by Aliyah Burke
Dane.
While the white tiger spun around, the one in black shifted into an orange tiger, the same size as Dane. Their roars made her teeth rattle, and the sound which rent the air when their bodies collided made her shudder. Still, Aida couldn’t pull her gaze from the bloody scene unfolding before her. There was hardly any light but thanks to the shaft of soft light from her shop, she could tell them apart. Kamau returned to her side, bleeding and exhausted, but Ruger stayed there alongside Dane. Helping when and where he could, ignoring his own bloodied body.
Her gaze was still glued to the sight when the orange tiger fell beneath the deadly jaws of the white one. Ruger limped back to her side and flumped to the ground. In the light, she could see the beautiful white and black coat shredded and bloody. Dane released another roar, this one even more ferocious than the previous. The tiger stared at her and lunged toward her, flipping agilely in the air at the last second to land heavily before her. His breathing came in ragged pants. He was on his last legs, she had no clue how he managed to keep his feet. It had to be by willpower alone.
Her own pain was pushed to the back of her mind. Ruger and Kamau also rose to their feet, bleeding and beaten as well, and took up a position on either side of her tiger, showing their willingness to face whatever was coming toward them…together.
A male voice flowed from the dark. “Let us help you, Dane.”
The tiger crouched and roared louder, his thick tail flicking side to side in increasing agitation.
“We mean her no harm, or you.” Another voice, female this time.
Aida strained to see who spoke but she couldn’t make anyone out. She hurt, and fear still swamped her. All three animals between her and those out there rumbled louder still, their blood running down their bodies being sucked up by the dry earth.
“Stop,” the female ordered. “You’re only making it worse, Ryinier.”
“Explain, Tairen,” the male said.
I know those names. Siblings. His family.
“She’s still unmated. As are you. You go any closer, and he’ll kill you.”
A muttered curse reached Aida, and she bit back her whimper of fear. “Go away,” she whispered. “Please, just go away.” Her throat was as dry as the ground she sat upon, and her sore ribs made breathing difficult.
“We are here to help,” Tairen said.
“Go away.”
“You are injured.”
“I don’t care. Dane’s hurt worse, and he won’t relax until you leave.”
“You dare—”
“Please go,” Aida interrupted.
Aida had no other way of knowing if they did, but all at once, all three animals fell silent. Grimacing in pain, she got to her feet, legs all wobbly. The tiger collapsed, and she went back to her knees by his head. He peeled back his blood-stained lips, exposing deadly canines to her. She held her hands over his head and shoulder, hesitated a second before lowering them to the stained fur.
“Okay, tiger-mine. I can’t lift you, so you have to get up.” One beautiful eye watched her. “Come on, get up.” He didn’t move. “Boys, go to the house.” Aida watched as her wounded dogs weakly did as she’d ordered. When they disappeared in the darkness, Aida tightened her fingers in the thick pelt.
Come on, Dane. I know you’re in there. Get up.
He hissed.
Complain all you want but get your ass up. Now!
A grumble left the big cat but he dragged himself to his feet. Together, they limped to the house. Leaving him and the dogs in the living room, she went to her room and dragged the mattress off her bed and back up the hall. Releasing it near the tiger, she pointed to it. Lay down. He did. I’ll be right back.
Aida winced as she pulled the mattress off the other bed and hauled it to the living room as well. Sweat popped up along her body, and she put on some water to boil. Grabbing her side, she gasped as more pain leeched into her. The tiger snapped.
Pot one boiled, and she quickly bathed her dogs’ wounds and put salve on them. Then put them on one mattress. Tears ran down her face when she carried another pot to Dane’s side.
“Still in tiger form?” she whispered, lowering to her knees beside him. A low warning snarl left him. “Growl all you want; you’re not strong enough to do anything.” She hoped he was still in there and the injured animal didn’t harm her. Carefully, she cleaned his wounds. It took some doing but she got him to flip over so she could do both sides.
Dane?
Her question was met by a force that seemed murky and dark. She didn’t like it. Lowering her face to the massive tiger’s, she stared into his eyes.
Listen to me, Dane Sidorov. You fight your way back here. I don’t care how; you just get your fine ass back here. As nice as you are to look at in tiger form, I’d really prefer the man.
Aida locked up her house, shut off the lights and stumbled back to the living room. Kissing her boys, Aida lay beside the monstrous tiger, buried one hand deep in his coat where it barely moved with his shallow breaths. She was scared but her body left her no choice and she was pulled into slumber with one final thought for the creature she lay with.
Thank you, Dane, for saving me.
* * * *
He ached. In all of his existence, he’d never felt so sore after battling. The battle. Aida.
“Aida!” he yelled, bolting up from the ground, his eyes desperately seeking her out. To no avail. Nothing looked familiar although the land was lush and fertile. His body weaved, and he felt off kilter. “Okay. I have no clue where I am.” He reached for his tiger and frowned when he couldn’t locate him. Not even a trace of him could be found or felt. He scowled, not liking that implication one single bit.
Muffled voices reached him, and Dane whirled to find wraith-like forms moving toward him. “Welcome, Dane,” one said.
“Welcome, where?”
“Not our place to say. Come, the Master wants a word with you.”
“The Master?” Dane sighed and followed them.
He could feel the eyes of many on him, but he did his best to ignore them. He was antsy; not being able to feel his tiger didn’t sit well with him in the slightest. They led him to a small grove with a murky looking lake. On the far bank, thick moss hung from gnarled branches. Dane never turned away, not even when his escorts vanished.
“Welcome, Dane Sidorov,” a dark voice said.
“Who are you, and where am I?”
The moss drew back in two sections like it was a curtain. No animals could be heard but Dane still felt things watching him.
“Who am I? I am the Master.”
“Which means nothing to me. Why do you hide?”
“I don’t think you are worthy to see my true form. But why not indulge you in a little face time.”
A figure strode from the dark and over the water-like substance. It didn’t move beneath his feet. Dane found himself staring at the mirror image of himself.
“Should I thank you for emulating me?” Dane asked in a dry tone.
“You wear smugness well. I wonder how long it will last.”
A wave of the hand, and Dane no long faced himself but instead faced Siyamak. He barely stopped the hiss from escaping. Maintaining a bland expression, Dane dragged his eyes up and down the body.
“So you take the form of someone I’ve killed. Is this where I get scared?”
A snake of laughter filled the air. “Let me show you around.”
“Gonna tell me where this is?”
“If you tell me something after.”
“Sure.” Why he was making small talk with this so-called Master, he wasn’t sure.
“Uffernangau.”
Dane tensed before he could stop it. Uffernangau. Death’s Hell. The news was more than slightly disturbing. On one hand, he didn’t believe he was dead, and yet, he was currently in a place one didn’t usually think of returning from.
“Not going to ask why you’re here?”
He could hear the hope in the questi
on. “Figured you’d tell me. Is that your question?”
The Siyamak lookalike laughed. “No. I wondered how it felt standing,” his voice changed to that of Siyamak, “over me with my blood on your jaws and spilling into the ground. How could you? We were friends.”
Dane shrugged with nonchalance. “You crossed the line, Siyamak. You gave into the darkness.” Not to mention you attacked my mate.
“Like you’re so much better?” he hissed.
“I never said that. Don’t pretend you didn’t know it would come to that. I’d been after you for a while.”
“We were friends at one point.”
“True. At one point and I regret that.” Dane shook his head. “Why am I talking to you as if you were truly Siyamak? Why am I here?”
The voice was no longer Siyamak’s when it said, “This is where my subjects reside until I have need of them.”
Interesting. “And again, why am I here?”
“I figured to cut out the delay later on.”
“I’ve not given into the darkness. I don’t belong here.”
“You will.” The dark head tipped to the left, and Dane stared in that direction.
Dane felt his knees buckle when he stared at the sight of Aida falling bloody to the ground. Her head lolling to the side, showing him her eyes as they stared sightless into nothing. Aida!
Furious, he speared the mysterious “Master” with a glare. “What the hell is this?”
“Her future.” A dispassionate shrug. “Two days from now. See, Dane, had I left you there, you would try to save her, and that,” he paused, “would really not go with my plans. I’ve wanted your soul for a long, long time now. When you gave up all control, it wasn’t hard for me to tip the scales and keep you here. You are one of the most powerful enforcers I have ever encountered. Such a thrill—granted a bit of a pain—to watch you work. The emotionless way you kill those you knew, those you didn’t. Nothing flaps you. But, I will teach you to enjoy the kill. The things I can accomplish with you, not just in my army, but leading it.”
I will never work for you! “You’re telling me you’re keeping me here so Aida will die and I let the darkness totally consume me?”
He grinned. “You got it. So make yourself at home.” He turned to walk off but stopped and spun back. “Oh, one more thing. There’re a lot of people here that you sent. And while you can’t die, per se, it will hurt.” His chuckle was watery and disturbing.
“I can’t die because I’m not dead. And you don’t own me.”
“Semantics. I’ll own you before you can find a way out to your precious Aida. But, if you don’t, I’ll send her your thoughts.”
Dane watched him morph back into his exact twin. A smile was flashed and his twin vanished, the moss draping back over the empty void of darkness. Anger grew in the pit of Dane’s belly, and he swore he could hear the same whispers who’d tried to get him to give in before. Only this time they were louder. Cold tendrils wrapped around him, encouraging the rage.
He forced it back down. I have time to get back to her. Dane looked around and headed back the way he’d come. Best place to start is back at the beginning. Aida? There was nothing in response. Not that he’d been able to get in her head before but he had been hoping.
Pushing from the trees to the field, Dane groaned. He stared upon a group of people he’d killed during his duty as an enforcer. He wasn’t lying when he said there were people here I’d killed. At least I know how he plans on keeping me busy. The men and women spread out, and Dane stepped from the forest ready for the imminent attack.
* * * *
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Aida stirred slowly. Squinting from the bright light streaming in her windows, she looked at the white tiger still lying beside her. Not even a growl left him. His massive chest, which had barely moved last night, seemed to do so even less now.
“I’m coming!” she rasped.
Pushing to her feet, she cast a glance to her dogs who also lay as still as death. Opening the door, she sighed in relief at the sight of Kees there.
“Jesus, Aida. What the hell happened to you?”
“I need your help, Kees. Please. No questions, Kees.” Tears pricked at her eyes.
His gray eyes narrowed. “Aida,” he said.
“No, Kees. Your promise and your silence or else you need to leave.”
“I’m always here for you, Aida. Tell me what you need.”
“Come inside.” She looked around scared someone was watching the house. Kees followed her in, and when she pushed the door shut, his gasp filled the air.
“Fuck me!” He grabbed her arm, and the tiger released a weak whoof of irritation. “Aida, you have a bloody white tiger in your house.”
“I know. He’s injured. My boys are hurt, too. We’ll get to explanations later. I have a few badly bruised and broken ribs, Kees. I need you to wrap them.”
He chewed on his lower lip, dropping her arm. “Okay. I’m assuming we need to do this out here, so I’ll get the bandages and be back.” Kees took two steps before going way around the large, still snarling feline.
Aida checked on all three animals and knelt by Dane when Kees came back up to the living room.
“Come on, Aida, let’s get you wrapped up.”
Wincing, Aida walked to his side. She took a deep breath and pulled her shirt off. The big cat lying on her living room floor growled again. Stuff it, tiger-mine. My ribs are killing me, and I can’t do this myself. So unless you plan on shifting into a man with opposable thumbs…you’re gonna have to deal. The noise faded a little but didn’t stop. She was still bothered by the fact she couldn’t sense Dane in there. She sensed anger and abandonment.
“Your back is all bruised. What the hell happened?” Kees asked, touching her side.
She hissed in pain. “I’m still not sure. Someone attacked me.” More like something but she didn’t have the energy to relive that at this moment.
“Arms out.” Kees reached around her and began wrapping her ribs, tucking it up under her breasts. “Who attacked you?”
“I don’t know. Wasn’t there a body out there? There should have been three.”
“I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Is that too tight?”
Nothing was there? “It can be a bit tighter. Kees?”
“Yeah, babe?”
“You do see a tiger lying there, right?”
“Sure do. He looks like he wants to eat me. Why does he look like he wants to eat me? And why is he so bloody big?”
Aida smiled and looked back to the tiger. His eye was observing her interaction between her and Kees. She flinched when he tied the end off and handed her a shirt.
“Figured you’d want a button-down.” Aida slid it on and sent him a grateful smile while she buttoned it up. “I’ll go put on some water so we can clean wounds again. Go get some fresh bedding. I’ll wash that stuff after.”
“Thanks, Kees.”
“Don’t think this stops the explanation, Aida. After you get the bedding, come to the kitchen to eat.”
Aida did as he ordered, grateful he was here. Placing the clean linens on the edge of the couch, she went and ate the bowl of soup he set before her. When she went to get up prior to finishing it, he grasped her wrist.
“If you get weaker, Aida, who takes care of them?”
He made sense. Aida didn’t argue. As soon as the bowl was completely empty, she and Kees began cleaning the numerous wounds and changing bedding. The dogs were much easier. Kees simply lifted them off, and she stripped the mattress and replaced the sheets.
“I don’t know how we’re going to do this,” she said, crouching beside the tiger and touching him. His breaths came so shallow and far apart.
“He won’t let you me touch him, and I don’t want to stress him any more than my presence is. Do you think you can convince him to get up if I leave the room?”
“I’ll try.”
Kees grabbed the dirty be
dding and walked out. Aida did as much as she could without moving the tiger. “Okay, tiger-mine. I need you to get up. I have to get your other side cleaned.” She stared into the eye which watched her. “Come on, up ya get.” Aida touched the side of his face. “It’s not like you’re a small tabby cat here.”
Large lips lifted briefly, exposing pearly white canines. He struggled to get to his feet. Chuckling slightly, Aida finished fixing the bed as quickly as possible, crawling under the tiger without thinking about how wise it may be.
“Okay,” she said once finished. “Down you go.” The cat lay down and immediately watched her again. Aida grabbed the dirty blankets and carried them to where Kees waited.
“Got it done then?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay. Let’s get some food in them, and you can tell me what the hell is going on here.”
With a nod, they got some mashed food and sat down, Kees with her boys and she sat by the large feline. “Just don’t bite me, tiger-mine,” she said, pushing the bowl near his mouth.
“Anytime, Aida,” Kees reminded her.
Chapter Ten
Dane sat crouched on the branch, hidden by the thick foliage. While he couldn’t shift here, he found he still retained the strength, grace, and agility of his tiger. He observed the fifteen bodies between him and where he needed to be. He was right. I can hurt. A fact Dane didn’t mind. For if one was dead, they no longer felt pain.
Hang on, Aida, solnyshko moyo, hang on.
He longed to run along the branches, but Dane forced himself to wait. These weren’t ordinary humans, dead or not. These were beings with unique gifts as well. Plus he was already injured. When the time came, he figured he’d have one shot only. That was going to require him being relatively healthy. And fast.
They were fighting amongst themselves down there, and Dane listened to the bickering, realizing this may be his ace in the hole. His military mind planned while time counted down. A flurry of activity drew his attention from the squabbling group. A faction of five approached. Dane hissed silently. These weren’t dead; centuries of being an enforcer had taught him how to recognize the difference. The one in the lead struck out and decapitated one of the fifteen. The corpse disintegrated, and the remaining fourteen stepped back, heads lowered in deference.
