by Rosalie Redd
With the aid of the shield, their rivals fought without fear. Many of his warriors faltered, some down on one knee, others using their swords as a shield. The panthers backed up, trying to put space between them and the enemy.
“Retreat!”
The word grated on Noeh’s nerves, but he couldn’t afford to lose any more lives in this battle. Saar stared at Noeh, his questioning gape like knives in Noeh’s gut.
“Retreat!” He grabbed Saar and pushed him toward the woods. Warriors started to run, their feet pounding on the earth as they fled. Noeh hung back, despite the waves of blackness that threatened to overtake his mind. He would ensure all the warriors, both Stiyaha and Panthera, returned to the Keep.
He turned to face Ram. Hatred roiled through his stomach, causing a bitter taste in his mouth. “Someday soon you and I will battle, and I will see your black blood pool at my feet!”
*****
Ram stared at Noeh, his enemy’s shock and anxiety clear on his pale face. Good. That was as it should be.
“Stop them!” He jumped down from the fountain, the shield shimmering out as he landed on the tall grass. They couldn’t get away, not when he was so close. “Hurry, we must capture one.” If he couldn’t kill Noeh, he wanted one of those cats.
A portal broke free in the shadow of the trees. The mist rose from the damp earth and coalesced into a large ball. Panthera and Stiyaha warriors jumped through the mist one by one.
“Hurry!” The air burned Ram’s lungs as he ran.
Noeh stopped. He alone remained on this side of the gateway. He raised his hands and bellowed, the sound making the branches of the nearby trees quiver. “Swords, come to me!”
Like a missile, the two weapons from the dead Stiyaha they’d killed at the back door flew through the air. The wind they created almost flipped Ram’s cap off his head. Noeh held the swords in his hands, a fierce gleam in his eyes.
“I will get my revenge.” He jumped through the mist, and the portal closed.
Silence filled the air as the void restored itself to quiet nighttime conditions.
Ram stared at the empty space. Pride filled him as he scanned the faces of his brood. His recruits had performed well tonight. He pumped his fist in the air in a sign of victory. “Woohoo! Plenty of vodka for everyone tonight. We celebrate!”
Grunts and cheers erupted from the group.
He glanced back at the spot where the portal had closed. The shield was great, but he needed something else. Something to kill Noeh. He needed to research that, yes, indeed. He chuckled and reveled in the knowledge he could, and would, win this war.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Noeh landed on the stone floor of the Portal Navigation Center. Moans and cries from the injured warriors assaulted his ears. He crouched down, his body still absorbing the shock from his leap through the mist. His bones ached from the impact, but that was nothing compared to the burden he carried in his soul. Too many Lemurians had died today.
“Close the portal!” he shouted.
He stood and assessed the damage. Jacob, a Stiyaha warrior, sat against the wall, one leg straight, the other bent at the knee. Pain crossed his face as he massaged his thigh. The numerous pinpoints of a Gossum’s bite showed through the rip in his black pants.
A Panthera warrior lay on the stone floor near the edge of the porte stanen. Demir and Aramie pressed cloths against the wounds on his arms and neck. Other males, with varying degrees of injuries, lined the edges of the room. The light from the sunstones imbedded in the ceiling glared down upon them.
Saar grunted nearby, and a cut bled on his bicep. His swollen lip protruded from his face, but he was otherwise unharmed. He had an arm under a Stiyaha warrior. The male buckled, and Saar helped him stay upright, barely.
Craya! What a disaster. Noeh’s stomach twisted, and bile rose in his throat. This was his fault. Those warriors’ deaths were on him.
Rin worked at a frantic pace. His arms moved in large circles over the sunstones. Sweat ran down his face from the exertion. The gateway closed as the last of the mist dissipated into the air. Small water droplets fell from the cave ceiling, and the walls of the Keep were damp with moisture.
“She weeps.” Rin’s downturned mouth and sad eyes were a sharp confirmation that lives had been lost today.
Noeh still held Caleb’s and Jade’s swords in his hands—all that remained of his fierce warriors. The weight of their demise became more than he could withstand. With a sorrowful heart, he placed their weapons against the wall. He’d care for them later, when he could give them the attention they deserved.
Gaetan hurried into the room, as fast as his cane would allow. His eyes flashed orange as he took in the scene. He tapped his cane against the porte stanen, once, twice, three times. The sound of the wood against the large stone platform echoed around the room. The soldiers quieted, until only the groans of the injured bounced off the cave walls.
Gaetan pointed at two males slouched in the corner. “Saar, take these two to the infirmary and any others who can get there under their own power.”
Saar hurried to do as directed, taking a couple of other, less injured, warriors with him.
Gaetan knelt next to the Panthera lying on the ground by Demir and Aramie. They’d done what they could to make him comfortable, but he moaned, the soft wail evidence of his pain.
Melissa entered the room and rushed to Gaetan’s side.
Noeh stilled. He couldn’t believe his eyes. A dark cloud of frustration formed in his mind. She’d escaped, yet again.
Gaetan pointed to the stretchers at the back of the room. Melissa nodded and raced to get one. She focused on her task, her mouth pinched down in concentration.
Noeh blinked, and her spell over him broke. He joined the bustle of activity and helped place the damaged fighter on the cot.
Noeh focused on Melissa. “What are you doing here? It’s not safe.”
She gaped at him, and determination lined her brow. “I’m here to help.”
She focused on the gash on his forehead, and her features softened. She reached up to touch him. Her tender fingers were like a salve to his damaged mind. They eased his anger and calmed his frayed nerves.
“You’re injured. You ok?” Her eyebrows bunched together.
She could’ve asked him anything at that point, and he wouldn’t have heard. He glanced down at her plump lips. What would they feel like if he kissed her? Would she respond to him?
“Noeh!”
Gaetan’s voice brought Noeh out of his reverie. A tingling swept up his back and over his shoulders. Angry with himself for his momentary distraction, he helped Gaetan strap the wounded Panthera onto the stretcher for transport to the infirmary.
“I think he’ll live, but I want to get an IV in him to get rid of some of the venom.” Gaetan glanced at Noeh’s forehead. “You may want to stop by the infirmary when you get a chance.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s just a small flesh wound. I didn’t take in much venom.”
Noeh stepped back and let the Haelen do his job. Melissa left with Gaetan and his gaze followed her. He couldn’t help but notice wherever she went. Somehow, he had to get her out of his mind. She was off limits to him.
A movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He looked in that direction, only to find a set of yellow eyes staring at him. Demir’s expression was one Noeh was now well familiar with—smugness and irritation.
*****
Demir seethed as Noeh’s glare locked onto him. Two of his Pride had died because of this so-called king. Demir fisted his hands, and his knuckles cracked.
The last of the injured warriors was on his way to the infirmary. That left just Noeh, Aramie, and himself alone in the Portal Navigation Center. He wanted to throttle that Stiyaha’s massive neck.
He glanced at his second in command. Her red barrette drew his eyes like a beacon. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Let’s go, Aramie.” He lifted his chin and headed for the exi
t. The ache in his leg caused him to limp.
“You should have that leg checked out, make sure the venom is gone.”
Noeh’s words skated across Demir’s nerves. His muscles bunched and a tic started to pulse in his jaw. “Your concern for my well-being is so…touching.”
“Up to you, but I wouldn’t mess around with Gossum venom. It has a nasty aftereffect.” Noeh raised his eyebrow.
“I’ve taken many a hit before. It’s nothing.” Demir peered at Aramie and motioned for the entranceway.
“Wait.” Noeh’s deep voice echoed off the walls.
Demir stopped, but didn’t turn around. Aramie bumped into him, her strong hands landing on his back. “What do you want, Stiyaha?”
“We need to talk about what happened out there. It can’t happen again.”
Demir turned around and pushed Aramie to the side. Spittle flew from his mouth when he spoke. “You’re damn right it can’t happen again. I lost two Panthera out there, and it’s your fault.” He held his head high and stared at Noeh, daring him to say otherwise.
“I agree, their deaths are my fault. I should never have let you come along. That is a mistake I won’t make again.” Noeh headed for the exit, his long strides full of determination.
Heat rose up Demir’s neck and into his face, along with his temper. He blocked Noeh from leaving the room and placed a hand on his chest. “Your lack of action is what killed them. I couldn’t wait any longer.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Gossum. Their war cries as they attacked the two warriors you sent around back were louder than a full warrior regiment. When you didn’t respond, I did.”
Noeh stepped back, a frown creasing his face. “What? I didn’t hear a thing.”
“And that is what cost me the lives of two warriors.” Demir crossed his arms.
“You aren’t the only one who lost warriors today.” Noeh spoke through his clenched teeth.
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?”
“Stop it, both of you.” Aramie’s voice broke the tension, and she placed herself between the two males. Her strawberry scent filled the air, making Demir’s head spin.
“We need to learn to work together. That’s why the gods brought us here, don’t either of you remember?” she asked.
Noeh sighed and ran his hand across his short hair. He turned and paced the room. Demir wanted to lunge at the male, rip out his throat. Sharp claws extended from his fingers.
“You two will have to figure out a way to get along, if we are to defeat the Gossum.” Aramie stood with her arms crossed over her chest. Her dark brown eyes flashed with resolve and commitment.
Noeh stopped his pacing. “As king, I take responsibility for the lives that were lost.” A firm line creased his mouth. He studied Demir for a few seconds. When he spoke, his rough voice carried across the room. “Can I count on you, Panthera? Will you and your warriors work with mine to defeat Ram?”
Demir weighed his options. Noeh’s warriors seemed to follow their king without question. He stroked his goatee, and the feel of the hair against his fingers soothed his mind. Noeh had saved his life today. Demir should be grateful, but that just stuck in his craw.
Placing his hands at his sides, he nodded. “Yes, we will work together.”
How that would work out was anyone’s guess.
Aramie pressed her palm to her chest and exhaled. “I will let our Pride know. Where and when do we start?”
Noeh glanced between Aramie and Demir. “We need to spar, learn from each other before we go out again. Saar will get back to you. We should move on this as soon as possible.”
“Agreed.” Demir’s mind raced with possibilities…many possibilities.
“I’m heading to the infirmary to check on the injured.” Noeh’s glare met Demir’s before Noeh walked out of the room. His quick strides left a rush of air in his wake.
Aramie’s glazed eyes made it clear she was lost in her own thoughts. Demir snapped his fingers in her face. “Hey, cat got your tongue?”
She looked at him, and a slight smile lifted the corner of her mouth. Ah, she liked his pun. He relaxed now that he was alone with his second in command.
“You know…you wouldn’t be here now, if it weren’t for Noeh.” She bit her bottom lip, and a worried expression crossed her face.
Demir’s smile faded, and he scowled. “Don’t remind me. I feel a certain debt to him now. That irks me more than you know.” He pursed his lips and peered at her. “It won’t matter in the end.”
“What does that mean?”
He shrugged. “Read whatever you want into it.”
“No, you’re not still thinking of taking over the Keep?”
Demir raised an eyebrow.
“You lied to him, didn’t you.” Aramie cocked her head and gave him a pointed look.
“I didn’t lie. We’ll work together to defeat the Gossum.” He crossed the room and touched the sunstones lining the edge of the porte stanen. “But when I get the chance, the Keep will be mine. If that means Noeh dies, so be it.”
“Is this really about Noeh? Or is this about Melissa?”
Heat rose into his cheeks. He stared her down, but she didn’t give in as he expected. Instead, she pushed his buttons.
“Are you willing to kill to get her? Is Noeh just an obstacle because he protects her?”
“Stop. Right. There.” He wasn’t sure he could control himself. His vision turned the room into a red haze. The glands under his skin secreted his scent, a clear warning to back down.
“Your obsession with her isn’t healthy.”
Aramie’s soft words penetrated into his mind. “Your concern is appreciated, but not needed.”
“I-I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Her words surprised him, and he stilled. She didn’t move, and her eyes held his gaze.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “She reminds me so much of Eleanor. I would do anything to possess her.” He turned and left the room. His thoughts roiled around in his head. When it came to Melissa, he wasn’t sure what was right and wrong anymore.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Melissa poured a few drops of disinfectant onto the counter to wet the stone down. The air in the infirmary smelled of cleanser, erasing the bitter tang of blood from the injured warriors. She’d worked hard helping the wounded, and her arms still ached from the exertion. Focusing on her task, she grabbed a clean cloth from the pile next to the salves and bandages.
Gaetan was a stickler for cleanliness, and rightfully so, as the infirmary received constant use. The medical equipment needed to be ready to go at all times. The only thing left to do was wipe down the examination tables.
Gaetan stood next to the large stone cabinet, the one that held most of the smaller tools and instruments. He cleaned out a canister containing numerous knives and scalpels. His eyes were focused on his task, his mouth pinched in concentration.
Melissa zeroed in on the black mark that traced the back of his hand. The lines ran from under the cuff of his shirt and down to his fingers where the four lines ended in round circles. What did they represent?
“You were very helpful today. Where did you learn medicine?” He watched her as she headed for the nearest table.
“When the Pride lived in the Rockies, I picked up a few tips.” She shrugged. “Gossum were a constant threat. I had to learn quickly.”
A loud knock startled her, and she pulled in a deep breath to calm herself. As Gaetan went to open the door, she shook to release the extra energy burning in her veins.
Noeh walked in, and her heart skipped a beat.
“I thought you would show up sooner or later.” Gaetan eyed Noeh’s forehead and squinted. “You want anything for that?”
“Nah. I wanted to see how the warriors were doing. They’re gone?” Noeh raised his eyebrows and peered around the room. His gaze paused on her, then wandered over her body. He visibly tensed, and the muscles in his arms bulg
ed.
A small flutter batted around in Melissa’s stomach. She liked the way Noeh stared, like he wanted to devour her. Trembling with delight, she moved around the table, not wanting Gaetan to see her reddened cheeks. He didn’t seem to notice her watching him.
Gaetan cleared his throat. “I ran into Melissa in the garden. She mentioned she’d helped injured warriors before, so I brought her along. With her help, we got the warriors fixed up and out of here pretty fast.”
“I’m glad to hear that. We can always use the help after a battle.” Noeh sat on the stool near the medicine cabinet, one leg on the foot post, the other firmly on the ground. He crossed his arms and leaned his back against the polished stone, his muscles straining under his white shirt.
Damn, he looked good. She wanted to ogle his body, but didn’t want him to know he had that effect on her. As she tried not to glance at the sexy male on the stool, she turned to Gaetan. “Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“If you don’t mind finishing the exam tables, I would appreciate it.” Gaetan smiled, and the lines in his face creased, making him appear older. “I need to rest. My leg has had quite enough for today.” He headed for the door, leaning on his cane for support.
“No problem. It will only take me a few minutes.”
Melissa had grown to care for Gaetan in the short time she’d known him. She admired how hard he worked to keep those around him alive and healthy. Worried about his leg, she wished his deformity didn’t pain him so much.
Gaetan closed the door behind him. Her senses heightened at the awareness she was alone in the room with a very tall, virile male. A current of electricity rippled through the air.
“You escaped. Perhaps I should put you in the dungeon.” Noeh’s voice was low and threatening. The resulting shiver that skated across her arms wasn’t from fear.
She wanted to pound her fists against his body. “I’ll just pick my way out of there, too.”
“Don’t bet on it.”
He stood. Against her will, her body responded to his intense stare. He headed straight for her, a wall of pure, masculine strength.
