by L. E. Horn
“Are you okay?” Hannah asked, her face creased in concern.
“Yeah.” Lianndra massaged her temples with her hands. “I’m going for a bath. You coming?”
When Hannah hesitated, Lianndra smiled at her. I think she has other things on her mind.
“On second thought, I could use some alone time. I suspect Drake would like a private consult,” Lianndra said.
Hannah hugged her. “I’ll see you later.” She hurried toward the rebel camp.
Lianndra turned and headed along the path to the bathing pools.
GENTLE SPLASHING WOKE MICHAEL FROM his daze as he stood submerged in the cold water. He could see someone in the heated pool, a female human by the looks of it.
Feeling like a voyeur, he was about to move to alert her to his presence when she rose. Dripping wet hair formed to her shapely body. With a long, fluid movement, she dove from the warm pool into his cold one and he saw the flick of a tail in the dying light. A short tail with a long tuft of hair.
Lianndra.
His heart flipped over in his chest, making the blood roar in his ears as raw emotion returned with a rush. He didn’t remember moving, but suddenly he was diving, long and deep, surfacing directly in front of her.
Michael smothered her small, startled cry by folding his arms around her and kissing her hard. He heard growling and dimly recognized its source—a continuous rumble from deep in his chest.
SHOCK AND FEAR COURSED THROUGH Lianndra at being restrained by strong male arms. Panicked, she twisted and managed to wrench an arm free from where he had it pinned against her side. She grabbed him around the bicep, her anger spiking and her mind rearing back like an angry snake ready to strike.
At the last possible second, recognition came on the merest breath of warm air. Michael? What the hell! Instead of blasting him with her mind, she released his arm and clouted him hard with an open hand. Her claws caught his cheek and left vivid red lines in their wake.
Michael released her and snarled, lips drawn over long, pointed canines. She was so angry she snarled back. As his aggressive attack triggered an equally aggressive response, a part of her acknowledged what she might do to him. Damn him, doesn’t he know how dangerous this is? He knows I have killed before to defend myself. I can kill him if I lose control. I’ve got to get some distance. She backed away, turned, and dove for the pond’s edge.
His reflexes were lightning fast. Michael caught her before she could get out, using her tail to pull her back to him. He grabbed her wrists and crossed them in front of her, pinning her against his rock-hard body as his teeth closed on the thin skin of her neck.
Gotta get control! Lianndra knew if she lost it now, she could kill him. She stifled her scream and fought for composure. Michael wasn’t drinking her blood like a Fang, staving off the brutal, terrifying memories from her past. He’s trying to hold onto me with something other than just his arms. Like he wants to merge us into one being. His heart pounded hard against her shoulder; his rapid breathing whistled through his teeth. He can’t help himself. He’s fighting the Beast, but he’s losing.
Michael’s height enabled him to stand, while Lianndra remained suspended in the water—defenseless in his grasp. I’m not without options, but I don’t want to hurt him. This is Michael. I did this to him. I turned him into a monster. It’s up to me to fix this.
She relaxed as much as she could in his arms. “Michael. Stop.”
His growling increased, the sound vibrating through her. The arms locked around her trembled. She could smell him, a heavy, animal musk. “Michael. Stop.” Did the teeth release just a little? She raised her voice again. “Michael. Stop. You’re hurting me.”
The teeth released. Blood trickled down her shoulder. She heard the sharp intake of breath.
“No!” Half-growl, it was a sound of pure anguish and denial. He flung her away from him with so much force he sent her rolling onto the bank. A wall of water washed over her as he dove away.
If I let him go now, he’ll hate himself forever. Bracing herself, she followed him. He saw her coming and backed against the rock, a tall, dark form with eyes glowing gold and a look of pure desperation on his face.
“Get away!” His rough voice broke. “I’ll hurt you. Stay away from me!”
He thinks he’ll hurt me. I’m worried about hurting him. Suddenly things became a lot clearer. Any fear of his bestial side vanished, and she moved closer. The ground rose beneath her feet. When he moved to get around her, Lianndra blocked him with a quick sideways step.
His chest heaved with each breath. “No.” Michael rasped. He could push her away but obviously didn’t want to risk any physical contact. She looked at his towering form and noticed the muscles of his shoulders and arms trembled with the effort of holding himself back. “I can’t control it. Get away from me!”
“Michael.” She waited for his eyes to come back to hers. His pupils were huge, the irises wild—pulsing gold circles glowing through his tangled dark hair.
“Go. Please,” he begged with a hoarse voice.
“No.” She held her ground. “You cannot hurt me, Michael. I can kill you with a thought. You should be afraid of me. Not the other way around.” I know what I must do. I have to see this through before it’s too late. Before either of us is driven completely crazy. Before we’re killed in this bloody war.
Michael pressed backward, flattening himself against the rock. His eyes glowed at her out of the darkness.
He looks magnificent, like a cornered lion. Her keen eyesight picked out every detail: the dark hair cascading over his broad shoulders, the slightest quivering of his arm muscles, and the cloth clinging to the ridged scar crossing his abdomen. Michael’s musky fragrance carried across the lapping water. Her nostrils flared wide, drinking him in. A wave of dizziness made her feel weak at the knees. Lianndra’s heart raced as adrenaline and something much more primitive combusted within her, lighting her senses on fire.
Pushing aside her fear, Lianndra opened her heart, embracing those instincts. A corner of her lip lifted, and she growled as she stepped closer.
His eyes widened, even as his body responded. A tortured, deep groan revealed the battle between his animal desire to join her and his equally strong human will to keep away. Clenched fists dropped to his sides and his body coiled into a crouch.
Lianndra stepped aside, creating an opening for him to escape. Michael lunged, attempting to duck past her through the cascade of water. With timing honed by months spent swinging through the jungle, she leaped straight through the falling water and into his arms. She clasped her hands behind his neck, grasping his thigh with her tail as her legs wrapped around his narrow hips, locking their bodies together.
Without conscious thought, his strong hands caught her. She focused and retracted her hair clothing to the merest silky covering. He shuddered as her breasts brushed against his chest.
Michael’s skin felt soft beneath her fingertips, and yet he was as hard as steel beneath it. He smelled wonderful, warm, and musky—and very male. She growled as she buried her nose against his neck, feeling his muscles heave and his hands shift to brace against her hips. With a sharp breath of denial, he started to push her away. Then she heard the swift intake as his body recognized her total nakedness. A deep groan wrenched from his throat as he lost all hold on his sanity.
This time, she let herself go with him, matching him tooth for tooth and growl for growl. They splashed and tore at each other. She ripped the remaining clothes from his body, trailing her claws over the big pectoral muscles as he nipped teeth along her neck and ran his hands over her breasts. She arched her back, pushing her hips into his, tightening her legs around him and feeding the urgent heat between them.
The contact pushed the Beast over the edge. He pinned her against the rock, taking her with a savagery she met with equal ferocity. She gasped as her body stretched to receive him, and their hips moved to an instinctive rhythm. Michael’s teeth locked on her shoulder and warmth flowe
d along her skin. It unleashed a reaction she couldn’t contain even if she’d wanted to. She heard herself snarl like a cat as she dug claws into the back muscles bunching and stretching beneath her hands. His entire body vibrated with a deep rumble that grew louder and more intense with each second. She reached for him with her mind, instinctively going within, seeking a deeper connection. He seized her in a wave of need so primitive and overwhelming that her breath caught in her throat.
The intimate combination of raw emotion and physical sensation took them over the edge in a moment of blinding clarity. They shattered as one, coming apart even as they were lost within each other.
Breathing heavily and still locked together, Michael carried her to the pool’s edge. He lifted her out of the water and into the deepening shadows. Laying her on the soft moss, Michael collapsed beside her.
Lianndra watched as the gold faded from his eyes and his canines slid into their sheaths. His gaze drifted to her shoulder where the twin fang marks already healed. She saw the exact moment when the realization of what he’d done touched his face and reached out a hand to trail a finger across his lips.
“Our secret,” she said with a smile. “I don’t want it getting around that I like to play rough.”
He looked astonished, made a choking noise—and laughed. The sound transformed to something else, and he pulled her close.
She pulled back enough to kiss him, pressing her damp naked body against his. Fascinated, she watched the gold in his irises overtake the silver.
More reliable than a mood ring, she thought, stretching to nibble along his jaw to his earlobe.
Michael groaned low in his throat. This time, he’d enough control to be gentle. Sort of. It was soon clear Lianndra meant what she said. She left him bleeding every time.
AN INCREASE IN ACTIVITY AROUND the Great Hall woke Lianndra. Michael was lying alongside her, propped on an elbow, watching her with those beautiful silver eyes. She stretched. When she looked back at him, the gold flecks were obvious, even in the darkness.
“We have to go,” she whispered but didn’t move. He leaned forward and brushed her lips with a kiss. In response, she traced his collarbone with a finger, sliding her hand down, fascinated by the expanding gold flecks in his eyes. His smooth skin sheathed muscles sprung like steel, and she couldn’t get enough of the sensation. He shivered when she touched the scar across his abdomen and shifted restlessly when her hand moved lower.
“Be careful what you start.” His voice was soft but hoarse. He flinched when she made contact, trying to pull away. “Ahh . . . I thought you said we had to go.”
“Having to and wanting to are two different things.” Especially when healing ability has certain fringe benefits. We should be mellow and drained, but here we are, ready to go another round. With a sigh, she removed her hand. While she could use hair growth to cover her nakedness, they would need to find Michael some clothes.
“I’ll go get you something to wear.” She laughed, rolled out of his reach, and rose to dance free of a second grab, before moving into the bushes. Lianndra heard him growl as she walked off, hips swaying and tail twitching.
For the first time in longer than she could remember, her heart was happy. And she had a sense the man lying behind her felt the same way.
MICHAEL AND LIANNDRA ENTERED THE meeting room together. Lianndra gave a subtle wave to Hannah, standing with Drake. She saw Hannah’s eyes dart from her to Michael before grinning broadly and giving Drake a poke in the ribs. When he merely glanced down, Hannah pulled him lower so she could whisper into his ear. I think our secret is out, Lianndra thought.
Meanwhile, Michael cleared a path to a spot against the wall. As she leaned back against him, Lianndra smiled and ignored Hannah’s attempts to catch her eye.
Virra seemed solemn as she introduced the miniGryphon Kika and Harn as the Darkon specialists. With a nod acknowledging the last to arrive, she said, “We do not have time for me to explain the technical details provided by my colleagues regarding the Darkon. Much about our little friends remains mysterious. With the Healers’ help, they feel it is possible to use the Darkon as a weapon against the plasma cannon. It will be a high-risk endeavor due to the close contact required.”
Lianndra sensed Michael’s body go rigid behind her. We knew this was likely to happen, she thought with a pang.
Virra looked at her. “Lianndra, we need you to select up to four more Healers to help you with the plasma cannon project. I can give you further details after this meeting.” She waited until the Healer acknowledged her with a nod before continuing. “Meanwhile, we cannot ignore the threat posed by the Tlok’mk ground assault. Our scouts report the Tlok’mk forces have assembled and they are on the move toward a single target.” Virra looked to Kesar, who loomed at one end of the table. “We are to begin an all-out ground offensive as soon as our troops are gathered. We will be pooling all able-bodied Gryphon from the valleys and will count on support from the rebels who are willing.” She looked at Drake, who nodded, and at Michael, who frowned but gave a brisk dip of his chin. “Kesar will work with our communications expert Shan. She will coordinate the incoming warriors, and will have a total census for you within the next eight hours.” Virra pressed the palms of her hands together and her ears flattened against her skull. “All is set in motion and may our intertwined fates bring us a successful resolution. Tirrek raih, my friends.”
All the Gryphon copied her. As the humans followed suit, Lianndra contemplated the words. It sounded much like tireck ray in English, but the Gryphon pronounced it with a rolling trill that was beautiful. Not for the first time, she wondered just what it meant.
Everyone talked at once as they filed out of the room.
Michael’s hands pressed heavily on Lianndra’s shoulders, his fingers digging into her skin. She twisted to face him and squeezed a big hand in both of hers, standing on tiptoe to whisper as he bent closer to her. “I’ll see you after I talk to Virra, but before you have to go.” Then, with a final touch, she left to talk to Hannah.
Drake moved away and, with a final look back at Lianndra, Michael followed him.
Meanwhile, Lianndra and Hannah approached Virra.
“What’s the plan?” Hannah asked the miniGrypha.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
THE VALLEY HUMMED WITH THE activity of a community preparing for a desperate battle. As Michael loaded weapons onto a hovercart, he saw Hannah appear and talk to Drake. The rebel captain nodded before heading for Michael.
“What’s up?” Michael checked the strapping on a sword hilt and set it into the cart. His heart pounded, but he didn’t think he would lose control—at least, not immediately. He tried not to think about being separated from Lianndra, or of the risky mission she would undertake.
“Hannah experienced problems with the Darkon. She tries but loses the link and can’t get it back. They’ve sent for Andrea and two other Healers, hoping they might be better at talking to them.” The captain pushed his dark, curly hair out of his eyes. “Sounds like Lianndra will accompany the ships. She’s still in there, planning with the Gryphon.”
Michael nodded, examining a knife for nicks. Dividing his attention helped to keep other thoughts at bay.
“I’m leaving with this load,” Drake said. Michael knew the rebel leader understood all too well the emotional dynamics involved. But we must consider the big picture. “Come along when you’re ready, mate,” the captain said. “I’m sure Karn will be keen to bring you.” He clapped Michael on the arm and left, calling instructions to others as he did.
Michael tossed the knife on the cart and watched Drake walk away. He looked toward the Great Hall, wondering when Lianndra would emerge. His heart ached, and Michael longed to go with her. He dreaded being separated but knew his best contribution to the war was on the ground. There’s no room for a Berserker on a spaceship.
EWTK’FISK SAT AT HER OFFICE console when the message came down the line of command. She stared at it in shock for an
inordinate amount of time. In fact, she remained staring at it when one of her peers materialized in the doorway.
“Is it true?” Her coworker’s eyes swirled orange, mirroring an expression Ewtk’fisk believed to be her own.
Ewtk’fisk stood and pushed past the Fara, and headed to her supervisor’s office. Halfway there, her superior emerged and snapped orders. Within seconds, Ewtk’fisk hurried away down the corridor and stepped onto the lift.
She was in a daze. There was no precedent, for it had never been done before. As the lift transferred them to the ward level, Ewtk’fisk fought off panic.
The startled ward leaders set out to gather those under their jurisdiction. The sturdy lifts reserved for large equipment began their new task—moving slaves. A few levels below, the massive free-fall transports necessary for carrying personnel through the planetary shield prepared to haul more than twice their usual load.
This, Ewtk’fisk thought, is the end.
First, they sent every capable Farr to the surface, leaving only the disabled and aged. Without the Farr, there was no need for entertainment, so the Blooddances and Pitfights halted. Then the Healer project terminated with no explanation, although Ewtk’fisk suspected why. And now this.
Where are we going to be when it all ends? What will be left? she wondered.
LIANNDRA SIGHED IN EXHAUSTION AS she stumbled out of the Great Hall. The sky brightened and the shadows ran long and dark in the fading moonlight. The valley was silent since most Gryphon had left for the rendezvous point. She looked toward where the rebels camped and noticed the men had departed as well.
Has Michael left without saying goodbye? She knew he might not have been able to wait. Her meeting with Virra and the subsequent work with the Darkon took longer than expected.
