Passion Untamed (Feral Warriors #3)(81)

As the sentinels drew their swords, Skye's voice rang in his head, ringing with excitement and love. Paenther, help me say the chant again!

Paenther's gaze swung to Skye, loving her with his panther's eyes. He said the words as he leaped at Birik, Vhyper at his side. Skye chanted loudly, her voice ringing over the stone as she raised her unique power and sent a blast at the sentinels, knocking them back. He felt her pain, heard it in her voice, but his witch was at heart a stubborn little fighter, and she kept the guards at bay.

Birik tried to run for the door, but Paenther leaped on him, taking him down. As he sank his teeth into the bastard's chest, the great snake bit off his head. Paenther pulled out Birik's heart and ate it.

Beneath him the ground began to shake. Chaos erupted in the room as the Mage fled, sprinting for the door. Paenther shifted back into his human form and ran for Skye.

She flew at him, her arms wrapping around his neck as he gathered her tight against him.

"You're okay," she whispered.

The sound of battle erupted behind them. Animal battle. Paenther set Skye on her feet and pushed her behind him as he whirled to find Jag and Foxx fighting as no Ferals should, going for one another's throats. Mortal combat. Jag's fur was soaked with blood where the huge fox had taken a chunk out of his neck. Part of Foxx's face had already been torn away. Each was fighting for his life.

"Foxx!"

But the fox ignored him.

I tried to stop him from leaving, Jag said. He attacked me again. His eyes are empty, B.P. There's nobody home.

"Wait here," Paenther told Skye, but as he prepared to shift, Vhyper struck the fox, six-inch-long fangs burying deep in the animal's hindquarters.

Almost at once, the fox fell back, shifting to a man as he hit the floor. A chunk of rock fell from the ceiling not far away, crashing and splintering as the ground shook even harder.

Paenther grabbed Skye, shielding her in case anything else fell. "We've got to get out of here."

Vhyper and Jag both shifted back into men as Paenther and Skye joined them. At their feet, Foxx lay groaning, twisting in pain.

He looked up at them, his gaze locking on Paenther's. A gaze as cold as any he'd ever seen. Soulless.

"Vhyper...was right." Foxx's face twisted with pain. "All this time...didn't know. The Mage's weapon and...I didn't know."

Paenther looked at Vhyper. "How bad?"

"The poison? A lethal dose."

Paenther stared at his friend, then nodded and looked down at Foxx. "I'm sorry, Cub." And, goddess, he was. The kid had shown some real promise. He could have been a damn fine Feral once he matured. Once more the Mage had cut off a promising life before it had a chance to bloom. "It shouldn't have ended this way."

Foxx opened his mouth as if to speak, then said nothing as his body relaxed, his head lolling to the side.

"He's gone," Skye said quietly.

A massive stalactite dropped from the roof and shattered, spraying them with stinging bits of limestone.

"Out," Paenther said. "Now."

Vhyper lifted Foxx in his arms as Paenther shielded Skye.

"Where's that Daemon blade?" Jag asked.

Vhyper shook his head. "The last time I saw it, it was sitting between the two circles."

As they reached the door, Paenther turned right, but Skye pulled against him, fighting him.

"This isn't the way out?" he asked her.

"It is. But I have to get Faithful. Go with Vhyper. I'll meet you outside."

"Like hell. Who's Faithful?"

"One of my deer. I have to save my deer."

"Skye..."

"I'm not leaving them in here to die!"

Jag grabbed her arm, but his gaze met Paenther's. "I'm going after the blade. I'll bring the deer."

"I'll go with you..." Paenther began, and cut off as a chunk of ceiling nearly crashed on top of them. He hauled Skye out of the way barely in time.

"Go, B.P.! Get her out of here."

"You've got three minutes, Jag, then I'm coming after you."

"Deal."

Vhyper led the way out of the caverns and into near-hurricane-force winds and driving rain. Mother Nature was furious, but Skye could hardly care. Paenther was alive, Birik dead, Vhyper saved. Now if only Jag, Faithful, and the other deer made it out alive.

Paenther held her tight against his chest as cold rain lashed her body. She glanced at Vhyper as he held Foxx, his gaze searching the forest. No longer was he the cold, casually cruel Feral she'd known in the caverns. But the dark, swirling intensity she felt in him made him seem every bit as dangerous. Inside him, she could feel the snake, coiled and agitated, but she didn't think it had anything to do with her this time.

"Do you see any sign of them?" Paenther asked.

"None. The Mage may be soulless, but they're not stupid. There's nothing more for them here."

"Three minutes," Paenther said softly, as if to himself. "Then I want you to take Skye and get out of here, Vhype. She can lead you to the others."

"No," Skye said. "I have to see Faithful."

Paenther stroked her, the cold rain sliding between their naked bodies. "We're not going to have room in the car for a deer, Beauty."