by Kate Hill
“These are unbelievable,” she whispered. “Look at the details. The claws. The fur.”
“The teeth.” Crispin glanced up at the creature’s face. Oversized fangs hung past its lower lip. “I hate cats.”
“So do I, but we have bigger problems, my friends,” Andre said. He placed a hand atop each of their heads and turned them to face the pool.
The water was clear as polished glass, giving a perfect view to the bottom. It gleamed with millions of multicolored jewels.
“Aw fuck,” Crispin murmured.
“Good thing we live for centuries, because we’re going to need that long to find the right jewel,” Andre said.
A shiver ran down Chantel’s spine and she had the oddest feeling they were being watched. She glanced up at the statues, then shook her head. Madness.
“No use putting it off.” Crispin sighed and began undressing.
Andre did the same. While Chantel slowly unfastened the ties on the front of her shirt, she turned toward the trees and stepped nearer to them, expecting to find someone staring at them through the branches. Behind her, she heard the wolves talking, but she paid them no attention. Something just wasn’t right. Call it a vampire’s intuition.
“Fuck!”
“Hell! What the fuck!”
Chantel turned abruptly at the exclamations from her lovers. Two of the stone creatures had come to life. Their shrieks and growls echoed across the island. Using their massive paws, they swiped at Crispin and Andre who, in their wolf form, fought back with every bit of strength and speed they possessed. Unfortunately, they were little match for giant cats with stone hides.
A watery voice, similar to the one they had heard in the cave, said, “Tell me your greatest regret.”
Chantel glanced at Crispin and Andre, wondering if one of them would speak first, but they were too involved in trying to stay alive. It was up to Chantel and the last thing she wanted to blurt out was something as personal as her greatest regret.
“I regret not joining my mother when she went in search of Morall’s Treasure,” she said.
The cats simultaneously swiped Andre and Crispin so hard they were knocked flat on their backs. The creatures each placed a heavy paw on the wolves’ chests, threatening to crush the life out of them.
“Tell me your greatest regret,” the voice repeated.
Terrified by the thought of her wolves dying, she had no choice but to tell the truth. “I regret never having loved anyone,” she shouted. “I regret being alone.”
The cat creatures released Andre and Crispin. They returned to their original position by the pool and once again froze into lifeless statues.
“Explain,” the watery voice continued.
“I regret having no one I can trust. No one who cares whether I live or die,” she said quietly, feeling a lump form in her throat. What the hell was wrong with her? She liked her life. The freedom. The adventure. Yet nothing she’d experienced compared to the times she’d made love with Crispin and Andre. She’d fucked men before and enjoyed it, but there had never been emotions attached to the act. With her wolves, she felt protected. She felt loved and since meeting them she realized just how much she wanted to be loved. “Sometimes I wish for someone to share my thoughts with and who trusts me enough to share his.”
Beneath the surface of the water, every stone except one brilliant ruby turned white, yet it took several moments for anyone to notice. Chantel was gazing at her feet, her face burning with embarrassment. This was the most she’d ever revealed about herself to anyone. She felt rather than saw the wolves approach. Andre took her hand and raised it to his lips. She lifted her gaze and met his, surprised by the gentleness in she saw there.
Chantel tried to think of something to say, but now that she’d revealed the deepest part of her soul, no other words seemed sufficient. Crispin’s hand curved around the back of her head and he turned her face gently toward his. His lips covered hers in a kiss that was deep yet incredibly tender.
When the kiss broke, she stepped away from the men and took control of herself. “Enough of this. We need to get the jewel.”
“The honor is yours for this one,” Andre said, gesturing toward the water.
Tossing him a chastising look, she undressed. “Thanks. Just what I need. A dive.”
The water was pleasantly warm yet surprisingly deep. Though an excellent swimmer, by the time Chantel reached the stone, she wondered if she’d have enough breath to return to the surface. Just when she thought she couldn’t endure another moment, Andre was beside her. He covered her mouth with his, providing her with enough air to make it to the surface.
Gasping, she swam to the edge of the pool where Crispin gave her a hand up. He had already dressed and waited for her and Andre to do the same.
While they were pulling on their trousers, an ear-splitting roar shattered the stillness and one of the catlike creatures leapt through the trees. Unlike the stone creatures that were obviously part of the spell, this was a living, breathing monster. Its foot-long fangs dripped saliva and its jagged claws left ruts in the earth as it ran. The men shifted to their wolf form and Chantel reached for her sword, but she was too late. The creature knocked her onto her back. Andre covered her body with his. Before its claws slashed Andre’s back, Crispin leapt onto the creature. He sank his claws and fangs into its neck. Now completely engrossed with Crispin, it ignored Chantel and Andre. Its claws plunged into Crispin’s sides, yet he clung to the beast, refusing to let go.
Chantel grasped her sword and slashed at the monster’s hide while Andre leapt onto its back. It rolled over in an attempt to crush Andre, but he sprang away before the massive body pinned him to the ground. Again Crispin lunged at it, getting a solid hold on its throat. Once more the claws sank into his flesh and the creature shook its head in an attempt to dislodge the furious wolf. A final desperate swipe of its paw knocked Crispin, who was rapidly weakening from blood loss, into the pool.
With a massive leap, Andre landed atop its head and tore out its eyes. Chantel drove her sword into the already deep gash Crispin had made in its throat. The beast flopped onto the ground, shuddered in a death throe, then went still.
Panting, Chantel glanced toward the pool. “Crispin has gone under!”
Without hesitation, Andre leapt into the water. Moments later he surfaced with Crispin and dragged him to safety.
Snaghand coughed up a mouthful of water, his face ashen. Chantel began inspecting his injuries, concerned by how much blood he was losing.
Andre placed a steadying hand on Crispin’s arm as he tried to stand. “Careful.”
“Get away from me!” Crispin growled, shoving Andre with what little strength he had left. “I didn’t need your help!”
“Could have fooled me,” Chantel said. “Crispin!”
“I don’t need anyone’s help!” Snaghand snarled, his eyes blazing.
“What is your problem?” Chantel demanded. “I think you do have a death wish.”
Crispin growled and took several unsteady steps before his strength failed completely and he fell, unconscious, to the ground.
* * *
Back aboard the ship, Chantel sat by the edge of the bed in their cabin, watching Crispin sleep. She and Beldon, who was a trained healer, had just finished cleaning and binding his wounds. Because of his regenerative powers, the injuries had already begun to heal. The blood loss had concerned them, but with rest, Beldon assured her that Crispin would be fine.
No sooner had Beldon left than the door creaked open and Andre stepped inside. “How is he?”
“He’ll be all right,” she said, glancing at Andre who approached and rested a hand on her shoulder. “What is his problem?”
“I don’t know, but I think it’s safe to guess that it’s more than simple pride.”
Chantel sighed. “I wish…”
“What?”
“I wish he’d tell us what’s going on with him.”
Andre gave a snort of laughter.
“Somehow I don’t think he’s the confessing type.”
“I didn’t think you would be either, or me.” Chantel met Andre’s gaze. “I’m starting to understand why nobody’s ever found this treasure.”
Andre said, “After what we’ve been through, we’d better find it. I need to go topside for a while.”
Chantel turned back to Crispin. “Go on. I’m staying with him a little longer.”
Andre walked toward the door, then paused and turned back. Resting a hand on her shoulder, he said, “Chantel, about what you said by the pool today…”
“Do we really need to talk about this?”
“Yes.”
Sighing, she raised her eyes to the heavens. “What about it?”
“You’re not alone and I know two people who care very much whether you live or die.”
A slight smile tugged at her lips and she met his gaze. “Getting soft on me?”
His expression tensed and she knew she had said the wrong thing. Turning on his heel, he stalked toward the door.
“Hey!” She caught up to him and slipped her arms around his neck. For several moments she didn’t speak, merely held him tightly until he returned her embrace. Then he kissed her with such possession that Chantel might have collapsed from the ferocity of the emotions racing through her had he not been supporting her almost entirely with his powerful arms. His tongue thrust into her mouth and hers met it stroke for stroke. When the kiss ended, they breathlessly held each other’s gaze.
“You should have no shortage of men loving you,” he said against her lips. “Any man who knows you like this is bound to love you.”
“No one has ever known me like this,” she whispered, her heart pounding. “Only you and Cris.”
He smiled slightly and with tenderness that reached the most secret part of her soul. “Then we’re lucky, Fire Eyes.”
After kissing her once more, he left the cabin.
Chantel sat at her desk and stared into space, her thoughts turning with the events of the past days, especially that afternoon. Never had she admitted aloud that she regretted not having a mate, someone to share her thoughts and feelings, someone to hold her when she awoke deep in the night. Her mother had taught her to be an independent woman, just as she had been. Chantel‘s father had died when she was a child, but she never remembered him being as strong as her mother. He’d been a quiet man, absorbed in business and embarrassed to have a mother-in-law who was wanted for piracy.
Chantel’s mother had explained that self-sufficiency was the most important lesson any woman could learn. With it, she could do or become anything. Without it, she was at the whim of men, and nothing surpassed the arrogance of male vampires. If she wanted a man to satisfy her desires, it was better to look among wolves. Though even more arrogant than vampires, they tended to be far better in bed.
Having slept with Andre and Crispin, she had to agree with her mother. They were better lovers than any vampire she’d ever been with. For that matter they were better than other wolves she’d known, as well. Strangest of all, they made her long more than ever for true love. With them, she no longer cared who was dominant. All she knew was that she felt loved on a deep, almost mystical, level.
She had longed for one mate, but if she had to choose between Andre and Crispin, it would be an impossible decision. She liked Andre’s cool collectedness in everyday life and his animalistic aggression in bed. Crispin’s fierceness and courage endeared him to her. Both wolves were much more than the rogues she’d first imagined them to be. That shouldn’t have surprised her. There was more to Chantel than what she showed to the world, so why wouldn’t they be the same?
A soft moan from Crispin drew her attention back to him. His head shifted slightly on the pillow. Chantel stood, walked to the bed and sat on the edge of it. She took his fingerless hand and caressed the back of it. She had removed his faux claws before she and Beldon treated his injuries.
“Chantel,” he said, his voice scarcely audible, even to her vampiric ears. His beautiful violet eyes opened halfway, still hazy from the drugs Beldon had forced him to drink when they had tended his wounds.
“Uh huh,” she said softly, brushing away a lock of hair that had fallen across his face.
“You’re not hurt?”
She smiled slightly. “No.”
“Good.” He closed his eyes and sighed, then murmured, “What about Andre?”
“He’s fine.” Impulsively, she brushed his mouth with a kiss. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“You probably saved our lives.”
His lips curved upward the slightest bit, and when he opened his eyes some of their usual gleam had returned. “Getting soft on me, wench?”
“I don’t get soft for anybody,” she said, then took his face in her hands and held his gaze. “But you do something to me. You and Andre.”
“Good,” he whispered, cupped the back of her head, and drew her closer for another kiss.
Chapter Six
The last jewel was hidden behind a cascade on the tiny island of Frederique of the Sun. It was a fairly short walk into the forest there. The three were strangely quiet and Chantel didn’t doubt it was because the wolves were as apprehensive as she was. This hadn’t simply been a physical journey, but one that had left emotional scars. She wondered if any treasure was worth what they had endured. They weren’t merely seeking it for wealth. It had become a matter of pride, even vengeance, due to all they and their families had lost because of it.
They heard the rush of water before actually seeing the cascade. Pausing for a moment, they exchanged glances.
“This is it,” Andre said. “Ready?”
“Why not?” Chantel shrugged. “We’ve come this far.”
“Let’s get on with it then,” Crispin said, taking the lead through the trees.
Chantel knew he must be the most anxious of their trio. It seemed this magical game was being played in a definite sequence. Already she and Andre had been asked to bare a portion of their soul in order to gain one of the game pieces. Now it must be Crispin’s turn. What would he be asked, and even more important, what sort of death would she and Andre suffer if he didn’t reply?
Soon they approached the clearing in which the cascade emptied into a pool. They climbed the slippery rocks until they felt the rush of wind and cool water on their faces. Water beaded on Andre and Crispin’s wolfish pelts and in spite of the tense situation, she couldn’t help thinking how wild and gorgeous they looked. They were comfortable in the wilderness, far more than she was, but with them she felt at home. Strange, considering she had never truly felt that way anywhere at any time. Her childhood had been spent torn between her parents and she had inherited her mother’s restless nature. For the first time in her life she considered settling down. All because of these two beasts who would probably want a stable family life as much as she would wish to never drink blood again.
“I’m going,” Crispin growled and leapt through the water.
Once he’d disappeared behind the cascade, Chantel and Andre exchanged glances, shrugged and followed him. When they reached the other side, they found themselves in a cave littered with human bones. Crispin stood beneath a small ledge.
“Apparently our relatives aren’t the only ones who died looking for Morall’s Treasure,” Crispin said.
“But what killed these people?” Andre asked. “Other than small animals, this island is uninhabited.”
“Or so we think,” Chantel said. “Obviously these people didn’t just lie down and die here for no reason.”
“It’s up there.” Crispin glanced toward the top of the ledge. Using his claws for balance, he climbed the craggy wall to the ledge. It took only a moment for him to reach the jewel and another to pry it loose. Once he had it in his hand, he pounced from the ledge and landed in a squat by Chantel’s feet.
Gazing up at her, he narrowed his eyes. “That was too easy.”
“Don’t bother questioning it. Le
t’s get the hell out of here.” Andre gestured toward the cascade. “After you.”
Crispin waved his hand to Chantel, but she pushed him toward the water. “No way. You got the jewel, so get out of here before anything weird happens.”
Without hesitation, Crispin leapt through the cascade. No sooner had he disappeared than the water turned to a solid wall of ice.
* * *
Crispin stood on the rocks and stared at the cascade waiting for his companions to join him. After several moments, he called, “Hurry up! Let’s get out of here.”
“We can’t!” Andre shouted. “We’re frozen.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Crispin scoffed, though a feeling of dread had already settled deep in his belly.
“The cascade turned to ice!” Chantel bellowed. “Can’t you see it?”
Were they crazy? The water was flowing as freely as ever. “There’s no ice!”
“Yes there is!”
“No there’s…” Crispin paused. Apparently another strange spell was at work. They believed the cascade was frozen, but he could see it was not. Looks like he’d have to bring them back.
With a sigh, he took a flying leap through the water and… crashed into a solid wall of ice. Dazed, he fell into the pool. Water closed over his head and he swam to the surface, coughing and gasping. At least he hadn’t lost hold of the jewel. He climbed onto a rock, shook off his pelt and stared at the cascade. How the hell could he get his companions out?
“What is your greatest shame?” asked that familiar, watery voice he had learned to hate.
“Oh no,” he muttered.
“Cris?” Chantel called. “Answer the damn question!”
“What makes you think it’s asking me?”
“Because you’re the one who’s free, idiot!” Andre growled. “We know by now how this game is played, so answer!”
Greatest shame. Greatest shame. He closed his eyes and sighed.
“What is your greatest shame?” repeated the voice.
“Being stupid enough to fall for this spell,” Crispin said.
