A Love Untamed (Feral Warriors #7)(80)

Her gaze met the animal’s, Fox’s, the intensity of emotion in his eyes leaping at her, wrapping around her, filling her with strength.

Deep inside, her old self trembled at the thought of killing again, then sighed, giving up the fight . . . no, joining it. Because there was no way in hell that any part of her would let Fox die when she might be able to save him. When she loved him.

She would never kill someone who didn’t need to die. Not now, at least. Her heart clenched at what she’d done to Julianne. She’d acted so coldly, but the danger to the Ilina race if word of their existence had leaked had been extreme. When it did finally leak, thanks to Kougar, the Mage poison master had attacked immediately and nearly killed them all. Their survival had been a near thing, and only due to Kougar’s help. Killing Julianne’s parents had been cold, yes, but not wrong.

The hardest thing to live with had always been the deaths of her ninety-six sisters, and for that she would forever feel the deepest remorse. But as Fox had said, she’d never meant for it to happen. She’d been wrong to go to the Mage for help, but she’d had no reason to think he’d turn on her. She couldn’t possibly have conceived of it.

As the terrible guilt lifted some of its debilitating weight from her shoulders, her world righted itself a little bit more. Deep inside, she felt a sigh as the battle she’d been waging against herself drained away. Ceraph and warrior joined together as one.

As the footsteps drew near, Melisande tensed for battle, her hand tight around the hilt of her sword. Taking a deep, slow breath, she calmed her mind, drawing on millennia of experience. Her mind clear of the fury, her compassion once more in good working order, she saw battle for what it was. A necessity. In this moment, it was the only way to save the man she loved.

Out of the corner of her eye, the Mage came into view and turned her way. There would be no attacking them from behind, as she’d hoped, but for one instant, she had the element of surprise and she took it.

Calling on her warrior’s instincts and experience, she attacked with everything she had. By the time the Mage saw her, she was already swinging. One head rolled and she spun toward the other. The second Mage was strong and skilled and dodged her blows, spinning to catch her in the thigh. But she refused to go down. Fox’s life depended on her winning this fight, and she wasn’t about to lose. Instead, she rolled, chopped off one of his hands, then launched herself on his back, grabbing his forehead, pulling his head back, and slicing her blade across his throat once, twice . . . his head came off in her hands.

As the second sentinel collapsed, she leaped free with a shuddering breath and a surge of triumph. Dropping the head, she ran to Fox.

Nice job, pet. But the eyes that watched her held worry.

She shoved her bloody hands into his fur, determined to free him from the chains of the darkness this time. As Fox watched her, as she pulled on the energy of her gift, she smiled at him.

“I’ve had a little practice,” she murmured, then smiled. “Five thousand years.”

Love shone in his eyes. You’re okay.

“Better than okay. I feel . . . purged. Free. And I’ll feel a hundred times better when I have you on your feet again.”

Me, too.

All of a sudden, her healing gift leaped into her hands, twice as powerful as before. And a moment later, Fox shifted back into a man. Bounding to his feet, he hauled her into his arms and kissed her soundly, tenderly.

“You’re incredible.”

She grinned at him. “You’re not so bad yourself, gorgeous.”

He returned her grin, then grabbed her hand and started down the hallway. Several minutes later, they were standing before a heavy wooden door, banded with iron, a small barred window at the top.

“Kara,” Fox breathed, peering into that window.

“Fox!” the Radiant cried softly.

He turned to Melisande. “We need a key.”

Melisande nodded, then searched, but found no sign of one. Returning to Fox she shook her head.

“Roll close to the wall and cover your face, Kara. I’m going to have to break down the door.”

Which the Mage would surely hear, but there was no help for it.

“Ready?” Fox called softly.

“Yes,” came the muffled reply.

As Melisande moved out of his way, Fox backed up, lifted one powerful leg, and kicked the door in with a monstrous crack of splitting timbers.

They had only minutes, if that, before the Mage swarmed them. Fox leaped through the opening, scooping up Kara.

The Radiant threw her arms around his neck, tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Fox.” Her gaze caught Melisande’s, a sweet smile of thanks lifting Melisande’s heart and bringing tears to her own eyes. “Thank you, both.”

“Thank us when we’ve got you safely back in Lyon’s arms,” Fox murmured.

Melisande’s hand curved around the hilt of her sword. Together, they would return Kara to her mate. Or die trying.

Melisande led the way, backtracking through the passages as Fox brought up the rear, Kara in his arms. In the distance, Fox heard voices and the sound of footsteps. More than a couple this time. And he did not want them to have to fight their way out. Not with Kara so vulnerable. Not with Melisande at risk if they were badly outnumbered.

“Run, Mel,” he urged. They needed to get back to the tunnel before they were seen. As she took off, he followed. They passed the two dead Mage and kept going.