Ecstasy Untamed (Feral Warriors #6)(95)

Lyon hit PAUSE before Maxim started speaking, his gaze returning to Grizz. "Explain."

Grizz's big hand flexed and released on the table, over and over as he seemed to gather his thoughts. "When I first came into my animal, the darkness blindsided me, sweeping me under. I don't remember much. Every now and then, I think I broke through, aware that something was wrong, then I'd be pulled under again. Then the order to attack you blazed in my mind, and I found myself doing it. Following it blindly, unable to stop. I fought it. And lost."

"You didn't lose, boyo," Fox murmured. "Not completely, or you'd have bitten off my head instead of my rump."

Grizz gave a brief nod. "I fought it. I think Lepard is, too."

Olivia, seated at Jag's side, made a sound of distress. "Why isn't Polaris? He's a good man."

"This kind of infection will affect each one differently," Kougar said calmly. "Some will be pulled deeper than others. It has little to do with strength or will. A few may be able to fight it, but none will be free of the darkness until they're cured."

Wulfe grunted. "So, what you're saying is that although Lepard may be fighting the darkness, it's not going to do us much good."

"Correct."

Lyon turned to Lynks. "Do you feel the need to go, too?"

"Not at all. I'll stay here."

Lyon nodded, his gaze fanning out to encompass the room. "Be ready to leave in an hour."

Hawke rose to his feet, his gut grinding. A hundred things could go wrong. A thousand. If only he could breach that castle instead of Faith, but to do that he had to be able to shift. And he was afraid he knew what would happen if he tried. Game over.

He wanted to deny her this, to keep her safe and protected. But she was right. She had it in her to be a fine warrior. The strength, the courage, and now the confidence. It was time for her to seize her destiny.

Even if it killed him to watch her go into that castle alone.

An hour later, Faith stood deep in the shadowed woods with the other Ferals, staring at the huge centuries-old castle in the clearing ahead. Maxim's castle. The shiver that went through her had little to do with the cool drizzle falling in the spring woods and everything to do with the evil she knew she'd soon be facing. Alone.

Both the Ilinas and the Ferals had tried to breach the castle, but as Maxim had warned, it was fully warded against them. Only through the chimney flue might she gain access.

Hawke stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder, lending her strength and courage. But the thing that terrified her most was that even if she managed to get out of that castle alive, he might not be here when she returned. Though she'd fought his protectiveness, knowing she had to go, she knew the thought of her battling Maxim alone was tearing Hawke apart. And might, literally, end up rending what was left of his connection with his animal.

She turned to him, now.

He met her gaze, his eyes dark wells of worry. "I wish I could go for you." He curled his arm around her shoulders until she was tight against him.

"I wish you could come with me." She tried to smile, but it was a sorry effort. "I wish . . ." But there was no use in saying the words. They both knew, both felt the desperate need for him to renew his bond with his animal. But Hawke was the only one who could do it, and he didn't know how. Faith slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "It's going to be okay. I'm going to fly in there and open the back door and let the rest of you in. We'll battle them together." That was the plan, at least - for her to find a bolt-hole, or some other kind of back door, and wrench it open before the new Ferals could stop her.

He kissed her forehead. But when he pulled back, his eyes were sad and deeply worried. Since they'd found no kind of trap upon arriving outside the castle, they felt certain it lay within. Faith prayed that her newfound strength and speed would allow her to thwart Maxim's plans. Because not going wasn't an option. Not when Maxim was empowering the Daemons. Not when Paulina's and Maria's lives hung in the balance.

She could do this. She had to do this.

"Ready, Falkyn?" Paenther asked quietly.

Hawke pressed a kiss to her temple, strengthening her with his love. When he released her, the look in his eyes was more than love. Pride shone there, too. Pride in her.

"Kick. His. Ass."

She laughed softly, tears filming her eyes. "We'll do it together."

"Deal."

Finally, she turned to face Paenther, Kougar, and the others, her heart thudding in her chest. "Wish me luck." She threw them a small smile and shifted in that glorious rush of energy, shooting into the air. It was an incredible feeling - the shifting, the flying with such speed and accuracy. She felt powerful, invincible.

For a bright moment, she wondered if she might not be able to pull this off as cleanly and easily as she'd quipped to Hawke.

Keeping her eye on the south chimney, she flew up, high over the castle to avoid the warding, then down again. As she neared the flue, she slowed, testing for heat that might indicate fire, or any kind of warding that might knock her back. At the top of the chimney, she landed on bird's feet, tucking her falcon wings against her body as she sent her senses outward, letting the falcon spirit assess the situation. If there was a trap waiting for her, neither of them could sense it.

Her mind trembled at the thought of facing Maxim again. And bled from the memory of the girls' bruised and terrified faces as they hung from those ropes. It was time to go.