Ecstasy Untamed (Feral Warriors #6)(47)

"I don't see anyone," Delaney said, returning.

"Me, either." Kara started down the stairs.

Hawke peered out the peephole just as Polaris disappeared beyond sight of the door. Lynks battled-rammed the door in his place, barely making the door rattle. Polaris was going to be the problem, not the lynx. "Polaris is heading around back." Hawke grabbed the keys to Vhyper's Porsche, pressed them into Olivia's hand, and caught all four women in his gaze. "Stay to the side of the door until I give you the sign." His gaze focused on Olivia. "Then get them out of here."

Olivia shook her head. "We're not leaving you to face them alone."

"Yes you are. Lyon gave you direct orders to protect the Radiant. She's your only concern."

"Hawke . . ." Faith touched his arm. "You need me here."

It was all he could do not to pull her against him again. "You won't survive a draden swarm, Smiley. Go with Olivia."

Her jaw tightened, and while she didn't reply, a stubborn, determined light lit her eyes.

"I mean it, Faith. I can still shift. I won't die from draden bites."

Her mouth thinned, but she nodded and looked away.

Good.

The shattering of glass in the dining room ended the discussion. His heart began to thud with the certain knowledge that he had to keep it together, he had to make this work, or goddess only knew what would happen. If he lost it and shifted, leaving the women to fight it out on their own, would Polaris and Lynks kill them? The Ewan they'd known would never have, not in a million years. But something had happened to the new Ferals. Something that reeked of dark magic. And Hawke wasn't about to risk it.

As the four women pressed back against the wall beside the door, he peered out the peephole. Any moment, Polaris would be racing into the hall behind him from the dining room. Come on, Lynks, he thought to himself. If his timing was off on this, they were in trouble. But as he'd counted on, Lynks was gearing up for another battle ram. Hawke silently pulled back the well-oiled locks and curled his hand around the latch. As Lynks once again threw his entire weight against the door, Hawke wrenched it open and grabbed the man, using his own momentum against him to throw him against the far wall. By the time Hawke turned around, the women were racing out the door, Delaney taking up the rear, her gun drawn.

Hawke slammed the front door closed behind them and stepped in front of it as the polar bear raced down the hall, a quarter ton of angry, charging beast.

The red haze threatened, creeping around Hawke's vision as if it knew his defense against it was about to leave in Vhyper's Porsche. As if it knew that this time it would win. He drew fangs, gripping his swords in clawed hands. And prayed this wasn't his final battle. Not when the love of his life was finally his to claim.

The moment Delaney closed the front door, Faith stopped. "I'm staying."

Delaney stared at her. "You can't. You must know what the draden will do to you."

"It doesn't matter. Hawke needs me."

Olivia tossed the keys to Delaney. "You drive."

Delaney looked at Faith worriedly. "She's staying."

Olivia nodded. "I know. If he were the man I loved, I'd do the same. No matter the cost. So would you."

With a press of her lips, but understanding in her eyes, Delaney turned and took off at a run for the car.

Olivia pointed to the distance. "The draden will be coming from that direction. If you see them, get yourself into one of the cars ASAP. They're all unlocked and all warded against them. You're no good to Hawke dead." She turned, then swung back. "Don't die, Faith. We need you." Without another word, she raced back to the low-slung sports car. As she reached it, Delaney started the engine. Olivia dove into the front seat, and Delaney took off.

Suddenly alone, Faith pressed her back against the brick, listening to the crashing and growling coming from inside the house. If only she could help Hawke for real. If only she could fight beside him. But as long as she heard the sound of battle, she knew he was okay. And, hopefully, she was helping him. Hopefully, the hawk knew she was here. Regardless, it was worth the risk.

Something caught her eye. A dark cloud blowing in over the trees. No, not a cloud.

Draden.

Hawke shifted his swords, one in each hand. He didn't want to kill Polaris. The new Feral was a friend to Olivia and almost certainly enchanted. But Hawke would do whatever he had to in order to give the women a fighting chance to escape. Lynks rose from the floor slowly, one ruddy cheek streaked with blood, but Hawke focused on the charging polar bear. Waiting . . . waiting . . .

He swung his swords as he dove out of the way at the last minute, slicing one blade deep across the bear's shoulder, the other across his face, catching one of his eyes.

The bear crashed into the door, roaring in pain, blood blooming red on the snow-white fur.

As Hawke rolled to his feet, Lynks lunged at him with his own blades. One tore through Hawke's thigh, sending him into a lurch. But Hawke easily dislodged Lynks's other blade, taking off his hand in a quick, upward stroke. Lynks screamed with pain as his severed hand went flying. The man was clearly no fighter. Polaris was another matter. As Hawke swung back, the polar bear charged again. This time Hawke didn't have time to dodge. As he swept his blade at the bear's throat, a huge claw ripped through the muscle of Hawke's shoulder. For a few precious seconds, he lost control of his hand, and the blade slipped from his fingers to clatter on the tiled floor.