charged, the tingle deepening and intensifying between her legs and along her nipples.
His eyes dipped from hers to her lips and back again like he didn’t know what to do. She put her arms around his neck, tilting her mouth up and closing her eyes.
She felt him shift, and then his lips were brushing against hers, soft and supple. His smell was everywhere, the best kind of cologne, one that filled her head and made her feel weightless. The hand that had been stroking her hair gripped it gently like he was afraid of falling.
She pressed her lips harder against his, and thought, I’m falling, too.
The sweet brush became a more passionate kiss. His tongue skimmed her bottom lip. She opened her mouth, inviting him in. His taste was sweeter than she’d expected. And the tingling down south was heating up. A steady pounding at her core drew her attention to the desire spiraling. The hardness against her thigh told her know he was feeling it, too.
But the best part was the energy that skimmed her body like butterfly wings wherever his skin met hers. It was like his whole body was a live wire of erotic energy, and all she wanted to do was hang on for dear life.
He moaned, pulling back. Gripping her shoulders, he forced her to look at him. “Before, you didn’t want this. You didn’t want… me.”
She bit her lip, feeling foolish. “I didn’t know you. You kept me away.”
He looked sad. “You don’t know me now.”
“I want to.” She put her hand on his bare arm, hoping he saw her sincerity. “Let me know you. Let me in.”
His eyes dropped, but he didn’t pull back. Instead, his hand gripped her hair again, and he gently tilted his head toward her to renew their kiss.
Charis was elated.
Until the wall behind them disappeared… and Bram stepped in.
They both turned, sitting up. He stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed and looking disappointed. “Too little too late, I’m afraid,” he said, shaking his head.
Han jumped up. “What are you talking about?”
Bram looked sadly at him. “Your mother. She’s ordered Charis off the ship. An unsuitable mate. Guards.” He gestured, and a herd of monsters charged into the room. Before Charis knew what was happening, clawed hands were grabbing her and dragging her away from Han.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“What?” Han roared. “Tell her that’s not happening. Tell her!” He fought against the monsters, but there were at least five holding him back as the rest pulled Charis to Bram.
“Han!” she called, still not sure what was happening.
“Let her go!” Han was now striking the monster guards, hitting them as hard as he could. Some stumbled back, but others stepped in to take their places.
Bram watched it all, shaking his head and straightening his white shirt. “I gave you time. I set you up on dates. And you frittered it away. Then this one goes and infuriates Gora.” He shook his head again.
“Gora fed me to the monsters,” Charis screamed, fighting against clawed hands. They held her to the wall.
“Bram!” Han yelled beneath the scrum of bodies holding him down.
“Don’t worry, my lord, another suitable mate is being collected as we speak.” Bram smoothed his hair, stepped on the other side of the wall, and pressed his hand to it. It sealed up, separating Charis from Han.
“Don’t do this,” Charis begged, staring at Bram.
Bram flicked an annoyed glance at her. “You kissed him. That was our arrangement. Get him to kiss you, and you got to return home. Easy-peasy.”
“No, no, no.” This couldn’t be happening. Now she had feelings for Han. She wanted to stay, at least for a while, to see where things went. “What are you going to do?”
Bram started walking, and the guards dragged her along behind him. “It’s simple. You get to leave. Aren’t you happy?” He stopped by a wall and opened it. The monsters dragged her in.
“Bram, I want to stay. You need Han to mate, right? I don’t really know what that means, or how comfortable I am with it, but I like him, see? I didn’t know that until right now, so if you could just let me go…”
A table began to form out of the floor. The monsters put her on it, pinning her down as bands began to circle her arms and legs.
“Bram, no, wait. Can I just talk to him? Or maybe to Gora. I know she was mad about Kahn, but if Han doesn’t have him locked up, it can’t be that bad. Bram?”
He sighed, turning to her. “You played with fire, and you got burned. I tried to tell you. Gora wants you killed. She petitioned Laura, Han’s mother, and she almost agreed. I saved you. Be thankful.”
Charis blinked. “They want me dead?”
“And Rahan’s mother probably would, too, if she were here, but she is not, thank the gods. The best thing for you to do is go home. It’s the best for everyone.”
Tears were back. She tried to contain them. “What about Han?”
Bram avoided her. “I’ll keep trying.”
Charis closed her eyes, dislodging a tear. “If you think it’ll save them… keep them all from fighting.” But she looked up in a panic. “Wait, I get to keep my memories, right?”
Bram pressed something onto her head, pinning it down to the table. It was too late for her to even struggle.
He smiled sadly. “No, I am afraid not.”
There was a blinding light, and pain speared behind her eyes.
Then nothing.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Charis woke with a pounding headache.
Opening her eyes, she stared into the blinding light, trying to recall where she was or what she was doing. The sun was mid-morning bright, and she was on her couch, that much she knew. But how had she gotten there?
Wiping crust away from her eyes, she sat up slowly and peered around. There was her kitchen, dirty as ever. There were her shoes strewn under the coffee table. Her purse had spilled open beside them, and her phone was visible. She reached for it, wincing, and pressed it awake.
Nothing happened. The battery was dead.
Crap-tastic.
What was the last thing she remembered? The Halloween party. Ginger. Had she gotten drunk at the party? Had Ginger brought her home?
The headache easing a little, she shuffled to the kitchen, pouring water and plugging in her phone. She drank it with a healthy helping of Advil, waiting for her phone to charge enough to call Ginger. Soon, the welcome screen came on, and she hit her friend’s number.
Two rings and Ginger picked up. “Charis?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Oh. My. God. You’re alive.�
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“Yeah, hey. What happened last night?”
“Last night?” her friend asked shrilly. “What happened three nights ago?”
“Huh?” Charis pressed her hand to her head.
“Charis,” Ginger said deliberately, “you took an Uber home from the party three night ago. No one has seen or heard from you since. Where have you been?”
Staggering back, Charis slumped into a chair. “You’re kidding.”
“Oh my God. No. I called the cops. Your mom went to your place. There was a search. Your picture has been on the TV!”
Charis stared out the window, not sure what was happening. “I was missing? But I had to have been here.”
“Your mom went there. We called all your friends. Oh my God.” Ginger sounded like she was crying. “I thought you were dead.”
“I’m not,” was all Charis could manage.
“Oh my God, I’m so glad.” Loud sobbing on the other end of the line.
Charis didn’t know what to say. Her head was spinning. “I’m not dead,” she repeated.
“Okay, okay. You better call your mom. I’ll call… Shit. I’ll call the cops, I guess. Tell them you’re alive. Or whatever. Are you okay? Are you hurt in any way?”
Charis felt her body. Nothing felt out of sorts except her head. “I’m not hurt.”
“Stay there. I’ll come over.”
“No,” she said adamantly. “Let me just make a few phone calls first.”
“Right. Okay. Call your mom. But I’m coming over later.”
“Fine.”
Charis hung up without saying goodbye. She felt sick. What had happened to her?
She looked through her purse, then checked her whole body out in a mirror. She didn’t see anything. Taking a hot shower felt good, but she got too scared that someone was in her apartment and cut it short. She searched her whole place twice and then locked the deadbolt, shivering.
Her mom showed up, hysterical. Then Ginger. It was all a blur of hugs and crying. Crying and hugs.
