Obsession Untamed (Feral Warriors #2)(70)

Keeping her gaze pinned on his, she thought of Tighe in there and tried to mimic the way he used to touch her mind when he was trying to get control over her. She’d been able to feel him like a warm presence in her head. If only she knew how to do that.

She kept talking, praying her voice might find its way down into whatever dark cellar he’d fallen into. “Tighe, I’m remembering how you brushed my mind when you were trying to steal my memories of you. How the touch of your mind against mine was warm and soft. And so much more. I’m remembering that touch of your mind, and I’m reaching for yours. In my mind, I’m reaching for you.”

This was useless. Embarrassing. How could she ever think she could help him? A human.

With a suddenness that had her gasping, the face of a tiger leaped into her head as it had the other time, so clear, it almost felt real. A wild, beautiful sight. Like before she startled.

The tiger began to fade.

“No! No, come back to me, tiger.” Her fingers dug into Tighe’s jaw as she thought of the tiger this time, willing him to return.

He did. His ruffed, striped face rose in her mind until she could neither think of, nor see, anything else. And as it did, a warmth wrapped around her as strong and wonderful as Tighe’s arms.

Her tears fell in earnest.

“Find him for me. I can’t reach him, but you can. Find him. Please find him.”

“She’s connected with his animal.” Kougar’s voice fell on her ears as if from a distance.

“I’ll be damned,” Lyon replied.

D?

Tighe’s voice sounded in her head, clear, but faint.

“I’m here, Tighe.” She said the words out loud. “Can you hear me?”

Yes.

“Follow my voice.”

Slowly, the hungry predatory eyes began to take on a glow of humanity. Even more slowly, his fangs began to recede, and the pupils of his eyes shrank until white showed around them again, and the color beneath the black shards turned to green.

“You’re okay?” The words fell from his throat roughly, more growl than speech as his fangs disappeared altogether.

She lunged forward and pressed her cheek against his, drenching him with her tears. The next thing she knew, she was in his arms, crying with relief, battered by all that had happened since she last felt his arms around her. And scared by Lyon’s words. That Tighe’s soul was disintegrating.

Lyon cleared his throat behind her.

Tighe ran his hand down her hair. “Let’s get up.” She pushed off him and stood, brushing away the tears on her cheeks as he rose beside her. He reached for something in the corner and when he straightened those blasted sunglasses of his were back on his face, having miraculously survived the fight.

He reached for her, pulling her tight against his side as he faced the others.

“Welcome back.” Lyon eyed him with a relief that glowed hotly in his amber eyes.

“What’s the situation?” Tighe asked, as if he’d just woken from a quick nap. “Any news from Paenther?”

“Not today. I got a brief call from Foxx yesterday. They haven’t found anything, yet.”

“What about my clone?”

Lyon’s mouth tensed. “In the two days you’ve been out, we’ve tried every Daemon-trapping spell Kougar can come up with, but so far, no luck. Either the clone’s not Daemon enough, or the rituals aren’t right.”

Tighe’s arm tightened around her. “So I’m out of luck?”

“We’re not giving up.” But Lyon’s tone held little hope.

Delaney pressed her cheek against Tighe’s chest as fear twisted in her heart.

“How long do I have?” Tighe asked.

Lyon just shook his head.

Tighe stiffened. “Tell me, Roar.”

The man, who was clearly Tighe’s friend, cleared his throat, a suspicious glimmer entering his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was low and pained.

“Your soul…is almost gone. The Shaman thinks you may see another sunrise. But you won’t see another sunset unless we get a miracle. I’m sorry, Tighe.”

Delaney stiffened. “There has to be something you can do. You’re immortal. Supermen.”

Lyon shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry.”

Tighe was silent. His body still. “What about D?” He asked finally. “Is she okay?”

“As far as we can tell. The Shaman’s knowledge is of Mage magic, not Daemon. But she seems to be okay.” Lyon’s gaze swung to Delaney. To her surprise, he came to her, put his hands on her shoulders, and kissed her temple. He pulled back and met her gaze with eyes breaking with pain. “Thank you for giving him back to us.”

His unspoken, for now hung in the air.

Delaney nodded, fighting back tears of her own. She wanted to rail at him for giving up, but she could see the pain in his eyes and knew he’d be doing something if he could.

“Is there anything I can do?” Tighe asked his chief.

Lyon shook his head slowly. “Kougar and Hawke are searching for any ancient spell they might have missed. The others are chasing fires in hopes of catching the clone that way. I’m afraid one more person isn’t going to be of a lot of use.”

Lyon put his hand on Tighe’s shoulder. “If you want my advice, get something to eat and spend some time with your mate. Not necessarily in that order.” His gaze swung to her, respect sharp in his eyes. “Human or not, she’s a hell of a woman.” He turned and started back down the tunnel.