by Rosalie Redd
Screeeeeee. The weapon cried out as the sword slashed through the air.
The blade ripped through Ram’s jeans and connected with his thigh. Intense pain flooded his mind. Heat radiated in his leg. The smell of his own blood filled his nose. He didn’t have time to worry about the wound as he hit the ground and rolled to his feet.
Noeh stood battle-ready. He raised his sword for the next blow, tracking Ram’s every move. “Where’s Gaetan?”
“You should be worried about your own demise.”
Now was Ram’s opportunity to test his new power. His pulse hammered. He smiled, unable to contain his elation, and raised his arms over his head. “Shield!”
A small current of energy engulfed him.
Noeh’s sword crashed down and ricocheted off the force-field. The Stiyaha king’s eyes widened as he stumbled against the wall.
A jolt of elation raced across Ram’s skin. He didn’t get time to relish it, though. The shield blinked out, the energy dissipating into the air. He looked around the room. His soldiers were losing ground. Stiyaha used their swords and preternatural strength against his brood.
Outnumbered, his stomach hardened at the realization. Time to go.
He caught the stare from his first lieutenant, Jakar, and the same understanding crossed his face. He took one last glance at Noeh, who pushed himself away from the wall, his eyes filled with killing intent.
Ram dashed down the hall, leg pounding with pain. He pushed open the old steel door and ran into the night. The forest shadows swallowed him. Any Gossum that survived the attack would meet up with him at the cabin, their safe house.
He had proof the shield worked, and this gave him confidence in his ability to defeat Noeh. Now, he just needed more practice and another opportunity.
Chapter Four
Noeh pushed himself away from the wall. His adversary fled down the hallway, lost in the darkness of the old asylum. Craya! What just happened? Ram was able to stop his sword. The blade should have sliced right through him.
Blood rushed to his face. He wanted to lash out at his enemy to release his rage. Ram was just the latest in a long string of Gossum that had tried to kill him, and failed. There would be another, and another, until they succeeded, or he ended this war. If he won, Earth would become a free planet, and they could barter with the humans for water. At least he was playing for the right team, and for his Goddess, Alora.
He surveyed the room. His warriors had the advantage, their brute strength overpowering the Gossum. Ram would have to wait. They needed to rescue Gaetan.
“Saar, come with me.”
Saar glanced at his king then looked at the weakened Gossum pinned under his foot. He stabbed the vile creature in the eye. The brute collapsed to the floor and melted into a pile of black goo.
Noeh pointed to a nearby stairwell. “Gaetan is down there. I smell him.” His throat went dry. He hoped they weren’t too late.
Saar followed Noeh, their swords drawn and ready should any unlucky Gossum cross their path. The stairs led to a long concrete corridor. With closed doors every ten feet, the rooms seemed more like cells than sick bays. The stench of dampness and death permeated the air.
A chill rose along Noeh’s arms. They advanced slowly. The only sounds—dripping water and their labored breaths.
Five doors down, an open doorway beckoned. Noeh recognized Gaetan’s scent, and he wasn’t alone. Noeh detected the stringent odor of Gossum and another, unfamiliar, yet pleasant fragrance, like carnations and mint.
“Enter at your own risk, Stiyaha,” a Gossum shouted from the room. “I shall slay them both before you even—”
Noeh knew better than to negotiate. He rushed into the room, counting on his preternatural strength and speed. The creature darted across the rough cement floor, black eyes protruding from its head, claws extending from bony fingertips.
Dark hatred filled Noeh, fueling the adrenaline that coursed through his body. Every time he came across one of these foul creatures, his marking for justice pulsed over his eye, and it did so now. He raised his short sword and heat radiated into his hands. His weapon issued a piercing scream, eager to carve into the enemy.
The Gossum’s tongue snapped toward Noeh and connected with his protective armband. Spittle landed on his arm. He brought the sword around, the blade slicing through the air with a whoosh. Splat. The creature’s severed tongue fell to the floor, and the injured brute writhed in pain. Noeh’s sword hummed in his hand.
Saar entered behind Noeh, caught the Gossum off-guard, and plunged the tip of his sword deep into the creature’s thigh. Crippled, his opponent fell to one knee. With his weapon raised high, Noeh brought down the steel blade and cut off the Gossum’s head. Its body sagged to the floor, transforming into a mass of inky muck.
A rattle to his left brought Noeh to a halt.
Chained to the wall, Gaetan lifted his head. They had tortured him, left his body battered and bruised, but at least he still lived.
Noeh breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of his friend. He started toward Gaetan, but the unfamiliar fragrance made him still.
A soft moan caught his attention.
He searched for the sound.
A female slumped against the wall, shackled by the weight of the rusty chains that clung to her wrists and ankles. Her head hung forward. Long red hair hid her face and most of her body. Inflamed, open sores marred the skin on her arms and legs. A branding iron lay on the ground near her feet, evidence of the cruel torture she’d endured.
Fire rushed through his veins, and his inner beast screamed at the cruelty and injustice. His breathing became ragged, and he struggled to maintain control. A cool sheen of sweat broke out on his arms as he tried to comprehend what had taken place here.
“Noeh, I found the keys,” Saar said.
Noeh heard Saar but didn’t move, his focus solely on the redhead chained to the wall. Behind him, shackles clanked together and heavy chains crashed against the cement floor. Gaetan grunted.
The female stirred. She lifted her head, vibrant red hair falling to the side. The soft gaze of magnificent emerald eyes pierced Noeh’s soul, and he caught his breath. Despite her bruised cheek and the cut on her lip, she was remarkable. His chest tightened, and his eyes narrowed.
“Help me,” she whispered.
He rushed to her side. With adrenaline pumping through his veins hot and fast, he yanked the chains from the wall. Her body went limp, and he caught her in his arms. She weighed nothing. Lashes as fine as silk caressed her cheeks. Her warm flesh sent tendrils of heat along the sensitive nerves in his hands and arms. The sensation traveled through his body like an electric current, causing his heart to race. He pulled her closer, and her lustrous mane brushed across his bicep, teasing the fine hairs on his arm. A low, needful groan escaped his lips.
“Saar, throw me the keys.” He caught them with one hand, then released her from the iron rings. The chains fell to the ground, the sound of freedom lifting the weight on his chest.
Her soft body pressed into his, and a shiver ran over his shoulder and down his spine. She moaned and her eyelids fluttered, but she failed to maintain consciousness. Gods, how she must have suffered. A strange sense of respect filled him. His lungs ached, making breathing difficult. That the enemy would stoop so low as to injure a female ignited a fire inside him, and he vowed revenge.
Something about her mesmerized him, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. All he knew was he couldn’t leave her here. He picked her up, intent on carrying her out of this place.
“I’ve got her. Can you handle Gaetan on your own?” Noeh asked.
“I can handle myself, thank you very much.” Gaetan tottered on unsteady legs.
“I’ll give you a hand there, Gaetan. I wouldn’t want you to trip and stub your toe.” A slow smile creased Saar’s face. The scar he wore like a badge of honor turned his smile into a bizarre grimace. “With your luck, you’d poke an eye out.”
“You’d like tha
t, wouldn’t you?” Gaetan retorted, a gleam flashing through his eyes.
“Quit it, you two. Let’s get out of here.” Noeh headed for the door, the small female cradled to his chest.
“Are you taking her someplace where the humans will find her?” Saar asked.
“She goes with us.” Noeh stared Saar down, the muscles in his jaw flexed tight.
“She’s not Stiyaha. Why would you bring her to the Keep?” Saar risked the wrath of his king by trying to protect the Keep and its inhabitants.
Noeh glanced at the female in his arms. “She’s not human or the Gossum wouldn’t have bothered with her. We can’t leave her with the humans. They would discover she’s not one of them.”
“Seems like a good enough reason to me.” Gaetan peered at Noeh and Saar, shrugged, and limped toward the hallway.
They managed to get upstairs as the other warriors finished off the remaining Gossum. Piles of slime puddled in various stages of evaporation, and the bitter tang remained thick in the air.
The warriors cheered when Gaetan walked into the room. Noeh followed with the female in his arms. Everyone’s gaze shifted to him. The soldiers quieted at once.
“Who is that?” A warrior with black armbands pointed at the female in Noeh’s arms.
Noeh tensed. “Someone who needs our help.” He clenched his jaw, the instant ache a sign his emotions were right under the surface. “She’ll be our guest at the Keep until she’s healed. At least until we know more about her.”
He adjusted her in his arms, and her head lay against his chest. The scent of carnations and mint closed in on him again. His inner beast stirred, awakened by the tiny female.
He didn’t know what else to say to his warriors; words escaped him. She’d survived the Gossum, and for that, she deserved to live another day. His heart ached for this female, for the torture she’d endured. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and breathed in deep. Something about her called to him, and he couldn’t ignore the impulse to hold her close.
He hated his reaction to her, all too aware that he knew nothing about her, and better yet, she knew nothing about him. Reaffirmed in his decision to return to the Keep with the peculiar female, he headed for the door and didn’t look back.
Chapter Five
Warm arms engulfed Melissa, cradling her against a strong masculine chest. She snuggled deeper into her protector, enjoying the musk of pine and sage. Voices penetrated her mind, but she couldn’t make out the words. Two males argued, one more distinct than the other. The timbre of the deep voice resonated within her as she struggled to regain consciousness.
“You look terrible. Get some rest.” The male’s voice broke through the fog and stroked her insides.
Placed on a hard surface, the comforting warmth that surrounded her evaporated. Heavy footsteps echoed in her ears, but she pretended to sleep.
Confused and scared, she did a mental assessment of her body. No missing parts. No chains. Her skin still burned in places, and memories of the branding iron crossed her mind. No, Mel, don’t go there. Focus. A hard surface, a blanket, and the plush texture of a pillow—where was she?
“I’ll be fine, but I should evaluate her before I leave. You know, she’s awake and listening to our conversation.”
She knew that voice—Gaetan!
Melissa opened her weary eyes, but the light blinded her. She raised her hand to block the glare. A figure rose in front of her. She stared at the shadow of a large male. He wasn’t Gaetan. His head and shoulders loomed over her, and the coiled muscles in his large arms flexed. A waft of pine and sage passed under her nose. She had a faint recollection of already meeting him. Where?
“Who are you?” the male asked.
Despite his bitter tone, the deep timbre of his voice caressed her.
“Noeh, your bedside manners need work.” Gaetan nudged Noeh out of the way. “Dim lights.”
The room darkened enough so she could see. She looked from Gaetan to Noeh, with his short-cropped blond hair and pale blue eyes. He had a unique marking around his right eye which seemed to pulse under his skin. His jaw flexed, and his lips drew into a thin line. He was handsome despite his sour demeanor. A sudden urge to touch him made her fingers tingle. Heat rose from her neck to her face, and she glanced at Gaetan.
“You are safe now,” he said. “How do you feel?”
Hungry. “F-fine. Where am I?”
She looked beyond the two males. They were in a room with several stone tables, all polished to an elegant sheen. Light glowed from the crystals imbedded in the walls. Their beauty reminded her of the stars on a cloudless night. The entire room was carved from stone, and the ceiling seemed high at over twelve feet tall. Bottles of different shapes and sizes lined the shelves, their contents ranging from liquid to plant material to vibrant crystals. A solitary wooden stool stood in the corner, its seat worn on one side.
She propped herself up on one arm, her hair cascading over her shoulder and onto the table. Noeh gasped and took a step back.
Great, I must look stunning. She grimaced, and her ears burned from her embarrassment. Gaetan helped her sit. She rubbed her arms, trying to avoid the red sores.
“Your wounds appear to be healing,” Gaetan said. “Are you injured anywhere else?”
“No, I’m fine. The marks will heal in a few hours.”
“Good. I need to rest, restore my body. Ah, healing stones, there’s nothing better.” Gaetan grabbed a cane leaning against the wall and headed for the door. “Melissa, this is King Noeh. l leave you in his capable hands.”
The large wooden door creaked as it closed. She turned to face Noeh, who stood within arms-reach. His massive size dwarfed her. He wore a hand-sewn white shirt with wooden buttons down the front. His arms bulged and strained where the material rolled over his biceps. Black trousers covered his muscular legs and ended in a pair of black boots with short knives strapped to the leather. A short sword dangled from a scabbard attached to his belt, the hilt covered in orange stones. He was slightly taller and more muscular than Gaetan but had the same broad shoulders and thick arms. Neither this impressive male nor her former cell mate were human, but both appeared to be of the same species.
She studied his face and his distinguishing mark. The raised streaks around his right eye were uneven, more like a birthmark than a tattoo. Three straight lines jutted over his eyebrow, and a thin line down the side of his face connected to two swirls under his eye. The two whorls were a lighter color, as if they had faded. The marking added to his looks, fascinating her.
“Where am I?” she asked.
“You are in my realm in the underground Keep. The Gossum can’t hurt you here.”
As a Dren, she was used to the extraordinary, but the Keep was something new altogether.
He closed the gap to scrutinize her, and heat rose to her face. She peered at the ground then forced herself to return his stare. “You rescued me from the Gossum.”
“We rescued Gaetan, and you along with him.”
She studied him, and his blue eyes danced with flecks of gold. The colors swirled together, and they intrigued her.
He blinked and stepped away, putting distance between them. Turning his back to her, he ran his hand through his short-cropped hair. He peered at the ceiling, his jaw flexing as if he fought for control. He seemed formidable and dangerous. She should fear him, but somehow, she didn’t.
“Are you ok?” She slid off the bed, intending to approach him but her legs gave out under her weight. Strong hands wrapped around her arms, and she landed against his chest. Firm muscles flexed under his shirt, hardening under her touch. Her fingers tingled from the contact.
He raised her to a standing position, gently placing her on her feet. Her legs shook, more from his presence than her weakness, and his scent intoxicated her. Her fangs elongated, their sharp points pressing into her bottom lip.
He stared at her mouth, his eyes widening. Her exposed teeth hurt with need, and she licked her lips. His grip
tightened around her arms. He growled. She stared at his bare flesh beneath the lining of his collar where his vein pulsed with life.
“What are you?”
His voice was low and tense, driving all thoughts of feeding from her mind. She pulled back, and he released her. She leaned against the table, using it to support her body.
“I’m a Dren.” She tried not to think of his blood and how it might taste.
“And what is a Dren?”
She raised an eyebrow. “What are you?”
“Interesting. You wish to play games.” A smile graced the corner of his mouth. “You first.”
Something about him, the way he carried himself and the warmth of his eyes, led her to trust him. She studied him for a moment then decided to tell him the truth.
“Dren are children of the Panthera, hence ‘Dren.’ Panthera are changelings that shift into black panthers. They transform us from humans through their bite.”
“Doesn’t that make you a Panthera?”
“No, true Panthera are born. Dren are not as strong as Panthera and can’t change form.” Melissa wrinkled her nose. “We retain most of our human qualities but receive a special talent anywhere from controlling animals to reading minds. Each of our powers is unique. We keep them fueled through blood.”
“That explains the fangs,” he said.
Noeh stepped closer, causing Melissa’s heartbeat to pick up its pace.
“Yes, we have fangs, but only drink from the opposite sex. Often, the ritual is performed between two lovers, but can be done between friends.” She inhaled. His proximity made her light-headed, and her vision blurred. Her hunger roared to life. All she wanted was to grab him and drink her fill. Her fangs extended again.
She’d fed three weeks ago from a male Dren, a friend. Most Dren fed every few days, but some managed to go without for several weeks before the dementia took hold. Once that happened, they would feed on any creature. The tainted blood would eventually kill them, after their brain functioned at an animal level. Melissa shuddered. She pushed away from the table, staggering over to a counter filled with bottles of liquids and herbs. Her legs shook, but not as bad as before.
