Desire Untamed (Feral Warriors #1)(74)

"Beatrice. Her death was no accident. She died right after Foxx brought Zaphene home."

Kara's body slowly began to relax against him, the fear and pain draining away.

"Are you still with me?"

"Uh-hmm. I feel like I just went three rounds with a grizzly bear. Or any one of you."

He slid his hand into her hair, pressing her head against his shoulder.

"If the Mage mortgaged their power to imprison the Daemons, too, why would a Mage try to free him?" she murmured.

"I don't know. Evil can take any form. This time it seems to be taking the form of a Mage witch."

"Zaphene probably bewitched Foxx into opening that window," Paenther said. "She's probably had him bewitched all along."

Tighe nodded. "Which is how Foxx wound up bringing that Daemon blade to the goddess stone the night we raised the power of the lion. And why he couldn't remember doing it."

"Dammit to hell." Lyon stood, still holding Kara tight against him. "We've got to get back there and find her. And when we do, she's dead." He looked at the Shaman. "Can you do some research? See if you can figure out what in the hell her pets are and how she means to free the Daemons?"

The Shaman nodded, straightening from the wall. His color seemed to be coming back. "I'll work on it."

He kissed Kara's head. "Can you stand?"

"Yes. I'm okay."

He let her slide to her feet, but kept her close against him as she rearranged her skirt. "If Kara's memory was right, the witch wants more of her blood. She's still in danger. I need someone to guard her."

"I'll do it," Hawke said.

Lyon nodded. "Jag, get the Hummer. We need to roll." He turned Kara to face him. "Rest while we're gone. I'll come get you as soon as we get this situation straightened out."

"I wish I could come with you." A hot spark of malice lit her eyes. "I'd like to kick Zaphene's butt for what she did to me."

"She won't live another day," he snarled. "I'll take her head myself. I promise you that."

She reached up and touched his face, her soft fingers stroking his heart. "Okay. But you have to make me a second promise as well."

"What's that?"

"Come back to me, Lyon. Whole. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. I love you."

And he knew he'd battle a hundred armies if he had to, to keep her by his side.

Kara heard the front door close behind Lyon and the others. She was afraid for them. If what she'd remembered was true, they were in serious danger. The entire world could be in danger.

The Shaman started tor the door. "I've got magic sticking to me like glue." He turned to look at her, the eyes in that youthful face as old as the ages. "If you're feeling better, Radiant, I'm going to get myself cleared."

Kara nodded. "I'm fine now. Thank you." She followed the Shaman out of the office and saw Hawke coming toward her from the foyer. She tried to smile at him, despite her worry for Lyon.

"So you're my bodyguard today?"

He nodded. "We need to go."

"Go where?"

"To one of the other enclaves. Lyon doesn't want you to stay here. Too many people know you're here."

"Oh. Okay. Do we have to go right away?"

"Immediately."

The Shaman stripped off his clothes, enjoying, as he always did, the sight of Esmeria removing her own. He felt lousy. Like the magic from that place had seeped into every pore and was eating away at his body like acid. The sooner he got rid of it, the better. He wondered if one release would do it. He might need a second. Or even a third.

He smiled to himself. The life of a Shaman was a trial, to be sure.

Esmeria unhooked her bra, pulled off her panties and lay down on the bed, opening her thighs. She pushed her fingers between her legs, slipping them inside her body until the damp, sucking sound told him she was ready. When she pulled out glistening fingers and motioned for him, opening her arms wide, he joined her, kissed her neck as he positioned his body over hers and pushed himself home.

Oh, yes. This was what he'd needed. Whenever the magic rode him, it took him a while to find his release, as if the magic fought to hold on. But, finally, he felt his body tighten, felt the rush of orgasm and the cleansing of his spirit. As he found completion, and collapsed into Esmeria's warm arms, his mind began to tingle in a way that had him turning to stone.

"What's the matter, Shaman?" Esmeria rubbed her hand along his back.

"Bewitchment." He felt the veil lift from his mind like a fog dissipating in the sun.

And he remembered.

"Damnation."

Esmeria released him as he levered himself out of her. "What's wrong?"

"Get Lyon on the phone and tell him to get back here. Quickly."

"Which enclave are we going to?" Kara asked Hawke as she slid into the front seat of his car.

"You'll see."

Kara flicked the warrior a glance, then turned to look out her own window as he pulled away from the curb. She supposed it didn't matter since she didn't know one from the other. And Lyon would be able to find her no matter where she was, thanks to his finder skills.